Aptiv PLC S-3ASR, filed Dec 19, 2024
Aptiv PLC (APTV)
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 2024
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
APTIV PLC
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| Jersey | 98-1824200 | |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
+41 52 580 96 00
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Varun Laroyia
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC
125 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(917) 994-3932
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
Copy to:
| Katherine H. Ramundo Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC 125 Park Avenue New York, NY 10017 (917) 994-3932 |
Michael Kaplan Roshni Banker Cariello Davis Polk & Wardwell 450 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10017 (212) 450-4000 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
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, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ (Do not check if smaller reporting company) | 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. ☐
Certain subsidiaries of Aptiv PLC are also registrants and are identified on the following page.
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TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
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| Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter* | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number | |||
| Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited |
Jersey | 3714 | 91-1824378 | |||
| Aptiv Corporation |
Delaware | 3714 | 27-0791190 | |||
| Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company |
Ireland | 3714 | N/A | |||
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| * | The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each registrant’s principal executive offices is c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC, 125 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Tel. (917) 994-3932. |
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APTIV PLC
DEBT SECURITIES
GUARANTEES
PREFERRED SHARES
ORDINARY SHARES
WARRANTS
PURCHASE CONTRACTS
UNITS
APTIV SWISS HOLDINGS LIMITED
DEBT SECURITIES
GUARANTEES
APTIV CORPORATION
DEBT SECURITIES
GUARANTEES
WARRANTS
PURCHASE CONTRACTS
UNITS
APTIV GLOBAL FINANCING DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY
DEBT SECURITIES
GUARANTEES
Guarantees by certain subsidiaries of Aptiv PLC
We may offer from time to time ordinary shares of Aptiv PLC, preferred shares of Aptiv PLC, debt securities of Aptiv PLC, debt securities of Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited, debt securities of Aptiv Corporation, debt securities of Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company, warrants, purchase contracts or units. The debt securities of Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited, Aptiv Corporation and Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company may be co-issued or guaranteed by Aptiv PLC and one or more subsidiaries of Aptiv PLC, and the debt securities of Aptiv PLC may be co-issued or guaranteed by one or more of its subsidiaries, in each case on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. In addition, certain selling shareholders to be identified in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell ordinary shares from time to time, in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time the securities are offered.
Specific terms of these securities will be provided in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest.
Our ordinary shares are listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “APTV.”
Investing in these securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 4 of this prospectus and beginning on page 15 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 which is incorporated by reference herein.
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.
The date of this prospectus is December 19, 2024
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We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any such free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates.
It must be distinctly understood that neither the registrar of companies in Jersey nor the Jersey Financial Services Commission takes any responsibility for the financial soundness of the Company or for the correctness of any statements made, or opinions expressed, with regard to it.
On December 17, 2024, a scheme of arrangement under Jersey law (the “Scheme”) was completed pursuant to which the ordinary shares of Aptiv Irish Holdings Limited (formerly known as Aptiv PLC), a company organized under the laws of Jersey and the then publicly traded parent company of the Aptiv group and which was renamed to “Aptiv Irish Holdings Limited” in connection with the Scheme (the “Predecessor”), were cancelled and the holders thereof received, on a one-for-one basis, ordinary shares of Aptiv PLC (formerly known as Aptiv Holdings Limited), a public limited company organized under the laws of Jersey (“Aptiv PLC”). Following the Scheme, Aptiv PLC became the publicly traded parent company of the Aptiv group, and the Predecessor became a wholly owned subsidiary of Aptiv PLC. On December 19, 2024, the Predecessor merged with and into Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited (“Aptiv Swiss Holdings”) (the “Merger”), with Aptiv Swiss Holdings surviving the Merger. Upon completion of the Merger, Aptiv Swiss Holdings succeeded to and assumed the obligations of the Predecessor as the issuer under Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ senior indenture and Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ subordinated indenture.
In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, “Aptiv,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Aptiv PLC. As the context may require, “we,” “us” and “our” refers only to Aptiv PLC and the subsidiary registrants who may sell securities pursuant to this prospectus from time to time.
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| Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees of Debt Securities |
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We are a global technology company focused on making the world safer, greener and more connected. We deliver end-to-end mobility solutions enabling our customers’ transition to more electrified, software-defined vehicles. We design and manufacture vehicle components and provide electrical, electronic and active safety technology solutions to the global automotive and commercial vehicle markets, creating the software and hardware foundation for vehicle features and functionality. Our Advanced Safety and User Experience segment is focused on providing the necessary software and advanced computing platforms, and our Signal and Power Solutions segment is focused on providing the requisite networking architecture required to support the integrated systems in today’s complex vehicles. Together, our businesses develop the ‘brain’ and the ‘nervous system’ of increasingly complex vehicles, providing integration of the vehicle into its operating environment.
We are one of the largest vehicle technology suppliers and our customers include the 25 largest automotive original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) in the world. We operate 138 major manufacturing facilities and 11 major technical centers utilizing a regional service model that enables us to efficiently and effectively serve our global customers from best cost countries. We have a presence in 50 countries and have approximately 22,200 scientists, engineers and technicians focused on developing market relevant product solutions for our customers.
We are focused on growing and improving the profitability of our businesses, and have implemented a strategy designed to position us to deliver industry-leading long-term shareholder returns. This strategy includes disciplined investing in our business to grow and enhance our product offerings, strategically focusing our portfolio in high-technology, high-growth spaces in order to meet consumer preferences and leveraging an industry-leading cost structure to expand our operating margins.
Our principal executive offices are located at Spitalstrasse 5, 8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland and our telephone number is +41 52 580 96 00. Our register of members is kept at our registered office, which is 13 Castle Street, St. Helier, JE1 1ES, Jersey, Channel Islands.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell the securities or any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, and the selling shareholders may sell our ordinary shares, in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we and the selling shareholders may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and, as the case may be, the identity of the selling shareholders. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at http://www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and all documents we file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of any offering under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):
(a) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023;
(b) The portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 11, 2024 that are incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023;
(c) Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 28, 2024;
(d) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2024, filed on May 2, 2024;
(e) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2024, filed on August 1, 2024;
(f) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2024, filed on October 31, 2024; and
(g) our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on November 7, 2024, November 25, 2024, December 2, 2024, December 18, 2024 and December 19, 2024.
You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at:
Aptiv PLC
c/o Corporate Secretary
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
+41 52 580 96 00
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SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, contains forward-looking statements that reflect, when made, our current views with respect to current events, certain investments and acquisitions and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, which may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results, express or implied, by such forward-looking statements. All statements that address future operating, financial or business performance or our strategies or expectations are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “potential,” “outlook” or “continue,” and other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: global and regional economic conditions, including conditions affecting the credit market; global inflationary pressures; uncertainties created by the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and its impacts to the European and global economies and our operations in each country; uncertainties created by the conflicts in the Middle East and their impacts on global economies; fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; the cyclical nature of global automotive sales and production; the potential disruptions in the supply of and changes in the competitive environment for raw material and other components integral to our products, including the ongoing semiconductor supply shortage; our ability to maintain contracts that are critical to our operations; potential changes to beneficial free trade laws and regulations, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement; changes to tax laws; future significant public health crises; our ability to integrate and realize the expected benefits of recent transactions; our ability to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives; our ability to avoid or continue to operate during a strike, or partial work stoppage or slow down by any of our unionized employees or those of our principal customers; and our ability to attract and retain customers. Additional factors are discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30, and September 30 2024. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. It should be remembered that the price of the ordinary shares and any income from them can go down as well as up. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events and/or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. We are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations.
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Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our then most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in any updates to those risk factors in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, together with all of the other information appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances.
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Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, acquisitions, retirement of debt and other business opportunities. In the case of a sale by a selling shareholder, we will not receive any of the proceeds from such sale.
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The following descriptions are summaries of the material terms of our Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association (as amended, our “Articles of Association” and “Memorandum of Association,” respectively). Reference is made to the more detailed provisions of, and the descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association, which are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and applicable law.
Ordinary Shares
As of September 30, 2024, there were 234,992,960 ordinary shares issued and outstanding. All outstanding ordinary shares are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The ordinary shares do not have preemptive, subscription or redemption rights. Neither our Memorandum of Association or Articles of Association nor the laws of Jersey restrict in any way the ownership or voting of ordinary shares held by non-residents of Jersey.
Our Board may issue authorized but unissued ordinary shares, and the selling shareholders identified in a prospectus supplement may sell ordinary shares, without further shareholder action, unless shareholder action is required by applicable law or by the rules of a stock exchange or quotation system on which any series of our shares may be listed or quoted.
Dividend and Liquidation Rights. Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive equally, share for share, any dividends that may be declared in respect of our ordinary shares by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. If, in the future, we declare cash dividends, such dividends will be payable in U.S. dollars. In the event of our liquidation, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, holders of ordinary shares are entitled to share pro rata in our net assets. Such rights may be affected by the grant of preferential dividend or distribution rights to the holders of a class or series of preferred shares that may be authorized in the future. Our Board of Directors has the power to declare such interim dividends as it determines. Declaration of a final dividend (not exceeding the amounts proposed by our Board of Directors) requires shareholder approval by adoption of an ordinary resolution. Failure to obtain such shareholder approval does not affect previously paid interim dividends.
Voting, Shareholder Meetings and Resolutions. Holders of ordinary shares have one vote for each ordinary share held on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of ordinary shares. These voting rights may be affected by the grant of any special voting rights to the holders of a class or series of preferred shares that may be authorized in the future. Pursuant to Jersey law, an annual general meeting shall be held once every calendar year at the time (within a period of not more than 18 months after the last preceding annual general meeting) and at the place as may be determined by the Board of Directors. The quorum required for an ordinary meeting of shareholders consists of shareholders present in person or by proxy who hold or represent between them a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at such meeting.
An ordinary resolution (such as a resolution for the declaration of dividends) requires approval by the holders of a majority of the voting rights represented at a meeting, in person or by proxy, and voting thereon.
Amendments to Governing Documents. A special resolution (such as, for example, a resolution amending our Memorandum of Association or Articles of Association or approving any change in authorized capitalization, or a liquidation or winding-up) requires approval of the holders of two-thirds of the voting rights represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and voting thereon. A special resolution can only be considered if shareholders receive at least fourteen days’ prior notice of the meeting at which such resolution will be considered.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Shareholder Nominations and Proposals. Our Articles of Association establish advance notice and related procedures with respect to shareholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors.
Limits on Written Consents. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of shareholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing in lieu of a meeting of such shareholders.
Transfer of Shares and Notices. Fully paid ordinary shares are issued in registered form and may be freely transferred pursuant to the Articles of Association unless the transfer is restricted by applicable securities laws or prohibited by another instrument. Each shareholder of record is entitled to receive at least fourteen days’ prior notice (excluding the day of notice and the day of the meeting) of an ordinary shareholders’ meeting and of any shareholders’ meeting at which a special resolution is to be adopted. For the purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at the meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a date as the record date for any such determination.
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Modification of Class Rights. The rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of that class), such as voting, dividends and the like, may be varied with the sanction of an ordinary resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
Election and Removal of Directors. The ordinary shares do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. As a result, the holders of ordinary shares that represent more than 50% of the voting power have the power to elect any of our directors who are up for election. All of our directors will be elected at each annual meeting.
Our Board of Directors currently consists of 10 directors. Our Articles of Association state that shareholders may only remove a director for cause. Our Board of Directors has sole power to fill any vacancy occurring as a result of the death, disability, removal or resignation of a director or as a result of an increase in the size of the Board of Directors.
Preferred Shares
We have 50,000,000 authorized preferred shares. As of September 30, 2024, we had no preferred shares issued and outstanding. The Board of Directors has the authority to issue the preferred shares in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such shares, including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series, without further vote or action by the shareholders.
When we offer to sell a particular series of preferred shares, we will describe the specific terms of the securities in a supplement to this prospectus. The preferred shares will be issued under a statement of rights relating to each series of preferred shares and they are also subject to our Articles of Association.
Our Board may issue authorized preferred shares without further shareholder action, unless shareholder action is required by applicable law or by the rules of a stock exchange or quotation system on which any series of our shares may be listed or quoted.
All preferred shares offered will be fully paid and non-assessable. Any preferred shares that are issued may have priority over the ordinary shares with respect to dividend or liquidation rights or both.
The purpose of authorizing the Board of Directors to issue preferred shares and to determine their rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a shareholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred shares, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible equity financings, acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting shares.
Comparison of United States and Jersey Corporate Law
The following discussion is a summary of the material differences between United States and Jersey corporate law relevant to an investment in the ordinary shares. The following discussion is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change.
As in most United States jurisdictions, unless approved by a special resolution of our shareholders, our directors do not have the power to take certain actions, including an amendment of our Memorandum of Association or Articles of Association or an increase or reduction in our authorized capital. Directors of a Jersey corporation, without shareholder approval, in certain instances may, among other things, implement certain sales, transfers, exchanges or dispositions of assets, property, parts of the business or securities of the corporation; or any combination thereof, if they determine any such action is in the best interests of the corporation, its creditors or its shareholders.
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As in most United States jurisdictions, the board of directors of a Jersey corporation is charged with the management of the affairs of the corporation. In most United States jurisdictions, directors owe a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders, including a duty of care, pursuant to which directors must properly apprise themselves of all reasonably available information, and a duty of loyalty, pursuant to which they must protect the interests of the corporation and refrain from conduct that injures the corporation or its shareholders or that deprives the corporation or its shareholders of any profit or advantage. Many United States jurisdictions have enacted various statutory provisions that permit the monetary liability of directors to be eliminated or limited. Jersey law protecting the interests of shareholders may not be as protective in all circumstances as the law protecting shareholders in United States jurisdictions. Under our Articles of Association, we are required to indemnify every present and former officer of ours out of our assets against any loss or liability incurred by such officer by reason of being or having been such an officer. The extent of such indemnities shall be limited in accordance with the provisions of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, as amended.
In most United States jurisdictions, the Board of Directors is permitted to authorize share repurchases without shareholder consent. Jersey law does not permit share repurchases without shareholder consent. However, our Articles of Association permit our Board of Directors to convert any of our shares that we wish to purchase into redeemable shares, and thus effectively allow our Board of Directors to authorize share repurchases (which shall be effected by way of redemption) without shareholder consent, consistent with the practice in most United States jurisdictions.
Listing
Our ordinary shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “APTV.” We will describe the listing of any series of preferred shares in the prospectus supplement for such series.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The U.S. transfer agent and registrar for the ordinary shares is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The U.S. transfer agent and registrar’s address is 250 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021, Attention: Client Administration. Computershare Investor Services (Jersey) Limited is the transfer agent and registrar for the ordinary shares in Jersey and its address is 13 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey JE1 1ES.
The transfer agent for each series of preferred shares will be described in the prospectus supplement for such series.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES
Aptiv PLC, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corporation (“Aptiv Corp.”) or Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company (formerly known as Aptiv Global Financing Limited) (“AGFDAC”) may offer debt securities, subject to the consent of the Jersey Financial Services Commission, if required. This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. When Aptiv PLC, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. or AGFDAC offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, the specific terms for the securities will be set forth in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.
Aptiv PLC’s senior debt securities would be issued under a senior indenture among Aptiv PLC, the guarantors party thereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as registrar, paying agent and authenticating agent (the “Registrar and Paying Agent”). Aptiv PLC’s subordinated debt securities would be issued under a subordinated indenture among Aptiv PLC, the guarantors party thereto, the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent.
Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ senior debt securities would be issued under the senior indenture dated as of March 10, 2015, as supplemented from time to time, among Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv PLC, the other guarantors party thereto, the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent. Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ subordinated debt securities would be issued under the subordinated indenture dated as of September 13, 2024, as supplemented from time to time, among Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv PLC, the other guarantors party thereto, the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent. On December 19, 2024, the Predecessor merged with and into Aptiv Swiss Holdings (the “Merger”), with Aptiv Swiss Holdings surviving the Merger. Upon completion of the Merger, Aptiv Swiss Holdings succeeded to and assumed the obligations of the Predecessor as the issuer under Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ senior indenture and Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ subordinated indenture.
Aptiv Corp.’s senior debt securities would be issued under a senior indenture dated as of February 14, 2013, as supplemented, among Aptiv Corp., Aptiv PLC, as a guarantor, the other guarantors party thereto, the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent. Aptiv Corp.’s subordinated indentures would be issued under a subordinated indenture among Aptiv Corp., Aptiv PLC, as a guarantor, the other guarantors party thereto, the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent.
AGFDAC’s senior debt securities would be issued under a senior indenture among AGFDAC, Aptiv PLC, as a guarantor, the other guarantors party thereto, the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent. AGFDAC’s subordinated debt securities would be issued under a subordinated indenture among AGFDAC, Aptiv PLC, as a guarantor, the other guarantors party thereto, the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent.
This prospectus refers to each of Aptiv PLC’s senior indenture, Aptiv PLC’s subordinated indenture, Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ senior indenture, Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ subordinated indenture, Aptiv Corp.’s senior indenture, Aptiv Corp.’s subordinated indenture, AGFDAC’s senior indenture and AGFDAC’s subordinated indenture individually as the “indenture” and collectively as the “indentures.” We refer to Aptiv PLC’s senior indenture, Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ senior indenture, Aptiv Corp.’s senior indenture and AGFDAC’s senior indenture collectively as the “senior indentures” and each individually as a “senior indenture.” We refer to Aptiv PLC’s subordinated indenture, Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ subordinated indenture, Aptiv Corp.’s subordinated indenture and AGFDAC’s subordinated indenture collectively as the “subordinated indentures” and each individually as a “subordinated indenture.”
We have summarized certain terms and provisions of the indentures. The summary is not complete. The indentures have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, which we have filed with the SEC. You should read the indentures for the provisions which may be important to you. The indentures are subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The senior indentures and the subordinated indentures are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to subordination. See “—Subordinated Debt.”
We, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. or AGFDAC may issue debt securities up to an aggregate principal amount as we, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. or AGFDAC may authorize from time to time. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any debt securities being offered, including:
| • | classification as senior or subordinated debt securities; |
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| • | ranking of the specific series of debt securities relative to other outstanding indebtedness, including subsidiaries’ debt; |
| • | if the debt securities are subordinated, the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness, as of a recent date, that is senior to the subordinated securities, and any limitation on the issuance of additional senior indebtedness; |
| • | the designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations; |
| • | whether or not the debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee or will be co-issued by another entity; |
| • | the maturity date; |
| • | the interest payment dates and the record dates for the interest payments; |
| • | the interest rate, if any, and the method for calculating the interest rate; |
| • | if other than New York, NY, the place where we will pay principal and interest; |
| • | any mandatory or optional redemption terms or prepayment, conversion, sinking fund or exchangeability or convertibility provisions; |
| • | if other than denominations of $2,000 or multiples of $1,000, the denominations the debt securities will be issued in; |
| • | if other than the principal amount, the portion of principal amount payable upon acceleration of the maturity; |
| • | the currency or currencies, if other than the currency of the United States, in which principal and interest will be paid; |
| • | if the debt securities may be exchangeable for and/or convertible into the ordinary shares of Aptiv PLC or any other security; |
| • | whether and under what circumstances additional amounts will be paid to a non-U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted; |
| • | additional provisions, if any, relating to the defeasance of the debt securities; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of global notes; |
| • | any material United States federal income tax consequences; |
| • | any listing on a securities exchange; |
| • | the initial public offering price; and |
| • | other specific terms, including events of default, covenants, provisions related to amendments and waivers, transfer and exchange, satisfaction and discharge and defeasance. |
The form of indentures filed with the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part contain certain of these terms, which may be modified in connection with the offering of any debt securities.
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Senior Debt
Each of Aptiv PLC, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. and AGFDAC will issue under its senior indenture the debt securities that will constitute part of the senior debt of such issuer. These senior debt securities will rank equally and pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of such issuer.
Subordinated Debt
Each of Aptiv PLC, Aptiv Swiss Holdings and Aptiv Corp. will issue under its subordinated indenture the debt securities that will constitute part of the subordinated debt of such issuer. These subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the relevant subordinated indenture, to all “senior indebtedness” of such issuer. The specific subordination terms will be set forth in a supplemental indenture to the relevant subordinated indenture and described in the prospectus supplement for the relevant series of debt.
Guarantees
Each prospectus supplement will describe any guarantees of debt securities for the benefit of the series of debt securities to which it relates. Debt securities issued by Aptiv PLC may be guaranteed by any of the subsidiary registrants under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Debt securities issued by Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. or AGFDAC will be guaranteed by Aptiv PLC and may be guaranteed by any of the subsidiary registrants. The guarantees will be full and unconditional on a joint and several basis. Each of the subsidiary guarantors (the “Guarantors”) is 100% owned by Aptiv PLC.
Concerning the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent
Unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of debt securities, Wilmington Trust, National Association is the Trustee under each indenture and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas is the Registrar and Paying Agent with regard to each series of debt securities. The Trustee and its affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, financial or other transactions with Aptiv PLC, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp, AGFDAC and the Guarantors and their and our affiliates in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, subject to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The Registrar and Paying Agent have engaged in, are currently engaged in, and may in the future engage in financial or other transactions with the issuers and the guarantors and their and our affiliates in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
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Aptiv PLC may issue warrants to purchase its debt or equity securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, subject to the consent of the Jersey Financial Services Commission, if required. Aptiv Corp. may also issue warrants to purchase its debt securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and 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 the issuer of such warrants and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus and such prospectus supplement is being delivered:
| • | the issuer and title of such warrants; |
| • | the aggregate number of such warrants; |
| • | the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued; |
| • | the currency or currencies in which the price of such warrants will be payable; |
| • | the securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of such warrants; |
| • | the price at which and the currency or currencies in which the securities or other rights 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; |
| • | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time; |
| • | if applicable, the designation and terms of the 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 related securities will be separately transferable; |
| • | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| • | if applicable, a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations; and |
| • | any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants. |
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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
Aptiv PLC may, subject to the consent of the Jersey Financial Services Commission, if required, issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of:
| • | debt or equity securities issued by Aptiv PLC or securities of third parties, a basket of such securities, an index or indices or such securities or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement; |
| • | currencies; or |
| • | commodities. |
Aptiv Corp. may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of:
| • | debt securities issued by Aptiv Corp. or securities of third parties, a basket of such securities, an index or indices or such securities or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement; |
| • | currencies; or |
| • | commodities. |
Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate the issuer thereof to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such securities, currencies or commodities at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Aptiv PLC or Aptiv Corp., as applicable, may, however, satisfy its obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the property otherwise deliverable or, in the case of purchase contracts on underlying currencies, by delivering the underlying currencies, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, currencies or commodities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.
The purchase contracts may require the issuer thereof to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, which payments may be deferred to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and those payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require the holders thereof to secure their obligations in a specified manner to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued. The issuer’s obligation to settle such pre-paid purchase contracts on the relevant settlement date may constitute indebtedness. Accordingly, pre-paid purchase contracts will be issued under one or more of the indentures.
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As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, subject to the consent of the Jersey Financial Services Commission, if required, Aptiv PLC may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, preferred shares, ordinary shares or any combination of such securities and Aptiv Corp. may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities or any combination of such securities. The applicable supplement will describe:
| • | the issuer and the terms of the units and of the warrants, debt securities, preferred shares and ordinary shares comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately; |
| • | a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and |
| • | a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange or the units. |
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Each debt security, warrant and unit will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Certificated securities in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, warrants or units represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.
Global Securities
Registered Global Securities. Aptiv PLC, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. or AGFDAC may issue the registered debt securities, warrants and units, as applicable, in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.
If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, guaranteed trust preferred security or unit agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, guaranteed trust preferred security or unit agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, guaranteed trust preferred security or unit agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if Aptiv PLC, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. or AGFDAC requests any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
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Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to warrants or units, represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of Aptiv PLC, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp., AGFDAC, the trustees, the warrant agents, the unit agents or any other agent of Aptiv PLC, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. or AGFDAC, agent of the trustees or agent of the warrant agents or unit agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, Aptiv PLC, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. or AGFDAC, as applicable, will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of theirs or of Aptiv PLC, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. or AGFDAC. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.
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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the ordinary shares and preferred shares in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be passed upon for us by Carey Olsen, Jersey, Channel Islands, and the validity of the debt securities, guarantees, warrants, purchase contracts and units in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be passed on for us by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York.
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The consolidated financial statements of Aptiv PLC appearing in Aptiv PLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of Aptiv PLC’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 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 consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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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 payable by the Registrants in connection with the sale of the securities being registered hereby.
| Amount to be Paid |
||||
| Registration fee |
(1 | ) | ||
| Printing |
(2 | ) | ||
| Legal fees and expenses (including blue sky fees) |
(2 | ) | ||
| Trustee fees |
(2 | ) | ||
| Rating agency fees |
(2 | ) | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
(2 | ) | ||
| Miscellaneous |
(2 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|||
| TOTAL |
(2 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|||
| (1) | Omitted because the registration fee is being deferred pursuant to Rule 456(b). |
| (2) | These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Aptiv Corporation
Aptiv Corporation is a Delaware corporation. Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) enables a corporation to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of the director’s fiduciary duty, except:
| • | for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; |
| • | for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
| • | pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions); or |
| • | for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation of Aptiv Corporation includes a provision eliminating, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, the liability of Aptiv Corporation’s directors to Aptiv Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
Section 145(a) of the DGCL empowers a corporation to indemnify any present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or any individual serving at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another organization, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding provided that such director, officer, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, provided further that such director, officer, employee or agent had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
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The DGCL provides that the indemnification described above shall not be deemed exclusive of any other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation pursuant to its by-laws, disinterested directors’ vote, stockholders’ vote, agreement or otherwise.
The DGCL also provides corporations with the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation in a similar capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability as described above.
In accordance with Section 145(a) of the DGCL, Aptiv Corporation’s bylaws provide that every person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person, or such person’s testator or intestate, is or was serving as a director or officer of or is or was serving at the request of the company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, or as a member of any committee or similar body, shall be indemnified and held harmless to the fullest extent legally permissible under the DGCL against all expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding (including appeals) or the defense or settlement thereof or any claim, issue, or matter therein. Expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending such an action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by such company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay any amount if it is ultimately determined that such director or officer is not entitled to indemnification by such corporation as authorized by the relevant sections of the DGCL.
Aptiv PLC
Aptiv PLC is a company organized under the laws of Jersey. Under its Articles of Association, Aptiv PLC is required to indemnify every present and former “officer” of Aptiv PLC out of the assets of Aptiv PLC against any loss or liability incurred by such officer by reason of being or having been such an officer. The extent of such indemnities shall be limited in accordance with the provisions of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, as amended.
Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited
Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited is a company organized under the laws of Jersey. Under its Articles of Association, Aptiv Swiss Holdings is required to indemnify every present and former “officer” of Aptiv Swiss Holdings out of the assets of Aptiv Swiss Holdings against any loss or liability incurred by such officer by reason of being or having been such an officer. The extent of such indemnities shall be limited in accordance with the provisions of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, as amended.
Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company
Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company (formerly known as Aptiv Global Financing Limited) is a designated activity company incorporated under the laws of Ireland. Under the constitution of Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company its directors and officers are indemnified, but only to following limited extent as permitted by Irish law. The constitution of Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company provides that each director and other officer is indemnified out of the assets of Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company against (i) any liability incurred by that officer in defending proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in relation to that officer’s acts while acting in such capacity in which judgment is given in that officer’s favor or in which that officer is acquitted (ii) any liability incurred in connection with any proceedings or application referred to in, or under, sections 233 or 234 of the Companies Act 2014 (as amended) of Ireland (the “Companies Act”) in which relief is granted to the officer by the Irish court and (iii) all losses that an officer may sustain or incur in or about the execution of that officer’s duties or otherwise in relation to his/her office. However, this indemnity in the constitution of Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company is limited by and made subject to section 235 of the Companies Act. Section 235 provides that any indemnity of an Irish company will be void to the extent it purports to indemnify any officer of that company against any liability which, by virtue of any enactment or rule of law, would otherwise attach that officer in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or reach of trust of which that officer may be guilty in relation to the company.
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Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
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| * | To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference herein in connection with an offering of the offered securities. |
| (1) | Filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-56716) of Aptiv PLC on December 18, 2024. |
| (2) | Filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35346) of Aptiv PLC on March 10, 2015. |
| (3) | Filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35346) of Aptiv PLC on November 19, 2015. |
| (4) | Filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35346) of Aptiv PLC on September 15, 2016. |
| (5) | Filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35346) of Aptiv PLC on September 20, 2016. |
| (6) | Filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35346) of Aptiv PLC on March 14, 2019. |
| (7) | Filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35346) of Aptiv PLC on November 23, 2021. |
| (8) | Filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35346) of Aptiv PLC on February 7, 2022. |
| (9) | Filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35346) of Aptiv PLC on February 18, 2022. |
| (10) | Filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35346) of Aptiv PLC on June 11, 2024. |
| (11) | Filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35346) of Aptiv PLC on September 13, 2024. |
| (12) | Filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35346) of Aptiv PLC on December 19, 2024. |
| (13) | Filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35346) of Aptiv PLC on February 14, 2013. |
| (14) | Filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-185558) of Aptiv PLC on December 19, 2012. |
| (15) | Filed with the Post Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-258499) of Aptiv PLC on February 9, 2022. |
Item 17. Undertakings
| (a) | The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake: |
| (1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of securities registered hereby, 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 the 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 the 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 |
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| prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; |
| (iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic 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 the 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. |
| (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 the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the 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 the 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 part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the 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 the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the 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; |
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| (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 Registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes 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 the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (c) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of their 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant below 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 Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the date of December 19, 2024.
| APTIV PLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Katherine H. Ramundo | |
| Name:Katherine H. Ramundo | ||
| Title:Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary | ||
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Kevin P. Clark, Varun Laroyia and Katherine H. Ramundo, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act separately and full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them or his, her 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, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Kevin P. Clark |
Director and Chief Executive Officer | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Kevin P. Clark | (principal executive officer) | |||
| /s/ Varun Laroyia |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Varun Laroyia | (principal financial officer) | |||
| /s/ Allan J. Brazier |
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Allan J. Brazier | (principal accounting officer) | |||
| /s/ Nancy E. Cooper |
Director | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Nancy E. Cooper | ||||
| /s/ Joseph L. Hooley |
Director | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Joseph L. Hooley | ||||
| /s/ Vasumati P. Jakkal |
Director | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Vasumati P. Jakkal | ||||
| /s/ Merit E. Janow |
Director | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Merit E. Janow | ||||
II-9
Table of Contents
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Sean O. Mahoney |
Director | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Sean O. Mahoney | ||||
| /s/ Paul M. Meister |
Director | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Paul M. Meister | ||||
| /s/ Robert K. Ortberg |
Director | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Robert K. Ortberg | ||||
| /s/ Colin J. Parris |
Director | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Colin J. Parris | ||||
| /s/ Ana G. Pinczuk |
Director | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Ana G. Pinczuk | ||||
II-10
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant below 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 Schaffhausen, Switzerland, on December 19, 2024.
| APTIV SWISS HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||
| By: | /s/ Massimo Fantini | |
| Name: Massimo Fantini | ||
| Title: Director | ||
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Kevin P. Clark, Varun Laroyia and Katherine H. Ramundo, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act separately and 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 (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them or his, her 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, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Massimo Fantini |
Director | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Massimo Fantini | ||||
II-11
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant below 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 Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the date of December 19, 2024.
| APTIV CORPORATION | ||||
| By: | /s/ Katherine H. Ramundo | |||
| Name: | Katherine H. Ramundo | |||
| Title: | Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary | |||
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Kevin P. Clark, Varun Laroyia and Katherine H. Ramundo, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act separately and 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 (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them or his, her 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, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Kevin P. Clark |
Principal Executive Officer | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Kevin P. Clark | ||||
| /s/ Varun Laroyia |
Principal Financial Officer | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Varun Laroyia | ||||
| /s/ Katherine H. Ramundo |
Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary |
December 19, 2024 | ||
| Katherine H. Ramundo | ||||
II-12
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant below 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 Dublin, Ireland, on the date of December 19, 2024.
| APTIV GLOBAL FINANCING DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY | ||
| By: | /s/ Darren Byrka | |
| Name: Darren Byrka | ||
| Title: Director and Authorized Signatory | ||
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Kevin P. Clark, Varun Laroyia and Katherine H. Ramundo, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act separately and full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them or his, her 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, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Eoin Paul Muldowney |
Director | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Eoin Paul Muldowney | ||||
| /s/ Darren Michael Byrka |
Director | December 19, 2024 | ||
| Darren Michael Byrka | ||||
II-13
Exhibit 4.24
APTIV GLOBAL FINANCING DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY,
as Issuer
THE GUARANTORS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,
as Guarantors
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
AND
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
as Registrar, Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent
SUBORDINATED INDENTURE DATED AS OF
[•], 20[•]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| PAGE | ||||||
| ARTICLE 1 |
| |||||
| ESTABLISHMENT; DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
1 | |||||
| Section 1.01. |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
| Section 1.02. |
Other Definitions | 6 | ||||
| Section 1.03. |
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 6 | ||||
| Section 1.04. |
Rules of Construction | 7 | ||||
| ARTICLE 2 |
| |||||
| THE NOTES |
7 | |||||
| Section 2.01. |
Form and Dating | 7 | ||||
| Section 2.02. |
Execution and Authentication | 8 | ||||
| Section 2.03. |
Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 9 | ||||
| Section 2.04. |
Registrar and Paying Agent | 11 | ||||
| Section 2.05. |
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 12 | ||||
| Section 2.06. |
Holder Lists | 12 | ||||
| Section 2.07. |
Transfer and Exchange | 12 | ||||
| Section 2.08. |
Replacement Notes | 17 | ||||
| Section 2.09. |
Outstanding Notes | 17 | ||||
| Section 2.10. |
Treasury Notes | 18 | ||||
| Section 2.11. |
Temporary Notes | 18 | ||||
| Section 2.12. |
Cancellation | 18 | ||||
| Section 2.13. |
Defaulted Interest | 19 | ||||
| Section 2.14. |
CUSIP or ISIN Numbers | 19 | ||||
| ARTICLE 3 |
| |||||
| REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT |
19 | |||||
| Section 3.01. |
Applicability of Article | 19 | ||||
| Section 3.02. |
Notices to Trustee | 20 | ||||
| Section 3.03. |
Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed | 20 | ||||
| Section 3.04. |
Notice of Redemption | 20 | ||||
| Section 3.05. |
Effect of Notice Upon Redemption | 21 | ||||
| Section 3.06. |
Deposit of Redemption Price | 21 | ||||
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| Section 3.07. |
Notes Redeemed in Part | 22 | ||||
| ARTICLE 4 |
| |||||
| COVENANTS |
22 | |||||
| Section 4.01. |
Payment of Notes | 22 | ||||
| Section 4.02. |
Maintenance of Office or Agency | 22 | ||||
| Section 4.03. |
Reports | 23 | ||||
| Section 4.04. |
Compliance Certificate | 23 | ||||
| Section 4.05. |
Corporate Existence | 24 | ||||
| ARTICLE 5 |
| |||||
| SUCCESSORS |
24 | |||||
| Section 5.01. |
Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets | 24 | ||||
| Section 5.02. |
Successor Substituted | 25 | ||||
| ARTICLE 6 |
| |||||
| DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES |
25 | |||||
| Section 6.01. |
Events of Default | 25 | ||||
| Section 6.02. |
Acceleration | 26 | ||||
| Section 6.03. |
Other Remedies | 27 | ||||
| Section 6.04. |
Waiver of Past Defaults | 27 | ||||
| Section 6.05. |
Control by Majority | 27 | ||||
| Section 6.06. |
Limitation on Suits | 28 | ||||
| Section 6.07. |
Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment | 28 | ||||
| Section 6.08. |
Collection Suit by Trustee | 28 | ||||
| Section 6.09. |
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 29 | ||||
| Section 6.10. |
Priorities | 29 | ||||
| Section 6.11. |
Undertaking for Costs | 30 | ||||
| ARTICLE 7 |
| |||||
| TRUSTEE |
30 | |||||
| Section 7.01. |
Duties of Trustee | 30 | ||||
| Section 7.02. |
Rights of the Trustee | 31 | ||||
| Section 7.03. |
Individual Rights of Trustee | 33 | ||||
| Section 7.04. |
Trustee’s Disclaimer | 33 | ||||
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| Section 7.05. |
Notice of Defaults | 33 | ||||
| Section 7.06. |
Reports by Trustee to Holder | 33 | ||||
| Section 7.07. |
Compensation and Indemnity | 34 | ||||
| Section 7.08. |
Replacement of Trustee | 35 | ||||
| Section 7.09. |
Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc | 36 | ||||
| Section 7.10. |
Eligibility; Disqualification | 36 | ||||
| Section 7.11. |
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer | 36 | ||||
| ARTICLE 8 |
| |||||
| LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
37 | |||||
| Section 8.01. |
Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 37 | ||||
| Section 8.02. |
Legal Defeasance and Discharge. | 37 | ||||
| Section 8.03. |
Covenant Defeasance | 37 | ||||
| Section 8.04. |
Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance | 38 | ||||
| Section 8.05. |
Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 39 | ||||
| Section 8.06. |
Satisfaction and Discharge | 40 | ||||
| Section 8.07. |
Repayment to Issuer | 40 | ||||
| Section 8.08. |
Reinstatement | 41 | ||||
| Section 8.09. |
Survival | 41 | ||||
| ARTICLE 9 |
| |||||
| AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER |
41 | |||||
| Section 9.01. |
Without Consent of Holder | 41 | ||||
| Section 9.02. |
With Consent of Holders of Notes | 42 | ||||
| Section 9.03. |
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act | 44 | ||||
| Section 9.04. |
Revocation and Effect of Consents | 44 | ||||
| Section 9.05. |
Trustee and Agents to Sign Amendments | 44 | ||||
| ARTICLE 10 |
| |||||
| NOTE GUARANTEES |
44 | |||||
| Section 10.01. |
Note Guarantees | 44 | ||||
| Section 10.02. |
Limitation on Liability | 45 | ||||
| Section 10.03. |
Successors and Assigns | 46 | ||||
| Section 10.04. |
No Waiver | 46 | ||||
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| Section 10.05. |
Release of Subsidiary Guarantor | 46 | ||||
| Section 10.06. |
Contribution | 47 | ||||
| ARTICLE 11 |
| |||||
| MISCELLANEOUS |
47 | |||||
| Section 11.01. |
Trust Indenture Act Controls | 47 | ||||
| Section 11.02. |
Notices | 47 | ||||
| Section 11.03. |
Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes | 49 | ||||
| Section 11.04. |
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 49 | ||||
| Section 11.05. |
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 49 | ||||
| Section 11.06. |
Rules by Trustee and Agents | 50 | ||||
| Section 11.07. |
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders | 50 | ||||
| Section 11.08. |
Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial | 50 | ||||
| Section 11.09. |
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 51 | ||||
| Section 11.10. |
Successors | 51 | ||||
| Section 11.11. |
Severability | 51 | ||||
| Section 11.12. |
Counterpart Originals | 51 | ||||
| Section 11.13. |
Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. | 51 | ||||
| Section 11.14. |
Force Majeure | 51 | ||||
| Section 11.15. |
Patriot Act | 52 | ||||
EXHIBITS
| Exhibit A | Form of Note |
iv
APTIV PLC
RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
AND SUBORDINATED INDENTURE, DATED AS OF [•], 20[•]
| Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939 | Section(s) of Indenture | |||
| ss. 310 | (a) (1) | 7.10 | ||
| (a) (2) | 7.10 | |||
| (a) (3) | N.A. | |||
| (a) (4) | N.A. | |||
| (a) (5) | 7.10 | |||
| (b) | 7.08, 7.10 | |||
| (c) | N.A. | |||
| ss. 311 | (a) | 7.11 | ||
| (b) | 7.11 | |||
| (c) | N.A. | |||
| ss. 312 | (a) | 2.06 | ||
| (b) | 2.06 | |||
| (c) | 2.06 | |||
| ss. 313 | (a) | 7.06 | ||
| (b)(1) | N.A. | |||
| (b)(2) | 7.06, 7.07 | |||
| (c) | 7.06 | |||
| (d) | 7.06 | |||
| ss. 314 | (a) | 4.03, 4.04 | ||
| (b) | N.A. | |||
| (c) (1) | 11.04 | |||
| (c) (2) | 11.04 | |||
| (c) (3) | N.A. | |||
| (d) | N.A. | |||
| (e) | 11.05 | |||
| ss. 315 | (a) | 7.01 | ||
| (b) | 7.05, 11.02 | |||
| (c) | 7.01 | |||
| (d) | 7.01 | |||
| (e) | 6.11 | |||
| ss. 316 | (a) (1) (A) | 6.05 | ||
| (a) (1) (B) | 6.04 | |||
| (a) (2) | N.A. | |||
| (a) (last sentence) | 6.11 | |||
| (b) | 6.07 | |||
| ss. 317 | (a) (1) | 6.08 | ||
| (a) (2) | 6.09 | |||
| (b) | 2.05 | |||
| ss. 318 | (a) | 11.01 | ||
| (b) | N.A. | |||
| (c) | 11.01 | |||
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
This SUBORDINATED INDENTURE, dated as of [•], 20[•], is by and among Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company, a designated activity company formed under the laws of Ireland (the “Issuer”), Aptiv PLC (formerly known as Aptiv Holdings Limited), a public limited company formed under the laws of Jersey (the “Company”), the other guarantors from time to time party hereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation, as registrar, paying agent and authenticating agent.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Issuer is entering into this Indenture to establish the form and terms of its subordinated notes to be issued from time to time in one or more series (the “Notes”) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all conditions necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Indenture and to make it a valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and the Guarantors have been done or performed;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.
ARTICLE 1
ESTABLISHMENT; DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01. Definitions.
(a) The following are definitions used in this Indenture, except as otherwise provided in respect of any series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 of this Indenture.
“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 Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent.
“Applicable Procedures” means with respect to any transfer, redemption or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary that apply to such transfer, redemption or exchange.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, or the law of any other jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or the relief of debtors.
1
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
“Certificated Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof), except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Increases or Decreases in the Global Note” (or similarly titled equivalent) attached thereto.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 11.02 hereof, or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.
“Custodian” means, with respect to the Notes of a series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.04(c) as Custodian with respect to the Notes of such series, and any and all successors thereto appointed as custodian hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Depositary” means, unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof, the Person specified in Section 2.04(b) hereof to act as the Depositary with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
“Discount Note” means any Note that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“GAAP” means, unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, as set forth in:
(1) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,
2
(2) statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board,
(3) such other statements by such other entities as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, and
(4) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC.
“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.07(f) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Global Notes, in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof) issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof.
“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:
(1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or
(2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);
provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
“Guarantor” means each guarantor included on the signature pages hereto and any other Person that provides a Note Guarantee under this Indenture with respect to the Notes of a series.
“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.
“Indenture” means this Indenture as originally executed and delivered or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, in respect of the Notes of each series, shall include the forms and terms of the Notes of such series established as contemplated pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03.
“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
3
“Interest Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph 1 of the applicable Notes.
“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the Trustee, Agents or banking institutions are not required by law or regulation to be open in the State of New York.
“Note Guarantee” means each Guarantee of the obligations with respect to the Notes of a series issued by a Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company. “Officer” of the Issuer or any other Guarantor has a correlative meaning.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee and the Agents. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer or a Guarantor.
“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary.
“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Notes of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Notes, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Issuer or its agents upon the issuance of such Notes.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“Preferred Stock” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of any other class of Capital Stock of such Person.
“principal” of a Note means the principal of the Note (or, if such Note is one of a series of Discount Notes, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms of such series) plus the premium, if any, payable on such Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date means the applicable date specified as a “Record Date” on the face of the Note.
“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
4
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any Note, the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such Note is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such Note at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the Company unless such contingency has occurred).
“Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:
(1) such Person,
(2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or
(3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
Unless otherwise specified, all references to any Subsidiary shall be to a Subsidiary of the Company.
“Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Subsidiary of the Company that has issued a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes of a series.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as it may be amended from time to time.
“Trustee” means, with respect to each series of Notes, the party named as such in the Preamble of this Indenture until a successor or assignee replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor or assignee.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option.
“Yield to Maturity” means, as the context may require, the yield to maturity (i) on a series of Notes or (ii) if the Notes of a series are issuable from time to time, on a Note of such series, calculated at the time of issuance of such series in the case of clause (i) or at the time of issuance of such Note of such series in the case of clause (ii), or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series or on such Note, and calculated in accordance with the constant interest method or such other accepted financial practice as is specified in the terms of such Note.
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Section 1.02. Other Definitions.
| Term | Defined in Section | |
| Acceleration Notice | 6.02 | |
| Authenticating Agent | 2.02(e) | |
| Authentication Order | 2.02(d) | |
| Company | Preamble | |
| Covenant Defeasance | 8.03 | |
| DTC | 2.04(b) | |
| Events of Default | 6.01 | |
| Future Foreign Guarantor | 10.02 | |
| Global Note Legend | 2.07 | |
| Guaranteed Obligations | 10.01 | |
| Issuer | Preamble | |
| Legal Defeasance | 8.02 | |
| Notes | Preamble | |
| Note Register | 2.04(a) | |
| Paying Agent | 2.04(a) | |
| Redemption Date | 2.09(d) | |
| Registrar | 2.04(a) | |
| Successor Company | 5.01(a) |
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
(a) Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
(b) The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“indenture securities” means the Notes and the Note Guarantees;
“indenture security holder” means a Holder;
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and
“obligor” on the Notes means the Issuer and any successor obligor upon the Notes.
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(c) All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings so assigned to them either in the TIA, by another statute or SEC rule, as applicable.
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction.
(a) Unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined herein has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(iii) “or” is not exclusive;
(iv) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(v) all references in this instrument to “Articles,” “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and subdivisions of this instrument as originally executed;
(vi) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(vii) “including” means “including without limitation”;
(viii) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
(ix) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the TIA shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time thereunder.
(b) Unless otherwise expressly specified, references in this Indenture to specific Article numbers or Section numbers refer to Articles and Sections contained in this Indenture and not to any other document.
ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES
Section 2.01. Form and Dating.
(a) General. The Authenticating Agent shall authenticate, upon a written order of the Issuer (other than as provided in Section 2.08 hereof), the Notes of each series as shall be established by or pursuant to one or more Officer’s Certificates or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto as provided in Section 2.03 hereof. The Notes of each series and the Authenticating Agent’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof), in
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each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture setting forth the terms of such series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the date of original issuance thereof or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for. Unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes, the Notes shall be issued initially in minimum denominations of $200,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $200,000.
(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof), including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” (or similarly titled equivalent) attached thereto. Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof), but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” (or similarly titled equivalent) attached thereto. Each Global Note in respect of a series of Notes shall represent such of the outstanding Notes of such series as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” (or similarly titled equivalent) attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of such series represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note in respect of a series of Notes to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of such series represented thereby shall be made by the Registrar in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.07 hereof.
Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication.
(a) One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual, electronic or facsimile signature.
(b) If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
(c) A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Authenticating Agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
(d) The Authenticating Agent shall, upon a written order of the Issuer signed by one Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue.
(e) The Issuer may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes (the “Authenticating Agent”). Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, the Authenticating Agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such Authenticating Agent. The Authenticating Agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuer or any of their respective Subsidiaries. The Issuer hereby initially appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as Authenticating Agent and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas hereby accepts such appointment.
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(f) If, in connection with a Periodic Offering, all Notes of a series are not to be initially issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01 or any other documents (other than the Notes and the Authentication Order required pursuant to Section 2.02(d)) at or prior to the authentication of each Note of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon initial issuance of the first Note of such series to be issued.
Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Notes may be issued in one or more series, which may include one or more tranches, including Notes issued in a Periodic Offering. The Notes of each series issued hereunder shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and manner set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture for such series, to all Senior Indebtedness (as such term is defined in such Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture). In addition, there shall be established in or pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate or an indenture supplemental hereto, prior to the initial issuance of Notes of any series, subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.03:
(a) the designation of the Notes of the series, which shall distinguish the Notes of the series from the Notes of all other series;
(b) if other than the form of the Notes in Exhibit A attached hereto, the form or forms of the Notes of such series;
(c) whether the Notes are entitled to the benefit of any Guarantee;
(d) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture and any limitation on the ability of the Issuer to increase such aggregate principal amount after the initial issuance of the Notes of that series (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, or upon redemption of, other Notes of the series pursuant hereto);
(e) the date or dates on which the principal of the Notes of the series is payable (which date or dates may be fixed or extendible);
(f) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum at which the Notes of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, on which such interest shall be payable and on which a record shall be taken for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable and/or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined;
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(g) if other than as provided in Section 4.02, the place or places where the principal of and any interest on Notes of the series shall be payable, the place or places where the Notes may be surrendered for exchange, notices, demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes of the series and this Indenture may be served;
(h) the right, if any, of the Issuer to redeem Notes of the series, in whole or in part, at its option and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and any terms and conditions upon which Notes of the series may be so redeemed, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;
(i) the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Notes of the series pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and any of the terms and conditions upon which Notes of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(j) if other than denominations of $200,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Notes of the series shall be issuable;
(k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Notes of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
(l) if other than the coin or currency in which the Notes of the series are denominated, the coin or currency in which payment of the principal of or interest on the Notes of the series shall be payable or if the amount of payments of principal of and/or interest on the Notes of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Notes of the series are denominated, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(m) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of and interest on the Notes of the series shall be payable, and the manner in which any such currencies shall be valued against other currencies in which any other Notes shall be payable;
(n) whether the Notes of the series may be exchangeable for and/or convertible into the ordinary shares of the Isssuer or any other security;
(o) whether and under what circumstances the Issuer will pay additional amounts on the Notes of the series held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Issuer will have the option to redeem such Notes rather than pay such additional amounts;
(p) if the Notes of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Note of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
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(q) any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or the registrar or any other agents with respect to the Notes of the series;
(r) provisions, if any, for the defeasance of the Notes of the series (including provisions permitting defeasance of less than all Notes of the series), which provisions may be in addition to, in substitution for, or in modification of (or any combination of the foregoing) the provisions of Article 8;
(s) if the Notes of the series are issuable in whole or in part as one or more Global Notes, the identity of the Depositary or common Depositary for such Global Notes;
(t) any other or alternative Events of Default or covenants with respect to the Notes of the series; and
(u) any other terms of the Notes of the series.
All Notes of any one series shall be substantially identical, except in the case of any Periodic Offering and except as to date and denomination and except as may otherwise be provided by or pursuant to the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or as set forth in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Notes of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to such Officer’s Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto and any forms and terms of Notes to be issued from time to time may be completed and established from time to time prior to the issuance thereof by procedures described in such Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture.
All Notes of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided by the Issuer, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Notes of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Notes.
Section 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent.
(a) The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment, or may appoint an agent for such purpose (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
(b) Unless otherwise specified in respect of the Notes of any series pursuant to Section 2.03, the Issuer initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
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(c) The Issuer initially appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas hereby initially agrees so to act.
Section 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (which by its execution of this Indenture hereby agrees) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent.
Section 2.06. Holder Lists.
The Registrar shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Paying Agent is not the same entity as the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Paying Agent, at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Paying Agent may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date or such shorter time as the Registrar may allow, as the Paying Agent may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders, and the Issuer shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.07, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Certificated Note of the same series unless (A) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 120 days, (B) the Issuer, at its option, notifies the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of the Notes in certificated form (provided that under current industry practices, the Depositary would notify participants of the Issuer’s determination, but would only withdraw beneficial interests from a Global Note at the request of participants) or (C) upon the request of a Holder if there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or
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Event of Default with respect to the Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (A) above, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note of the same series or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.08 and 2.11 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note of the same series or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.07 or Sections 2.08 and 2.11 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Certificated Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in (A) or (B) above and pursuant to Section 2.07(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.07(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.07(b) or (c) hereof.
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.07(b)(i).
(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.07(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant or Indirect Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Certificated Note of the same series in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Certificated Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.07(g) hereof.
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(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes for Certificated Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Certificated Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Certificated Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (A) of Section 2.07(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.07(b)(ii) hereof, the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.07(g) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Certificated Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Certificated Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.07(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Registrar shall mail such Certificated Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Notes for Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. A Holder of a Certificated Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Global Note or transfer such Certificated Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Registrar shall cancel the applicable Certificated Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Global Notes.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Certificated Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to this Section 2.07(d) above at a time when a Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate one or more Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Certificated Notes so transferred.
(e) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Notes for Certificated Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Certificated Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.07(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Certificated Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Certificated Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Certificated Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, that the Registrar may reasonably request.
(f) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (with appropriate changes in the last sentence if DTC is not the Depositary) (the “Global Note Legend”):
“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE REGISTRAR
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MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(g) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE REGISTRAR FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”
(g) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Certificated Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Registrar in accordance with Section 2.12 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Certificated Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such increase.
(h) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Authenticating Agent shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate Certificated Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request.
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(ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
(iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of (a) any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or (b) any Note for a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Notes or 15 days before an Interest Payment Date (whether or not an Interest Payment Date or other date determined for the payment of interest), and ending on such mailing date or Interest Payment Date, as the case may be.
(iv) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(v) All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
(i) No Obligation of the Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent.
(i) The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note in global form shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
(ii) The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including without limitation any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
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Section 2.08. Replacement Notes.
If any mutilated Note of a series is surrendered to the Registrar or the Issuer and the Registrar receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note of a series, the Issuer shall issue and the Authenticating Agent, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note of such series if the Registrar’s requirements are met. If required by the Registrar or the Issuer, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Registrar and the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note had become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer, in its discretion, may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph.
Every replacement Note of a series is an additional obligation of the Issuer and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes of such series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies of any Holder with respect to the replacement or payment of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note.
Section 2.09. Outstanding Notes.
(a) The Notes of a series outstanding at any time are all the Notes of such series authenticated by the Authenticating Agent except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Registrar in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.09 as not outstanding. A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 2.10 hereof.
(b) If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Registrar receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
(c) If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
(d) If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof) segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a date of redemption (a “Redemption Date”) or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes of a series payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.
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Section 2.10. Treasury Notes.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes of a series have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent with respect to such series, Notes of such series owned by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Notes of such series that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all outstanding Notes, if any, known to the Issuer to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, and the Trustee shall be entitled to accept and rely upon such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth.
Section 2.11. Temporary Notes.
Until certificates representing Notes of a series are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Authenticating Agent, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes of such series. Such temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Certificated Notes of the relevant series but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes of such series and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Authenticating Agent. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate Certificated Notes of a series in exchange for temporary Notes of such series.
Holders of temporary Notes of any series shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 2.12. Cancellation.
The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Registrar for cancellation. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Registrar any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Registrar, upon direction by the Issuer and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Issuer from time to time upon written request. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Registrar for cancellation.
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Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest.
If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes of a series, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes of such series and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuer may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee and Paying Agent in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each such Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent 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 and Paying Agent for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.13. The Issuer shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee of any such special record date. At least 15 days before any such special record date, the Issuer (or, upon the written request of the Issuer, the Paying Agent in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder for the relevant series of Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.13 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note of the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note of such series.
Section 2.14. CUSIP or ISIN Numbers.
The Issuer in issuing the Notes of any series may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Issuer and Registrar, as applicable, shall use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes of such series or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes of such series, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify, in writing, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.01. Applicability of Article.
If the Issuer elects to redeem any series of Notes pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions set forth in respect of any series of Notes, the provisions of this Article 3 will apply except as otherwise specified in respect of a series of Notes.
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Section 3.02. Notices to Trustee.
The Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the section or paragraph number of the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture for such series pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes of the series to be redeemed, (iv) the redemption price, and (v) any conditions precedent applicable to the redemption of such Notes. If the Issuer elects to redeem any series of Notes pursuant to the provisions set forth in respect of any series of Notes, it shall furnish such Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee and the applicable Agent at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date unless a shorter notice shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the applicable Agent. Any such notice may be cancelled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any Holder and shall, therefore, be void and of no effect.
Section 3.03. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.
If less than all of the Notes of any series are to be redeemed or purchased at any time, the Registrar and Paying Agent shall select the Notes of such series to be redeemed or purchased, (i) if the applicable Notes are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the applicable Notes are listed, or (ii) if the applicable Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. In the event of partial redemption, the particular Notes of such series to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Registrar and Paying Agent from the outstanding Notes of such series not previously called for redemption.
The Paying Agent and Registrar shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Notes of a series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes of such series selected shall be in amounts of $200,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of such series of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture or the applicable Officer’s Certificate(s) or supplemental indenture(s) that apply to Notes of a series called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes of such series called for redemption.
Section 3.04. Notice of Redemption.
At least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Issuer shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, or in the case of a Global Note, delivered in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.
The notice shall identify the Notes of a series to be redeemed (including the CUSIP or ISIN number) and shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date;
(b) the redemption price;
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(c) if any Note of such series is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note of such series;
(d) any conditions precedent applicable to the redemption of such Notes;
(e) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(f) that Notes of such series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(g) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes of such series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;
(h) the paragraph of the Notes of such series and section or paragraph number of the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Notes of such series called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(i) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes of such series.
At the Issuer’s request, the Registrar shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense, provided, however, that the Issuer gives the Registrar at least 3 Business Days prior notice of such request.
Section 3.05. Effect of Notice Upon Redemption.
Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.04 hereof, Notes of a series called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date at the redemption price stated in the notice except that any redemption and notice thereof may, in the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. Subject to the foregoing, upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the related Interest Payment Date). Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.
Section 3.06. Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or before 10:00 a.m. New York City Time on any Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions of Notes) of a series to be redeemed on that date. Upon written instructions of the Issuer, the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes of such series to be redeemed.
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If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes of a series called for redemption, whether or not such Notes are presented for payment. If a Note is redeemed on or after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. If any Note of a series called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal from the Redemption Date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes of such series (or the Yield to Maturity, in the case of an Discount Note) and in the manner provided in Section 4.01 hereof.
Section 3.07. Notes Redeemed in Part.
In the case of Certificated Notes, upon surrender of a Note of a series that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall issue and, upon the Issuer’s written request, the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note of such series equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01. Payment of Notes.
The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, the Notes of each series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes of such series. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. New York City Time on the due date money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due and the Paying Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company reserves the right to pay interest to Holders by check mailed directly to Holders at their registered addresses or, with respect to Global Notes, by wire transfer. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months or as otherwise provided in the Notes.
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
(a) The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office or drop facility of the Registrar) where the Notes of each series may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes of each series and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer 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 of the Trustee, and the Issuer hereby initially appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
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(b) The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes of each series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuer shall 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.
(c) The Issuer hereby initially designates the address of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas set forth in Section 11.02 as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 4.02(a).
Section 4.03. Reports.
(a)
(i) The Company shall file with the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company will also comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Company files the information and reports referred to in the preceding paragraph with the SEC and such information is publicly available on the Internet, the Company shall be deemed to be in compliance with its obligations to furnish such information to the Trustee.
(b) Any such reports delivered or filed by the Company with the Trustee shall be considered for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports shall not constitute notice or actual knowledge of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).
Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate.
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 20[•] (which, on the date hereof, is a calendar year), an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to the Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in or otherwise forming a part of this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes of any series is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. For the purposes of this paragraph, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. The Issuer shall also comply with TIA Section 314(a)(4).
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(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes of a series are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith and in any event within 30 days upon any Officer becoming aware of, in respect of the Notes of such series, any Default or Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.05. Corporate Existence
Except as otherwise permitted by Article 5 hereof, the Issuer will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.
Unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes, the Issuer will not, directly or indirectly, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets in one or a series of related transactions to, any Person, unless:
(a) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) will be a corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, limited company, or other similar organization organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, the United Kingdom, Jersey and any other jurisdiction in the Channel Islands, any member state of the European Union as in effect from time to time, Switzerland, Bermuda, The Cayman Islands or Singapore), and the Successor Company (if not the Issuer) will expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and the applicable Agent, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes of each series then outstanding (and, if the Successor Company is not a corporation, the Issuer shall cause a corporation to become a co-obligor on such Notes);
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(c) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.
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Section 5.02. Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation, merger or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the Issuer in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, in which the Company or the Issuer is not the continuing Person, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such conveyance, lease or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company or the Issuer, as applicable, under this Indenture and the Notes of each series then outstanding with the same effect as if such surviving entity had been named as such and that, in the event of a conveyance or transfer, the conveyor or transferor shall be released from the provisions of this Indenture and the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes of all such series.
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default.
Unless otherwise specified in respect of any series of Notes, each of the following is an “Event of Default” with respect to each series of Notes:
(a) a default in any payment of interest on the Notes of such series when due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days;
(b) a default in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on any Note of such series when due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon any mandatory or optional redemption or required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;
(c) the failure by the Issuer or any Guarantor to comply with its other agreements contained in this Indenture applicable to the Notes of such series for 90 days after the Issuer or such Guarantor receives written notice specifying the default (and demanding that such default be remedied) from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 33% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes of all series affected thereby;
(d) the Company:
(i) commences a voluntary case,
(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
(e) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case;
(ii) appoints a custodian of the Company, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company; or
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(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company,
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; and
(f) any other Event of Default established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof with respect to the Notes of such series.
The foregoing will constitute Events of Default with respect to a series of Notes whatever the reason for any such Event of Default for such series and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is 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.
However, a default under clause (c) above will not constitute an Event of Default with respect to a series of Notes until the Trustee notifies the Issuer or the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby notify the Issuer and the Trustee of the default and the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, does not cure such default within the time specified in clause (c) above after receipt of such notice.
Section 6.02. Acceleration.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clauses (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 hereof with respect to the Company or the Issuer) occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of Notes, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all outstanding Notes of all such series to be due and payable immediately (all such series voting together as a single class) by notice in writing to the Issuer and the Trustee (if given by the Holders) specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a “notice of acceleration” (the “Acceleration Notice”), and the same shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 hereof with respect to the Company or the Issuer occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the outstanding Notes 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.
At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to one or more series of Notes as described in the preceding paragraph, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes of such series (voting as a single class) may rescind and cancel such declaration with respect to the Notes of such series and its consequences (i) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, (ii) if all existing Events of Default with respect to such series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration, (iii) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid, (iv) if the Issuer has paid the Trustee and the Agents their compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances; and (v) in the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default of the type described in clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 hereof, the Trustee shall have received an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that such Event of Default has been cured or waived. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
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For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Discount Notes shall have been accelerated and declared or become due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Discount Notes shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Discount Notes.
Section 6.03. Other Remedies.
If an Event of Default with respect to one or more series of Notes occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes of such series or this Indenture. The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes of the relevant series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults.
Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected (voting as a single class) by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes of such series waive an existing Default or Event of Default with respect to such series and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and interest on the Notes of such series (including in connection with an offer to purchase) (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the then outstanding Notes of such series may rescind an acceleration with respect to such series and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration). Upon any such waiver, such Default in respect of the relevant series of Notes shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default in respect of such series 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 6.05. Control by Majority.
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected (voting as a single class) may 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 on the Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holders of Notes of such series or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
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Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits.
A Holder of a Note of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes of such series only if:
(a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes of such series offer to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(e) within such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) hereof occurs with respect to a series of Notes and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest (or the Yield to Maturity, in the case of an Discount Note) remaining unpaid on the Notes of such series and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
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Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and 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 and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.10. Priorities.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article with respect to a series of Notes, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee, the Agents, their respective agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or Agents and the costs and expenses of collection;
Second: to Holders for such series for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes of such series for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes of such series for principal, premium, if any, and interest (or the Yield to Maturity, in the case of an Discount Note), respectively; and
Third: to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 30 days before such record date, the Issuer shall deliver to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid. This Section 6.10 is subject at all times to the provisions set forth in Section 11.02
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Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs.
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 a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.06 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of a series.
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein) and shall be entitled to seek advice from legal counsel in relation thereto.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
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(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to this Section 7.01.
(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 7.02. Rights of the Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any such document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) 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 the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer.
(f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
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(g) 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, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its reasonable discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall reasonably determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuer and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(h) 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 willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it under this Indenture.
(i) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its power and duties hereunder.
(j) Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee under this Article 7, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas in each of its capacities hereunder as an Agent, and are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, each other Agent, Custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(k) The permissive right of the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any actions enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty.
(l) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God; strikes, work stoppages, earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action. It being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
(m) Anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Trustee has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(n) The Issuer shall provide prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change to its fiscal year.
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Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes of any series and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee shall also be subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes of any series, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes of any series or any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes of any series or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes of any series or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults.
(a) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default with respect to Notes of any series unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee from the Issuer or the Holders of 33% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby, and such notice references the specific Default or Event of Default, the Notes of such series and this Indenture.
(b) If a Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of the Notes of the applicable series, notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after the occurrence of a Default or 30 days after it is actually known to a Responsible Officer or written notice of it is received by a Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note of any series (including payments pursuant to the redemption provisions of the Notes of such series), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders thereof.
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holder.
Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the initial issuance date of Notes under this Indenture, and for so long as any series of Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).
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A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders shall be mailed to the Issuer and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange, if any, on which the Notes of any series are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when any series of Notes are listed on any stock exchange and any delisting thereof.
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.
The Issuer and the Guarantors shall pay to each Agent and to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for each such Agent’s and Trustee’s services hereunder (it being understood that all amounts set forth in the fee letter dated [•], 20[•], between the Issuer and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and Wilmington Trust, National Association shall be deemed reasonable in respect of the compensation to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas in its capacity as Registrar, Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent as initially appointed hereunder). The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall reimburse the Trustee and the Agents promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by such party in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s and Agents’ respective agents and counsel.
The Issuer and the Guarantors shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the Trustee against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer and the Guarantors or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith. The Trustee shall notify the Issuer and the Guarantors promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer of its obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall defend, at the sole discretion of the Trustee, the claim and may cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuer and the Guarantors need not pay for any settlement made without their consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee or the Agents, as applicable, the satisfaction and discharge and the termination of this Indenture.
To secure the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such lien shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the satisfaction and discharge and the termination of this Indenture.
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In addition, and without prejudice to the rights provided to the Trustee under any of the provisions of this Indenture, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(d) or (e) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Trustee” for purposes of this Section shall include any predecessor Trustee and the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder; provided, however, that the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more series of Notes in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby (voting as a single class) may remove the Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuer in writing. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason with respect to any series of Notes, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect to such series. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby (voting as a single class) may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuer, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such series may, at the expense of the Issuer, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
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If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder of a Note of a series for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the relevant series of Notes. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of the Notes of such series. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.
If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or banking association, the successor corporation or banking association without any further act shall, if such successor corporation or banking association is otherwise eligible hereunder, be the successor Trustee.
Subject to Section 7.10, any business entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA §310(b).
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer.
The Trustee is subject to TIA §311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA §311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
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ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes, the Issuer may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.
Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes of any series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes of such series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes of such series to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal amount of, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee and Agents hereunder and the Issuer’s obligations in connection therewith and (d) the provisions of this Article 8 with respect to Legal Defeasance. Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.
Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04 and 4.05 hereof and in any supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate established with respect to the outstanding Notes of a series pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes of such series shall thereafter be deemed 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 such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes of such series shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes of such series, the Issuer
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may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such 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 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and the Notes of such series shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof with respect to the Notes of a series, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Section 6.01(c) hereof shall not constitute an Event of Default for such series.
Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes of any series:
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(a) the Issuer must deposit with the Paying Agent, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee and the Paying Agent, to pay the principal amount at maturity of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(b) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Opinion of Counsel in the United States of America reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(c) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Opinion of Counsel in the United States of America reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to 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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(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the incurrence of indebtedness all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be used to defease the Notes pursuant to this Article 8 concurrently with such incurrence and the grant of a lien to secure such indebtedness);
(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under this Indenture (other than a Default or an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any lien securing such borrowing) or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(f) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with; and
(g) the Issuer shall have paid or duly provided for payment of all amounts then due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by clause (b) above with respect to a Legal Defeasance need not be delivered if all Notes of such series not therefor delivered to the Registrar for cancellation (A) have become due and payable or (B) will become due and payable on the maturity date or upon redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee and the applicable Agent for giving of notice of redemption by the Registrar with a copy to the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer.
Section 8.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
All cash and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Paying Agent (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Qualifying Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Qualifying Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Qualifying Trustee may determine, to the Holders of the Notes of such series of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such cash and securities need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Qualifying Trustee and Paying Agent, as applicable, against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and 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 the outstanding Notes of such series.
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Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Paying Agent shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Qualifying Trustee and the applicable Agent (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Section 8.06. Satisfaction and Discharge.
This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights or registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes of any series when (i) either (a) all the Notes of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes of such series which have been replaced or paid and Notes of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Registrar and Paying Agent for cancellation or (b) all Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Registrar and Paying Agent for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year, whether at maturity or on a Redemption Date, pursuant to an irrevocable redemption notice, and the Issuer has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Registrar and Paying Agent funds or U.S. Government Obligations in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Registrar and Paying Agent for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of such series to the date of deposit together with irrevocable instructions from the Issuer directing the Registrar and Paying Agent with a copy to the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be; (ii) the Issuer has paid all other sums due and payable under this Indenture by the Issuer; and (iii) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee or Registrar and Paying Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Section 8.07. Repayment to Issuer.
Any cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash and securities, and all liability of the Issuer 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 Issuer cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such cash and securities remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such cash and securities then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.
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Section 8.08. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes of the relevant series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such cash and securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note of a series following the reinstatement of its obligations with respect to such series, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the cash and securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
Section 8.09. Survival.
The Trustee’s and Agents’ rights and obligations under this Article 8 shall survive termination of this Indenture or the resignation of the Trustee or such Agent.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holder.
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee and the applicable Agent may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes of any series without the consent of any Holder of a Note of such series to:
(a) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
(b) provide for the assumption by a successor entity of the obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor under this Indenture;
(c) to establish the form or forms or terms of Notes of any series as permitted by Section 2.03 hereof;
(d) provide for Global Notes in addition to or in place of Certificated Notes (provided, however, that the Global Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the Global Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code);
(e) add additional Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantee when such release, termination or discharge is permitted under this Indenture;
(f) add to the covenants of the Company or the Issuer for the benefit of the Holders of Notes of such series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or the Issuer;
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(g) make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the form, authentication, transfer and legending of Notes of such series; provided, however, that (A) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in such Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (B) such amendment does not materially affect the rights of Holders to transfer such Notes;
(h) comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(i) conform any provision of this Indenture or the Notes of such series to the provisions of the offering document relating to such series of Notes;
(j) modify any provisions of this Indenture, which modifications apply solely to series of Notes not outstanding on the date of such supplemental indenture; or
(k) make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Notes of such series in any material respect.
Upon the request of the Issuer, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.05 hereof, the Trustee and the Agents shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but neither the Trustee nor the Agents shall be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
A supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate which changes or eliminates any covenant or any provision of this Indenture which has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Notes, or which modifies the rights of Holders of Notes of such series with respect to such covenant or provision, or which modifies terms with respect only to future series of Notes, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Notes of any other series and may be executed without the consent of such Holders of other series of Notes.
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes.
Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, this Indenture, the Notes Guarantees and the Notes of any series may be amended or supplemented as it relates to such series with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of each series affected thereby (all such series voting as a single class) and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes of such series, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes of such series may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of each series affected thereby (all such series voting as a single class).
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Upon the request of the Issuer accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.05 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture. It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to the Holders of Notes of all series affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes of such series held by a non-consenting Holder):
(a) reduce the amount of Notes of such series whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(b) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note of such series beyond the maximum time period for any permitted deferral of interest or to increase the maximum time period for any such interest deferral or increase the maximum number of times the Issuer may defer such interest payment;
(c) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note of such series;
(d) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note of such series or change the scheduled date at which any Note of such series may be redeemed;
(e) make any Notes of such series payable in money other than that stated in such Notes;
(f) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on such Note on or after the due dates therefore or to institute suit for the enforcement of such payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes; or
(g) make any change in the amendment provisions which require each Holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions.
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Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or with respect to any series of Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by such Holder and every subsequent Holder or portion thereof that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note or portion thereof if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter shall bind every Holder for all series of Notes to which such amendment, supplement or waiver relates.
Section 9.05. Trustee and Agents to Sign Amendments.
The Trustee and Agents shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee and Agents, as applicable. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee and Agents shall be provided with and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amended or supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and the Guarantors, if any, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions and that such amended or supplemental indenture complies with the provisions hereof.
ARTICLE 10
NOTE GUARANTEES
Section 10.01. Note Guarantees.
Each Guarantor that executes this Indenture or a supplemental indenture agreeing to be bound hereby, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, hereby fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees on a subordinated unsecured basis, jointly and severally, to each Holder of the Notes of each series (or such series as specified in the applicable supplement) and to the Trustee, the Agents and their respective successors and assigns (a) the full and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Notes of each such series when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes of each such series and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes of each such series (all such obligations set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such Guarantor and that such Guarantor will remain bound under this Article 10 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.
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Each Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of, payment from and protest to the Issuer of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes of any series or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any Holder, the Trustee or Agents to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Issuer, any other Guarantor or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes of any series or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any obligation of the Issuer under the Indenture or any Note, by operation of law or otherwise; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes of any series or any other agreement; or (d) except as set forth in Section 10.05, any change in the ownership of such Guarantor.
Each Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder, the Trustee or Agents to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.
Each Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder, the Trustee or Agents upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise.
Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders, the Trustee and the Agents, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for the purposes of this Section 10.01.
Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee, the Agents or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.
Section 10.02. Limitation on Liability.
Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes of a series, each Holder of Notes of each such series, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor (a) not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar foreign, federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee, and (b) not result in a distribution to shareholders not permitted under the applicable foreign or state law. Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering the Note Guarantee, as it relates to such
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Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. If following the date of this Indenture and notwithstanding anything in Section 9.02 to the contrary, any Guarantor incorporated, organized or formed, as the case may be, under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States of America (a “Future Foreign Guarantor”) executes a Note Guarantee and the Issuer shall reasonably determine that the preceding limitations shall not adequately address the limitations on such Note Guarantee imposed by applicable law of the jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, as the case may be, of any such Future Foreign Guarantor then upon the delivery of an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, the Issuer shall be entitled to amend such clauses or add such additional provisions (including any related modifications to a supplement to this Indenture or a Note Guarantee), as the case may be, in order for the Note Guarantee of a Guarantor to adequately address the limitations imposed by applicable law.
Section 10.03. Successors and Assigns.
This Article 10 shall be binding upon each Guarantor that executes this Indenture or a supplemental indenture agreeing to be bound hereby and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee, the Agents and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder, the Trustee or the Agents, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes of the relevant series shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.
Section 10.04. No Waiver.
Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee, the Agents or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 10 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee, the Agents and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 10 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
Section 10.05. Release of Subsidiary Guarantor.
Unless otherwise specified in respect of any series of Notes, the Note Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor will be released with respect to a series of Notes under this Article 10 without any further action required on the part of the Trustee, the Agents or any Holder:
(a) upon (i) the sale or other disposition (including by way of consolidation, merger, dissolution or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor or (ii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor;
(b) if so provided in an Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a series of Notes issued hereunder; or
(c) if the Issuer exercises its Legal Defeasance option or its Covenant Defeasance option with respect to such series of Notes in accordance with Article 8 hereof or if the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such series of Notes are discharged in accordance with the terms of Section 8.06.
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Section 10.06. Contribution.
Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Note Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations to contribution from each Guarantor, as applicable, in an amount equal to such Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.
ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the provision required by the TIA shall control.
Section 11.02. Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Issuer, the Trustee or an Agent to the other parties is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile or electronic transmission with an attachment in PDF or similar format, or overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery, to the other’s address:
If to the Issuer:
Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company
5 Hanover Quay
Grand Canal Dock
Dublin, D02 VY79, Ireland
Facsimile: (248) 813-2491
Attention: Treasurer
With a copy to:
Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company
5 Hanover Quay
Grand Canal Dock
Dublin, D02 VY79, Ireland
Facsimile: (248) 813-2491
Attention: General Counsel
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Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Facsimile: (212) 701-5111
Attention: Michael Kaplan, Roshni Banker Cariello
If to the Trustee:
Wilmington Trust, National Association
277 Park Avenue, Floor 25
New York, NY 10172
Attn: – Aptiv PLC Notes Administrator
Fax: 302-636-4145
If to the Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent initially appointed hereunder:
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
Trust & Agency Services
1 Columbus Circle, 17th Floor, MS: NYC01-1710
New York, New York 10019
Attn: Corporates Team, AA6978
Fax: 732-578-4635
For purposes of surrender, transfer or exchange of any Note:
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
c/o DB Services Americas, Inc.
5022 Gate Parkway, Suite 200
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Attn: Transfer Department, AA6978
The Issuer, the Trustee or the Agents, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
The Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, agree to accept and act upon facsimile or e-mail transmission of written instructions pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that (a) the party providing such written instructions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions in a timely manner and (b) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to the Trustee, Agents or Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if sent by facsimile or e-mail transmission; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery. All notices and communications to the Trustee, Agents or Holders shall be deemed duly given and effective only upon receipt.
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Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery to its address shown on the security register for the Notes. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
If the Issuer mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall send a copy, by facsimile or e-mail transmission, to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Section 11.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders of Notes of the same series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
Section 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee or an Agent to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee and/or Agent, as applicable:
(a) an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and/or Agent, as applicable, (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and/or Agent, as applicable, (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.
Section 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
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(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
Section 11.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 11.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.
No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or of the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
Section 11.08. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.
THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES.
EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS, THE AGENTS AND THE TRUSTEE IRREVOCABLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture, the Notes Guarantees, the Notes or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. Each of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Agents, the Trustee and the Holders (by their acceptance of the Securities) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
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Section 11.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 11.10. Successors.
All covenants and agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All covenants and agreements of the Trustee and the Agents in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors.
Section 11.11. Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes of any series shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions (including those provisions in respect of any other series of Notes) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 11.12. Counterpart Originals.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. 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 and signature pages for all purposes. An electronic signature shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature.
Section 11.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings in this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 11.14. Force Majeure.
In no event shall the Trustee or the Agents 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, epidemics, pandemics, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
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Section 11.15. Patriot Act.
The parties hereto acknowledge that in order to help the United States government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, pursuant to Federal regulations that became effective on October 1, 2003 (Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act) all financial institutions are required to obtain, verify, record and update information that identifies each person establishing a relationship or opening an account. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide to the Trustee and Agent such information as it may request, from time to time, in order for the Trustee and Agent to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, including but not limited to the name, address, tax identification number and other information that will allow it to identify the individual or entity who is establishing the relationship or opening the account and may also ask for formation documents such as articles of incorporation or other identifying documents to be provided.
[Signatures on following pages]
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SIGNATURES
Dated as the date first written above
ISSUER:
| APTIV GLOBAL FINANCING DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
GUARANTOR:
| APTIV PLC | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
TRUSTEE:
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT AND AUTHENTICATING AGENT:
| DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Registrar, Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
[Global Note Legend]
THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE REGISTRAR MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(g) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE REGISTRAR FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
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| CUSIP: |
||
| ISIN: |
GLOBAL NOTE
[•]% Subordinated Notes due [•]
| No. |
$[ ] |
APTIV GLOBAL FINANCING DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY
promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns,
the principal sum of DOLLARS on [•], 20[•], as such amount may be changed from time to time pursuant to the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests attached hereto.
Interest Payment Dates: [•] and [•]
Record Dates: [•] and [•]
Dated: , 20
| APTIV GLOBAL FINANCING DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
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This is one of the Notes referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture:
| DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Authenticating Agent | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
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[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
[•]%Subordinated Note due [•]
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1. INTEREST. Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company (the “Issuer”) promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of [•]% from [•], 20[•] until maturity or pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Indenture. The Issuer will pay interest on this Note semi-annually in arrears on [•] and [•] of each year, commencing on [•], 20[•], or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). The Issuer will make each interest payment to the Holder of record of this Note on the immediately preceding [•] and [•] (each, a “Regular Record Date”). Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including [•], 20[•]. The Issuer will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuer will pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Note at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note is cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.13 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the Note Register of Holders, provided that (a) all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on, Notes represented by Global Notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof and (b) all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to Certificated Notes will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee or the Paying Agent may accept in its discretion). Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. AUTHENTICATING AGENT, PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas will act as Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change any Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
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4. INDENTURE. The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of [•], 20[•], among the Issuer, the Guarantors party thereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation, as authenticating agent, registrar and paying agent. The Issuer shall be entitled to issue additional Notes with respect to this series of Notes pursuant to the Indenture. The terms of the Notes of this series include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture setting forth the additional terms of this series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Indenture and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Notes of this series are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture and those other provisions forming a part thereof with respect to this series of Notes, the provisions of the Indenture and such other provisions with respect to this series shall govern and be controlling.
5. SUBORDINATION. The Notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and manner set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture for this series of Notes, to all Senior Indebtedness (as such term is defined in such Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture).
[OTHER APPLICABLE PROVISIONS]
[•]. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes of this series are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $200,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $200,000. The transfer of Notes of this series may be registered and Notes of this series may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuer may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of (a) any Note of this series selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3 of the Indenture, except the unredeemed portion of any such Note being redeemed in part, or (b) any such Note for a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem such Notes or 15 days before an Interest Payment Date (whether or not an Interest Payment Date or other date determined for the payment of interest), and ending on such mailing date or Interest Payment Date, as the case may be.
[•]. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
[•]. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes of this series may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.
[•]. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes of this series are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the then outstanding
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Notes of all series affected thereby may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes of such series to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Issuer and the Trustee (if given by the Holders) specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a “notice of acceleration”, and the same shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the outstanding Notes 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. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes of this series or the Note Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all affected series may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of the affected series (voting as a single class) by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes of such series waive any existing Default or and its consequences under the Indenture with respect to such series of Notes except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes of such series held by a non-consenting Holder. The Issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuer is required within 30 Business Days after becoming aware of any Default with respect to this series of Notes, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.
[•]. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or Authentication Agent.
[•]. GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES OF THIS SERIES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.
[•]. CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes of this series and the Trustee or Registrar may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes of this series or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Issuer will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to the Issuer at the following address:
Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company
5 Hanover Quay
Grand Canal Dock
Dublin, D02 VY79, Ireland
Facsimile: (248) 813-2491
Attention: Treasurer
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
| (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: |
| |
| (Insert assignee’s legal name) | ||
|
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| (Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.) | ||
|
| ||
|
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| (Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code) | ||
| and irrevocably appoint |
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| to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him. | ||
Date:
| Your Signature: |
| |
| Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note |
| Signature Guarantee*: |
|
| * | Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Transfer Agent). |
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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*
The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $ . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Certificated Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Certificated Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal |
Signature of |
| * | This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form. |
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Exhibit 4.25
APTIV PLC,
as Company
THE GUARANTORS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,
as Guarantors
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
AND
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
as Registrar, Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent
SENIOR INDENTURE DATED AS OF
[•], 20[•]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| PAGE | ||||
| ARTICLE 1 |
| |||
| ESTABLISHMENT; DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
| |||
| Section 1.01. Definitions |
1 | |||
| Section 1.02. Other Definitions |
6 | |||
| Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act |
6 | |||
| Section 1.04. Rules of Construction |
7 | |||
| ARTICLE 2 |
| |||
| THE NOTES |
| |||
| Section 2.01. Form and Dating |
8 | |||
| Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication |
8 | |||
| Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series |
9 | |||
| Section 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent |
11 | |||
| Section 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust |
12 | |||
| Section 2.06. Holder Lists |
12 | |||
| Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange |
12 | |||
| Section 2.08. Replacement Notes |
17 | |||
| Section 2.09. Outstanding Notes |
18 | |||
| Section 2.10. Treasury Notes |
18 | |||
| Section 2.11. Temporary Notes |
18 | |||
| Section 2.12. Cancellation |
19 | |||
| Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest |
19 | |||
| Section 2.14. CUSIP or ISIN Numbers |
19 | |||
| ARTICLE 3 |
| |||
| REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT |
| |||
| Section 3.01. Applicability of Article |
20 | |||
| Section 3.02. Notices to Trustee |
20 | |||
| Section 3.03. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed |
20 | |||
| Section 3.04. Notice of Redemption |
21 | |||
| Section 3.05. Effect of Notice Upon Redemption |
22 | |||
| Section 3.06. Deposit of Redemption Price |
22 | |||
| Section 3.07. Notes Redeemed in Part |
22 | |||
| ARTICLE 4 |
| |||
| COVENANTS |
| |||
| Section 4.01. Payment of Notes |
22 | |||
| Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency |
23 | |||
| Section 4.03. Reports |
23 | |||
| Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate |
24 | |||
i
| Section 4.05. Corporate Existence |
24 | |||
| ARTICLE 5 |
| |||
| SUCCESSORS |
| |||
| Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets |
24 | |||
| Section 5.02. Successor Substituted |
25 | |||
| ARTICLE 6 |
| |||
| DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES |
| |||
| Section 6.01. Events of Default |
25 | |||
| Section 6.02. Acceleration |
26 | |||
| Section 6.03. Other Remedies |
27 | |||
| Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults |
28 | |||
| Section 6.05. Control by Majority |
28 | |||
| Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits |
28 | |||
| Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment |
28 | |||
| Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee |
29 | |||
| Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim |
29 | |||
| Section 6.10. Priorities |
29 | |||
| Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs |
30 | |||
| ARTICLE 7 |
| |||
| TRUSTEE |
| |||
| Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee |
30 | |||
| Section 7.02. Rights of the Trustee |
31 | |||
| Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee |
33 | |||
| Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer |
33 | |||
| Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults |
33 | |||
| Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holder |
34 | |||
| Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity |
34 | |||
| Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee |
35 | |||
| Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. |
36 | |||
| Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification |
37 | |||
| Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company |
37 | |||
| ARTICLE 8 |
| |||
| LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
| |||
| Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance |
37 | |||
| Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge |
37 | |||
| Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance |
38 | |||
| Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance |
38 | |||
| Section 8.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions |
39 | |||
| Section 8.06. Satisfaction and Discharge |
40 | |||
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| Section 8.07. Repayment to Company |
41 | |||
| Section 8.08. Reinstatement |
41 | |||
| Section 8.09. Survival |
41 | |||
| ARTICLE 9 |
| |||
| AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER |
| |||
| Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holder |
41 | |||
| Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes |
43 | |||
| Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act |
44 | |||
| Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents |
44 | |||
| Section 9.05. Trustee and Agents to Sign Amendments |
44 | |||
| ARTICLE 10 |
| |||
| NOTE GUARANTEES |
| |||
| Section 10.01. Note Guarantees |
45 | |||
| Section 10.02. Limitation on Liability |
46 | |||
| Section 10.03. Successors and Assigns |
46 | |||
| Section 10.04. No Waiver |
47 | |||
| Section 10.05. Release of Guarantor |
47 | |||
| Section 10.06. Contribution |
47 | |||
| ARTICLE 11 |
| |||
| MISCELLANEOUS |
| |||
| Section 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls |
47 | |||
| Section 11.02. Notices |
47 | |||
| Section 11.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes |
49 | |||
| Section 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent |
49 | |||
| Section 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion |
50 | |||
| Section 11.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents |
50 | |||
| Section 11.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders |
50 | |||
| Section 11.08. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial |
50 | |||
| Section 11.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements |
51 | |||
| Section 11.10. Successors |
51 | |||
| Section 11.11. Severability |
51 | |||
| Section 11.12. Counterpart Originals |
51 | |||
| Section 11.13. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. |
51 | |||
| Section 11.14. Force Majeure |
51 | |||
| Section 11.15. Patriot Act |
52 | |||
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Form of Note
iii
APTIV PLC
RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
AND SENIOR INDENTURE, DATED AS OF [•], 20[•]
| Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939 | Section(s) of Indenture | |||
| ss. 310 | (a) (1) | 7.10 | ||
| (a) (2) | 7.10 | |||
| (a) (3) | N.A. | |||
| (a) (4) | N.A. | |||
| (a) (5) | 7.10 | |||
| (b) | 7.08, 7.10 | |||
| (c) | N.A. | |||
| ss. 311 | (a) | 7.11 | ||
| (b) | 7.11 | |||
| (c) | N.A. | |||
| ss. 312 | (a) | 2.06 | ||
| (b) | 2.06 | |||
| (c) | 2.06 | |||
| ss. 313 | (a) | 7.06 | ||
| (b)(1) | N.A. | |||
| (b)(2) | 7.06, 7.07 | |||
| (c) | 7.06 | |||
| (d) | 7.06 | |||
| ss. 314 | (a) | 4.03, 4.04 | ||
| (b) | N.A. | |||
| (c) (1) | 11.04 | |||
| (c) (2) | 11.04 | |||
| (c) (3) | N.A. | |||
| (d) | N.A. | |||
| (e) | 11.05 | |||
| ss. 315 | (a) | 7.01 | ||
| (b) | 7.05, 11.02 | |||
| (c) | 7.01 | |||
| (d) | 7.01 | |||
| (e) | 6.11 | |||
| ss. 316 | (a) (1) (A) | 6.05 | ||
| (a) (1) (B) | 6.04 | |||
| (a) (2) | N.A. | |||
| (a) (last sentence) | 6.11 | |||
| (b) | 6.07 | |||
| ss. 317 | (a) (1) | 6.08 | ||
| (a) (2) | 6.09 | |||
| (b) | 2.05 | |||
| ss. 318 | (a) | 11.01 | ||
| (b) | N.A. | |||
| (c) | 11.01 | |||
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
iv
This SENIOR INDENTURE, dated as of [•], 20[•], is by and among Aptiv PLC (formerly known as Aptiv Holdings Limited), a public limited company formed under the laws of Jersey (the “Company”), the guarantors from time to time party hereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation, as registrar, paying agent and authenticating agent.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company is entering into this Indenture to establish the form and terms of its senior notes to be issued from time to time in one or more series (the “Notes”) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all conditions necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Indenture and to make it a valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Guarantors have been done or performed;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.
ARTICLE 1
ESTABLISHMENT; DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01. Definitions. (a) The following are definitions used in this Indenture, except as otherwise provided in respect of any series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 of this Indenture.
“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 Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent.
“Applicable Procedures” means with respect to any transfer, redemption or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary that apply to such transfer, redemption or exchange.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, or the law of any other jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
“Certificated Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof), except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Increases or Decreases in the Global Note” (or similarly titled equivalent) attached thereto.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 11.02 hereof, or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.
“Custodian” means, with respect to the Notes of a series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.04(c) as Custodian with respect to the Notes of such series, and any and all successors thereto appointed as custodian hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Depositary” means, unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof, the Person specified in Section 2.04(b) hereof to act as the Depositary with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
“Discount Note” means any Note that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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“GAAP” means, unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, as set forth in:
(1) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,
(2) statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board,
(3) such other statements by such other entities as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, and
(4) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC.
“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.07(f) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Global Notes, in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof) issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof.
“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:
(1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or
(2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);
provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
“Guarantor” means any Person that provides a Note Guarantee under this Indenture with respect to the Notes of a series.
“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.
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“Indenture” means this Indenture as originally executed and delivered or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, in respect of the Notes of each series, shall include the forms and terms of the Notes of such series established as contemplated pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03.
“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
“Interest Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph 1 of the applicable Notes.
“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the Trustee, Agents or banking institutions are not required by law or regulation to be open in the State of New York.
“Note Guarantee” means each Guarantee of the obligations with respect to the Notes of a series issued by a Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company. “Officer” of any Guarantor has a correlative meaning.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee and the Agents. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or a Guarantor.
“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary.
“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Notes of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Notes, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company or its agents upon the issuance of such Notes.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“Preferred Stock” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of any other class of Capital Stock of such Person.
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“principal” of a Note means the principal of the Note (or, if such Note is one of a series of Discount Notes, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms of such series) plus the premium, if any, payable on such Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date means the applicable date specified as a “Record Date” on the face of the Note.
“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any Note, the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such Note is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such Note at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the Company unless such contingency has occurred).
“Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:
(1) such Person,
(2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or
(3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
Unless otherwise specified, all references to any Subsidiary shall be to a Subsidiary of the Company.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as it may be amended from time to time.
“Trustee” means, with respect to each series of Notes, the party named as such in the Preamble of this Indenture until a successor or assignee replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor or assignee.
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“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option.
“Yield to Maturity” means, as the context may require, the yield to maturity (i) on a series of Notes or (ii) if the Notes of a series are issuable from time to time, on a Note of such series, calculated at the time of issuance of such series in the case of clause (i) or at the time of issuance of such Note of such series in the case of clause (ii), or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series or on such Note, and calculated in accordance with the constant interest method or such other accepted financial practice as is specified in the terms of such Note.
Section 1.02. Other Definitions.
| Term |
Defined in Section | |||||
| Acceleration Notice | 6.02 |
|||||
| Authenticating Agent | 2.02(e) |
|||||
| Authentication Order | 2.02(d) |
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| Company | Preamble | |||||
| Covenant Defeasance | 8.03 |
|||||
| DTC | 2.04(b) |
|||||
| Events of Default | 6.01 |
|||||
| Future Foreign Guarantor | 10.02 |
|||||
| Global Note Legend | 2.07 |
|||||
| Guaranteed Obligations | 10.01 |
|||||
| Legal Defeasance | 8.02 |
|||||
| Notes | Preamble | |||||
| Note Register | 2.04(a) |
|||||
| Paying Agent | 2.04(a) |
|||||
| Redemption Date | 2.09(d) |
|||||
| Registrar | 2.04(a) |
|||||
| Successor Company | 5.01(a) |
|||||
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. (a) Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
(b) The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“indenture securities” means the Notes and the Note Guarantees;
“indenture security holder” means a Holder;
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;
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“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and
“obligor” on the Notes means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Notes.
(c) All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings so assigned to them either in the TIA, by another statute or SEC rule, as applicable.
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction. (a) Unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined herein has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(iii) “or” is not exclusive;
(iv) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(v) all references in this instrument to “Articles,” “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and subdivisions of this instrument as originally executed;
(vi) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(vii) “including” means “including without limitation”;
(viii) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
(ix) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the TIA shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time thereunder.
(b) Unless otherwise expressly specified, references in this Indenture to specific Article numbers or Section numbers refer to Articles and Sections contained in this Indenture and not to any other document.
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ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES
Section 2.01. Form and Dating. (a) General. The Authenticating Agent shall authenticate, upon a written order of the Company (other than as provided in Section 2.08 hereof), the Notes of each series as shall be established by or pursuant to one or more Officer’s Certificates or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto as provided in Section 2.03 hereof. The Notes of each series and the Authenticating Agent’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof), in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture setting forth the terms of such series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the date of original issuance thereof or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for. Unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes, the Notes shall be issued initially in minimum denominations of $200,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $200,000.
(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof), including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” (or similarly titled equivalent) attached thereto. Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof), but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” (or similarly titled equivalent) attached thereto. Each Global Note in respect of a series of Notes shall represent such of the outstanding Notes of such series as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” (or similarly titled equivalent) attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of such series represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note in respect of a series of Notes to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of such series represented thereby shall be made by the Registrar in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.07 hereof.
Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication. (a) One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual, electronic or facsimile signature.
(b) If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
(c) A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Authenticating Agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
(d) The Authenticating Agent shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue.
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(e) The Company may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Trustee to authenticate Notes (the “Authenticating Agent”). Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, the Authenticating Agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such Authenticating Agent. The Authenticating Agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries. The Company hereby initially appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as Authenticating Agent and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas hereby accepts such appointment.
(f) If, in connection with a Periodic Offering, all Notes of a series are not to be initially issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01 or any other documents (other than the Notes and the Authentication Order required pursuant to Section 2.02(d)) at or prior to the authentication of each Note of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon initial issuance of the first Note of such series to be issued.
Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Notes may be issued in one or more series, which may include one or more tranches, including Notes issued in a Periodic Offering. There shall be established in or pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate or an indenture supplemental hereto, prior to the initial issuance of Notes of any series, subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.03:
(a) the designation of the Notes of the series, which shall distinguish the Notes of the series from the Notes of all other series;
(b) if other than the form of the Notes in Exhibit A attached hereto, the form or forms of the Notes of such series;
(c) whether the Notes are entitled to the benefit of any Guarantee;
(d) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture and any limitation on the ability of the Company to increase such aggregate principal amount after the initial issuance of the Notes of that series (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, or upon redemption of, other Notes of the series pursuant hereto);
(e) the date or dates on which the principal of the Notes of the series is payable (which date or dates may be fixed or extendible);
(f) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum at which the Notes of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, on which such interest shall be payable and on which a record shall be taken for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable and/or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined;
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(g) if other than as provided in Section 4.02, the place or places where the principal of and any interest on Notes of the series shall be payable, the place or places where the Notes may be surrendered for exchange, notices, demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes of the series and this Indenture may be served;
(h) the right, if any, of the Company to redeem Notes of the series, in whole or in part, at its option and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and any terms and conditions upon which Notes of the series may be so redeemed, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;
(i) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Notes of the series pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and any of the terms and conditions upon which Notes of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(j) if other than denominations of $200,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Notes of the series shall be issuable;
(k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Notes of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
(l) if other than the coin or currency in which the Notes of the series are denominated, the coin or currency in which payment of the principal of or interest on the Notes of the series shall be payable or if the amount of payments of principal of and/or interest on the Notes of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Notes of the series are denominated, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(m) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of and interest on the Notes of the series shall be payable, and the manner in which any such currencies shall be valued against other currencies in which any other Notes shall be payable;
(n) whether the Notes of the series may be exchangeable for and/or convertible into the ordinary shares of the Company or any other security;
(o) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts on the Notes of the series held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Notes rather than pay such additional amounts;
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(p) if the Notes of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Note of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
(q) any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or the registrar or any other agents with respect to the Notes of the series;
(r) provisions, if any, for the defeasance of the Notes of the series (including provisions permitting defeasance of less than all Notes of the series), which provisions may be in addition to, in substitution for, or in modification of (or any combination of the foregoing) the provisions of Article 8;
(s) if the Notes of the series are issuable in whole or in part as one or more Global Notes, the identity of the Depositary or common Depositary for such Global Notes;
(t) any other or alternative Events of Default or covenants with respect to the Notes of the series; and
(u) any other terms of the Notes of the series.
All Notes of any one series shall be substantially identical, except in the case of any Periodic Offering and except as to date and denomination and except as may otherwise be provided by or pursuant to the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or as set forth in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Notes of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to such Officer’s Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto and any forms and terms of Notes to be issued from time to time may be completed and established from time to time prior to the issuance thereof by procedures described in such Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture.
All Notes of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided by the Company, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Notes of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Notes.
Section 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent. (a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment, or may appoint an agent for such purpose (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
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(b) Unless otherwise specified in respect of Notes of any series pursuant to Section 2.03, the Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
(c) The Company initially appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas hereby initially agrees so to act.
Section 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (which by its execution of this Indenture hereby agrees) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent.
Section 2.06. Holder Lists. The Registrar shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Paying Agent is not the same entity as the Registrar, the Company shall furnish or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Paying Agent, at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Paying Agent may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date or such shorter time as the Registrar may allow, as the Paying Agent may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange. (a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.07, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Certificated Note of the same series unless (A) the Depositary (x) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days, (B) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of the
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Notes in certificated form (provided that under current industry practices, the Depositary would notify participants of the Company’s determination, but would only withdraw beneficial interests from a Global Note at the request of participants) or (C) upon the request of a Holder if there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (A) above, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note of the same series or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.08 and 2.11 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note of the same series or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.07 or Sections 2.08 and 2.11 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Certificated Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in (A) or (B) above and pursuant to Section 2.07(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.07(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.07(b) or (c) hereof.
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.07(b)(i).
(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.07(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant or Indirect Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Certificated Note of the same series in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in
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whose name such Certificated Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.07(g) hereof.
(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes for Certificated Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Certificated Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Certificated Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (A) of Section 2.07(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.07(b)(ii) hereof, the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.07(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Certificated Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Certificated Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.07(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Registrar shall mail such Certificated Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Notes for Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. A Holder of a Certificated Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Global Note or transfer such Certificated Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Registrar shall cancel the applicable Certificated Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Global Notes.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Certificated Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to this Section 2.07(d) above at a time when a Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate one or more Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Certificated Notes so transferred.
(e) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Notes for Certificated Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Certificated Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.07(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Certificated Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Certificated Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Certificated Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, that the Registrar may reasonably request.
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(f) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (with appropriate changes in the last sentence if DTC is not the Depositary) (the “Global Note Legend”):
“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE REGISTRAR MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(g) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE REGISTRAR FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”
(g) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Certificated Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Registrar in accordance with Section 2.12 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Certificated Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such
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Global Note by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such increase.
(h) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Authenticating Agent shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate Certificated Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
(iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of (a) any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or (b) any Note for a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Notes or 15 days before an Interest Payment Date (whether or not an Interest Payment Date or other date determined for the payment of interest), and ending on such mailing date or Interest Payment Date, as the case may be.
(iv) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(v) All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
(i) No Obligation of the Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent.
(i) The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the
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delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note in global form shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
(ii) The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including without limitation any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
Section 2.08. Replacement Notes. If any mutilated Note of a series is surrendered to the Registrar or the Company and the Registrar receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note of a series, the Company shall issue and the Authenticating Agent, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note of such series if the Registrar’s requirements are met. If required by the Registrar or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Registrar and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note had become or is about to become due and payable, the Company, in its discretion, may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph.
Every replacement Note of a series is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes of such series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies of any Holder with respect to the replacement or payment of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note.
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Section 2.09. Outstanding Notes. (a) The Notes of a series outstanding at any time are all the Notes of such series authenticated by the Authenticating Agent except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Registrar in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.09 as not outstanding. A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 2.10 hereof.
(b) If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Registrar receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
(c) If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
(d) If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof) segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a date of redemption (a “Redemption Date”) or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes of a series payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.
Section 2.10. Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes of a series have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent with respect to such series, Notes of such series owned by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Notes of such series that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all outstanding Notes, if any, known to the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, and the Trustee shall be entitled to accept and rely upon such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth.
Section 2.11. Temporary Notes. Until certificates representing Notes of a series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Authenticating Agent, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes of such series. Such temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Certificated Notes of the relevant series but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes of such series and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Authenticating Agent. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate Certificated Notes of a series in exchange for temporary Notes of such series.
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Holders of temporary Notes of any series shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 2.12. Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Registrar for cancellation. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Registrar any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Registrar, upon direction by the Company and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Company from time to time upon written request. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Registrar for cancellation.
Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes of a series, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes of such series and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall notify the Trustee and Paying Agent in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each such Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent 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 and Paying Agent for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.13. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any such special record date. At least 15 days before any such special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Paying Agent in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder for the relevant series of Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.13 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note of the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note of such series.
Section 2.14. CUSIP or ISIN Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes of any series may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Company and Registrar, as applicable, shall use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed
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on the Notes of such series or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes of such series, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify, in writing, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.01. Applicability of Article. If the Company elects to redeem any series of Notes pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions set forth in respect of any series of Notes, the provisions of this Article 3 will apply except as otherwise specified in respect of a series of Notes.
Section 3.02. Notices to Trustee. The Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the section or paragraph number of the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture for such series pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes of the series to be redeemed, (iv) the redemption price and (v) any conditions precedent applicable to the redemption of such Notes. If the Company elects to redeem any series of Notes pursuant to the provisions set forth in respect of any series of Notes, it shall furnish such Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee and the applicable Agent at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date unless a shorter notice shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the applicable Agent. Any such notice may be cancelled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any Holder and shall, therefore, be void and of no effect.
Section 3.03. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If less than all of the Notes of any series are to be redeemed or purchased at any time, the Registrar and Paying Agent shall select the Notes of such series to be redeemed or purchased, (i) if the applicable Notes are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the applicable Notes are listed, or (ii) if the applicable Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. In the event of partial redemption, the particular Notes of such series to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Registrar and Paying Agent from the outstanding Notes of such series not previously called for redemption.
The Paying Agent and Registrar shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes of a series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes of such series selected shall be in amounts of $200,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of such series of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture or the applicable Officer’s Certificate(s) or supplemental indenture(s) that apply to Notes of a series called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes of such series called for redemption.
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Section 3.04. Notice of Redemption. At least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail or in the case of a Global Note, delivered in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.
The notice shall identify the Notes of a series to be redeemed (including the CUSIP or ISIN number) and shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date;
(b) the redemption price;
(c) if any Note of such series is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note of such series;
(d) any conditions precedent applicable to the redemption of such Notes;
(e) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(f) that Notes of such series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(g) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes of such series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;
(h) the paragraph of the Notes of such series and section or paragraph number of the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Notes of such series called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(i) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes of such series.
At the Company’s request, the Registrar shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense, provided, however, that the Company gives the Registrar at least 3 Business Days prior notice of such request.
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Section 3.05. Effect of Notice Upon Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.04 hereof, Notes of a series called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date at the redemption price stated in the notice except that any redemption and notice thereof may, in the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. Subject to the foregoing, upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the related Interest Payment Date). Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.
Section 3.06. Deposit of Redemption Price. On or before 10:00 a.m. New York City Time on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions of Notes) of a series to be redeemed on that date. Upon written instructions of the Company, the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes of such series to be redeemed.
If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes of a series called for redemption, whether or not such Notes are presented for payment. If a Note is redeemed on or after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. If any Note of a series called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal from the Redemption Date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes of such series (or the Yield to Maturity, in the case of an Discount Note) and in the manner provided in Section 4.01 hereof.
Section 3.07. Notes Redeemed in Part. In the case of Certificated Notes, upon surrender of a Note of a series that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and, upon the Company’s written request, the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note of such series equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01. Payment of Notes. The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, the Notes of each series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes of such series. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. New York City Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due and the Paying
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Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company reserves the right to pay interest to Holders by check mailed directly to Holders at their registered addresses or, with respect to Global Notes, by wire transfer. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months or as otherwise provided in the Notes of any series.
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. (a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office or drop facility of the Registrar) where the Notes of each series may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes of each series and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. 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 of the Trustee, and the Company hereby initially appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
(b) The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes of each series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company shall 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.
(c) The Company hereby initially designates the address of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas set forth in Section 11.02 as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 4.02(a).
Section 4.03. Reports. (a) (i) The Company shall file with the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company will also comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Company files the information and reports referred to in the preceding paragraph with the SEC and such information is publicly available on the Internet, the Company shall be deemed to be in compliance with its obligations to furnish such information to the Trustee.
(b) Any such reports delivered or filed by the Company with the Trustee shall be considered for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports shall not constitute notice or actual knowledge of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).
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Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate. (a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 20[•] (which, on the date hereof, is a calendar year), an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to the Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in or otherwise forming a part of this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes of any series is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. For the purposes of this paragraph, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. The Company shall also comply with TIA Section 314(a)(4).
(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes of a series are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith and in any event within 30 days upon any Officer becoming aware of, in respect of the Notes of such series, any Default or Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.05. Corporate Existence. Except as otherwise permitted by Article 5 hereof, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets. Unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets in one or a series of related transactions to, any Person, unless:
(a) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) will be a corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, limited company or other similar organization organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, the United Kingdom, Jersey and any other jurisdiction in the Channel Islands, any member state of the European Union as in effect from time to time, Switzerland, Bermuda, The Cayman Islands or Singapore), and the Successor Company (if not the Company) will expressly
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assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and the applicable Agent, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes of each series then outstanding (and, if the Successor Company is not a corporation, the Company shall cause a corporation to become a co-obligor on such Notes);
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.
Section 5.02. Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation, merger or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, in which the Company is not the continuing Person, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, lease or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes of each series then outstanding with the same effect as if such surviving entity had been named as such and that, in the event of a conveyance or transfer, the conveyor or transferor shall be released from the provisions of this Indenture and the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes of all such series.
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default. Unless otherwise specified in respect of any series of Notes, each of the following is an “Event of Default” with respect to each series of Notes:
(a) a default in any payment of interest on the Notes of such series when due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days;
(b) a default in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on, any Note of such series when due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon any mandatory or optional redemption or required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;
(c) the failure by the Company or any Guarantor to comply with its other agreements contained in this Indenture applicable to the Notes of such series for 90 days after the Company or such Guarantor receives written notice specifying the default (and demanding that such default be remedied) from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes of all series affected thereby;
(d) the Company:
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(i) commences a voluntary case,
(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian (which term includes the Viscount in Jersey) of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
(e) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case;
(ii) appoints a custodian (which term includes the Viscount in Jersey) of the Company, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company; or
(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company,
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; and
(f) any other Event of Default established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof with respect to the Notes of such series.
The foregoing will constitute Events of Default with respect to a series of Notes whatever the reason for any such Event of Default for such series and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is 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.
However, a default under clause (c) above will not constitute an Event of Default with respect to a series of Notes until the Trustee notifies the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby notify the Company and the Trustee of the default and the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, does not cure such default within the time specified in clause (c) above after receipt of such notice.
Section 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clauses (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 hereof with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of Notes, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all outstanding Notes of all such series to be due and payable immediately (all such series voting together as a single class) by notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee (if given by the Holders) specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a “notice of acceleration” (the “Acceleration Notice”), and the same shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 hereof with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the outstanding Notes 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.
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At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to one or more series of Notes as described in the preceding paragraph, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes of such series (voting as a single class) may rescind and cancel such declaration with respect to the Notes of such series and its consequences (i) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, (ii) if all existing Events of Default with respect to such series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration, (iii) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid, (iv) if the Company has paid the Trustee and the Agents their compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances; and (v) in the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default of the type described in clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 hereof, the Trustee shall have received an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that such Event of Default has been cured or waived. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Discount Notes shall have been accelerated and declared or become due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Discount Notes shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Discount Notes.
Section 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default with respect to one or more series of Notes occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes of such series or this Indenture. The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes of the relevant series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
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Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected (voting as a single class) by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes of such series waive an existing Default or Event of Default with respect to such series and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and interest on the Notes of such series (including in connection with an offer to purchase) (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the then outstanding Notes of such series may rescind an acceleration with respect to such series and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration). Upon any such waiver, such Default in respect of the relevant series of Notes shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default in respect of such series 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 6.05. Control by Majority. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected (voting as a single class) may 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 on the Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holders of Notes of such series or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits. A Holder of a Note of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes of such series only if:
(a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes of such series offer to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(e) within such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
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Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) hereof occurs with respect to a series of Notes and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest (or the Yield to Maturity, in the case of an Discount Note) remaining unpaid on the Notes of such series and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and 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 and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article with respect to a series of Notes, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee, the Agents, their respective agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or Agents and the costs and expenses of collection;
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Second: to Holders for such series for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes of such series for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes of such series for principal, premium, if any, and interest (or the Yield to Maturity, in the case of an Discount Note), respectively; and
Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 30 days before such record date, the Company shall deliver to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid. This Section 6.10 is subject at all times to the provisions set forth in Section 11.02.
Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs. 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 a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.06 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of a series.
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein) and shall be entitled to seek advice from legal counsel in relation thereto.
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(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to this Section 7.01.
(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 7.02. Rights of the Trustee. (a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any such document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
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(d) 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 the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.
(f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(g) 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, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its reasonable discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall reasonably determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(h) 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 willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it under this Indenture.
(i) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its power and duties hereunder.
(j) Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee under this Article 7, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas in each of its capacities hereunder as an Agent, and are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, each other Agent, Custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(k) The permissive right of the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any actions enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty.
(l) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God; strikes, work stoppages, earthquakes; fire;
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flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action. It being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
(m) Anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Trustee has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(n) The Company shall provide prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change to its fiscal year.
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes of any series and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee shall also be subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes of any series, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes of any series or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes of any series or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes of any series or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults. (a) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default with respect to Notes of any series unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee from the Company or the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby, and such notice references the specific Default or Event of Default, the Notes of such series and this Indenture.
(b) If a Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of the Notes of the applicable series, notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after the occurrence of a Default or 30 days after it is actually known to a Responsible Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived. Except in the case of a Default in
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the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note of any series (including payments pursuant to the redemption provisions of the Notes of such series), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders thereof.
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holder. Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the initial issuance date of Notes under this Indenture, and for so long as any series of Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange, if any, on which the Notes of any series are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when any series of Notes are listed on any stock exchange and any delisting thereof.
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company and the Guarantors shall pay to each Agent and to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for each such Agent’s and Trustee’s services hereunder (it being understood that all amounts set forth in the fee letter dated [•], 20[•], between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and Wilmington Trust, National Association shall be deemed reasonable in respect of the compensation to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas in its capacity as Registrar, Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent as initially appointed hereunder). The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company and the Guarantors shall reimburse the Trustee and the Agents promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by such party in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s and Agents’ respective agents and counsel.
The Company and the Guarantors shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the Trustee against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company and the Guarantors or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith. The Trustee shall notify the Company and the Guarantors promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend, at the sole discretion of the Trustee, the claim and may cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company and the Guarantors need not pay for any settlement made without their consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
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The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee or the Agents, as applicable, the satisfaction and discharge and the termination of this Indenture.
To secure the Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such lien shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the satisfaction and discharge and the termination of this Indenture.
In addition, and without prejudice to the rights provided to the Trustee under any of the provisions of this Indenture, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(d) or (e) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Trustee” for purposes of this Section shall include any predecessor Trustee and the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder; provided, however, that the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more series of Notes in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby (voting as a single class) may remove the Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
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(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason with respect to any series of Notes, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect to such series. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby (voting as a single class) may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such series may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder of a Note of a series for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the relevant series of Notes. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of the Notes of such series. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or banking association, the successor corporation or banking association without any further act shall, if such successor corporation or banking association is otherwise eligible hereunder, be the successor Trustee.
Subject to Section 7.10, any business entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
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Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA §310(b).
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee is subject to TIA §311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA §311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. Unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes, the Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.
Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes of any series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes of such series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes of such series to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal amount of, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee and Agents hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith and (d) the provisions of this Article 8 with respect to Legal Defeasance. Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.
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Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04 and 4.05 hereof and in any supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate established with respect to the outstanding Notes of a series pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes of such series shall thereafter be deemed 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 such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes of such series shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes of such series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such 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 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and the Notes of such series shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof with respect to the Notes of a series, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Section 6.01(c) hereof shall not constitute an Event of Default for such series.
Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes of any series:
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(a) the Company must deposit with the Paying Agent, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee and the Paying Agent, to pay the principal amount at maturity of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(b) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Opinion of Counsel in the United States of America reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
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(c) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Opinion of Counsel in the United States of America reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to 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;
(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the incurrence of indebtedness all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be used to defease the Notes pursuant to this Article 8 concurrently with such incurrence and the grant of a lien to secure such indebtedness);
(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under this Indenture (other than a Default or an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any lien securing such borrowing) or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(f) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with; and
(g) the Company shall have paid or duly provided for payment of all amounts then due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by clause (b) above with respect to a Legal Defeasance need not be delivered if all Notes of such series not therefor delivered to the Registrar for cancellation (A) have become due and payable or (B) will become due and payable on the maturity date or upon redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee and the applicable Agent for giving of notice of redemption by the Registrar with a copy to the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.
Section 8.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. All cash and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Paying Agent (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Qualifying Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes of any
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series shall be held in trust and applied by the Qualifying Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Qualifying Trustee may determine, to the Holders of the Notes of such series of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such cash and securities need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Qualifying Trustee and Paying Agent, as applicable, against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and 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 the outstanding Notes of such series.
Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Paying Agent shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Qualifying Trustee and the applicable Agent (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Section 8.06. Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights or registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes of any series when (i) either (a) all the Notes of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes of such series which have been replaced or paid and Notes of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Registrar and Paying Agent for cancellation or (b) all Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Registrar and Paying Agent for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year, whether at maturity or on a Redemption Date, pursuant to an irrevocable redemption notice, and the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Registrar and Paying Agent funds or U.S. Government Obligations in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Registrar and Paying Agent for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of such series to the date of deposit together with irrevocable instructions from the Company directing the Registrar and Paying Agent with a copy to the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be; (ii) the Company has paid all other sums due and payable under this Indenture by the Company; and (iii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee or Registrar and Paying Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
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Section 8.07. Repayment to Company. Any cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash and securities, 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 The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such cash and securities remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such cash and securities then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 8.08. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, by reason of 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 Notes of the relevant series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such cash and securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note of a series following the reinstatement of its obligations with respect to such series, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the cash and securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
Section 8.09. Survival. The Trustee’s and Agents’ rights and obligations under this Article 8 shall survive termination of this Indenture or the resignation of the Trustee or such Agent.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holder. Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee and the applicable Agent may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes of any series without the consent of any Holder of a Note of such series to:
(a) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
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(b) provide for the assumption by a successor entity of the obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under this Indenture;
(c) to establish the form or forms or terms of Notes of any series as permitted by Section 2.03 hereof;
(d) provide for Global Notes in addition to or in place of Certificated Notes (provided, however, that the Global Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the Global Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code);
(e) provide for any Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantee when such release, termination or discharge is permitted under this Indenture;
(f) add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of Notes of such series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;
(g) make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the form, authentication, transfer and legending of Notes of such series; provided, however, that (A) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in such Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (B) such amendment does not materially affect the rights of Holders to transfer such Notes;
(h) comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(i) conform any provision of this Indenture or the Notes of such series to the provisions of the offering document relating to such series of Notes;
(j) modify any provisions of this Indenture, which modifications apply solely to series of Notes not outstanding on the date of such supplemental indenture; or
(k) make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Notes of such series in any material respect.
Upon the request of the Company, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.05 hereof, the Trustee and the Agents shall join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but neither the Trustee nor the Agents shall be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
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A supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate which changes or eliminates any covenant or any provision of this Indenture which has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Notes, or which modifies the rights of Holders of Notes of such series with respect to such covenant or provision, or which modifies terms with respect only to future series of Notes, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Notes of any other series and may be executed without the consent of such Holders of other series of Notes.
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes. Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, this Indenture, the Notes Guarantees and the Notes of any series may be amended or supplemented as it relates to such series with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of each series affected thereby (all such series voting as a single class) and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes of such series, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes of such series may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of each series affected thereby (all such series voting as a single class).
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.05 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture. It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Notes of all series affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes of such series held by a non-consenting Holder):
(a) reduce the amount of Notes of such series whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(b) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note of such series;
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(c) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note of such series;
(d) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note of such series or change the scheduled date at which any Note of such series may be redeemed;
(e) make any Notes of such series payable in money other than that stated in such Notes;
(f) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on such Note on or after the due dates therefore or to institute suit for the enforcement of such payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes; or
(g) make any change in the amendment provisions which require each Holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions.
Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or with respect to any series of Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by such Holder and every subsequent Holder or portion thereof that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note or portion thereof if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter shall bind every Holder for all series of Notes to which such amendment, supplement or waiver relates.
Section 9.05. Trustee and Agents to Sign Amendments. The Trustee and Agents shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee and Agents, as applicable. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee and Agents shall be provided with and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amended or supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Guarantors, if any, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions and that such amended or supplemental indenture complies with the provisions hereof.
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ARTICLE 10
NOTE GUARANTEES
Section 10.01. Note Guarantees. Each Guarantor that executes this Indenture or a supplemental indenture agreeing to be bound hereby, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, hereby fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees on a senior unsecured basis, jointly and severally, to each Holder of the Notes of each series (or such series as specified in the applicable supplement) and to the Trustee, the Agents and their respective successors and assigns (a) the full and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Notes of each such series when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes of each such series and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes of each such series (all such obligations set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such Guarantor and that such Guarantor will remain bound under this Article 10 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.
Each Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of, payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes of any series or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any Holder, the Trustee or Agents to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company, any Guarantor or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes of any series or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any obligation of the Company under the Indenture or any Note, by operation of law or otherwise; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes of any series or any other agreement; or (d) except as set forth in Section 10.05, any change in the ownership of such Guarantor.
Each Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder, the Trustee or Agents to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.
Each Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder, the Trustee or Agents upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.
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Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders, the Trustee and the Agents, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for the purposes of this Section 10.01.
Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee, the Agents or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.
Section 10.02. Limitation on Liability. Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes of a series, each Holder of Notes of each such series, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor (a) not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar foreign, federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee, and (b) not result in a distribution to shareholders not permitted under the applicable foreign or state law. Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering the Note Guarantee, as it relates to such Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. If following the date of this Indenture and notwithstanding anything in Section 9.02 to the contrary, any Guarantor incorporated, organized or formed, as the case may be, under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States of America (a “Future Foreign Guarantor”) executes a Note Guarantee and the Company shall reasonably determine that the preceding limitations shall not adequately address the limitations on such Note Guarantee imposed by applicable law of the jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, as the case may be, of any such Future Foreign Guarantor then upon the delivery of an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, the Company shall be entitled to amend such clauses or add such additional provisions (including any related modifications to a supplement to this Indenture or a Note Guarantee), as the case may be, in order for the Note Guarantee of a Guarantor to adequately address the limitations imposed by applicable law.
Section 10.03. Successors and Assigns. This Article 10 shall be binding upon each Guarantor that executes this Indenture or a supplemental indenture agreeing to be bound hereby and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee, the Agents and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder, the Trustee or the Agents, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes of the relevant series shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.
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Section 10.04. No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee, the Agents or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 10 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee, the Agents and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 10 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
Section 10.05. Release of Guarantor. Unless otherwise specified in respect of any series of Notes, the Note Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released with respect to a series of Notes under this Article 10 without any further action required on the part of the Trustee, the Agents or any Holder:
(a) upon (i) the sale or other disposition (including by way of consolidation, merger, dissolution or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor such that it is no longer a subsidiary of the Company or (ii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor;
(b) if so provided in an Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a series of Notes issued hereunder; or
(c) if the Company exercises its Legal Defeasance option or its Covenant Defeasance option with respect to such series of Notes in accordance with Article 8 hereof or if the Company’s obligations with respect to such series of Notes are discharged in accordance with the terms of Section 8.06.
Section 10.06. Contribution. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Note Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations to contribution from each Guarantor, as applicable, in an amount equal to such Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.
ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the provision required by the TIA shall control.
Section 11.02. Notices. Any notice or communication by the Company, the Trustee or an Agent to the other parties is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile or electronic transmission with an attachment in PDF or similar format, or overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery, to the other’s address:
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If to the Company:
Aptiv PLC
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Facsimile: [•]
Attention: Treasurer
With a copy to:
Aptiv PLC
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Facsimile: [•]
Attention: General Counsel
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Facsimile: (212) 701-5111
Attention: Michael Kaplan, Roshni Banker Cariello
If to the Trustee:
Wilmington Trust, National Association
277 Park Avenue, Floor 25
New York, NY 10172
Attn: – Aptiv PLC Notes Administrator
Fax: 302-636-4145
If to the Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent initially appointed hereunder:
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
Trust & Agency Services
1 Columbus Circle, 17th Floor, MS: NYC01-1710
New York, New York 10019
Attn: Corporates Team, AA6978
Fax: 732-578-4635
For purposes of surrender, transfer or exchange of any Note:
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
c/o DB Services Americas, Inc.
5022 Gate Parkway, Suite 200
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Attn: Transfer Department, AA6978
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The Company, the Trustee or the Agents, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
The Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, agree to accept and act upon facsimile or e-mail transmission of written instructions pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that (a) the party providing such written instructions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions in a timely manner and (b) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to the Trustee, Agents or Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if sent by facsimile or e-mail transmission; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery. All notices and communications to the Trustee, Agents or Holders shall be deemed duly given and effective only upon receipt.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery to its address shown on the security register for the Notes. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall send a copy, by facsimile or e-mail transmission, to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Section 11.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes. Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders of Notes of the same series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
Section 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee or an Agent to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and/or Agent, as applicable:
(a) an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and/or Agent, as applicable, (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
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(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and/or Agent, as applicable, (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.
Section 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
Section 11.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 11.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or of the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
Section 11.08. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES.
EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTORS, THE AGENTS AND THE TRUSTEE IRREVOCABLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
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Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture, the Notes Guarantees, the Notes or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. Each of the Company, the Guarantors, the Agents, the Trustee and the Holders (by their acceptance of the Securities) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Section 11.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 11.10. Successors. All covenants and agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All covenants and agreements of the Trustee and the Agents in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors.
Section 11.11. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes of any series shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions (including those provisions in respect of any other series of Notes) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 11.12. Counterpart Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. 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 and signature pages for all purposes. An electronic signature shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature.
Section 11.13. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings in this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 11.14. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee or the Agents 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, epidemics, pandemics, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
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Section 11.15. Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in order to help the United States government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, pursuant to Federal regulations that became effective on October 1, 2003 (Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act) all financial institutions are required to obtain, verify, record and update information that identifies each person establishing a relationship or opening an account. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide to the Trustee and Agent such information as it may request, from time to time, in order for the Trustee and Agent to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, including but not limited to the name, address, tax identification number and other information that will allow it to identify the individual or entity who is establishing the relationship or opening the account and may also ask for formation documents such as articles of incorporation or other identifying documents to be provided.
[Signatures on following pages]
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SIGNATURES
Dated as the date first written above
| COMPANY: | ||
| APTIV PLC | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page – Aptiv PLC Senior Indenture]
| TRUSTEE:
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL | ||
| ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page – Aptiv PLC Senior Indenture]
| REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT AND AUTHENTICATING AGENT:
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY | ||
| AMERICAS, as Registrar, Paying Agent | ||
| and Authenticating Agent | ||
| By: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page – Aptiv PLC Senior Indenture]
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
[Global Note Legend]
THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE REGISTRAR MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(g) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE REGISTRAR FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
A-1
CUSIP: __________
ISIN: __________
GLOBAL NOTE
[•]% Senior Notes due [•]
| No. __________ | $[__________] |
APTIV PLC
promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns,
the principal sum of DOLLARS on [•], 20[•], as such amount may be changed from time to time pursuant to the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests attached hereto.
Interest Payment Dates: [•] and [•]
Record Dates: [•] and [•]
A-2
Dated: _____________, 20____
| APTIV PLC | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
A-3
| This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Authenticating Agent | ||
| By: | Deutsche Bank National Trust Company | |
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
A-4
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
[•]% Senior Note due [•]
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1. INTEREST. Aptiv PLC (the “Company”) promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of [•]% from [•], 20[•] until maturity or pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Indenture. The Company will pay interest on this Note semi-annually in arrears on [•] and [•] of each year, commencing on [•], 20[•], or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). The Company will make each interest payment to the Holder of record of this Note on the immediately preceding [•] and [•] (each, a “Regular Record Date”). Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including [•], 20[•]. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Note at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note is cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.13 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the Note Register of Holders, provided that (a) all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on, Notes represented by Global Notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof and (b) all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to Certificated Notes will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee or the Paying Agent may accept in its discretion). Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. AUTHENTICATING AGENT, PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas will act as Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
A-5
4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of [•], 20[•], among the Company, the Guarantors party thereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation, as authenticating agent, registrar and paying agent. The Company shall be entitled to issue additional Notes with respect to this series of Notes pursuant to the Indenture. The terms of the Notes of this series include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture setting forth the additional terms of this series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Indenture and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Notes of this series are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture and those other provisions forming a part thereof with respect to this series of Notes, the provisions of the Indenture and such other provisions with respect to this series shall govern and be controlling.
[OTHER APPLICABLE PROVISIONS]
[•]. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes of this series are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $200,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $200,000. The transfer of Notes of this series may be registered and Notes of this series may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of (a) any Note of this series selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3 of the Indenture, except the unredeemed portion of any such Note being redeemed in part, or (b) any such Note for a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem such Notes or 15 days before an Interest Payment Date (whether or not an Interest Payment Date or other date determined for the payment of interest), and ending on such mailing date or Interest Payment Date, as the case may be.
[•]. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
[•]. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes of this series may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.
A-6
[•]. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes of this series are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes of such series to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee (if given by the Holders) specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a “notice of acceleration”, and the same shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the outstanding Notes 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. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes of this series or the Note Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all affected series may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of the affected series (voting as a single class) by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes of such series waive any existing Default or and its consequences under the Indenture with respect to such series of Notes except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes of such series held by a non-consenting Holder. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required within 30 Business Days after becoming aware of any Default with respect to this series of Notes, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.
[•]. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or Authentication Agent.
[•]. GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES OF THIS SERIES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.
[•]. CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes of this series and the Trustee or Registrar may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes of this series or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
A-7
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to the Company at the following address:
Aptiv PLC
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Facsimile: [•]
Attention: Treasurer
A-8
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:
(Insert assignee’s legal name)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
| Date: |
| Your Signature: |
| (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) |
| Signature Guarantee*: |
| * | Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Transfer Agent). |
A-9
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOT E*‡
The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $ . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Certificated Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Certificated Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal Amount of this following such increase |
Signature of authorized officer
of or Custodian |
| *‡ | This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form. |
A-10
Exhibit 4.26
APTIV PLC,
as Company
THE GUARANTORS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,
as Guarantors
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
AND
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
as Registrar, Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent
SUBORDINATED INDENTURE DATED AS OF
[•], 20[•]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| PAGE | ||||||
| ARTICLE 1 |
| |||||
| ESTABLISHMENT; DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
1 | |||||
| Section 1.01. |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
| Section 1.02. |
Other Definitions | 6 | ||||
| Section 1.03. |
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 6 | ||||
| Section 1.04. |
Rules of Construction | 7 | ||||
| ARTICLE 2 |
| |||||
| THE NOTES |
7 | |||||
| Section 2.01. |
Form and Dating | 7 | ||||
| Section 2.02. |
Execution and Authentication | 8 | ||||
| Section 2.03. |
Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 9 | ||||
| Section 2.04. |
Registrar and Paying Agent | 11 | ||||
| Section 2.05. |
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 12 | ||||
| Section 2.06. |
Holder Lists | 12 | ||||
| Section 2.07. |
Transfer and Exchange | 12 | ||||
| Section 2.08. |
Replacement Notes | 17 | ||||
| Section 2.09. |
Outstanding Notes | 17 | ||||
| Section 2.10. |
Treasury Notes | 18 | ||||
| Section 2.11. |
Temporary Notes | 18 | ||||
| Section 2.12. |
Cancellation | 18 | ||||
| Section 2.13. |
Defaulted Interest | 18 | ||||
| Section 2.14. |
CUSIP or ISIN Numbers | 19 | ||||
| ARTICLE 3 |
| |||||
| REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT |
19 | |||||
| Section 3.01. |
Applicability of Article | 19 | ||||
| Section 3.02. |
Notices to Trustee | 19 | ||||
| Section 3.03. |
Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed | 20 | ||||
| Section 3.04. |
Notice of Redemption | 20 | ||||
| Section 3.05. |
Effect of Notice Upon Redemption | 21 | ||||
| Section 3.06. |
Deposit of Redemption Price | 21 | ||||
i
| Section 3.07. |
Notes Redeemed in Part | 22 | ||||
| ARTICLE 4 |
| |||||
| COVENANTS |
22 | |||||
| Section 4.01. |
Payment of Notes | 22 | ||||
| Section 4.02. |
Maintenance of Office or Agency | 22 | ||||
| Section 4.03. |
Reports | 23 | ||||
| Section 4.04. |
Compliance Certificate | 23 | ||||
| Section 4.05. |
Corporate Existence | 24 | ||||
| ARTICLE 5 |
| |||||
| SUCCESSORS |
24 | |||||
| Section 5.01. |
Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets | 24 | ||||
| Section 5.02. |
Successor Substituted | 24 | ||||
| ARTICLE 6 |
| |||||
| DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES |
25 | |||||
| Section 6.01. |
Events of Default | 25 | ||||
| Section 6.02. |
Acceleration | 26 | ||||
| Section 6.03. |
Other Remedies | 27 | ||||
| Section 6.04. |
Waiver of Past Defaults | 27 | ||||
| Section 6.05. |
Control by Majority | 27 | ||||
| Section 6.06. |
Limitation on Suits | 28 | ||||
| Section 6.07. |
Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment | 28 | ||||
| Section 6.08. |
Collection Suit by Trustee | 28 | ||||
| Section 6.09. |
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 29 | ||||
| Section 6.10. |
Priorities | 29 | ||||
| Section 6.11. |
Undertaking for Costs | 30 | ||||
| ARTICLE 7 | ||||||
| TRUSTEE |
30 | |||||
| Section 7.01. |
Duties of Trustee | 30 | ||||
| Section 7.02. |
Rights of the Trustee | 31 | ||||
| Section 7.03. |
Individual Rights of Trustee | 32 | ||||
| Section 7.04. |
Trustee’s Disclaimer | 33 | ||||
ii
| Section 7.05. |
Notice of Defaults | 33 | ||||
| Section 7.06. |
Reports by Trustee to Holder | 33 | ||||
| Section 7.07. |
Compensation and Indemnity | 34 | ||||
| Section 7.08. |
Replacement of Trustee | 35 | ||||
| Section 7.09. |
Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. | 36 | ||||
| Section 7.10. |
Eligibility; Disqualification | 36 | ||||
| Section 7.11. |
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company | 36 | ||||
| ARTICLE 8 |
| |||||
| LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
36 | |||||
| Section 8.01. |
Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 36 | ||||
| Section 8.02. |
Legal Defeasance and Discharge | 37 | ||||
| Section 8.03. |
Covenant Defeasance | 37 | ||||
| Section 8.04. |
Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance | 38 | ||||
| Section 8.05. |
Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 39 | ||||
| Section 8.06. |
Satisfaction and Discharge | 40 | ||||
| Section 8.07. |
Repayment to Company | 40 | ||||
| Section 8.08. |
Reinstatement | 40 | ||||
| Section 8.09. |
Survival | 41 | ||||
| ARTICLE 9 |
| |||||
| AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER |
41 | |||||
| Section 9.01. |
Without Consent of Holder | 41 | ||||
| Section 9.02. |
With Consent of Holders of Notes | 42 | ||||
| Section 9.03. |
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act | 43 | ||||
| Section 9.04. |
Revocation and Effect of Consents | 43 | ||||
| Section 9.05. |
Trustee and Agents to Sign Amendments | 44 | ||||
| ARTICLE 10 |
| |||||
| NOTE GUARANTEES |
44 | |||||
| Section 10.01. |
Note Guarantees | 44 | ||||
| Section 10.02. |
Limitation on Liability | 45 | ||||
| Section 10.03. |
Successors and Assigns | 46 | ||||
| Section 10.04. |
No Waiver | 46 | ||||
iii
| Section 10.05. |
Release of Guarantor | 46 | ||||
| Section 10.06. |
Contribution | 46 | ||||
| ARTICLE 11 |
| |||||
| MISCELLANEOUS |
47 | |||||
| Section 11.01. |
Trust Indenture Act Controls | 47 | ||||
| Section 11.02. |
Notices | 47 | ||||
| Section 11.03. |
Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes | 49 | ||||
| Section 11.04. |
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 49 | ||||
| Section 11.05. |
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 49 | ||||
| Section 11.06. |
Rules by Trustee and Agents | 50 | ||||
| Section 11.07. |
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders | 50 | ||||
| Section 11.08. |
Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial | 50 | ||||
| Section 11.09. |
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 50 | ||||
| Section 11.10. |
Successors | 51 | ||||
| Section 11.11. |
Severability | 51 | ||||
| Section 11.12. |
Counterpart Originals | 51 | ||||
| Section 11.13. |
Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. | 51 | ||||
| Section 11.14. |
Force Majeure | 51 | ||||
| Section 11.15. |
Patriot Act | 51 | ||||
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Form of Note
iv
APTIV PLC
RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
AND SUBORDINATED INDENTURE, DATED AS OF [•], 20[•]
| Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939 | Section(s) of Indenture | |||
| ss. 310 | (a) (1) | 7.10 | ||
| (a) (2) | 7.10 | |||
| (a) (3) | N.A. | |||
| (a) (4) | N.A. | |||
| (a) (5) | 7.10 | |||
| (b) | 7.08, 7.10 | |||
| (c) | N.A. | |||
| ss. 311 | (a) | 7.11 | ||
| (b) | 7.11 | |||
| (c) | N.A. | |||
| ss. 312 | (a) | 2.06 | ||
| (b) | 2.06 | |||
| (c) | 2.06 | |||
| ss. 313 | (a) | 7.06 | ||
| (b)(1) | N.A. | |||
| (b)(2) | 7.06, 7.07 | |||
| (c) | 7.06 | |||
| (d) | 7.06 | |||
| ss. 314 | (a) | 4.03, 4.04 | ||
| (b) | N.A. | |||
| (c) (1) | 11.04 | |||
| (c) (2) | 11.04 | |||
| (c) (3) | N.A. | |||
| (d) | N.A. | |||
| (e) | 11.05 | |||
| ss. 315 | (a) | 7.01 | ||
| (b) | 7.05, 11.02 | |||
| (c) | 7.01 | |||
| (d) | 7.01 | |||
| (e) | 6.11 | |||
| ss. 316 | (a) (1) (A) | 6.05 | ||
| (a) (1) (B) | 6.04 | |||
| (a) (2) | N.A. | |||
| (a) (last sentence) | 6.11 | |||
| (b) | 6.07 | |||
| ss. 317 | (a) (1) | 6.08 | ||
| (a) (2) | 6.09 | |||
| (b) | 2.05 | |||
| ss. 318 | (a) | 11.01 | ||
| (b) | N.A. | |||
| (c) | 11.01 | |||
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
This SUBORDINATED INDENTURE, dated as of [•], 20[•], is by and among Aptiv PLC (formerly known as Aptiv Holdings Limited), a public limited company formed under the laws of Jersey (the “Company”), the guarantors from time to time party hereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation, as registrar, paying agent and authenticating agent.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company is entering into this Indenture to establish the form and terms of its subordinated notes to be issued from time to time in one or more series (the “Notes”) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all conditions necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Indenture and to make it a valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Guarantors have been done or performed;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.
ARTICLE 1
ESTABLISHMENT; DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01. Definitions.
(a) The following are definitions used in this Indenture, except as otherwise provided in respect of any series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 of this Indenture.
“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 Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent.
“Applicable Procedures” means with respect to any transfer, redemption or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary that apply to such transfer, redemption or exchange.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, or the law of any other jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the board of directors of the Company.
1
“Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
“Certificated Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof), except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Increases or Decreases in the Global Note” (or similarly titled equivalent) attached thereto.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 11.02 hereof, or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.
“Custodian” means, with respect to the Notes of a series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.04(c) as Custodian with respect to the Notes of such series, and any and all successors thereto appointed as custodian hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Depositary” means, unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof, the Person specified in Section 2.04(b) hereof to act as the Depositary with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
“Discount Note” means any Note that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“GAAP” means, unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, as set forth in:
(1) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,
(2) statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board,
2
(3) such other statements by such other entities as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, and
(4) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC.
“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.07(f) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Global Notes, in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof) issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof.
“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:
(1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or
(2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);
provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
“Guarantor” means any Person that provides a Note Guarantee under this Indenture with respect to the Notes of a series.
“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.
“Indenture” means this Indenture as originally executed and delivered or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, in respect of the Notes of each series, shall include the forms and terms of the Notes of such series established as contemplated pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03.
“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
“Interest Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph 1 of the applicable Notes.
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“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the Trustee, Agents or banking institutions are not required by law or regulation to be open in the State of New York.
“Note Guarantee” means each Guarantee of the obligations with respect to the Notes of a series issued by a Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company. “Officer” of any Guarantor has a correlative meaning.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee and the Agents. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or a Guarantor.
“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary.
“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Notes of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Notes, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company or its agents upon the issuance of such Notes.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“Preferred Stock” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of any other class of Capital Stock of such Person.
“principal” of a Note means the principal of the Note (or, if such Note is one of a series of Discount Notes, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms of such series) plus the premium, if any, payable on such Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date means the applicable date specified as a “Record Date” on the face of the Note.
“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
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“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any Note, the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such Note is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such Note at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the Company unless such contingency has occurred).
“Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:
(1) such Person,
(2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or
(3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
Unless otherwise specified, all references to any Subsidiary shall be to a Subsidiary of the Company.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as it may be amended from time to time.
“Trustee” means, with respect to each series of Notes, the party named as such in the Preamble of this Indenture until a successor or assignee replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor or assignee.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option.
“Yield to Maturity” means, as the context may require, the yield to maturity (i) on a series of Notes or (ii) if the Notes of a series are issuable from time to time, on a Note of such series, calculated at the time of issuance of such series in the case of clause (i) or at the time of issuance of such Note of such series in the case of clause (ii), or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series or on such Note, and calculated in accordance with the constant interest method or such other accepted financial practice as is specified in the terms of such Note.
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Section 1.02. Other Definitions.
| Term | Defined in Section | |
| Acceleration Notice | 6.02 | |
| Authenticating Agent | 2.02(e) | |
| Authentication Order | 2.02(d) | |
| Company | Preamble | |
| Covenant Defeasance | 8.03 | |
| DTC | 2.04(b) | |
| Events of Default | 6.01 | |
| Future Foreign Guarantor | 10.02 | |
| Global Note Legend | 2.07 | |
| Guaranteed Obligations | 10.01 | |
| Legal Defeasance | 8.02 | |
| Notes | Preamble | |
| Note Register | 2.04(a) | |
| Paying Agent | 2.04(a) | |
| Redemption Date | 2.09(d) | |
| Registrar | 2.04(a) | |
| Successor Company | 5.01(a) |
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
(a) Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
(b) The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“indenture securities” means the Notes and the Note Guarantees;
“indenture security holder” means a Holder;
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and
“obligor” on the Notes means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Notes.
(c) All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings so assigned to them either in the TIA, by another statute or SEC rule, as applicable.
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Section 1.04. Rules of Construction.
(a) Unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined herein has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(iii) “or” is not exclusive;
(iv) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(v) all references in this instrument to “Articles,” “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and subdivisions of this instrument as originally executed;
(vi) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(vii) “including” means “including without limitation”;
(viii) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
(ix) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the TIA shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time thereunder.
(b) Unless otherwise expressly specified, references in this Indenture to specific Article numbers or Section numbers refer to Articles and Sections contained in this Indenture and not to any other document.
ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES
Section 2.01. Form and Dating.
(a) General. The Authenticating Agent shall authenticate, upon a written order of the Company (other than as provided in Section 2.08 hereof), the Notes of each series as shall be established by or pursuant to one or more Officer’s Certificates or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto as provided in Section 2.03 hereof. The Notes of each series and the Authenticating Agent’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof), in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture setting forth the terms of such series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the date of original issuance thereof or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for. Unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes, the Notes shall be issued initially in minimum denominations of $200,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $200,000.
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(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof), including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” (or similarly titled equivalent) attached thereto. Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (or such other form or forms that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof), but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” (or similarly titled equivalent) attached thereto. Each Global Note in respect of a series of Notes shall represent such of the outstanding Notes of such series as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” (or similarly titled equivalent) attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of such series represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note in respect of a series of Notes to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of such series represented thereby shall be made by the Registrar in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.07 hereof.
Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication.
(a) One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual, electronic or facsimile signature.
(b) If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
(c) A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Authenticating Agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
(d) The Authenticating Agent shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue.
(e) The Company may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Trustee to authenticate Notes (the “Authenticating Agent”). Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, the Authenticating Agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such Authenticating Agent. The Authenticating Agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries. The Company hereby initially appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as Authenticating Agent and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas hereby accepts such appointment.
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(f) If, in connection with a Periodic Offering, all Notes of a series are not to be initially issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01 or any other documents (other than the Notes and the Authentication Order required pursuant to Section 2.02(d)) at or prior to the authentication of each Note of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon initial issuance of the first Note of such series to be issued.
Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Notes may be issued in one or more series, which may include one or more tranches, including Notes issued in a Periodic Offering. The Notes of each series issued hereunder shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and manner set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture for such series, to all Senior Indebtedness (as such term is defined in such Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture). In addition, there shall be established in or pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate or an indenture supplemental hereto, prior to the initial issuance of Notes of any series, subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.03:
(a) the designation of the Notes of the series, which shall distinguish the Notes of the series from the Notes of all other series;
(b) if other than the form of the Notes in Exhibit A attached hereto, the form or forms of the Notes of such series;
(c) whether the Notes are entitled to the benefit of any Guarantee;
(d) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture and any limitation on the ability of the Company to increase such aggregate principal amount after the initial issuance of the Notes of that series (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, or upon redemption of, other Notes of the series pursuant hereto);
(e) the date or dates on which the principal of the Notes of the series is payable (which date or dates may be fixed or extendible);
(f) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum at which the Notes of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, on which such interest shall be payable and on which a record shall be taken for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable and/or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined;
(g) if other than as provided in Section 4.02, the place or places where the principal of and any interest on Notes of the series shall be payable, the place or places where the Notes may be surrendered for exchange, notices, demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes of the series and this Indenture may be served;
(h) the right, if any, of the Company to redeem Notes of the series, in whole or in part, at its option and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and any terms and conditions upon which Notes of the series may be so redeemed, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;
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(i) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Notes of the series pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and any of the terms and conditions upon which Notes of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(j) if other than denominations of $200,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Notes of the series shall be issuable;
(k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Notes of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
(l) if other than the coin or currency in which the Notes of the series are denominated, the coin or currency in which payment of the principal of or interest on the Notes of the series shall be payable or if the amount of payments of principal of and/or interest on the Notes of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Notes of the series are denominated, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(m) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of and interest on the Notes of the series shall be payable, and the manner in which any such currencies shall be valued against other currencies in which any other Notes shall be payable;
(n) whether the Notes of the series may be exchangeable for and/or convertible into the ordinary shares of the Company or any other security;
(o) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts on the Notes of the series held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Notes rather than pay such additional amounts;
(p) if the Notes of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Note of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
(q) any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or the registrar or any other agents with respect to the Notes of the series;
(r) provisions, if any, for the defeasance of the Notes of the series (including provisions permitting defeasance of less than all Notes of the series), which provisions may be in addition to, in substitution for, or in modification of (or any combination of the foregoing) the provisions of Article 8;
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(s) if the Notes of the series are issuable in whole or in part as one or more Global Notes, the identity of the Depositary or common Depositary for such Global Notes;
(t) any other or alternative Events of Default or covenants with respect to the Notes of the series; and
(u) any other terms of the Notes of the series.
All Notes of any one series shall be substantially identical, except in the case of any Periodic Offering and except as to date and denomination and except as may otherwise be provided by or pursuant to the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or as set forth in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Notes of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to such Officer’s Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto and any forms and terms of Notes to be issued from time to time may be completed and established from time to time prior to the issuance thereof by procedures described in such Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture.
All Notes of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided by the Company, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Notes of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Notes.
Section 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent.
(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment, or may appoint an agent for such purpose (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
(b) Unless otherwise specified in respect of Notes of any series pursuant to Section 2.03, the Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
(c) The Company initially appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas hereby initially agrees so to act.
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Section 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (which by its execution of this Indenture hereby agrees) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent
Section 2.06. Holder Lists.
The Registrar shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Paying Agent is not the same entity as the Registrar, the Company shall furnish or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Paying Agent, at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Paying Agent may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date or such shorter time as the Registrar may allow, as the Paying Agent may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.07, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Certificated Note of the same series unless (A) the Depositary (x) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days, (B) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of the Notes in certificated form (provided that under current industry practices, the Depositary would notify participants of the Company’s determination, but would only withdraw beneficial interests from a Global Note at the request of participants) or (C) upon the request of a Holder if there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (A) above, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note of the same series or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.08 and 2.11 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note of the same series or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.07 or Sections 2.08 and 2.11 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Certificated Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in (A) or (B) above and pursuant to Section 2.07(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.07(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.07(b) or (c) hereof.
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(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.07(b)(i).
(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.07(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant or Indirect Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Certificated Note of the same series in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Certificated Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.07(g) hereof.
(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes for Certificated Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Certificated Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Certificated Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (A) of Section 2.07(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.07(b)(ii) hereof, the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.07(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Certificated Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Certificated Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.07(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Registrar shall mail such Certificated Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered.
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(d) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Notes for Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. A Holder of a Certificated Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Global Note or transfer such Certificated Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Registrar shall cancel the applicable Certificated Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Global Notes.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Certificated Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to this Section 2.07(d) above at a time when a Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate one or more Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Certificated Notes so transferred.
(e) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Notes for Certificated Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Certificated Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.07(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Certificated Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Certificated Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Certificated Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, that the Registrar may reasonably request.
(f) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (with appropriate changes in the last sentence if DTC is not the Depositary) (the “Global Note Legend”):
“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE REGISTRAR MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(g) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE REGISTRAR FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A
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NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”
(g) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Certificated Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Registrar in accordance with Section 2.12 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Certificated Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such increase.
(h) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Authenticating Agent shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate Certificated Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
(iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of (a) any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or (b) any Note for a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Notes or 15 days before an Interest Payment Date (whether or not an Interest Payment Date or other date determined for the payment of interest), and ending on such mailing date or Interest Payment Date, as the case may be.
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(iv) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(v) All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
(i) No Obligation of the Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent.
(i) The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note in global form shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
(ii) The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including without limitation any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
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Section 2.08. Replacement Notes.
If any mutilated Note of a series is surrendered to the Registrar or the Company and the Registrar receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note of a series, the Company shall issue and the Authenticating Agent, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note of such series if the Registrar’s requirements are met. If required by the Registrar or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Registrar and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note had become or is about to become due and payable, the Company, in its discretion, may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph.
Every replacement Note of a series is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes of such series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies of any Holder with respect to the replacement or payment of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note.
Section 2.09. Outstanding Notes.
(a) The Notes of a series outstanding at any time are all the Notes of such series authenticated by the Authenticating Agent except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Registrar in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.09 as not outstanding. A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 2.10 hereof.
(b) If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Registrar receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
(c) If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
(d) If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof) segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a date of redemption (a “Redemption Date”) or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes of a series payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.
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Section 2.10. Treasury Notes.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes of a series have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent with respect to such series, Notes of such series owned by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Notes of such series that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all outstanding Notes, if any, known to the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, and the Trustee shall be entitled to accept and rely upon such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth.
Section 2.11. Temporary Notes.
Until certificates representing Notes of a series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Authenticating Agent, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes of such series. Such temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Certificated Notes of the relevant series but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes of such series and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Authenticating Agent. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate Certificated Notes of a series in exchange for temporary Notes of such series.
Holders of temporary Notes of any series shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 2.12. Cancellation.
The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Registrar for cancellation. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Registrar any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Registrar, upon direction by the Company and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Company from time to time upon written request. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Registrar for cancellation.
Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest.
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes of a series, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes of such series and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall notify the Trustee and Paying Agent in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each such Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent 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 and Paying Agent for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.13. The
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Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any such special record date. At least 15 days before any such special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Paying Agent in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder for the relevant series of Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.13 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note of the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note of such series.
Section 2.14. CUSIP or ISIN Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Notes of any series may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Company and Registrar, as applicable, shall use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes of such series or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes of such series, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify, in writing, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.01. Applicability of Article.
If the Company elects to redeem any series of Notes pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions set forth in respect of any series of Notes, the provisions of this Article 3 will apply except as otherwise specified in respect of a series of Notes.
Section 3.02. Notices to Trustee.
The Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the section or paragraph number of the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture for such series pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes of the series to be redeemed, (iv) the redemption price, and (v) any conditions precedent applicable to the redemption of such Notes. If the Company elects to redeem any series of Notes pursuant to the provisions set forth in respect of any series of Notes, it shall furnish such Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee and the applicable Agent at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date unless a shorter notice shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the applicable Agent. Any such notice may be cancelled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any Holder and shall, therefore, be void and of no effect.
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Section 3.03. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.
If less than all of the Notes of any series are to be redeemed or purchased at any time, the Registrar and Paying Agent shall select the Notes of such series to be redeemed or purchased, (i) if the applicable Notes are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the applicable Notes are listed, or (ii) if the applicable Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. In the event of partial redemption, the particular Notes of such series to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Registrar and Paying Agent from the outstanding Notes of such series not previously called for redemption.
The Paying Agent and Registrar shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes of a series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes of such series selected shall be in amounts of $200,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of such series of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture or the applicable Officer’s Certificate(s) or supplemental indenture(s) that apply to Notes of a series called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes of such series called for redemption.
Section 3.04. Notice of Redemption.
At least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, or in the case of a Global Note, delivered in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.
The notice shall identify the Notes of a series to be redeemed (including the CUSIP or ISIN number) and shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date;
(b) the redemption price;
(c) if any Note of such series is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note of such series;
(d) any conditions precedent applicable to the redemption of such Notes;
(e) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
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(f) that Notes of such series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(g) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes of such series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;
(h) the paragraph of the Notes of such series and section or paragraph number of the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Notes of such series called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(i) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes of such series.
At the Company’s request, the Registrar shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense, provided, however, that the Company gives the Registrar at least 3 Business Days prior notice of such request.
Section 3.05. Effect of Notice Upon Redemption.
Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.04 hereof, Notes of a series called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date at the redemption price stated in the notice except that any redemption and notice thereof may, in the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. Subject to the foregoing, upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the related Interest Payment Date). Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.
Section 3.06. Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or before 10:00 a.m. New York City Time on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions of Notes) of a series to be redeemed on that date. Upon written instructions of the Company, the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes of such series to be redeemed.
If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes of a series called for redemption, whether or not such Notes are presented for payment. If a Note is redeemed on or after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. If any Note of a series called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal from the Redemption Date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes of such series (or the Yield to Maturity, in the case of an Discount Note) and in the manner provided in Section 4.01 hereof.
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Section 3.07. Notes Redeemed in Part.
In the case of Certificated Notes, upon surrender of a Note of a series that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and, upon the Company’s written request, the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note of such series equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01. Payment of Notes.
The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, the Notes of each series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes of such series. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. New York City Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due and the Paying Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company reserves the right to pay interest to Holders by check mailed directly to Holders at their registered addresses or, with respect to Global Notes, by wire transfer. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months or as otherwise provided in the Notes of any series.
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office or drop facility of the Registrar) where the Notes of each series may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes of each series and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. 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 of the Trustee, and the Company hereby initially appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
(b) The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes of each series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company shall 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.
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(c) The Company hereby initially designates the address of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas set forth in Section 11.02 as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 4.02(a).
Section 4.03. Reports.
(a)
(i) The Company shall file with the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company will also comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Company files the information and reports referred to in the preceding paragraph with the SEC and such information is publicly available on the Internet, the Company shall be deemed to be in compliance with its obligations to furnish such information to the Trustee.
(b) Any such reports delivered or filed by the Company with the Trustee shall be considered for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports shall not constitute notice or actual knowledge of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).
Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate.
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 20[•] (which, on the date hereof, is a calendar year), an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to the Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in or otherwise forming a part of this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes of any series is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. For the purposes of this paragraph, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. The Company shall also comply with TIA Section 314(a)(4).
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(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes of a series are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith and in any event within 30 days upon any Officer becoming aware of, in respect of the Notes of such series, any Default or Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.05. Corporate Existence
Except as otherwise permitted by Article 5 hereof, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.
Unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets in one or a series of related transactions to, any Person, unless:
(a) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) will be a corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, limited company, or other similar organization organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, the United Kingdom, Jersey and any other jurisdiction in the Channel Islands, any member state of the European Union as in effect from time to time, Switzerland, Bermuda, The Cayman Islands or Singapore), and the Successor Company (if not the Company) will expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and the applicable Agent, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes of each series then outstanding (and, if the Successor Company is not a corporation, the Company shall cause a corporation to become a co-obligor on such Notes);
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Registrar and Paying Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.
Section 5.02. Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation, merger or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, in which the Company is not the continuing Person, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, lease or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes of each series then outstanding with the same effect as if such surviving entity had been named as such and that, in the event of a conveyance or transfer, the conveyor or transferor shall be released from the provisions of this Indenture and the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes of all such series.
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ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default.
Unless otherwise specified in respect of any series of Notes, each of the following is an “Event of Default” with respect to each series of Notes:
(a) a default in any payment of interest on the Notes of such series when due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days;
(b) a default in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on any Note of such series when due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon any mandatory or optional redemption or required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;
(c) the failure by the Company or any Guarantor to comply with its other agreements contained in this Indenture applicable to the Notes of such series for 90 days after the Company or such Guarantor receives written notice specifying the default (and demanding that such default be remedied) from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 33% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes of all series affected thereby;
(d) the Company:
(i) commences a voluntary case,
(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian (which term includes the Viscount in Jersey) of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
(e) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case;
(ii) appoints a custodian (which term includes the Viscount in Jersey) of the Company, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company; or
(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company,
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; and
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(f) any other Event of Default established pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof with respect to the Notes of such series.
The foregoing will constitute Events of Default with respect to a series of Notes whatever the reason for any such Event of Default for such series and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is 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.
However, a default under clause (c) above will not constitute an Event of Default with respect to a series of Notes until the Trustee notifies the Company or the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby notify the Company and the Trustee of the default and the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, does not cure such default within the time specified in clause (c) above after receipt of such notice.
Section 6.02. Acceleration.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clauses (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 hereof with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of Notes, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all outstanding Notes of all such series to be due and payable immediately (all such series voting together as a single class) by notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee (if given by the Holders) specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a “notice of acceleration” (the “Acceleration Notice”), and the same shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 hereof with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the outstanding Notes 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.
At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to one or more series of Notes as described in the preceding paragraph, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes of such series (voting as a single class) may rescind and cancel such declaration with respect to the Notes of such series and its consequences (i) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, (ii) if all existing Events of Default with respect to such series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration, (iii) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid, (iv) if the Company has paid the Trustee and the Agents their compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances; and (v) in the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default of the type described in clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 hereof, the Trustee shall have received an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that such Event of Default has been cured or waived. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
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For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Discount Notes shall have been accelerated and declared or become due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Discount Notes shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Discount Notes.
Section 6.03. Other Remedies.
If an Event of Default with respect to one or more series of Notes occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes of such series or this Indenture. The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes of the relevant series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults.
Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected (voting as a single class) by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes of such series waive an existing Default or Event of Default with respect to such series and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and interest on the Notes of such series (including in connection with an offer to purchase) (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the then outstanding Notes of such series may rescind an acceleration with respect to such series and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration). Upon any such waiver, such Default in respect of the relevant series of Notes shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default in respect of such series 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 6.05. Control by Majority.
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected (voting as a single class) may 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 on the Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holders of Notes of such series or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
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Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits.
A Holder of a Note of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes of such series only if:
(a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes of such series offer to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(e) within such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) hereof occurs with respect to a series of Notes and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest (or the Yield to Maturity, in the case of an Discount Note) remaining unpaid on the Notes of such series and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
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Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and 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 and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.10. Priorities.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article with respect to a series of Notes, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee, the Agents, their respective agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or Agents and the costs and expenses of collection;
Second: to Holders for such series for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes of such series for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes of such series for principal, premium, if any, and interest (or the Yield to Maturity, in the case of an Discount Note), respectively; and
Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 30 days before such record date, the Company shall deliver to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid. This Section 6.10 is subject at all times to the provisions set forth in Section 11.02
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Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs.
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 a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.06 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of a series.
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein) and shall be entitled to seek advice from legal counsel in relation thereto.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
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(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to this Section 7.01.
(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 7.02. Rights of the Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any such document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) 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 the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.
(f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(g) 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, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its reasonable discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall reasonably determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
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(h) 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 willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it under this Indenture.
(i) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its power and duties hereunder.
(j) Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee under this Article 7, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas in each of its capacities hereunder as an Agent, and are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, each other Agent, Custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(k) The permissive right of the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any actions enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty.
(l) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God; strikes, work stoppages, earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action. It being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
(m) Anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Trustee has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(n) The Company shall provide prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change to its fiscal year.
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes of any series and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee shall also be subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
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Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes of any series, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes of any series or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes of any series or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes of any series or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults.
(a) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default with respect to Notes of any series unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee from the Company or the Holders of 33% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby, and such notice references the specific Default or Event of Default, the Notes of such series and this Indenture.
(b) If a Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of the Notes of the applicable series, notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after the occurrence of a Default or 30 days after it is actually known to a Responsible Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note of any series (including payments pursuant to the redemption provisions of the Notes of such series), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders thereof.
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holder.
Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the initial issuance date of Notes under this Indenture, and for so long as any series of Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange, if any, on which the Notes of any series are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when any series of Notes are listed on any stock exchange and any delisting thereof.
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Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.
The Company and the Guarantors shall pay to each Agent and to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for each such Agent’s and Trustee’s services hereunder (it being understood that all amounts set forth in the fee letter dated [•], 20[•], between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and Wilmington Trust, National Association shall be deemed reasonable in respect of the compensation to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas in its capacity as Registrar, Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent as initially appointed hereunder). The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company and the Guarantors shall reimburse the Trustee and the Agents promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by such party in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s and Agents’ respective agents and counsel.
The Company and the Guarantors shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the Trustee against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company and the Guarantors or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith. The Trustee shall notify the Company and the Guarantors promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend, at the sole discretion of the Trustee, the claim and may cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company and the Guarantors need not pay for any settlement made without their consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee or the Agents, as applicable, the satisfaction and discharge and the termination of this Indenture.
To secure the Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such lien shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the satisfaction and discharge and the termination of this Indenture.
In addition, and without prejudice to the rights provided to the Trustee under any of the provisions of this Indenture, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(d) or (e) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
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“Trustee” for purposes of this Section shall include any predecessor Trustee and the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder; provided, however, that the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more series of Notes in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby (voting as a single class) may remove the Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason with respect to any series of Notes, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect to such series. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all series affected thereby (voting as a single class) may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such series may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder of a Note of a series for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
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A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the relevant series of Notes. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of the Notes of such series. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.
If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or banking association, the successor corporation or banking association without any further act shall, if such successor corporation or banking association is otherwise eligible hereunder, be the successor Trustee.
Subject to Section 7.10, any business entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA §310(b).
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
The Trustee is subject to TIA §311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA §311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Unless otherwise provided in respect of a series of Notes, the Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.
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Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes of any series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes of such series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes of such series to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal amount of, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee and Agents hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith and (d) the provisions of this Article 8 with respect to Legal Defeasance. Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.
Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04 and 4.05 hereof and in any supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate established with respect to the outstanding Notes of a series pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes of such series shall thereafter be deemed 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 such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes of such series shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes of such series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such 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 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and the Notes of such series shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof with respect to the Notes of a series, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Section 6.01(c) hereof shall not constitute an Event of Default for such series.
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Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes of any series:
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(a) the Company must deposit with the Paying Agent, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee and the Paying Agent, to pay the principal amount at maturity of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(b) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Opinion of Counsel in the United States of America reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(c) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Opinion of Counsel in the United States of America reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to 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;
(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the incurrence of indebtedness all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be used to defease the Notes pursuant to this Article 8 concurrently with such incurrence and the grant of a lien to secure such indebtedness);
(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under this Indenture (other than a Default or an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any lien securing such borrowing) or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
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(f) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with; and
(g) the Company shall have paid or duly provided for payment of all amounts then due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by clause (b) above with respect to a Legal Defeasance need not be delivered if all Notes of such series not therefor delivered to the Registrar for cancellation (A) have become due and payable or (B) will become due and payable on the maturity date or upon redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee and the applicable Agent for giving of notice of redemption by the Registrar with a copy to the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.
Section 8.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
All cash and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Paying Agent (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Qualifying Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Qualifying Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Qualifying Trustee may determine, to the Holders of the Notes of such series of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such cash and securities need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Qualifying Trustee and Paying Agent, as applicable, against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and 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 the outstanding Notes of such series.
Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Paying Agent shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Qualifying Trustee and the applicable Agent (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
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Section 8.06. Satisfaction and Discharge.
This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights or registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes of any series when (i) either (a) all the Notes of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes of such series which have been replaced or paid and Notes of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Registrar and Paying Agent for cancellation or (b) all Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Registrar and Paying Agent for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year, whether at maturity or on a Redemption Date, pursuant to an irrevocable redemption notice, and the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Registrar and Paying Agent funds or U.S. Government Obligations in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Registrar and Paying Agent for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of such series to the date of deposit together with irrevocable instructions from the Company directing the Registrar and Paying Agent with a copy to the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be; (ii) the Company has paid all other sums due and payable under this Indenture by the Company; and (iii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee or Registrar and Paying Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Section 8.07. Repayment to Company.
Any cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash and securities, 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 The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such cash and securities remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such cash and securities then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 8.08. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, by reason of 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 Notes of the relevant series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to
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apply all such cash and securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note of a series following the reinstatement of its obligations with respect to such series, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the cash and securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
Section 8.09. Survival.
The Trustee’s and Agents’ rights and obligations under this Article 8 shall survive termination of this Indenture or the resignation of the Trustee or such Agent.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holder.
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee and the applicable Agent may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes of any series without the consent of any Holder of a Note of such series to:
(a) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
(b) provide for the assumption by a successor entity of the obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under this Indenture;
(c) to establish the form or forms or terms of Notes of any series as permitted by Section 2.03 hereof;
(d) provide for Global Notes in addition to or in place of Certificated Notes (provided, however, that the Global Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the Global Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code);
(e) provide for any Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantee when such release, termination or discharge is permitted under this Indenture;
(f) add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of Notes of such series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;
(g) make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the form, authentication, transfer and legending of Notes of such series; provided, however, that (A) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in such Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (B) such amendment does not materially affect the rights of Holders to transfer such Notes;
(h) comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
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(i) conform any provision of this Indenture or the Notes of such series to the provisions of the offering document relating to such series of Notes;
(j) modify any provisions of this Indenture, which modifications apply solely to series of Notes not outstanding on the date of such supplemental indenture; or
(k) make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Notes of such series in any material respect.
Upon the request of the Company, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.05 hereof, the Trustee and the Agents shall join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but neither the Trustee nor the Agents shall be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
A supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate which changes or eliminates any covenant or any provision of this Indenture which has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Notes, or which modifies the rights of Holders of Notes of such series with respect to such covenant or provision, or which modifies terms with respect only to future series of Notes, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Notes of any other series and may be executed without the consent of such Holders of other series of Notes.
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes.
Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, this Indenture, the Notes Guarantees and the Notes of any series may be amended or supplemented as it relates to such series with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of each series affected thereby (all such series voting as a single class) and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes of such series, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes of such series may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of each series affected thereby (all such series voting as a single class).
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.05 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture. It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
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After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Notes of all series affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes of such series held by a non-consenting Holder):
(a) reduce the amount of Notes of such series whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(b) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note of such series beyond the maximum time period for any permitted deferral of interest or to increase the maximum time period for any such interest deferral or increase the maximum number of times the Company may defer such interest payment;
(c) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note of such series;
(d) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note of such series or change the scheduled date at which any Note of such series may be redeemed;
(e) make any Notes of such series payable in money other than that stated in such Notes;
(f) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on such Note on or after the due dates therefore or to institute suit for the enforcement of such payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes; or
(g) make any change in the amendment provisions which require each Holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions.
Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or with respect to any series of Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by such Holder and every subsequent Holder or portion thereof that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as
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to its Note or portion thereof if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter shall bind every Holder for all series of Notes to which such amendment, supplement or waiver relates.
Section 9.05. Trustee and Agents to Sign Amendments.
The Trustee and Agents shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee and Agents, as applicable. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee and Agents shall be provided with and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amended or supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Guarantors, if any, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions and that such amended or supplemental indenture complies with the provisions hereof.
ARTICLE 10
NOTE GUARANTEES
Section 10.01. Note Guarantees.
Each Guarantor that executes this Indenture or a supplemental indenture agreeing to be bound hereby, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, hereby fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees on a subordinated unsecured basis, jointly and severally, to each Holder of the Notes of each series (or such series as specified in the applicable supplement) and to the Trustee, the Agents and their respective successors and assigns (a) the full and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Notes of each such series when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes of each such series and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes of each such series (all such obligations set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such Guarantor and that such Guarantor will remain bound under this Article 10 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.
Each Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of, payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes of any series or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any Holder, the Trustee or Agents to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company, any Guarantor or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes of any series or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any obligation of the Company under the Indenture or any Note, by operation of law or otherwise; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes of any series or any other agreement; or (d) except as set forth in Section 10.05, any change in the ownership of such Guarantor.
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Each Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder, the Trustee or Agents to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.
Each Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder, the Trustee or Agents upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.
Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders, the Trustee and the Agents, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for the purposes of this Section 10.01.
Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee, the Agents or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.
Section 10.02. Limitation on Liability.
Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes of a series, each Holder of Notes of each such series, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor (a) not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar foreign, federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee, and (b) not result in a distribution to shareholders not permitted under the applicable foreign or state law. Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering the Note Guarantee, as it relates to such Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. If following the date of this Indenture and notwithstanding anything in Section 9.02 to the contrary, any Guarantor incorporated, organized or formed, as the case may be, under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States of America (a “Future Foreign Guarantor”) executes a Note Guarantee and the Company shall reasonably determine that the preceding limitations shall not adequately address the limitations on such Note Guarantee imposed by applicable law of the jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, as the case may be, of any such Future Foreign Guarantor then upon the delivery of an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, the Company shall be entitled to amend such clauses or add such additional provisions (including any related modifications to a supplement to this Indenture or a Note Guarantee), as the case may be, in order for the Note Guarantee of a Guarantor to adequately address the limitations imposed by applicable law.
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Section 10.03. Successors and Assigns.
This Article 10 shall be binding upon each Guarantor that executes this Indenture or a supplemental indenture agreeing to be bound hereby and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee, the Agents and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder, the Trustee or the Agents, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes of the relevant series shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.
Section 10.04. No Waiver.
Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee, the Agents or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 10 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee, the Agents and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 10 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
Section 10.05. Release of Guarantor.
Unless otherwise specified in respect of any series of Notes, the Note Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released with respect to a series of Notes under this Article 10 without any further action required on the part of the Trustee, the Agents or any Holder:
(a) upon (i) the sale or other disposition (including by way of consolidation, merger, dissolution or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor such that it is no longer a subsidiary of the Company or (ii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor;
(b) if so provided in an Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a series of Notes issued hereunder; or
(c) if the Company exercises its Legal Defeasance option or its Covenant Defeasance option with respect to such series of Notes in accordance with Article 8 hereof or if the Company’s obligations with respect to such series of Notes are discharged in accordance with the terms of Section 8.06.
Section 10.06. Contribution.
Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Note Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations to contribution from each Guarantor, as applicable, in an amount equal to such Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.
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ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the provision required by the TIA shall control.
Section 11.02. Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Company, the Trustee or an Agent to the other parties is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile or electronic transmission with an attachment in PDF or similar format, or overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery, to the other’s address:
If to the Company:
Aptiv PLC
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Facsimile: [•]
Attention: Treasurer
With a copy to:
Aptiv PLC
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Facsimile: [•]
Attention: General Counsel
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Facsimile: (212) 701-5111
Attention: Michael Kaplan, Roshni Banker Cariello
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If to the Trustee:
Wilmington Trust, National Association
277 Park Avenue, Floor 25
New York, NY 10172
Attn: – Aptiv PLC Notes Administrator
Fax: 302-636-4145
If to the Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent initially appointed hereunder:
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
Trust & Agency Services
1 Columbus Circle, 17th Floor, MS: NYC01-1710
New York, New York 10019
Attn: Corporates Team, AA6978
Fax: 732-578-4635
For purposes of surrender, transfer or exchange of any Note:
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
c/o DB Services Americas, Inc.
5022 Gate Parkway, Suite 200
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Attn: Transfer Department, AA6978
The Company, the Trustee or the Agents, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
The Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, agree to accept and act upon facsimile or e-mail transmission of written instructions pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that (a) the party providing such written instructions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions in a timely manner and (b) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to the Trustee, Agents or Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if sent by facsimile or e-mail transmission; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery. All notices and communications to the Trustee, Agents or Holders shall be deemed duly given and effective only upon receipt.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery to its address shown on the security register for the Notes. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
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If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall send a copy, by facsimile or e-mail transmission, to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Section 11.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders of Notes of the same series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
Section 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee or an Agent to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and/or Agent, as applicable:
(a) an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and/or Agent, as applicable, (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and/or Agent, as applicable, (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.
Section 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
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Section 11.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 11.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.
No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or of the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
Section 11.08. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.
THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES.
EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTORS, THE AGENTS AND THE TRUSTEE IRREVOCABLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture, the Notes Guarantees, the Notes or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. Each of the Company, the Guarantors, the Agents, the Trustee and the Holders (by their acceptance of the Securities) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Section 11.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
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Section 11.10. Successors.
All covenants and agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All covenants and agreements of the Trustee and the Agents in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors.
Section 11.11. Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes of any series shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions (including those provisions in respect of any other series of Notes) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 11.12. Counterpart Originals.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. 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 and signature pages for all purposes. An electronic signature shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature.
Section 11.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings in this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 11.14. Force Majeure.
In no event shall the Trustee or the Agents 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, epidemics, pandemics, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 11.15. Patriot Act.
The parties hereto acknowledge that in order to help the United States government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, pursuant to Federal regulations that became effective on October 1, 2003 (Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act) all financial institutions are required to obtain, verify, record and update information that identifies each person establishing a relationship or opening an account. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide to the Trustee and Agent such information as it may request, from time to time, in order for the Trustee and Agent to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, including but not limited to the name, address, tax identification number and other information that will allow it to identify the individual or entity who is establishing the relationship or opening the account and may also ask for formation documents such as articles of incorporation or other identifying documents to be provided.
[Signatures on following pages]
51
SIGNATURES
Dated as the date first written above
COMPANY:
| APTIV PLC | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page – Aptiv PLC Subordinated Indenture]
TRUSTEE:
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page – Aptiv PLC Subordinated Indenture]
REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT AND AUTHENTICATING AGENT:
| DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Registrar, Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page – Aptiv PLC Subordinated Indenture]
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
[Global Note Legend]
THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE REGISTRAR MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(g) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE REGISTRAR FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
A-1
| CUSIP: |
||
| ISIN: |
GLOBAL NOTE
[•]% Subordinated Notes due [•]
| No. | $[ ] |
APTIV PLC
promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns,
the principal sum of DOLLARS on [•], 20[•], as such amount may be changed from time to time pursuant to the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests attached hereto.
Interest Payment Dates: [•] and [•]
Record Dates: [•] and [•]
Dated: , 20
| APTIV PLC | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
A-2
This is one of the Notes referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture:
| DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Authenticating Agent | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
A-3
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
[•]%Subordinated Note due [•]
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1. INTEREST. Aptiv PLC (the “Company”) promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of [•]% from [•], 20[•] until maturity or pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Indenture. The Company will pay interest on this Note semi-annually in arrears on [•] and [•] of each year, commencing on [•], 20[•], or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). The Company will make each interest payment to the Holder of record of this Note on the immediately preceding [•] and [•] (each, a “Regular Record Date”). Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including [•], 20[•]. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Note at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note is cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.13 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the Note Register of Holders, provided that (a) all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on, Notes represented by Global Notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof and (b) all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to Certificated Notes will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee or the Paying Agent may accept in its discretion). Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. AUTHENTICATING AGENT, PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas will act as Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
A-4
4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of [•], 20[•], among the Company, the Guarantors party thereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation, as authenticating agent, registrar and paying agent. The Company shall be entitled to issue additional Notes with respect to this series of Notes pursuant to the Indenture. The terms of the Notes of this series include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture setting forth the additional terms of this series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Indenture and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Notes of this series are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture and those other provisions forming a part thereof with respect to this series of Notes, the provisions of the Indenture and such other provisions with respect to this series shall govern and be controlling.
5. SUBORDINATION. The Notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and manner set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture for this series of Notes, to all Senior Indebtedness (as such term is defined in such Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture).
[OTHER APPLICABLE PROVISIONS]
[•]. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes of this series are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $200,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $200,000. The transfer of Notes of this series may be registered and Notes of this series may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of (a) any Note of this series selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3 of the Indenture, except the unredeemed portion of any such Note being redeemed in part, or (b) any such Note for a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem such Notes or 15 days before an Interest Payment Date (whether or not an Interest Payment Date or other date determined for the payment of interest), and ending on such mailing date or Interest Payment Date, as the case may be.
[•]. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
[•]. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes of this series may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.
[•]. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes of this series are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the then outstanding
A-5
Notes of all series affected thereby may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes of such series to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee (if given by the Holders) specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a “notice of acceleration”, and the same shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the outstanding Notes 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. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes of this series or the Note Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of all affected series may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of the affected series (voting as a single class) by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes of such series waive any existing Default or and its consequences under the Indenture with respect to such series of Notes except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes of such series held by a non-consenting Holder. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required within 30 Business Days after becoming aware of any Default with respect to this series of Notes, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.
[•]. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or Authentication Agent.
[•]. GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES OF THIS SERIES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.
[•]. CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes of this series and the Trustee or Registrar may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes of this series or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
A-6
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to the Company at the following address:
Aptiv PLC
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Facsimile: [•]
Attention: Treasurer
A-7
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
| (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: | ||
|
(Insert assignee’s legal name)
| ||
|
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.) | ||
|
| ||
|
| ||
|
| ||
|
| ||
| (Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
| ||
| and irrevocably appoint | ||
| to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him. | ||
| Date: |
| Your Signature: | ||
| Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note | ||
| Signature Guarantee*: |
| * | Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Transfer Agent). |
A-8
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*
The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $ . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Certificated Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Certificated Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase |
Signature of authorized officer of Registrar or Custodian |
| * | This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form. |
A-9
Exhibit 5.1
|
Carey Olsen Jersey LLP 47 Esplanade St Helier Jersey JE1 0BD Channel Islands
T +44 (0)1534 888900 F +44 (0)1534 887755 E jerseyco@careyolsen.com |
| Our ref Your ref |
GEC/KAT/ZS/1065189/0011/J24456246v2 | |||
|
Aptiv PLC 13 Castle Street St Helier Jersey JE1 1ES
|
December 19, 2024 | |||
Dear Sirs
Aptiv PLC (Jersey company number 156354) (the “Company”) - Registration of Securities under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)
| 1. | Background |
| 1.1 | We have acted as the Company’s Jersey legal advisers in connection with the registration of a registration statement on Form S-3 dated December 19, 2024 (the “Registration Statement”) pursuant to which it may, subject to complying with all applicable laws, from time to time issue or be able to issue, among other things: (1) ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Ordinary Shares”); (2) preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Preferred Shares” and, together with the Ordinary Shares, the “Shares” with such rights and obligations as set out and as described more fully in the Registration Statement); (3) senior debt securities (the “Senior Debt Securities”) and subordinated debt securities (the “Subordinated Debt Securities”), (being, collectively, the “Debt Securities” and as described more fully in the Registration Statement); (4) warrants to purchase Ordinary Shares, Preferred Shares, Senior Debt Securities and/or Subordinated Debt Securities (the “Warrants”, as described more fully in the Registration Statement); (5) purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of Ordinary Shares, Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or other securities (the “Purchase Contracts”, as described more fully in the Registration Statement); and (6) guarantees of senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities of Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited (“Aptiv Swiss Holdings”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Aptiv Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company (formerly known as Aptiv Global Financing Limited), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, (the “Guarantees”, as described more fully in the Registration Statement), it also being understood that any of the foregoing securities may be issued in units with any one or more of the other securities (the “Units”, as described more fully in the Registration Statement, and, together with the Ordinary Shares, the Preferred Shares, the Debt Securities, the Warrants, the Purchase Contracts and the Guarantees, the “Securities”), and pursuant to which certain selling shareholders may sell Ordinary Shares. |
| Carey Olsen Jersey LLP is registered as a limited liability partnership in Jersey with registered number 80.
BERMUDA BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS CAYMAN ISLANDS GUERNSEY JERSEY CAPE TOWN HONG KONG LONDON SINGAPORE |
|
| Aptiv PLC December 19, 2024 Page 2 |
| 1.2 | On December 17, 2024, a scheme of arrangement under Jersey law (the “Scheme”) was completed pursuant to which the ordinary shares of Aptiv Irish Holdings Limited (formerly known as Aptiv PLC), a company organized under the laws of Jersey and the then publicly traded parent company of the Aptiv group and which was renamed to “Aptiv Irish Holdings Limited” in connection with the Scheme (the “Predecessor”), were cancelled and the holders thereof received, on a one-for-one basis, ordinary shares of the Company. Following the Scheme, the Company became the publicly traded parent company of the Aptiv group, and the Predecessor became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. On December 19, 2024, the Predecessor merged with and into Aptiv Swiss Holdings (the “Merger”), with Aptiv Swiss Holdings surviving the Merger. Upon completion of the Merger, Aptiv Swiss Holdings succeeded to and assumed the obligations of the Predecessor as the issuer under Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ senior indenture and Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ subordinated indenture. |
| 1.3 | Each offer of Securities will be the subject of a prospectus supplement which, taken together with the base prospectus set out in the Registration Statement, will form a prospectus (a “Prospectus”). |
| 1.4 | The Company has asked us to provide this Opinion in connection with the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act. |
| 1.5 | In this opinion, “non-assessable” means, in relation to a Share, that the price for which the Company agreed to issue that Share has been paid in full to the Company, so that no further sum is payable to the Company by any holder of that Share in respect of the price of that Share. |
| 1.6 | We have not been responsible for investigating or verifying the accuracy of the facts (including statements of foreign law), or the reasonableness of any statement of opinion or intention, contained in or relevant to any document referred to in this Opinion, or that no material facts have been omitted therefrom, save as expressly set out herein. |
| 2. | Documents Examined |
| 2.1 | We have examined all such documents as we have considered necessary or advisable for the purpose of giving this Opinion, including the following:- |
| 2.1.1 | the Registration Statement; |
| 2.1.2 | a copy of the written resolutions of the board of directors of the Company passed on December 10, 2024; |
| 2.1.3 | the Company’s certificate of incorporation and memorandum and articles of association as in force as at the date hereof; and |
| 1065189/0011/J24456246v2 |
|
| Aptiv PLC December 19, 2024 Page 3 |
| 2.1.4 | a consent to issue shares dated October 2, 2024 issued to the Company by the Jersey Financial Services Commission under the Control of Borrowing (Jersey) Order 1958. |
| 2.2 | For the purposes of this opinion, we have, with the Company’s consent, relied upon certificates and other assurances of directors and other officers of the Company as to matters of fact, without having independently verified such factual matters. |
| 2.3 | We have not examined or relied on any other documents for the purpose of this Opinion. |
| 3. | Assumptions |
| 3.1 | For the purposes of giving this opinion we have assumed:- |
| 3.1.1 | the authenticity, accuracy, completeness and conformity to original documents of all copy documents and certificates of officers of the Company examined by us; |
| 3.1.2 | that the signatures on all documents examined by us are the genuine signatures of persons authorised to execute or certify such documents; |
| 3.1.3 | the accuracy and completeness in every respect of all certificates and other assurances of directors or other officers of the Company given to us for the purposes of giving this opinion and that (where relevant) such certificates would be accurate if they had been given as of the date hereof; |
| 3.1.4 | that the Company will not issue any Shares in excess of the authorised share capital of the Company; |
| 3.1.5 | the Company is not carrying on a business that is regulated by Jersey law so that it is (or ought to be) subject to the terms of one or more other consents, licences, permits or equivalent under such regulatory legislation; |
| 3.1.6 | that each of the above assumptions is accurate at the date of this Opinion, and has been accurate at all other relevant times; |
| 3.1.7 | that no event occurs after the date hereof which would affect the opinions herein stated; |
| 3.1.8 | that there is no provision of any law (other than Jersey law) that would affect anything in this Opinion; and |
| 3.1.9 | that no Shares shall be issued at a discount to their par value. |
| 4. | Opinion |
As a matter of Jersey law, and on the basis of and subject to the above and the qualification below, we are of the
| 1065189/0011/J24456246v2 |
|
| Aptiv PLC December 19, 2024 Page 4 |
opinion that, once (i) the offer and issue of any Shares has been duly authorised; (ii) the Company has received in full the initial issue price payable for the Shares; (iii) the relevant subscriber or its nominee has been entered into the Company’s register of members as the holder of the relevant Shares; and (iv) all necessary consents have been obtained from the Jersey Financial Services Commission in respect of any Prospectus, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
| 5. | Qualification |
| 5.1 | This Opinion is subject to any matter of fact not disclosed to us. |
| 6. | Governing Law, Limitations, Benefit and Disclosure |
| 6.1 | This Opinion shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Jersey and is limited to the matters expressly stated herein. |
| 6.2 | This Opinion is limited to matters of Jersey law and practice as at the date hereof and we have made no investigation and express no opinion with respect to the law or practice of any other jurisdiction. |
| 6.3 | We assume no obligation to advise you (or any other person who may rely on this Opinion in accordance with this paragraph), or undertake any investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising after the date of this Opinion that might affect the opinions expressed herein. |
| 6.4 | We consent to the filing of a copy of this opinion as Exhibits 5.1 and 23.2 to the Registration Statement and to reference to us being made in the paragraph of the base prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement headed “Validity of Securities”. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act. |
Yours faithfully
/s/ Carey Olsen Jersey LLP
| 1065189/0011/J24456246v2 |
|
Exhibit 5.2
|
|
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP 450 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10017 davispolk.com |
December 19, 2024
Aptiv PLC
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel for Aptiv PLC, a public limited company organized under the laws of Jersey (the “Company”), Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited, a company with limited liability organized under the laws of Jersey (“Aptiv Swiss Holdings”), Aptiv Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Aptiv Corp.”) and Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company, a designated activity company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (“AGFDAC”), in connection with the Company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (a) ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”) of the Company; (b) preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Shares”) of the Company; (c) the Company’s senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities (collectively, the “Company Debt Securities”), which may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. and AGFDAC, and which may be issued pursuant to a senior indenture (the “Company Senior Indenture”), among the Company, Wilmington Trust, National Association as trustee (the “Trustee”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as registrar, paying agent and authenticating agent (the “Agent”), and a subordinated indenture (the “Company Subordinated Indenture” and together with the Company Senior Indenture, the “Company Indentures”) among the Company, the Trustee and the Agent; (d) Aptiv Swiss Holdings’ senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities (collectively, the “Aptiv Swiss Holdings Debt Securities”), which may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company, Aptiv Corp. and AGFDAC, and which may be issued pursuant to a senior indenture dated as of March 10, 2015, as supplemented prior to the date hereof (the “Aptiv Swiss Holdings Senior Indenture”), among Aptiv Swiss Holdings, the Trustee, the Agent, and a subordinated indenture dated as of September 13, 2024, as supplemented prior to the date hereof (the “Aptiv Swiss Holdings Subordinated Indenture” and together with the Aptiv Swiss Holdings Senior Indenture, the “Aptiv Swiss Holdings Indentures”) among Aptiv Swiss Holdings, the Trustee and the Agent; (e) Aptiv Corp.’s senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities (collectively, the “Aptiv Corp. Debt Securities”), which may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company, Aptiv Swiss Holdings and AGFDAC, and which may be issued pursuant to a senior indenture dated as of February 14, 2013, as supplemented prior to the date hereof (the “Aptiv Corp. Senior Indenture”), among Aptiv Corp., the Company, as a guarantor, the Trustee and the Agent, and a subordinated indenture (the “Aptiv Corp. Subordinated Indenture,” and together with the Aptiv Corp. Senior Indenture, the “Aptiv Corp. Indentures”), among Aptiv Corp., the Company, as a guarantor, the Trustee and the Agent; (f) AGFDAC’s senior debt securities (the “AGFDAC Debt Securities” and together with the Company Debt Securities, the Aptiv Swiss Holdings Debt Securities and the Aptiv Corp. Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”), which may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company, Aptiv Swiss Holdings and Aptiv Corp., and which may be issued pursuant to a senior indenture (the “AGFDAC Senior Indenture”), among AGFDAC, the Company, as a guarantor, the Trustee and the Agent and a subordinated indenture (the “AGFDAC Subordinated Indenture” together with the AFGDAC Senior Indenture, the “AGFDAC Indentures” and together with the Company Indentures, the Aptiv Swiss Holdings Indentures and the Aptiv Corp. Indentures, the “Indentures”), among AGFDAC, the Company, as a
guarantor, the Trustee and the Agent; (g) warrants of the Company and Aptiv Corp. (the “Warrants”), which may be issued under one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company or Aptiv Corp., as applicable, and the warrant agent to be named therein (the “Warrant Agent”); (h) purchase contracts (the “Purchase Contracts”) which may be issued under one or more purchase contract agreements (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company or Aptiv Corp., as applicable, and the purchase contract agent to be named therein (the “Purchase Contract Agent”); (i) units (the “Units”) to be issued under one or more unit agreements to be entered into among the Company or Aptiv Corp., as applicable, a bank or trust company, as unit agent (the “Unit Agent”), and the holders from time to time of the Units (each such unit agreement, a “Unit Agreement”); (j) guarantees (the “Company Guarantees”) of the Company Debt Securities by Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. and AGFDAC (collectively, the “Company Guarantors”); (k) guarantees (the “Aptiv Swiss Holdings Guarantees”) of the Aptiv Swiss Holdings Debt Securities by the Company, Aptiv Corp. and AGFDAC (collectively, the “Aptiv Swiss Holdings Guarantors”) (l) guarantees (the “Aptiv Corp. Guarantees”) of the Aptiv Corp. Debt Securities by the Company, Aptiv Swiss Holdings and AGFDAC (collectively, the “Aptiv Corp. Guarantors”); and (m) guarantees (the “AGFDAC Guarantees”) of the AGFDAC Debt Securities by the Company, Aptiv Swiss Holdings and Aptiv Corp. (collectively, the “AGFDAC Guarantors”).
We, as your counsel, have examined originals or copies of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion.
In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have, without independent inquiry or investigation, assumed that (i) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, (ii) all documents submitted to us as copies conform to authentic, complete originals, (iii) all documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that have not been executed will conform to the forms thereof, (iv) all signatures on all documents that we reviewed are genuine, (v) all natural persons executing documents had and have the legal capacity to do so, (vi) all statements in certificates of public officials and officers of the Company, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. and AGFDAC that we reviewed were and are accurate and (vii) all representations made by the Company, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. and AGFDAC as to matters of fact in the documents that we reviewed were and are accurate.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the additional assumptions and qualifications set forth below, we advise you that, in our opinion:
| 1. | When the applicable Company Indenture and any supplemental indenture to either Company Indenture to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Company Debt Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee, the Agent, the Company and, if applicable, the Company Guarantors; the specific terms of a particular series of Company Debt Securities have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the applicable Company Indenture; and such Company Debt Securities and, if applicable, the Company Guarantees, have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the applicable Company Indentures and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Company Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company and each of the Company Guarantees thereof by each Company Guarantor will constitute valid and binding obligations of each respective Company Guarantor, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights, provided that we express no opinion |
| December 19, 2024 | 2 |
| as to (x) the enforceability of any waiver of rights under any usury or stay law or (y) (i) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above or (ii) any provision of the Company Indentures that purports to avoid the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law by limiting the amount of any Company Guarantor’s obligation. |
| 2. | Assuming the Aptiv Swiss Holdings Senior Indenture and the Aptiv Swiss Holdings Subordinated Indenture have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee, the Agent and Aptiv Swiss Holdings, and when any supplemental indenture to either Aptiv Swiss Holdings Indenture to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Aptiv Swiss Holdings Debt Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee, the Agent, Aptiv Swiss Holdings and, if applicable, the Aptiv Swiss Holdings Guarantors; the specific terms of a particular series of Aptiv Swiss Holdings Debt Securities have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the applicable Aptiv Swiss Holdings Indenture; and such Aptiv Swiss Holdings Debt Securities and, if applicable, the Aptiv Swiss Holdings Guarantees, have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the applicable Aptiv Swiss Holdings Indentures and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Aptiv Swiss Holdings Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of Aptiv Swiss Holdings and each of the Aptiv Swiss Holdings Guarantees thereof by each Aptiv Swiss Holdings Guarantor will constitute valid and binding obligations of each respective Aptiv Swiss Holdings Guarantor, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights, provided that we express no opinion as to (x) the enforceability of any waiver of rights under any usury or stay law or (y) (i) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above or (ii) any provision of the Aptiv Swiss Holdings Indentures that purports to avoid the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law by limiting the amount of any Aptiv Swiss Holdings Guarantor’s obligation. |
| 3. | Assuming the Aptiv Corp. Senior Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee, the Agent, Aptiv Corp. and the Company, and when the Aptiv Corp. Subordinated Indenture and any supplemental indenture to either Aptiv Corp. Indenture to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Aptiv Corp. Debt Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee, the Agent, Aptiv Corp. and, if applicable, the Aptiv Corp. Guarantors; the specific terms of a particular series of Aptiv Corp. Debt Securities have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the applicable Aptiv Corp. Indenture; and such Aptiv Corp. Debt Securities and, if applicable, the Aptiv Corp. Guarantees have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the applicable Aptiv Corp. Indentures and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Aptiv Corp. Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of Aptiv Corp. and each of the Aptiv Corp. Guarantees thereof by each Aptiv Corp. Guarantor will constitute valid and binding obligations of each respective Aptiv Corp. Guarantor, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights, provided that we express no opinion as to (x) the enforceability of any waiver of rights under any usury or stay law or (y) (i) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above or (ii) any provision of the Aptiv Corp. Indentures that purports to avoid the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law by limiting the amount of any Aptiv Corp. Guarantor’s obligation. |
| December 19, 2024 | 3 |
| 4. | When the applicable AGFDAC Indenture and any supplemental indenture to either AGFDAC Indenture to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any AGFDAC Debt Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee, the Agent, AGFDAC and, if applicable, the AGFDAC Guarantors; the specific terms of a particular series of AGFDAC Debt Securities have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the applicable AGFDAC Indenture; and such AGFDAC Debt Securities and, if applicable, the AGFDAC Guarantees have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the applicable AGFDAC Indenture and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such AGFDAC Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of AGFDAC and each of the AGFDAC Guarantees thereof by each AGFDAC Guarantor will constitute valid and binding obligations of each respective AGFDAC Guarantor, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights, provided that we express no opinion as to (x) the enforceability of any waiver of rights under any usury or stay law or (y) (i) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above or (ii) any provision of the applicable AGFDAC Indenture that purports to avoid the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law by limiting the amount of any AGFDAC Guarantor’s obligation. |
| 5. | When the Warrant Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Warrant Agent and the Company or Aptiv Corp., respectively; the specific terms of the Warrants have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Warrant Agreement; and such Warrants have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company or Aptiv Corp., respectively, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights. |
| 6. | When the Purchase Contract Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Purchase Contracts has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Purchase Contract Agent and the Company or Aptiv Corp., respectively; the specific terms of the Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement; and such Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company or Aptiv Corp., respectively, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights. |
| December 19, 2024 | 4 |
| 7. | When the Unit Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Units has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Unit Agent and the Company or Aptiv Corp., respectively; the specific terms of the Units have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Unit Agreement; and such Units have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Unit Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company or Aptiv Corp., respectively, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights. |
In connection with the opinions expressed above, we have assumed that, at or prior to the time of the delivery of any such security, (i) the Board of Directors of the Company, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. or AGFDAC as applicable, shall have duly established the terms of such security and duly authorized the issuance and sale of such security and such authorization shall not have been modified or rescinded; (ii) the Registration Statement shall have become effective and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded; (iii) the Indentures, the Debt Securities, the Warrant Agreement, the Purchase Contract Agreement and the Unit Agreement are each valid, binding and enforceable agreements of each party thereto, (other than as expressly covered above in respect of the Company, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. and AGFDAC); and (iv) there shall not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity or enforceability of such security. We have also assumed that (i) the terms of any security whose terms are established subsequent to the date hereof and the issuance, execution, delivery and performance by the Company, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. or AGFDAC of any such security (a) are, with respect to the Company, Aptiv Swiss Holdings and AGFDAC, within their corporate powers and do not contravene or constitute a default under, the constitutive documents of the Company, Aptiv Swiss Holdings and AGFDAC, respectively, (b) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official and (c) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or public policy or regulation or any judgment, injunction, order or decree or any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company, Aptiv Swiss Holdings, Aptiv Corp. or AGFDAC and (ii) any Warrant Agreement, Purchase Contract Agreement and Unit Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York, the federal laws of the United States of America and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement referred to above and further consent to the reference to our name under the caption “Validity of Securities” in the prospectus, which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
| December 19, 2024 | 5 |
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 Aptiv PLC for the registration of debt securities, guarantees of debt securities, preferred shares, ordinary shares, warrants, purchase contracts and units of Aptiv PLC, debt securities and guarantees of debt securities of Aptiv Swiss Holding Limited, debt securities, guarantees of debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts, and units of Aptiv Corporation, and debt securities and guarantees of debt securities of Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 6, 2024, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Aptiv PLC, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Aptiv PLC, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Detroit, Michigan
December 19, 2024
Exhibit 25.1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
| ☐ | Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) |
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
Kyle Barry
Senior Vice President
Wilmington Trust Company
285 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 839-6909
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
APTIV PLC1
| Jersey | 98-1824200 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
+41 52 580 96 00
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Senior Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| 1 | See Table of Additional Obligors |
TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
|
| ||||||
| Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter* | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number | |||
| Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company |
Ireland | 3714 | N/A | |||
| Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited |
Jersey | 3714 | 98-1824378 | |||
| Aptiv Corporation |
Delaware | 3714 | 27-0791190 | |||
|
| ||||||
|
| ||||||
| • | The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each registrant’s principal executive offices is c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC, 125 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Tel. (917) 994-3932. |
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3 – 15. Not Applicable.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
| 1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association. |
| 2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4of this Form T-1. |
| 5. | Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of Wilmington Trust, National Association as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 of this Form T-1. |
| 7. | Current Report of the Condition of Wilmington Trust, National Association, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 of this Form T-1. |
| 8. | Not applicable. |
| 9. | Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 19th day of December, 2024.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | |
| Name: | Arlene Thelwell | |
| Title: | Vice President |
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| 1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
| 2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be
designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| 1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
| 2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
| 3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
| 4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
| 5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director’s removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association’s stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| 1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| 4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| 5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| 6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association’s management or committees of the board. |
| 7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
| 8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
| 9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
| 10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
| 11) | Make contracts. |
| 12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum
consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
(Effective as of March 7, 2024)
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated by the chair of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors for the purpose of the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, except such date shall not be a legal holiday in Delaware. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his or her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the Board of Directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. The chair of the Board of Directors, the president, the chief executive officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders. A special meeting shall be called to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The Board of Directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
Section 3. Adjournment. If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
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Section 4. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association, not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| (1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
| (2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
| (3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
| (4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
| (5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chair of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, all votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded.
Section 5. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. A director or an attorney of the association may act as proxy for shareholders voting if they are not also employed as an officer of the association. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
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ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof. The Board of Directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which: (a) exceeds by more than 2 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or (b) exceeds by more than 4 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit.
Section 3. Qualifications. Each director must be a citizen of the United States and must own in his or her own right either shares of the capital stock of the association or a company that controls the association that has not less than an aggregate par value of $1,000, an aggregate shareholders’ equity of $1,000, or an aggregate fair market value of $1,000. The value of the common or preferred stock held by a director is valued as of the date purchased or the date on which the individual became a director, whichever is greater.
Section 4. Organization Meeting. After each annual meeting of shareholders at which directors shall have been elected, the Board of Directors shall meet as soon as practicable for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business. Such first regular meeting shall be held at any place as may be designated by the chair, the president or the Board of Directors for such first regular meeting or, in default of such designation, where the immediately preceding meeting of shareholders was held.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such places as may be designated from time to time by the chair. No notice of regular meetings shall be necessary.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the chair, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the then- acting directors by vote at a meeting or in writing, or by a majority of the members of the executive committee, if one is constituted, by vote at a meeting or in writing. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, such meeting shall be held at such place as may be designated in the call. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be given notice stating the date, time and place, by letter, electronic delivery or in person, of each special meeting not less than one day before the meeting. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called, unless required by the Articles of Association or the bylaws.
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Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the entire Board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 11. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance. No director may vote by proxy.
Section 8. Attendance by Electronic, Telephonic or Similar Means. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a regular or special meeting of such board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all directors or committee members participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.
Section 9. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the Board of Directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 10. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the shareholders. Any director may be removed without cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the association entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the directors, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors may appoint a director to fill such vacancy until the next election at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 12. Consent of Directors without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board. The action may be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records. A director’s consent to action taken without a meeting may be in electronic form and delivered by electronic means.
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Section 13. Ratification. The board of directors may ratify and make binding on the association any action or inaction by the association or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter and as permitted by law. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee, which shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the association except as prohibited by law, the Articles of Association or these Bylaws. All acts done and powers conferred by the Executive Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Trust Audit Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the Board of Directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the Board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the association’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Section 3. Examining Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
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Section 4. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than three (3) directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more directors as alternative members of a committee. All acts done and powers conferred by the Board of Directors on committees of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under that authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Delegation of Responsibility and Authority. The responsibility, authority and constitution of any committee under this Article III may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted committee of the association’s parent corporation by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1 Officers. The Board of Directors shall annually, at the Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders, appoint or elect a chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a president, one (1) or more senior executive vice presidents, a corporate secretary, a treasurer, a chief auditor, and such other officers as it may determine, each to hold office until the next Annual Reorganization meeting.
The officers below the level of senior executive vice president may be elected as follows: the head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank, or his or her designee, may appoint officers up to and including (without limitation as to title or number) one (1) or more executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and assistant auditors, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate, except the chair of the board, chief executive officer, president, any “Executive Officer” of the association for the purposes of Regulation O (codified at 12 C.F.R. §215.2(e)(1)), and any “Senior Executive Officer” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R.
§5.51(c)(4) may only be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chair of the Board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. President. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. The president shall be a member of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the chair, the president shall preside at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these Bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Vice President. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. One vice president shall be designated by the Board of Directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The Board of Directors shall appoint a secretary or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the Board of Directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the Board of Directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chair of the Board, or the president. The Board of Directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The Board of Directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
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Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually, by facsimile process, or electronic means by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed and otherwise comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 52 and 12 C.F.R. §7.2016(b).
Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In case any certificate representing shares shall be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or any officer or officers thereunder duly authorized by the Board of Directors, may authorize the issue of a substitute certificate or substitute shares in uncertificated form in the place of the certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall be the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 10 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by any officer elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this Section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these Bylaws.
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Section 3. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and standing committees of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the association in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by
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or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under the Articles of Association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution- affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these Bylaws and (b) approval by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by shareholders. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the shareholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the Board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the Board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in the Articles of Association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these Bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these Bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
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The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s Articles of Association, these Bylaws, a resolution of shareholders, a resolution of the Board of Directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its Board of Directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these Bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution- affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The Board of Directors shall have the power, at any regular or special meeting thereof, to amend, alter or repeal the bylaws of the association, or to make and adopt new bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the shareholders of the association to the extent and as permitted in the Articles of Association or applicable law.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||||||
| Dated: December 19, 2024 |
By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | ||||
| Name: Arlene Thelwell | ||||||
| Title: Vice President | ||||||
EXHIBIT 7
REPORT OF CONDITION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2024
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| ASSETS | ||||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
580,375 | |||
| Securities: |
5,855 | |||
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases held for sale: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: |
35,464 | |||
| Premises and fixed asset |
33,626 | |||
| Other real estate owned: |
367 | |||
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: |
0 | |||
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: |
0 | |||
| Intangible assets: |
0 | |||
| Other assets: |
61,565 | |||
| Total Assets: |
717,252 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| LIABILITIES | ||||
| Deposits |
5,846 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: |
0 | |||
| Other Liabilities: |
91,034 | |||
| Total Liabilities |
96,880 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| EQUITY CAPITAL | ||||
| Common Stock |
1,000 | |||
| Surplus |
351,424 | |||
| Retained Earnings |
268,127 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(179 | ) | ||
| Total Equity Capital |
620,372 | |||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
717,252 | |||
Exhibit 25.2
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
| ☐ | Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) |
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
Kyle Barry
Senior Vice President
Wilmington Trust Company
285 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 839-6909
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
APTIV PLC1
| Jersey | 98-1824200 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
+41 52 580 96 00
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Subordinated Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| 1 | See Table of Additional Obligors |
TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
|
| ||||||
| Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter* | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number | |||
| Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company |
Ireland | 3714 | N/A | |||
| Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited |
Jersey | 3714 | 98-1824378 | |||
| Aptiv Corporation |
Delaware | 3714 | 27-0791190 | |||
|
| ||||||
|
| ||||||
| • | The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each registrant’s principal executive offices is c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC, 125 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Tel. (917) 994-3932. |
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3 – 15. Not Applicable.
| ITEM 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. |
Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
| 1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association. |
| 2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4of this Form T-1. |
| 5. | Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of Wilmington Trust, National Association as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 of this Form T-1. |
| 7. | Current Report of the Condition of Wilmington Trust, National Association, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 of this Form T-1. |
| 8. | Not applicable. |
| 9. | Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 19th day of December, 2024.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | |
| Name: | Arlene Thelwell | |
| Title: | Vice President |
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| 1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
| 2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be
designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| 1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
| 2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
| 3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
| 4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
| 5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director’s removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association’s stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| 1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| 4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| 5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| 6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association’s management or committees of the board. |
| 7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
| 8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
| 9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
| 10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
| 11) | Make contracts. |
| 12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum
consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
(Effective as of March 7, 2024)
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated by the chair of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors for the purpose of the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, except such date shall not be a legal holiday in Delaware. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his or her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the Board of Directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. The chair of the Board of Directors, the president, the chief executive officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders. A special meeting shall be called to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The Board of Directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
Section 3. Adjournment. If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
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Section 4. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association, not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| (1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
| (2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
| (3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
| (4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
| (5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chair of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, all votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded.
Section 5. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. A director or an attorney of the association may act as proxy for shareholders voting if they are not also employed as an officer of the association. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
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ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof. The Board of Directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which: (a) exceeds by more than 2 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or (b) exceeds by more than 4 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit.
Section 3. Qualifications. Each director must be a citizen of the United States and must own in his or her own right either shares of the capital stock of the association or a company that controls the association that has not less than an aggregate par value of $1,000, an aggregate shareholders’ equity of $1,000, or an aggregate fair market value of $1,000. The value of the common or preferred stock held by a director is valued as of the date purchased or the date on which the individual became a director, whichever is greater.
Section 4. Organization Meeting. After each annual meeting of shareholders at which directors shall have been elected, the Board of Directors shall meet as soon as practicable for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business. Such first regular meeting shall be held at any place as may be designated by the chair, the president or the Board of Directors for such first regular meeting or, in default of such designation, where the immediately preceding meeting of shareholders was held.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such places as may be designated from time to time by the chair. No notice of regular meetings shall be necessary.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the chair, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the then- acting directors by vote at a meeting or in writing, or by a majority of the members of the executive committee, if one is constituted, by vote at a meeting or in writing. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, such meeting shall be held at such place as may be designated in the call. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be given notice stating the date, time and place, by letter, electronic delivery or in person, of each special meeting not less than one day before the meeting. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called, unless required by the Articles of Association or the bylaws.
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Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the entire Board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 11. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance. No director may vote by proxy.
Section 8. Attendance by Electronic, Telephonic or Similar Means. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a regular or special meeting of such board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all directors or committee members participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.
Section 9. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the Board of Directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 10. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the shareholders. Any director may be removed without cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the association entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the directors, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors may appoint a director to fill such vacancy until the next election at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 12. Consent of Directors without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board. The action may be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records. A director’s consent to action taken without a meeting may be in electronic form and delivered by electronic means.
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Section 13. Ratification. The board of directors may ratify and make binding on the association any action or inaction by the association or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter and as permitted by law. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee, which shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the association except as prohibited by law, the Articles of Association or these Bylaws. All acts done and powers conferred by the Executive Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Trust Audit Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the Board of Directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the Board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the association’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Section 3. Examining Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
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Section 4. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than three (3) directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more directors as alternative members of a committee. All acts done and powers conferred by the Board of Directors on committees of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under that authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Delegation of Responsibility and Authority. The responsibility, authority and constitution of any committee under this Article III may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted committee of the association’s parent corporation by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1 Officers. The Board of Directors shall annually, at the Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders, appoint or elect a chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a president, one (1) or more senior executive vice presidents, a corporate secretary, a treasurer, a chief auditor, and such other officers as it may determine, each to hold office until the next Annual Reorganization meeting.
The officers below the level of senior executive vice president may be elected as follows: the head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank, or his or her designee, may appoint officers up to and including (without limitation as to title or number) one (1) or more executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and assistant auditors, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate, except the chair of the board, chief executive officer, president, any “Executive Officer” of the association for the purposes of Regulation O (codified at 12 C.F.R. §215.2(e)(1)), and any “Senior Executive Officer” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. §5.51(c)(4) may only be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chair of the Board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. President. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. The president shall be a member of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the chair, the president shall preside at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these Bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Vice President. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. One vice president shall be designated by the Board of Directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The Board of Directors shall appoint a secretary or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the Board of Directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the Board of Directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chair of the Board, or the president. The Board of Directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The Board of Directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
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Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually, by facsimile process, or electronic means by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed and otherwise comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 52 and 12 C.F.R. §7.2016(b).
Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In case any certificate representing shares shall be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or any officer or officers thereunder duly authorized by the Board of Directors, may authorize the issue of a substitute certificate or substitute shares in uncertificated form in the place of the certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall be the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 10 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by any officer elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this Section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these Bylaws.
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Section 3. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and standing committees of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the association in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by
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or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under the Articles of Association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution- affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these Bylaws and (b) approval by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by shareholders. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the shareholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the Board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the Board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in the Articles of Association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these Bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these Bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
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The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s Articles of Association, these Bylaws, a resolution of shareholders, a resolution of the Board of Directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its Board of Directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these Bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution- affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The Board of Directors shall have the power, at any regular or special meeting thereof, to amend, alter or repeal the bylaws of the association, or to make and adopt new bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the shareholders of the association to the extent and as permitted in the Articles of Association or applicable law.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||||||
| Dated: December 19, 2024 | By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | ||||
| Name: Arlene Thelwell | ||||||
| Title: Vice President | ||||||
EXHIBIT 7
REPORT OF CONDITION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2024
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| ASSETS |
||||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
580,375 | |||
| Securities: |
5,855 | |||
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases held for sale: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: |
35,464 | |||
| Premises and fixed asset |
33,626 | |||
| Other real estate owned: |
367 | |||
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: |
0 | |||
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: |
0 | |||
| Intangible assets: |
0 | |||
| Other assets: |
61,565 | |||
| Total Assets: |
717,252 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| LIABILITIES |
||||
| Deposits |
5,846 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: |
0 | |||
| Other Liabilities: |
91,034 | |||
| Total Liabilities |
96,880 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| EQUITY CAPITAL |
||||
| Common Stock |
1,000 | |||
| Surplus |
351,424 | |||
| Retained Earnings |
268,127 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(179 | ) | ||
| Total Equity Capital |
620,372 | |||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
717,252 | |||
Exhibit 25.3
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
| ☐ | Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) |
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
Kyle Barry
Senior Vice President
Wilmington Trust Company
285 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 839-6909
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
APTIV SWISS HOLDINGS LIMITED1
| Jersey | 98-1824378 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
+41 52 580 96 00
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Senior Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| 1 | See Table of Additional Obligors |
TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
|
| ||||||
| Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter* | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number | |||
| Aptiv PLC |
Jersey | 3714 | 98-1824200 | |||
| Aptiv Corporation |
Delaware | 3714 | 27-0791190 | |||
| Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company |
Ireland | 3714 | N/A | |||
|
| ||||||
|
| ||||||
| • | The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each registrant’s principal executive offices is c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC, 125 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Tel. (917) 994-3932. |
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3 – 15. Not Applicable.
| ITEM 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. |
Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
| 1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association. |
| 2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4of this Form T-1. |
| 5. | Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of Wilmington Trust, National Association as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 of this Form T-1. |
| 7. | Current Report of the Condition of Wilmington Trust, National Association, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 of this Form T-1. |
| 8. | Not applicable. |
| 9. | Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 19th day of December, 2024.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | |
| Name: | Arlene Thelwell | |
| Title: | Vice President |
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| 1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
| 2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be
designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| 1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
| 2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
| 3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
| 4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
| 5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director’s removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association’s stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| 1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| 4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| 5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| 6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association’s management or committees of the board. |
| 7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
| 8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
| 9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
| 10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
| 11) | Make contracts. |
| 12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum
consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
(Effective as of March 7, 2024)
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated by the chair of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors for the purpose of the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, except such date shall not be a legal holiday in Delaware. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his or her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the Board of Directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. The chair of the Board of Directors, the president, the chief executive officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders. A special meeting shall be called to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The Board of Directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
Section 3. Adjournment. If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
- 1 -
Section 4. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association, not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| (1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
| (2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
| (3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
| (4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
| (5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chair of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, all votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded.
Section 5. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. A director or an attorney of the association may act as proxy for shareholders voting if they are not also employed as an officer of the association. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
- 2 -
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof. The Board of Directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which: (a) exceeds by more than 2 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or (b) exceeds by more than 4 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit.
Section 3. Qualifications. Each director must be a citizen of the United States and must own in his or her own right either shares of the capital stock of the association or a company that controls the association that has not less than an aggregate par value of $1,000, an aggregate shareholders’ equity of $1,000, or an aggregate fair market value of $1,000. The value of the common or preferred stock held by a director is valued as of the date purchased or the date on which the individual became a director, whichever is greater.
Section 4. Organization Meeting. After each annual meeting of shareholders at which directors shall have been elected, the Board of Directors shall meet as soon as practicable for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business. Such first regular meeting shall be held at any place as may be designated by the chair, the president or the Board of Directors for such first regular meeting or, in default of such designation, where the immediately preceding meeting of shareholders was held.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such places as may be designated from time to time by the chair. No notice of regular meetings shall be necessary.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the chair, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the then- acting directors by vote at a meeting or in writing, or by a majority of the members of the executive committee, if one is constituted, by vote at a meeting or in writing. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, such meeting shall be held at such place as may be designated in the call. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be given notice stating the date, time and place, by letter, electronic delivery or in person, of each special meeting not less than one day before the meeting. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called, unless required by the Articles of Association or the bylaws.
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Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the entire Board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 11. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance. No director may vote by proxy.
Section 8. Attendance by Electronic, Telephonic or Similar Means. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a regular or special meeting of such board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all directors or committee members participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.
Section 9. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the Board of Directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 10. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the shareholders. Any director may be removed without cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the association entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the directors, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors may appoint a director to fill such vacancy until the next election at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 12. Consent of Directors without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board. The action may be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records. A director’s consent to action taken without a meeting may be in electronic form and delivered by electronic means.
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Section 13. Ratification. The board of directors may ratify and make binding on the association any action or inaction by the association or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter and as permitted by law. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee, which shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the association except as prohibited by law, the Articles of Association or these Bylaws. All acts done and powers conferred by the Executive Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Trust Audit Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the Board of Directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the Board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the association’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Section 3. Examining Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
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Section 4. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than three (3) directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more directors as alternative members of a committee. All acts done and powers conferred by the Board of Directors on committees of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under that authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Delegation of Responsibility and Authority. The responsibility, authority and constitution of any committee under this Article III may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted committee of the association’s parent corporation by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1 Officers. The Board of Directors shall annually, at the Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders, appoint or elect a chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a president, one (1) or more senior executive vice presidents, a corporate secretary, a treasurer, a chief auditor, and such other officers as it may determine, each to hold office until the next Annual Reorganization meeting.
The officers below the level of senior executive vice president may be elected as follows: the head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank, or his or her designee, may appoint officers up to and including (without limitation as to title or number) one (1) or more executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and assistant auditors, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate, except the chair of the board, chief executive officer, president, any “Executive Officer” of the association for the purposes of Regulation O (codified at 12 C.F.R. §215.2(e)(1)), and any “Senior Executive Officer” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. §5.51(c)(4) may only be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chair of the Board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. President. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. The president shall be a member of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the chair, the president shall preside at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these Bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Vice President. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. One vice president shall be designated by the Board of Directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The Board of Directors shall appoint a secretary or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the Board of Directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the Board of Directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chair of the Board, or the president. The Board of Directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The Board of Directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
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Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually, by facsimile process, or electronic means by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed and otherwise comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 52 and 12 C.F.R. §7.2016(b).
Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In case any certificate representing shares shall be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or any officer or officers thereunder duly authorized by the Board of Directors, may authorize the issue of a substitute certificate or substitute shares in uncertificated form in the place of the certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall be the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 10 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by any officer elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this Section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these Bylaws.
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Section 3. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and standing committees of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the association in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by
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or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under the Articles of Association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution- affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these Bylaws and (b) approval by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by shareholders. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the shareholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the Board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the Board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in the Articles of Association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these Bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these Bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
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The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s Articles of Association, these Bylaws, a resolution of shareholders, a resolution of the Board of Directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its Board of Directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these Bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution- affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The Board of Directors shall have the power, at any regular or special meeting thereof, to amend, alter or repeal the bylaws of the association, or to make and adopt new bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the shareholders of the association to the extent and as permitted in the Articles of Association or applicable law.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||||||
| Dated: December 19, 2024 | By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | ||||
| Name: Arlene Thelwell | ||||||
| Title: Vice President | ||||||
EXHIBIT 7
REPORT OF CONDITION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2024
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| ASSETS |
||||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
580,375 | |||
| Securities: |
5,855 | |||
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases held for sale: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: |
35,464 | |||
| Premises and fixed asset |
33,626 | |||
| Other real estate owned: |
367 | |||
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: |
0 | |||
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: |
0 | |||
| Intangible assets: |
0 | |||
| Other assets: |
61,565 | |||
| Total Assets: |
717,252 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| LIABILITIES |
||||
| Deposits |
5,846 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: |
0 | |||
| Other Liabilities: |
91,034 | |||
| Total Liabilities |
96,880 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| EQUITY CAPITAL |
||||
| Common Stock |
1,000 | |||
| Surplus |
351,424 | |||
| Retained Earnings |
268,127 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(179 | ) | ||
| Total Equity Capital |
620,372 | |||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
717,252 | |||
Exhibit 25.4
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
| ☐ | Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) |
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
Kyle Barry
Senior Vice President
Wilmington Trust Company
285 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 839-6909
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
APTIV SWISS HOLDINGS LIMITED1
| Jersey | 98-1824378 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Spitalstrasse 5
8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
+41 52 580 96 00
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Subordinated Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| 1 | See Table of Additional Obligors |
TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
|
| ||||||
| Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter* | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number | |||
| Aptiv PLC |
Jersey | 3714 | 98-1824200 | |||
| Aptiv Corporation |
Delaware | 3714 | 27-0791190 | |||
| Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company |
Ireland | 3714 | N/A | |||
|
| ||||||
|
| ||||||
| • | The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each registrant’s principal executive offices is c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC, 125 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Tel. (917) 994-3932. |
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3 – 15. Not Applicable.
| ITEM 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. |
Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
| 1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association. |
| 2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4of this Form T-1. |
| 5. | Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of Wilmington Trust, National Association as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 of this Form T-1. |
| 7. | Current Report of the Condition of Wilmington Trust, National Association, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 of this Form T-1. |
| 8. | Not applicable. |
| 9. | Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 19th day of December, 2024.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | |
| Name: | Arlene Thelwell | |
| Title: | Vice President |
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| 1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
| 2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be
designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| 1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
| 2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
| 3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
| 4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
| 5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director’s removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association’s stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| 1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| 4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| 5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| 6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association’s management or committees of the board. |
| 7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
| 8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
| 9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
| 10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
| 11) | Make contracts. |
| 12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum
consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
(Effective as of March 7, 2024)
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated by the chair of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors for the purpose of the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, except such date shall not be a legal holiday in Delaware. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his or her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the Board of Directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. The chair of the Board of Directors, the president, the chief executive officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders. A special meeting shall be called to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The Board of Directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
Section 3. Adjournment. If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
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Section 4. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association, not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| (1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
| (2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
| (3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
| (4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
| (5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chair of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, all votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded.
Section 5. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. A director or an attorney of the association may act as proxy for shareholders voting if they are not also employed as an officer of the association. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
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ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof. The Board of Directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which: (a) exceeds by more than 2 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or (b) exceeds by more than 4 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit.
Section 3. Qualifications. Each director must be a citizen of the United States and must own in his or her own right either shares of the capital stock of the association or a company that controls the association that has not less than an aggregate par value of $1,000, an aggregate shareholders’ equity of $1,000, or an aggregate fair market value of $1,000. The value of the common or preferred stock held by a director is valued as of the date purchased or the date on which the individual became a director, whichever is greater.
Section 4. Organization Meeting. After each annual meeting of shareholders at which directors shall have been elected, the Board of Directors shall meet as soon as practicable for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business. Such first regular meeting shall be held at any place as may be designated by the chair, the president or the Board of Directors for such first regular meeting or, in default of such designation, where the immediately preceding meeting of shareholders was held.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such places as may be designated from time to time by the chair. No notice of regular meetings shall be necessary.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the chair, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the then- acting directors by vote at a meeting or in writing, or by a majority of the members of the executive committee, if one is constituted, by vote at a meeting or in writing. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, such meeting shall be held at such place as may be designated in the call. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be given notice stating the date, time and place, by letter, electronic delivery or in person, of each special meeting not less than one day before the meeting. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called, unless required by the Articles of Association or the bylaws.
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Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the entire Board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 11. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance. No director may vote by proxy.
Section 8. Attendance by Electronic, Telephonic or Similar Means. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a regular or special meeting of such board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all directors or committee members participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.
Section 9. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the Board of Directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 10. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the shareholders. Any director may be removed without cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the association entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the directors, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors may appoint a director to fill such vacancy until the next election at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 12. Consent of Directors without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board. The action may be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records. A director’s consent to action taken without a meeting may be in electronic form and delivered by electronic means.
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Section 13. Ratification. The board of directors may ratify and make binding on the association any action or inaction by the association or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter and as permitted by law. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee, which shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the association except as prohibited by law, the Articles of Association or these Bylaws. All acts done and powers conferred by the Executive Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Trust Audit Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the Board of Directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the Board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the association’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Section 3. Examining Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
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Section 4. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than three (3) directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more directors as alternative members of a committee. All acts done and powers conferred by the Board of Directors on committees of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under that authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Delegation of Responsibility and Authority. The responsibility, authority and constitution of any committee under this Article III may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted committee of the association’s parent corporation by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1 Officers. The Board of Directors shall annually, at the Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders, appoint or elect a chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a president, one (1) or more senior executive vice presidents, a corporate secretary, a treasurer, a chief auditor, and such other officers as it may determine, each to hold office until the next Annual Reorganization meeting.
The officers below the level of senior executive vice president may be elected as follows: the head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank, or his or her designee, may appoint officers up to and including (without limitation as to title or number) one (1) or more executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and assistant auditors, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate, except the chair of the board, chief executive officer, president, any “Executive Officer” of the association for the purposes of Regulation O (codified at 12 C.F.R. §215.2(e)(1)), and any “Senior Executive Officer” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. §5.51(c)(4) may only be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chair of the Board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. President. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. The president shall be a member of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the chair, the president shall preside at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these Bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Vice President. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. One vice president shall be designated by the Board of Directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The Board of Directors shall appoint a secretary or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the Board of Directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the Board of Directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chair of the Board, or the president. The Board of Directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The Board of Directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
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Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually, by facsimile process, or electronic means by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed and otherwise comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 52 and 12 C.F.R. §7.2016(b).
Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In case any certificate representing shares shall be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or any officer or officers thereunder duly authorized by the Board of Directors, may authorize the issue of a substitute certificate or substitute shares in uncertificated form in the place of the certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall be the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 10 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by any officer elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this Section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these Bylaws.
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Section 3. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and standing committees of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the association in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by
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or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under the Articles of Association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution- affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these Bylaws and (b) approval by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by shareholders. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the shareholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the Board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the Board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in the Articles of Association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these Bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these Bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
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The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s Articles of Association, these Bylaws, a resolution of shareholders, a resolution of the Board of Directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its Board of Directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these Bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution- affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The Board of Directors shall have the power, at any regular or special meeting thereof, to amend, alter or repeal the bylaws of the association, or to make and adopt new bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the shareholders of the association to the extent and as permitted in the Articles of Association or applicable law.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||||||
| Dated: December 19, 2024 | By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | ||||
| Name: Arlene Thelwell | ||||||
| Title: Vice President | ||||||
EXHIBIT 7
REPORT OF CONDITION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2024
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| ASSETS |
||||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
580,375 | |||
| Securities: |
5,855 | |||
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases held for sale: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: |
35,464 | |||
| Premises and fixed asset |
33,626 | |||
| Other real estate owned: |
367 | |||
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: |
0 | |||
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: |
0 | |||
| Intangible assets: |
0 | |||
| Other assets: |
61,565 | |||
| Total Assets: |
717,252 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| LIABILITIES |
||||
| Deposits |
5,846 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: |
0 | |||
| Other Liabilities: |
91,034 | |||
| Total Liabilities |
96,880 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| EQUITY CAPITAL |
||||
| Common Stock |
1,000 | |||
| Surplus |
351,424 | |||
| Retained Earnings |
268,127 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(179 | ) | ||
| Total Equity Capital |
620,372 | |||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
717,252 | |||
Exhibit 25.5
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
| ☐ | Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) |
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
Kyle Barry
Senior Vice President
Wilmington Trust Company
285 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 839-6909
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
APTIV CORPORATION1
| Delaware | 27-0791190 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC
125 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(917) 994-3932.
+41 52 580 96 005
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Senior Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| 1 | See Table of Additional Obligors |
TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
|
| ||||||
| Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter* | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number | |||
| Aptiv PLC |
Jersey | 3714 | 98-1824200 | |||
| Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited |
Jersey | 3714 | 98-1824378 | |||
| Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company |
Ireland | 3714 | N/A | |||
|
| ||||||
|
| ||||||
| • | The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each registrant’s principal executive offices is c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC, 125 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Tel. (917) 994-3932. |
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3 – 15. Not Applicable.
| ITEM 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. |
Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
| 1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association. |
| 2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4of this Form T-1. |
| 5. | Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of Wilmington Trust, National Association as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 of this Form T-1. |
| 7. | Current Report of the Condition of Wilmington Trust, National Association, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 of this Form T-1. |
| 8. | Not applicable. |
| 9. | Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 19th day of December, 2024.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | |
| Name: | Arlene Thelwell | |
| Title: | Vice President |
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| 1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
| 2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be
designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| 1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
| 2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
| 3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
| 4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
| 5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director’s removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association’s stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| 1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| 4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| 5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| 6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association’s management or committees of the board. |
| 7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
| 8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
| 9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
| 10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
| 11) | Make contracts. |
| 12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum
consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
(Effective as of March 7, 2024)
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated by the chair of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors for the purpose of the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, except such date shall not be a legal holiday in Delaware. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his or her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the Board of Directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. The chair of the Board of Directors, the president, the chief executive officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders. A special meeting shall be called to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The Board of Directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
Section 3. Adjournment. If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
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Section 4. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association, not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| (1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
| (2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
| (3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
| (4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
| (5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chair of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, all votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded.
Section 5. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. A director or an attorney of the association may act as proxy for shareholders voting if they are not also employed as an officer of the association. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
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ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof. The Board of Directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which: (a) exceeds by more than 2 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or (b) exceeds by more than 4 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit.
Section 3. Qualifications. Each director must be a citizen of the United States and must own in his or her own right either shares of the capital stock of the association or a company that controls the association that has not less than an aggregate par value of $1,000, an aggregate shareholders’ equity of $1,000, or an aggregate fair market value of $1,000. The value of the common or preferred stock held by a director is valued as of the date purchased or the date on which the individual became a director, whichever is greater.
Section 4. Organization Meeting. After each annual meeting of shareholders at which directors shall have been elected, the Board of Directors shall meet as soon as practicable for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business. Such first regular meeting shall be held at any place as may be designated by the chair, the president or the Board of Directors for such first regular meeting or, in default of such designation, where the immediately preceding meeting of shareholders was held.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such places as may be designated from time to time by the chair. No notice of regular meetings shall be necessary.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the chair, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the then- acting directors by vote at a meeting or in writing, or by a majority of the members of the executive committee, if one is constituted, by vote at a meeting or in writing. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, such meeting shall be held at such place as may be designated in the call. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be given notice stating the date, time and place, by letter, electronic delivery or in person, of each special meeting not less than one day before the meeting. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called, unless required by the Articles of Association or the bylaws.
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Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the entire Board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 11. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance. No director may vote by proxy.
Section 8. Attendance by Electronic, Telephonic or Similar Means. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a regular or special meeting of such board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all directors or committee members participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.
Section 9. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the Board of Directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 10. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the shareholders. Any director may be removed without cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the association entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the directors, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors may appoint a director to fill such vacancy until the next election at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 12. Consent of Directors without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board. The action may be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records. A director’s consent to action taken without a meeting may be in electronic form and delivered by electronic means.
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Section 13. Ratification. The board of directors may ratify and make binding on the association any action or inaction by the association or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter and as permitted by law. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee, which shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the association except as prohibited by law, the Articles of Association or these Bylaws. All acts done and powers conferred by the Executive Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Trust Audit Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the Board of Directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the Board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the association’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Section 3. Examining Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
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Section 4. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than three (3) directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more directors as alternative members of a committee. All acts done and powers conferred by the Board of Directors on committees of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under that authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Delegation of Responsibility and Authority. The responsibility, authority and constitution of any committee under this Article III may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted committee of the association’s parent corporation by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1 Officers. The Board of Directors shall annually, at the Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders, appoint or elect a chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a president, one (1) or more senior executive vice presidents, a corporate secretary, a treasurer, a chief auditor, and such other officers as it may determine, each to hold office until the next Annual Reorganization meeting.
The officers below the level of senior executive vice president may be elected as follows: the head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank, or his or her designee, may appoint officers up to and including (without limitation as to title or number) one (1) or more executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and assistant auditors, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate, except the chair of the board, chief executive officer, president, any “Executive Officer” of the association for the purposes of Regulation O (codified at 12 C.F.R. §215.2(e)(1)), and any “Senior Executive Officer” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. §5.51(c)(4) may only be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chair of the Board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. President. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. The president shall be a member of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the chair, the president shall preside at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these Bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Vice President. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. One vice president shall be designated by the Board of Directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The Board of Directors shall appoint a secretary or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the Board of Directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the Board of Directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chair of the Board, or the president. The Board of Directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The Board of Directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
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Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually, by facsimile process, or electronic means by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed and otherwise comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 52 and 12 C.F.R. §7.2016(b).
Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In case any certificate representing shares shall be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or any officer or officers thereunder duly authorized by the Board of Directors, may authorize the issue of a substitute certificate or substitute shares in uncertificated form in the place of the certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall be the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 10 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by any officer elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this Section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these Bylaws.
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Section 3. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and standing committees of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the association in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by
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or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under the Articles of Association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution- affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these Bylaws and (b) approval by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by shareholders. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the shareholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the Board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the Board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in the Articles of Association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these Bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these Bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
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The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s Articles of Association, these Bylaws, a resolution of shareholders, a resolution of the Board of Directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its Board of Directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these Bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution- affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The Board of Directors shall have the power, at any regular or special meeting thereof, to amend, alter or repeal the bylaws of the association, or to make and adopt new bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the shareholders of the association to the extent and as permitted in the Articles of Association or applicable law.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||||||
| Dated: December 19, 2024 | By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | ||||
| Name: Arlene Thelwell | ||||||
| Title: Vice President | ||||||
EXHIBIT 7
REPORT OF CONDITION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2024
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| ASSETS |
||||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
580,375 | |||
| Securities: |
5,855 | |||
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases held for sale: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: |
35,464 | |||
| Premises and fixed asset |
33,626 | |||
| Other real estate owned: |
367 | |||
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: |
0 | |||
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: |
0 | |||
| Intangible assets: |
0 | |||
| Other assets: |
61,565 | |||
| Total Assets: |
717,252 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| LIABILITIES |
||||
| Deposits |
5,846 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: |
0 | |||
| Other Liabilities: |
91,034 | |||
| Total Liabilities |
96,880 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| EQUITY CAPITAL |
||||
| Common Stock |
1,000 | |||
| Surplus |
351,424 | |||
| Retained Earnings |
268,127 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(179 | ) | ||
| Total Equity Capital |
620,372 | |||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
717,252 | |||
Exhibit 25.6
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
| ☐ | Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) |
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
Kyle Barry
Senior Vice President
Wilmington Trust Company
285 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 839-6909
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
APTIV CORPORATION1
| Delaware | 27-0791190 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC
125 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(917) 994-3932.
+41 52 580 96 005
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Subordinated Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| 1 | See Table of Additional Obligors |
TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
|
| ||||||
| Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter* | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number | |||
| Aptiv PLC |
Jersey | 3714 | 98-1824200 | |||
| Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited |
Jersey | 3714 | 98-1824378 | |||
| Aptiv Global Financing Designated Activity Company |
Ireland | 3714 | N/A | |||
|
| ||||||
|
| ||||||
| • | The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each registrant’s principal executive offices is c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC, 125 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Tel. (917) 994-3932. |
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3 – 15. Not Applicable.
| ITEM 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. |
Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
| 1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association. |
| 2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4of this Form T-1. |
| 5. | Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of Wilmington Trust, National Association as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 of this Form T-1. |
| 7. | Current Report of the Condition of Wilmington Trust, National Association, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 of this Form T-1. |
| 8. | Not applicable. |
| 9. | Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 19th day of December, 2024.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | |
| Name: | Arlene Thelwell | |
| Title: | Vice President |
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| 1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
| 2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be
designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| 1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
| 2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
| 3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
| 4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
| 5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director’s removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association’s stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| 1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| 4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| 5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| 6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association’s management or committees of the board. |
| 7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
| 8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
| 9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
| 10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
| 11) | Make contracts. |
| 12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum
consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
(Effective as of March 7, 2024)
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated by the chair of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors for the purpose of the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, except such date shall not be a legal holiday in Delaware. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his or her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the Board of Directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. The chair of the Board of Directors, the president, the chief executive officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders. A special meeting shall be called to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The Board of Directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
Section 3. Adjournment. If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
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Section 4. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association, not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| (1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
| (2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
| (3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
| (4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
| (5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chair of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, all votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded.
Section 5. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. A director or an attorney of the association may act as proxy for shareholders voting if they are not also employed as an officer of the association. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
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ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof. The Board of Directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which: (a) exceeds by more than 2 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or (b) exceeds by more than 4 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit.
Section 3. Qualifications. Each director must be a citizen of the United States and must own in his or her own right either shares of the capital stock of the association or a company that controls the association that has not less than an aggregate par value of $1,000, an aggregate shareholders’ equity of $1,000, or an aggregate fair market value of $1,000. The value of the common or preferred stock held by a director is valued as of the date purchased or the date on which the individual became a director, whichever is greater.
Section 4. Organization Meeting. After each annual meeting of shareholders at which directors shall have been elected, the Board of Directors shall meet as soon as practicable for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business. Such first regular meeting shall be held at any place as may be designated by the chair, the president or the Board of Directors for such first regular meeting or, in default of such designation, where the immediately preceding meeting of shareholders was held.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such places as may be designated from time to time by the chair. No notice of regular meetings shall be necessary.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the chair, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the then- acting directors by vote at a meeting or in writing, or by a majority of the members of the executive committee, if one is constituted, by vote at a meeting or in writing. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, such meeting shall be held at such place as may be designated in the call. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be given notice stating the date, time and place, by letter, electronic delivery or in person, of each special meeting not less than one day before the meeting. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called, unless required by the Articles of Association or the bylaws.
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Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the entire Board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 11. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance. No director may vote by proxy.
Section 8. Attendance by Electronic, Telephonic or Similar Means. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a regular or special meeting of such board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all directors or committee members participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.
Section 9. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the Board of Directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 10. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the shareholders. Any director may be removed without cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the association entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the directors, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors may appoint a director to fill such vacancy until the next election at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 12. Consent of Directors without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board. The action may be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records. A director’s consent to action taken without a meeting may be in electronic form and delivered by electronic means.
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Section 13. Ratification. The board of directors may ratify and make binding on the association any action or inaction by the association or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter and as permitted by law. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee, which shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the association except as prohibited by law, the Articles of Association or these Bylaws. All acts done and powers conferred by the Executive Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Trust Audit Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the Board of Directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the Board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the association’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Section 3. Examining Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
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Section 4. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than three (3) directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more directors as alternative members of a committee. All acts done and powers conferred by the Board of Directors on committees of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under that authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Delegation of Responsibility and Authority. The responsibility, authority and constitution of any committee under this Article III may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted committee of the association’s parent corporation by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1 Officers. The Board of Directors shall annually, at the Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders, appoint or elect a chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a president, one (1) or more senior executive vice presidents, a corporate secretary, a treasurer, a chief auditor, and such other officers as it may determine, each to hold office until the next Annual Reorganization meeting.
The officers below the level of senior executive vice president may be elected as follows: the head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank, or his or her designee, may appoint officers up to and including (without limitation as to title or number) one (1) or more executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and assistant auditors, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate, except the chair of the board, chief executive officer, president, any “Executive Officer” of the association for the purposes of Regulation O (codified at 12 C.F.R. §215.2(e)(1)), and any “Senior Executive Officer” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. §5.51(c)(4) may only be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chair of the Board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. President. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. The president shall be a member of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the chair, the president shall preside at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these Bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Vice President. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. One vice president shall be designated by the Board of Directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The Board of Directors shall appoint a secretary or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the Board of Directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the Board of Directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chair of the Board, or the president. The Board of Directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The Board of Directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
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Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually, by facsimile process, or electronic means by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed and otherwise comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 52 and 12 C.F.R. §7.2016(b).
Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In case any certificate representing shares shall be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or any officer or officers thereunder duly authorized by the Board of Directors, may authorize the issue of a substitute certificate or substitute shares in uncertificated form in the place of the certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall be the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 10 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by any officer elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this Section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these Bylaws.
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Section 3. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and standing committees of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the association in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by
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or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under the Articles of Association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution- affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these Bylaws and (b) approval by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by shareholders. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the shareholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the Board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the Board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in the Articles of Association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these Bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these Bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
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The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s Articles of Association, these Bylaws, a resolution of shareholders, a resolution of the Board of Directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its Board of Directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these Bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution- affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The Board of Directors shall have the power, at any regular or special meeting thereof, to amend, alter or repeal the bylaws of the association, or to make and adopt new bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the shareholders of the association to the extent and as permitted in the Articles of Association or applicable law.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||||||
| Dated: December 19, 2024 | By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | ||||
| Name: Arlene Thelwell | ||||||
| Title: Vice President | ||||||
EXHIBIT 7
REPORT OF CONDITION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2024
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| ASSETS |
||||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
580,375 | |||
| Securities: |
5,855 | |||
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases held for sale: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: |
35,464 | |||
| Premises and fixed asset |
33,626 | |||
| Other real estate owned: |
367 | |||
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: |
0 | |||
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: |
0 | |||
| Intangible assets: |
0 | |||
| Other assets: |
61,565 | |||
| Total Assets: |
717,252 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| LIABILITIES |
||||
| Deposits |
5,846 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: |
0 | |||
| Other Liabilities: |
91,034 | |||
| Total Liabilities |
96,880 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| EQUITY CAPITAL |
||||
| Common Stock |
1,000 | |||
| Surplus |
351,424 | |||
| Retained Earnings |
268,127 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(179 | ) | ||
| Total Equity Capital |
620,372 | |||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
717,252 | |||
Exhibit 25.7
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
| ☐ | Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) |
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
Kyle Barry
Senior Vice President
Wilmington Trust Company
285 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 839-6909
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
APTIV GLOBAL FINANCING DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY1
| Ireland | N/A | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
5 Hanover Quay
Grand Canal Dock
Dublin 2, Ireland
353-1-259-7013
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Senior Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| 1 | See Table of Additional Obligors |
TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
|
| ||||||
| Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter* | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number | |||
| Aptiv PLC |
Jersey | 3714 | 98-1824200 | |||
| Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited |
Jersey | 3714 | 98-1824378 | |||
| Aptiv Corporation |
Delaware | 3714 | 27-0791190 | |||
|
| ||||||
|
| ||||||
| • | The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each registrant’s principal executive offices is c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC, 125 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Tel. (917) 994-3932. |
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3 – 15. Not Applicable.
| ITEM 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. |
Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
| 1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association. |
| 2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4of this Form T-1. |
| 5. | Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of Wilmington Trust, National Association as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 of this Form T-1. |
| 7. | Current Report of the Condition of Wilmington Trust, National Association, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 of this Form T-1. |
| 8. | Not applicable. |
| 9. | Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 19th day of December, 2024.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | |
| Name: | Arlene Thelwell | |
| Title: | Vice President |
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| 1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
| 2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be
designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| 1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
| 2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
| 3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
| 4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
| 5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director’s removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association’s stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| 1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| 4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| 5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| 6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association’s management or committees of the board. |
| 7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
| 8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
| 9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
| 10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
| 11) | Make contracts. |
| 12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum
consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
(Effective as of March 7, 2024)
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated by the chair of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors for the purpose of the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, except such date shall not be a legal holiday in Delaware. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his or her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the Board of Directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. The chair of the Board of Directors, the president, the chief executive officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders. A special meeting shall be called to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The Board of Directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
Section 3. Adjournment. If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
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Section 4. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association, not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| (1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
| (2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
| (3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
| (4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
| (5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chair of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, all votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded.
Section 5. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. A director or an attorney of the association may act as proxy for shareholders voting if they are not also employed as an officer of the association. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
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ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof. The Board of Directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which: (a) exceeds by more than 2 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or (b) exceeds by more than 4 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit.
Section 3. Qualifications. Each director must be a citizen of the United States and must own in his or her own right either shares of the capital stock of the association or a company that controls the association that has not less than an aggregate par value of $1,000, an aggregate shareholders’ equity of $1,000, or an aggregate fair market value of $1,000. The value of the common or preferred stock held by a director is valued as of the date purchased or the date on which the individual became a director, whichever is greater.
Section 4. Organization Meeting. After each annual meeting of shareholders at which directors shall have been elected, the Board of Directors shall meet as soon as practicable for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business. Such first regular meeting shall be held at any place as may be designated by the chair, the president or the Board of Directors for such first regular meeting or, in default of such designation, where the immediately preceding meeting of shareholders was held.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such places as may be designated from time to time by the chair. No notice of regular meetings shall be necessary.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the chair, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the then- acting directors by vote at a meeting or in writing, or by a majority of the members of the executive committee, if one is constituted, by vote at a meeting or in writing. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, such meeting shall be held at such place as may be designated in the call. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be given notice stating the date, time and place, by letter, electronic delivery or in person, of each special meeting not less than one day before the meeting. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called, unless required by the Articles of Association or the bylaws.
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Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the entire Board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 11. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance. No director may vote by proxy.
Section 8. Attendance by Electronic, Telephonic or Similar Means. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a regular or special meeting of such board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all directors or committee members participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.
Section 9. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the Board of Directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 10. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the shareholders. Any director may be removed without cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the association entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the directors, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors may appoint a director to fill such vacancy until the next election at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 12. Consent of Directors without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board. The action may be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records. A director’s consent to action taken without a meeting may be in electronic form and delivered by electronic means.
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Section 13. Ratification. The board of directors may ratify and make binding on the association any action or inaction by the association or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter and as permitted by law. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee, which shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the association except as prohibited by law, the Articles of Association or these Bylaws. All acts done and powers conferred by the Executive Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Trust Audit Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the Board of Directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the Board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the association’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Section 3. Examining Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
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Section 4. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than three (3) directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more directors as alternative members of a committee. All acts done and powers conferred by the Board of Directors on committees of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under that authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Delegation of Responsibility and Authority. The responsibility, authority and constitution of any committee under this Article III may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted committee of the association’s parent corporation by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1 Officers. The Board of Directors shall annually, at the Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders, appoint or elect a chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a president, one (1) or more senior executive vice presidents, a corporate secretary, a treasurer, a chief auditor, and such other officers as it may determine, each to hold office until the next Annual Reorganization meeting.
The officers below the level of senior executive vice president may be elected as follows: the head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank, or his or her designee, may appoint officers up to and including (without limitation as to title or number) one (1) or more executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and assistant auditors, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate, except the chair of the board, chief executive officer, president, any “Executive Officer” of the association for the purposes of Regulation O (codified at 12 C.F.R. §215.2(e)(1)), and any “Senior Executive Officer” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. §5.51(c)(4) may only be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chair of the Board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. President. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. The president shall be a member of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the chair, the president shall preside at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these Bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Vice President. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. One vice president shall be designated by the Board of Directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The Board of Directors shall appoint a secretary or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the Board of Directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the Board of Directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chair of the Board, or the president. The Board of Directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The Board of Directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
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Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually, by facsimile process, or electronic means by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed and otherwise comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 52 and 12 C.F.R. §7.2016(b).
Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In case any certificate representing shares shall be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or any officer or officers thereunder duly authorized by the Board of Directors, may authorize the issue of a substitute certificate or substitute shares in uncertificated form in the place of the certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall be the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 10 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by any officer elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this Section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these Bylaws.
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Section 3. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and standing committees of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the association in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by
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or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under the Articles of Association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution- affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these Bylaws and (b) approval by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by shareholders. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the shareholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the Board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the Board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in the Articles of Association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these Bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these Bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
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The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s Articles of Association, these Bylaws, a resolution of shareholders, a resolution of the Board of Directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its Board of Directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these Bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution- affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The Board of Directors shall have the power, at any regular or special meeting thereof, to amend, alter or repeal the bylaws of the association, or to make and adopt new bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the shareholders of the association to the extent and as permitted in the Articles of Association or applicable law.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||||||
| Dated: December 19, 2024 | By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | ||||
| Name: Arlene Thelwell | ||||||
| Title: Vice President | ||||||
EXHIBIT 7
REPORT OF CONDITION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2024
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| ASSETS |
||||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
580,375 | |||
| Securities: |
5,855 | |||
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases held for sale: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: |
35,464 | |||
| Premises and fixed asset |
33,626 | |||
| Other real estate owned: |
367 | |||
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: |
0 | |||
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: |
0 | |||
| Intangible assets: |
0 | |||
| Other assets: |
61,565 | |||
| Total Assets: |
717,252 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| LIABILITIES |
||||
| Deposits |
5,846 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: |
0 | |||
| Other Liabilities: |
91,034 | |||
| Total Liabilities |
96,880 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| EQUITY CAPITAL |
||||
| Common Stock |
1,000 | |||
| Surplus |
351,424 | |||
| Retained Earnings |
268,127 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(179 | ) | ||
| Total Equity Capital |
620,372 | |||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
717,252 | |||
Exhibit 25.8
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
| ☐ | Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) |
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
Kyle Barry
Senior Vice President
Wilmington Trust Company
285 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 839-6909
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
APTIV GLOBAL FINANCING DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY1
| Ireland | N/A | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
5 Hanover Quay
Grand Canal Dock
Dublin 2, Ireland
353-1-259-7013
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Subordinated Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| 1 | See Table of Additional Obligors |
TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
|
| ||||||
| Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter* | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number | |||
| Aptiv PLC |
Jersey | 3714 | 98-1824200 | |||
| Aptiv Swiss Holdings Limited |
Jersey | 3714 | 98-1824378 | |||
| Aptiv Corporation |
Delaware | 3714 | 27-0791190 | |||
|
| ||||||
|
| ||||||
| • | The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each registrant’s principal executive offices is c/o Aptiv Services US, LLC, 125 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Tel. (917) 994-3932. |
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3 – 15. Not Applicable.
| ITEM 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. |
Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
| 1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association. |
| 2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4of this Form T-1. |
| 5. | Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of Wilmington Trust, National Association as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 of this Form T-1. |
| 7. | Current Report of the Condition of Wilmington Trust, National Association, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 of this Form T-1. |
| 8. | Not applicable. |
| 9. | Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of NewYork and State of New York on the 19th day of December, 2024.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | |
| Name: | Arlene Thelwell | |
| Title: | Vice President |
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| 1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
| 2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be
designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| 1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
| 2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
| 3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
| 4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
| 5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director’s removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association’s stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| 1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| 4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| 5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| 6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association’s management or committees of the board. |
| 7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
| 8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
| 9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
| 10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
| 11) | Make contracts. |
| 12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum
consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
(Effective as of March 7, 2024)
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated by the chair of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors for the purpose of the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, except such date shall not be a legal holiday in Delaware. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his or her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the Board of Directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. The chair of the Board of Directors, the president, the chief executive officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders. A special meeting shall be called to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The Board of Directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
Section 3. Adjournment. If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
- 1 -
Section 4. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association, not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| (1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
| (2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
| (3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
| (4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
| (5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chair of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, all votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded.
Section 5. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. A director or an attorney of the association may act as proxy for shareholders voting if they are not also employed as an officer of the association. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
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ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof. The Board of Directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which: (a) exceeds by more than 2 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or (b) exceeds by more than 4 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit.
Section 3. Qualifications. Each director must be a citizen of the United States and must own in his or her own right either shares of the capital stock of the association or a company that controls the association that has not less than an aggregate par value of $1,000, an aggregate shareholders’ equity of $1,000, or an aggregate fair market value of $1,000. The value of the common or preferred stock held by a director is valued as of the date purchased or the date on which the individual became a director, whichever is greater.
Section 4. Organization Meeting. After each annual meeting of shareholders at which directors shall have been elected, the Board of Directors shall meet as soon as practicable for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business. Such first regular meeting shall be held at any place as may be designated by the chair, the president or the Board of Directors for such first regular meeting or, in default of such designation, where the immediately preceding meeting of shareholders was held.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such places as may be designated from time to time by the chair. No notice of regular meetings shall be necessary.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the chair, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the then- acting directors by vote at a meeting or in writing, or by a majority of the members of the executive committee, if one is constituted, by vote at a meeting or in writing. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, such meeting shall be held at such place as may be designated in the call. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be given notice stating the date, time and place, by letter, electronic delivery or in person, of each special meeting not less than one day before the meeting. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called, unless required by the Articles of Association or the bylaws.
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Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the entire Board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 11. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance. No director may vote by proxy.
Section 8. Attendance by Electronic, Telephonic or Similar Means. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a regular or special meeting of such board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all directors or committee members participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.
Section 9. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the Board of Directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 10. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the shareholders. Any director may be removed without cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the association entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the directors, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors may appoint a director to fill such vacancy until the next election at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 12. Consent of Directors without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board. The action may be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records. A director’s consent to action taken without a meeting may be in electronic form and delivered by electronic means.
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Section 13. Ratification. The board of directors may ratify and make binding on the association any action or inaction by the association or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter and as permitted by law. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee, which shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the association except as prohibited by law, the Articles of Association or these Bylaws. All acts done and powers conferred by the Executive Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Trust Audit Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the Board of Directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the Board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the association’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Section 3. Examining Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
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Section 4. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than three (3) directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more directors as alternative members of a committee. All acts done and powers conferred by the Board of Directors on committees of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under that authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Delegation of Responsibility and Authority. The responsibility, authority and constitution of any committee under this Article III may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted committee of the association’s parent corporation by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1 Officers. The Board of Directors shall annually, at the Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders, appoint or elect a chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a president, one (1) or more senior executive vice presidents, a corporate secretary, a treasurer, a chief auditor, and such other officers as it may determine, each to hold office until the next Annual Reorganization meeting.
The officers below the level of senior executive vice president may be elected as follows: the head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank, or his or her designee, may appoint officers up to and including (without limitation as to title or number) one (1) or more executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and assistant auditors, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate, except the chair of the board, chief executive officer, president, any “Executive Officer” of the association for the purposes of Regulation O (codified at 12 C.F.R. §215.2(e)(1)), and any “Senior Executive Officer” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. §5.51(c)(4) may only be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chair of the Board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. President. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. The president shall be a member of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the chair, the president shall preside at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these Bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Vice President. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. One vice president shall be designated by the Board of Directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The Board of Directors shall appoint a secretary or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the Board of Directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the Board of Directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chair of the Board, or the president. The Board of Directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The Board of Directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
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Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually, by facsimile process, or electronic means by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed and otherwise comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 52 and 12 C.F.R. §7.2016(b).
Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In case any certificate representing shares shall be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or any officer or officers thereunder duly authorized by the Board of Directors, may authorize the issue of a substitute certificate or substitute shares in uncertificated form in the place of the certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall be the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 10 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by any officer elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this Section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these Bylaws.
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Section 3. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and standing committees of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the association in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by
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or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under the Articles of Association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution- affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these Bylaws and (b) approval by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by shareholders. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the shareholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the Board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the Board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in the Articles of Association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these Bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these Bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
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The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s Articles of Association, these Bylaws, a resolution of shareholders, a resolution of the Board of Directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its Board of Directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these Bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution- affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The Board of Directors shall have the power, at any regular or special meeting thereof, to amend, alter or repeal the bylaws of the association, or to make and adopt new bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the shareholders of the association to the extent and as permitted in the Articles of Association or applicable law.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||||||
| Dated: December 19, 2024 | By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | ||||
| Name: Arlene Thelwell | ||||||
| Title: Vice President | ||||||
EXHIBIT 7
REPORT OF CONDITION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2024
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| ASSETS |
||||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
580,375 | |||
| Securities: |
5,855 | |||
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases held for sale: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: |
35,464 | |||
| Premises and fixed asset |
33,626 | |||
| Other real estate owned: |
367 | |||
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: |
0 | |||
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: |
0 | |||
| Intangible assets: |
0 | |||
| Other assets: |
61,565 | |||
| Total Assets: |
717,252 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| LIABILITIES |
||||
| Deposits |
5,846 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: |
0 | |||
| Other Liabilities: |
91,034 | |||
| Total Liabilities |
96,880 | |||
| Thousands of Dollars |
||||
| EQUITY CAPITAL |
||||
| Common Stock |
1,000 | |||
| Surplus |
351,424 | |||
| Retained Earnings |
268,127 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(179 | ) | ||
| Total Equity Capital |
620,372 | |||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
717,252 | |||