Elevance Health, Inc S-3ASR, filed Oct 28, 2026
Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV)
Elevance Health registered an automatic shelf for future sales of senior and subordinated debt, preferred and common stock, depositary shares, warrants, rights, stock purchase contracts and units. Unless otherwise specified, net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. AI summary
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 28, 2026
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Elevance Health, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| Indiana | 35-2145715 | |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
220 Virginia Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(833) 401-1577
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Erin M. Wessling
Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
Elevance Health, Inc.
220 Virginia Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(833) 401-1577
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
With Copies to:
Les Reese
Catalina Parkinson
Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP
Columbia Square
555 Thirteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 637-5600
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 Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
Table of Contents
PROSPECTUS
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
PREFERRED STOCK
COMMON STOCK
DEPOSITARY SHARES
WARRANTS
RIGHTS
STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
We may offer and sell, from time to time, one or any combination of the securities we describe in this prospectus. The debt securities and our preferred stock we may offer may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities, or debt or equity securities of one or more other entities. When we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement describing the terms of the specific issue of securities including the offering price of the securities.
You should read this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to the specific issue of securities carefully before you invest.
We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ELV.” Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed, subject to notice of issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange. If we decide to list or seek a quotation for any other securities we may offer and sell from time to time, the prospectus supplement relating to those securities will disclose the exchange or market on which those securities will be listed or quoted.
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” on page 6 of this prospectus, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, before making a decision to invest in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is October 28, 2026.
Table of Contents
| Page | ||||
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | ||||
| 6 | ||||
| 7 | ||||
| 8 | ||||
| 21 | ||||
| 22 | ||||
| 26 | ||||
| 30 | ||||
| 31 | ||||
| DESCRIPTION OF THE STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS |
32 | |||
| 33 | ||||
| 35 | ||||
| 36 | ||||
i
Table of Contents
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer to sell any of the securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”
In this prospectus, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “Elevance Health” refer to Elevance Health, Inc.
1
Table of Contents
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect(s),” “feel(s),” “believe(s),” “will,” “may,” “anticipate(s),” “intend,” “estimate,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions; statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services; and statements regarding future performance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. You should carefully review the risks and information contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6 herein and incorporated by reference herein from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and other reports and information that we file from time to time in the future with the SEC. Except to the extent otherwise required by federal securities law, we do not undertake any obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
2
Table of Contents
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.
We also make available, free of charge, on or through our website (http://www.elevancehealth.com), our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Please note, however, that we have not incorporated any other information by reference from our website, other than the documents listed below under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all the information in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to a contract or other document of ours establishing the terms of the securities offered hereby, the reference is only a summary and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference herein through the SEC’s website listed above.
3
Table of Contents
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus information contained in documents that 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 in this prospectus the documents set forth below that have been previously filed with the SEC as well as any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering; provided however, that we are not incorporating any documents or information deemed to have been furnished rather than filed in accordance with SEC rules:
| (i) | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 27, 2026 incorporated by reference into the Annual Report; |
| (ii) | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026; |
| (iii) | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026; |
| (iv) | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2026; |
| (v) | our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on February 26, 2026 (other than Item 7.01), March 2, 2026, and May 13, 2026; and |
| (vi) | the description of our common stock contained in Exhibit 4.7 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and any amendment or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
Information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and may replace information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC.
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner of the securities offered by this prospectus, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the foregoing documents and any other documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement (other than exhibits to such information, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents). Requests for such documents should be directed to our principal executive office at the following address:
Elevance Health, Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
220 Virginia Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Telephone (833) 401-1577
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of these documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
4
Table of Contents
Elevance Health is a health company with the purpose of improving the health of humanity. We are one of the largest health insurers in the United States in terms of medical membership, serving approximately 44.9 million medical members through our affiliated health plans as of September 30, 2026. We offer a broad spectrum of network-based managed care risk-based plans to Individual, Employer Group, Medicaid and Medicare markets. In addition, we provide a broad array of managed care services to fee-based customers, including claims processing, stop loss insurance, care provider network access, medical management, care management, wellness programs, actuarial services and other administrative services. Across these markets, we generate revenue through risk-based premiums, administrative fees from self-funded employers and pharmacy and health service fees through our Carelon businesses. We provide services to the federal government in connection with our Federal Health Products & Services business, which administers the Federal Employee Program®. We provide an array of specialty services both to customers of our subsidiary health plans and to unaffiliated health plans, including pharmacy services, stop loss insurance, dental, vision and supplemental health insurance benefits, as well as integrated health services.
We are an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (“BCBSA”), an association of independent health benefit plans. We serve our members as the Blue Cross licensee for California and as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield (“BCBS”) licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (in the New York City metropolitan area and upstate New York), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.) and Wisconsin. In a majority of these service areas, we do business as Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. We also conduct business through arrangements with other BCBS licensees as well as other strategic partners. In addition, we serve members in numerous states as Wellpoint, Carelon, MMM and/or Simply Healthcare. We are licensed to conduct insurance operations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico through our subsidiaries.
Our portfolio consists of the following core go-to-market brands:
| • | Anthem Blue Cross/Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield - represents our Anthem-branded and affiliated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield licensed Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial Health Benefit plans; |
| • | Wellpoint - represents our Wellpoint branded Medicare, Medicaid and commercial Health Benefit plans and other non-BCBSA brands; and |
| • | Carelon – represents our healthcare related services and capabilities, including our CarelonRx and Carelon Services businesses. |
We report our results of our operations in the following four reportable segments: Health Benefits, CarelonRx, Carelon Services and Corporate & Other (our businesses that do not individually meet the quantitative thresholds for an operating segment, as well as corporate expenses not allocated to our other reportable segments).
Elevance Health is incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana. Our principal executive offices are located at 220 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 and our telephone number is (833) 401-1577. We maintain a website at www.elevancehealth.com where general information about us is available. We are not incorporating the contents of the website into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.
If you would like to find more information about us, please see the sections entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in this prospectus.
5
Table of Contents
Investing in our securities involves certain risks. Before acquiring any securities, you should carefully consider, among other things, the matters discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, which are incorporated by reference herein, the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act before making an investment decision.
6
Table of Contents
Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include but are not limited to the repayment of debt, investments in or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries, the financing of possible acquisitions or business expansion or the repurchase of shares of our common stock. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purposes.
7
Table of Contents
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
General
This section describes the general terms and provisions of the indentures and the debt securities we may offer by this prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the series of the debt securities then offered, and the terms and provisions described in this section will apply only to the extent not superseded by the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement. Because this is only a summary, it does not contain all of the details found in the full text of the indentures (as defined below) and the debt securities. We urge you to read carefully the full text of the indentures. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the indentures.
The debt securities offered by this prospectus will be direct obligations of Elevance Health and will be either senior or subordinated debt, which we refer to together as the debt securities. We will issue the debt securities pursuant to a senior note indenture to be entered into between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “senior note indenture”), or a subordinated note indenture to be entered into between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “subordinated note indenture”). The form of the senior note indenture and the form of the subordinated note indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and will be available for inspection as described in the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.” Senior debt will be issued under the senior note indenture and subordinated debt will be issued under the subordinated note indenture. The senior note indenture and the subordinated note indenture are sometimes referred to in this prospectus individually as an “indenture” and collectively as the “indentures.” The indentures will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The indentures provide that our debt securities may be issued in one or more series, with different terms, in each case as authorized from time to time by us. The indentures also give us the ability to reopen an existing series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series or establish additional terms for that series of debt securities. None of the indentures limits the amount of debt securities or other unsecured debt which we may issue.
In addition to the following description of the debt securities, you should refer to the detailed provisions of each indenture, forms of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
A prospectus supplement will specify the specific terms of any issue of debt securities we may offer, including, where applicable:
| • | the form and title of the series of debt securities; |
| • | the maximum aggregate principal amount, if any, established for debt securities of the series; provided, however, that such amount may from time to time be increased by a board resolution; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt; |
| • | the price or prices at which the debt securities will be sold; |
| • | the person to whom any interest on a debt security of the series will be payable, if other than the person in whose name that debt security (or one or more predecessor debt securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest; |
| • | the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on any debt securities of the series will be payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates; |
| • | the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable, or a combination thereof) at which any debt securities of the series will bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall |
8
Table of Contents
| be determined, the interest payment dates on which any such interest will be payable and the regular record date, if any, for any such interest payable on any interest payment date, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral; |
| • | the place or places where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any debt securities of the series will be payable, the place or places where the debt securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, the place or places where notices and demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities of such series may be made and the manner in which any payment may be made; |
| • | the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option and, if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by us to redeem the debt securities will be evidenced; |
| • | our obligation or right, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay any debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of the holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series will be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation or option; |
| • | if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any debt securities of the series will be issuable; |
| • | if other than the trustee, the identity of each security registrar and/or paying agent; |
| • | if the amount of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to a financial or economic measure or index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined; |
| • | if other than U.S. dollars, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series shall be denominated, payable, redeemable or purchasable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. dollars for any purpose; |
| • | if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series is to be payable, redeemable or purchasable, at our election or the election of the holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such debt securities are stated to be payable, redeemable or purchasable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such debt securities as to which such election is made will be payable, redeemable or purchasable, the periods within which or the dates on which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable, redeemable or purchasable (or the manner in which such amount will be determined); |
| • | if the provisions of the indenture relating to satisfaction and discharge thereof shall not apply to the debt securities of that series as set forth therein, or if provisions for the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture other than as set forth therein shall apply to the debt securities of that series; |
| • | if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any debt securities of the series which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the indenture or the method by which such portion shall be determined; |
| • | if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any debt securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount of such debt securities as of any such date for any purpose under such debt securities or the indenture, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon |
9
Table of Contents
| any maturity other than the stated maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any date prior to the stated maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount will be determined); |
| • | if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by us to defease any debt securities of the series pursuant to the indenture will be evidenced; whether any debt securities of the series other than debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate are to be subject to the defeasance provisions of the indenture; or, in the case of debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate, if applicable, that the debt securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, will not be defeasible pursuant to the indenture; |
| • | if applicable, that any debt securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and, in such case, the respective depositaries for such global securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such global security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in the indenture and any circumstances in which any such global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and any transfer of such global security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of persons other than the depositary for such global security or a nominee thereof; |
| • | any deletion from, addition to or change in the events of default applicable to any debt securities of the series and any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of such debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable; |
| • | any addition to, deletion from or change in the covenants applicable to debt securities of the series or in any defined term used in the indenture; |
| • | the terms of any right to convert or exchange debt securities of such series into any other securities or property of ours or of any other corporation or person, and the additions or changes, if any, to the indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange; |
| • | whether the debt securities of the series will be guaranteed by any persons and, if so, the identity of such persons, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective guarantors; |
| • | whether the debt securities of the series will be secured by any collateral and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be secured and, if applicable, upon which such liens may be subordinated to other liens securing other indebtedness of us or of any guarantor; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be issued in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act, and any restriction or condition on the transferability of the debt securities of such series; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be issued pursuant to a periodic offering program; |
| • | the exchanges, if any, on which the debt securities may be listed; and |
| • | any and all other terms with respect to the debt securities of the series, including, but not limited to, any terms that may be required by or advisable under U.S. laws or regulations or otherwise included in connection with the marketing of the debt securities of that series. |
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Elevance Health. The subordinated debt securities will rank subordinated and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the subordinated note indenture, to all Senior Debt, as defined herein, of Elevance Health. See “Subordination” below.
Some of the debt securities may be issued as discounted debt securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. The prospectus supplement will contain any United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to discounted debt securities.
10
Table of Contents
Payment and Transfer
Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will issue debt securities only as registered securities, which means that the name of the holder will be entered in a register, which will be kept by the trustee or another agent of ours. Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will make principal and interest payments at the office of the paying agent or agents we name in the prospectus supplement or by mailing a check to you at the address we have for you in the register.
Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, you will be able to transfer registered debt securities at the office of the transfer agent or agents we name in the prospectus supplement. You may also exchange registered debt securities at the office of the transfer agent for an equal aggregate principal amount of registered debt securities of the same series having the same maturity date, interest rate and other terms as long as the debt securities are issued in authorized denominations.
Neither we nor the trustee will impose any service charge for any transfer or exchange of a debt security; however, we may ask you to pay any taxes or other governmental charges in connection with a transfer or exchange of debt securities.
If the debt securities are redeemable and we redeem less than all of the debt securities of a particular series, we may block the transfer or exchange of debt securities during a specified period of time in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the transmission. The period begins 15 days before the day we send the notice of redemption and ends on the day such notice is sent. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of debt securities selected for redemption. However, we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security being partially redeemed.
Global Notes, Delivery and Form
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered Global Notes, as defined below, that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, referred to herein as the Depository, and registered in the name of the Depository’s nominee. A Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depository or to a successor of the Depository or its nominee. Global Notes are not exchangeable for definitive note certificates except in the specific circumstances described below. For purposes of this prospectus, “Global Note” refers to the Global Note or Global Notes representing an entire issue of debt securities.
The Depository has advised us as follows:
| • | The Depository is: |
| • | a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York; |
| • | a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York banking law; |
| • | a member of the Federal Reserve System; |
| • | a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and |
| • | a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. |
| • | The Depository was created to hold securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants through electronic book entry changes in accounts of its participants, eliminating the need for physical movements of securities certificates. |
| • | The Depository participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and others, some of whom own the Depository. |
| • | Access to the Depository book-entry system is also available to others that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. |
11
Table of Contents
| • | Where we issue a Global Note in connection with the sale thereof to an underwriter or underwriters, the Depository will immediately credit the accounts of participants designated by the underwriter or underwriters with the principal amount of the debt securities purchased by the underwriter or underwriters. |
| • | Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be shown on, and the transfers of ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depository (with respect to participants), by the participants (with respect to indirect participants and certain beneficial owners) and by the indirect participants (with respect to all other beneficial owners). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery in definitive form of securities they purchase. These laws may limit your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note. |
So long as a nominee of the Depository is the registered owner of a Global Note, that nominee for all purposes will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities under the applicable indenture. Except as provided below, you will not be entitled to have debt securities registered in your name, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in definitive form, and will not be considered the owner or holder thereof under the applicable indenture.
We will make payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on debt securities represented by a Global Note to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the Global Note representing those debt securities. The Depository has advised us that, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, or interest on, a Global Note, the Depository will immediately credit accounts of participants with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of that Global Note, as shown in the records of the Depository. Standing instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note held through those participants, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name”. Those payments will be the sole responsibility of those participants, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements that may be in effect from time to time.
Neither we, the trustee nor any of our respective agents will be responsible in any respect for actions or inactions of the Depository, any nominee or any participant relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the records of the Depository, any nominee or any participant relating to those beneficial interests.
We will issue debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a Global Note only in the following situations:
| • | if the Depository is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository, and a successor depository is not appointed by us within 120 days; |
| • | if we choose to issue definitive debt securities; or |
| • | if there is an Event of Default (as described herein) and there is a request from the Depository or any holder of the debt securities to issue definitive debt securities. |
In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Note will be entitled to have debt securities equal in principal amount to that beneficial interest registered in its name and will be entitled to physical delivery of debt securities in definitive form. Debt securities in definitive form will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof and will be issued in registered form only, without coupons. We will maintain one or more offices or agencies where debt securities may be presented for payment and may be transferred or exchanged. You will not be charged a fee for any transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
12
Table of Contents
Mergers and Similar Events
We are generally permitted to consolidate with or merge into any other person. In this section, “person” refers to any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision of a government or governmental agency. We are also permitted to sell substantially all of our assets to any other person, or to buy substantially all of the assets of any other person. However, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:
| • | Where we merge out of existence or sell all or substantially all of our assets, the other person must be a corporation organized under the laws of a state or the District of Columbia or under federal law and it must agree to be legally responsible for the outstanding debt securities issued under the indentures. Upon assumption of our obligations by such a person in such circumstances, we shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the indentures and the debt securities. |
| • | The merger, sale of all or substantially all of our assets or other transaction must not cause a default on the debt securities, and we must not already be in default unless the merger or other transaction would cure the default. For purposes of this no-default test, a default would include an Event of Default that has occurred and not been cured, as described below under “Events of Default.” A default for this purpose would also include any event that would be an Event of Default if we received the required notice of our default or if under the indentures the default would become an Event of Default after existing for a specified period of time. |
| • | We have delivered an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that the transaction and any supplemental indenture required in connection therewith comply with the requirements of the applicable indenture. |
Modification and Waiver
There are three types of changes we can make to the indentures and the debt securities.
Changes Requiring Your Approval. First, there are changes that cannot be made to your debt securities without your specific approval. The following is a list of those types of changes:
| • | change the stated maturity of the principal or interest on a debt security; |
| • | reduce any amounts due on a debt security; |
| • | reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of the debt securities or change the date on which any debt securities may or must be redeemed; |
| • | change the place or currency of payment for a debt security; |
| • | impair your right to sue for payment; |
| • | reduce the percentage in principal amount of the debt securities, the approval of whose holders is needed to modify or amend the applicable indenture or the debt securities; |
| • | reduce the percentage in principal amount of the debt securities, the approval of whose holders is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or to waive certain defaults; |
| • | modify any other aspect of the provisions dealing with modification and waiver of the applicable indenture, except to increase the percentage required for any modification or to provide that other provisions of such indenture may not be modified or waived without your consent; and |
| • | if the debt securities are convertible, make any change that adversely affects in any material respect the terms of conversion of such debt securities unless such change is permitted by the terms of such debt securities. |
13
Table of Contents
Changes Not Requiring Approval. The second type of change does not require any vote by holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to corrections and clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the debt securities. The following is a non-exhaustive list of those types of changes:
| • | evidence the succession of another person to the Company; |
| • | add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred on us; |
| • | add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities; |
| • | add one or more guarantees for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities or to release guarantors in accordance with the provisions of the indentures or any supplemental indenture; |
| • | secure the debt securities; |
| • | appoint a successor trustee or revise any provisions of the indentures necessary to administer the trusts under the indentures; |
| • | provide for the issuance of additional debt securities of any series; |
| • | establish the form or terms of any additional debt securities issued; |
| • | to comply with the rules of any applicable Depository; |
| • | alter any provisions of the indentures necessary to permit the issuance of debt securities in bearer form; |
| • | modify any provisions with regard to all or any series of the debt securities that affect only debt securities to be issued under the applicable indenture after the changes take effect; |
| • | cure any ambiguity or mistakes in the indentures or the debt securities; |
| • | change any other provision under the indentures that does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities; |
| • | supplement the indentures in order to permit the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities in any manner that does not adversely affect the interest of the holders of the debt securities; |
| • | to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the debt securities may be listed or traded; |
| • | to comply with the rules of any applicable Depository or SEC requirements ; and |
| • | to conform any provision of the indentures, any supplemental indenture, one or more series of debt securities or any related guarantees or security documents, if any, to the description of such debt securities contained in our prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or similar document with respect to the offering of the securities of such series. |
Changes Requiring a Majority Vote. Any other change to the applicable indenture and the debt securities would require the following approval:
| • | If the change affects only debt securities of one series, it must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series. |
| • | If the change affects the debt securities of one series as well as the debt securities of one or more other series issued under the applicable indenture, it must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of each series affected by the change. In each case, the required approval must be given by written consent. Most changes fall into this category. |
The same vote would be required for us to obtain a waiver of a past default. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or any other aspect of the applicable indenture or the debt securities listed in the first category described previously under “Changes Requiring Your Approval” unless we obtain your individual consent to the waiver.
14
Table of Contents
Further Details Concerning Voting. Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust for you money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under “Defeasance-Full Defeasance.”
We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding debt securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the applicable indenture, but we have no obligation to do so. In certain limited circumstances, the trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If we or the trustee set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of debt securities, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding debt securities on the record date and must be taken within 180 days following the record date or another period that we may specify (or as the trustee may specify, if it set the record date). We may shorten or lengthen (but not beyond 180 days) this period from time to time.
Conversion and Exchange Rights
The debt securities of any series may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities of Elevance Health or another issuer or property or cash on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
In particular, the prospectus supplement will specify:
| • | the type of securities into which the debt security may be converted or exchanged; |
| • | the conversion price or exchange ratio, and its method of calculation; |
| • | whether conversion or exchange is mandatory or at your election; and |
| • | how the conversion price or exchange ratio may be adjusted if our debt securities are redeemed. |
Defeasance
The indentures include provisions allowing defeasance of the debt securities, which means that we may discharge our entire indebtedness under the indentures, if specific acts are performed. The indentures provide for full defeasance and covenant defeasance, as further described below.
Full Defeasance. If there is a change in U.S. federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on the debt securities, which we refer to as a full defeasance, if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:
| • | We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the debt securities of the same series money or U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds, or a combination thereof, that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal, any premium and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates. |
| • | There must be a change in current U.S. federal tax law or an Internal Revenue Service ruling that lets us make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and instead repaid the debt securities ourselves when due. Under current U.S. federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we took back your debt securities and gave you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you could recognize gain or loss on the debt securities you give back to us. |
| • | We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming the tax law change described above. |
15
Table of Contents
If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever become bankrupt or insolvent.
In addition, the subordinated note indenture provides that if we choose to have the defeasance and discharge provision applied to the subordinated debt securities, the subordination provisions of the subordinated note indenture will become ineffective upon full defeasance of the subordinated debt securities.
However, even if we make the deposit in trust and opinion delivery arrangements discussed above, a number of our obligations relating to the debt securities will remain. These include our obligations:
| • | to register the transfer and exchange of debt securities; |
| • | to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities; |
| • | to maintain paying agencies; and |
| • | to hold money for payment in trust. |
Covenant Defeasance. Under current U.S. federal tax law, we can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from some of the covenants in the debt securities, which we refer to as covenant defeasance. In that event, you would lose the protection of those covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
| • | We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the debt securities of the same series money or U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds, or a combination thereof, that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal, any premium and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates. |
| • | We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that under current U.S. federal income tax law we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and instead repaid the debt securities ourselves when due. |
If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit. In fact, if one of the Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.
Satisfaction and Discharge
The indentures will cease to be of further effect and the trustee, upon our demand and at our expense, will execute appropriate instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of the applicable indenture upon compliance with certain conditions, including:
| • | Our having paid or otherwise made provision for the payment of all sums payable by us under the applicable indenture, as and when the same shall be due and payable. |
| • | Our having delivered to the trustee as cancelled or for cancellation all debt securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under the applicable indenture; or, all debt securities of any series outstanding under the applicable indenture not theretofore delivered to the trustee as cancelled or for cancellation shall have become due and payable or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year and we shall have deposited with the trustee sufficient cash or U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to pay, at maturity or upon redemption, all such debt securities of any series outstanding under the applicable indenture. |
16
Table of Contents
| • | Our having delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that these conditions have been satisfied. |
Highly Leveraged Transaction
The general provisions of the indentures do not afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or other transaction involving us that may adversely affect holders of the debt securities.
Subordination
Any subordinated debt securities issued under the subordinated note indenture will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our Senior Debt (including all debt securities issued under the senior note indenture) whether existing at the date of the subordinated note indenture or subsequently incurred. Upon any payment or distribution of our assets to creditors upon any:
| • | liquidation; |
| • | dissolution; |
| • | winding-up; |
| • | receivership; |
| • | reorganization; |
| • | assignment for the benefit of creditors; |
| • | marshaling of assets and liabilities; |
| • | bankruptcy; |
| • | insolvency; or |
| • | debt restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding, |
the holders of Senior Debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Senior Debt before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities.
Upon the acceleration of the maturity of any subordinated debt securities, the holders of all Senior Debt outstanding at the time of the acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon, including any amounts due upon acceleration, before the holders of subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities.
No payments on account of principal, or any premium or interest, in respect of the subordinated debt securities may be made if:
| • | there has occurred and is continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior Debt; or |
| • | there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default with respect to any Senior Debt resulting in the acceleration of, or permitting the holder or holders thereof to accelerate, the maturity thereof. |
“Senior Debt” means the principal of, and any premium and interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to us, whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) on our Debt, whether incurred on, before or after the date of the subordinated note indenture, unless the instrument creating or evidencing the Debt or under which the Debt is outstanding provides that obligations created by it are not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities.
17
Table of Contents
“Debt” means, with respect to any person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of that person and whether or not contingent:
| • | every obligation of that person for money borrowed; |
| • | every obligation of that person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses; |
| • | every reimbursement obligation of that person with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of that person; |
| • | every obligation of that person incurred in connection with the acquisition of property or services, but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business; |
| • | every capital lease obligation of that person; and |
| • | every obligation of the type referred to above of another person and all dividends of another person the payment of which, in either case, such person has guaranteed or for which such person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise. |
The indentures will place no limitation on the amount of additional Senior Debt that we may incur.
Events of Default
Each indenture defines an Event of Default with respect to any series of debt securities. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, Events of Default are any of the following:
| • | Default in the payment of any interest on a debt security within 30 days of its due date. |
| • | Default in the payment of the principal or any premium on a debt security on its due date. |
| • | Default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due. |
| • | Default in the performance, or breach, of any other term of the applicable indenture for 90 days after we receive a notice of default stating we are in breach. The notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of 25% of the principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series. |
| • | We file for bankruptcy or certain other events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur. |
An Event of Default under one series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default under any other series of debt securities. Any indenture that governs the debt securities covered by this prospectus may require that the trustee under such indenture shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default, give to holders of debt securities of any series notice of all uncured and unwaived defaults with respect to such series known to it. However, in the case of a default that results from the failure to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities of any series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to debt securities of such series, if any, the trustee may withhold such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of debt securities of such series. Any terms and provisions relating to the foregoing types of provisions will be described in further detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Remedies If an Event of Default Occurs. Any indenture that governs the debt securities covered by this prospectus will provide that if an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured, the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. If an Event of Default occurs because of certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of all the debt securities will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the trustee or any holder. Upon payment of such amount, all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of
18
Table of Contents
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the securities of such series shall terminate. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be cancelled by the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series if certain conditions are satisfied.
Any indenture that governs the debt securities covered by this prospectus will contain a provision entitling the trustee to be indemnified by holders of debt securities before proceeding to exercise any trust or power under the indenture at the request of such holders. Any such indenture may provide that the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series. However, the trustee under any such indenture may decline to follow any such direction if, among other reasons, the trustee determines in good faith that the actions or proceedings as directed may not lawfully be taken, would involve the trustee in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to the holders of the debt securities of such series not joining in such direction.
Any indenture that governs the debt securities covered by this prospectus may endow the holders of such debt securities to institute a proceeding with respect to such indenture, subject to certain conditions, which will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and which may include that the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding make a written request upon the trustee to exercise its power under the indenture, indemnify the trustee and afford the trustee reasonable opportunity to act. Even so, such holders may have an absolute right to receipt of the principal of or premium, if any, and interest on such debt securities when due, to require conversion or exchange of debt securities if such indenture provides for convertibility or exchangeability at the option of the holder and to institute suit for the enforcement of such rights. Any terms and provisions relating to the foregoing types of provisions will be described in further detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We will furnish to the trustee every year a written statement of one of our officers certifying that to such officer’s knowledge we are in compliance with the indentures and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.
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, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 applies.
Regarding the Trustee
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. will be the trustee under the indentures. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is the trustee under a senior note indenture, dated as of November 21, 2017, and a subordinated indenture, dated as of May 12, 2015, in each case between us and the trustee pursuant to which each of:
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.500% senior unsecured notes due 2026; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 3.650% senior unsecured notes due 2027; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.000% senior unsecured notes due 2028; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.101% senior unsecured notes due 2028; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 2.875% senior unsecured notes due 2029; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.150% senior unsecured notes due 2029; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 2.250% senior unsecured notes due 2030; |
19
Table of Contents
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.750% senior unsecured notes due 2030; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 2.550% senior unsecured notes due 2031; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.950% senior unsecured notes due 2031; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.100% senior unsecured notes due 2032; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.600% senior unsecured notes due 2032; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.500% senior unsecured notes due 2032; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.750% senior unsecured notes due 2033; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2034; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.950% senior unsecured notes due 2034; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.200% senior unsecured notes due 2035; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.000% senior unsecured notes due 2036; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.850% senior unsecured notes due 2036; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 6.375% senior unsecured notes due 2037; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.800% senior unsecured notes due 2040; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.625% senior unsecured notes due 2042; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.650% senior unsecured notes due 2043; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.100% senior unsecured notes due 2044; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.650% senior unsecured notes due 2044; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.375% senior unsecured notes due 2047; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.550% senior unsecured notes due 2048; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 3.700% senior unsecured notes due 2049; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 3.125% senior unsecured notes due 2050; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 3.600% senior unsecured notes due 2051; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.550% senior unsecured notes due 2052; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 6.100% senior unsecured notes due 2052; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.125% senior unsecured notes due 2053; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 4.850% senior unsecured notes due 2054; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.650% senior unsecured notes due 2054; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.700% senior unsecured notes due 2055; |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.700% senior unsecured notes due 2055; and |
| • | Elevance Health’s 5.850% senior unsecured notes due 2064 |
are outstanding. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. also is the fiscal agent under the fiscal agency agreement pursuant to which Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.’s 9.000% surplus notes due 2027 are outstanding. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, an affiliate of the trustee, also performs services for us in the ordinary course of business.
20
Table of Contents
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED STOCK
This section describes the general terms and provisions of the preferred stock we may offer by this prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the series of the preferred stock then offered, and the terms and provisions described in this section will apply only to the extent not superseded by the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement. Because this is only a summary, it does not contain all of the terms applicable to the preferred stock that we may offer. We urge you to read carefully our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended (our “articles of incorporation”), and the articles of amendment we have filed or will file in relation to an issue of any particular series of preferred stock before you buy any preferred stock.
We are authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value, none of which is issued or outstanding. Our board of directors may issue from time to time shares of preferred stock in one or more series and with the relative powers, rights and preferences and for the consideration our board of directors may determine.
Our board of directors may, without further action of the shareholders, determine and set forth in an amendment to our articles of incorporation the following for each series of preferred stock:
| • | the serial designation and the number of shares in that series; |
| • | the dividend rate or rates, whether dividends shall be cumulative and, if so, from what date, the payment date or dates for dividends, and any rights of priority or participating or other special rights with respect to dividends; |
| • | any voting rights of the shares; |
| • | whether the shares will be redeemable or convertible and, if so, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions on which the shares may be redeemed or converted; |
| • | the amount or amounts payable upon the shares in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us prior to any payment or distribution of our assets to any class or classes of our stock ranking junior to the preferred stock; |
| • | whether the shares will be entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund and, if so entitled, the amount of the fund and the manner of its application, including the price or prices at which the shares may be redeemed or purchased through the application of the fund; |
| • | whether the shares will be subject to any restrictions on the issue of additional shares in addition to those restrictions already provided for in our articles of incorporation; and |
| • | any other preferences, privileges and powers, and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions, as our board of directors may deem advisable and as shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of our articles of incorporation. |
Depending on the rights prescribed for a series of preferred stock, the issuance of preferred stock could have an adverse effect on the voting power of the holders of common stock or could impose restrictions upon the payment of dividends and other distributions to the holders of common stock.
The preferred stock, when issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the preferred stock will have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities which may be issued by us in the future. The transfer agent and registrar for the preferred stock will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
21
Table of Contents
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON STOCK
The following is a summary of the general terms and provisions of our common stock. For additional information regarding our common stock, please refer to our articles of incorporation, our bylaws, as amended (“bylaws”), and the applicable provisions of the Indiana Business Corporation Law, as amended (the “IBCL”).
General
We are authorized to issue up to 900,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote per share of record on all matters to be voted upon by the shareholders. Holders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors or any other matter. Subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any preferred stock that may at the time be outstanding, each share of common stock will entitle the holder of that share to an equal and ratable right to receive dividends or other distributions (other than purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares by us) if declared from time to time by our board of directors and if there are sufficient funds to legally pay a dividend.
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payments to creditors and after satisfaction of the liquidation preference, if any, of the holders of any preferred stock that may at the time be outstanding. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or redemption rights and will not be subject to further calls or assessments by us. Any shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable.
Authorized But Unissued Shares
The IBCL does not require shareholder approval for any issuance of authorized shares. Authorized but unissued shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public or private offerings to raise additional capital or to facilitate corporate acquisitions. One of the effects of the existence of authorized but unissued shares may be to enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which issuance could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of current management and possibly deprive the shareholders of opportunities to sell their shares of common stock at prices higher than prevailing market prices.
Limitations on Ownership of Our Common Stock in Articles of Incorporation
As required under our licenses with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (“BCBSA”), our articles of incorporation contain certain limitations on the ownership of our common stock. Our articles of incorporation provide that no person may beneficially own shares of voting capital stock in excess of specified ownership limits, except with the prior approval of a majority of the “continuing directors.” The ownership limits, which may not be exceeded without the prior approval of the BCBSA, are the following:
| • | for any institutional investor (as defined in our articles of incorporation), one share less than 10% of our outstanding voting securities; |
| • | for any non-institutional investor (as defined in our articles of incorporation), one share less than 5% of our outstanding voting securities; and |
| • | for any person, one share less than the number of shares of our common stock or other equity securities (or a combination thereof) representing a 20% ownership interest in us. |
Any transfer of stock that would result in any person beneficially owning shares of capital stock in excess of any ownership limit will result in the intended transferee acquiring no rights in the shares exceeding such ownership
22
Table of Contents
limit (with certain exceptions) and the person’s excess shares will be deemed transferred to an escrow agent to be held until the shares are transferred to a person whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limit.
Certain Other Provisions of Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Certain other provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws may delay or make more difficult unsolicited acquisitions or changes of control of us. These provisions could have the effect of discouraging third parties from making proposals involving an unsolicited acquisition or change in control of us, although these proposals, if made, might be considered desirable by a majority of our shareholders. These provisions may also have the effect of making it more difficult for third parties to cause the replacement of the current management without the concurrence of the board of directors. These provisions include:
| • | the division of the board of directors into three classes serving staggered terms of office of three years; |
| • | provisions limiting the maximum number of directors to 19 and requiring that any increase in the number of directors then in effect must be approved by a majority of continuing directors; |
| • | provisions requiring that, except in certain limited circumstances, the filling of any vacancy on the board of directors must be approved by a majority of continuing directors; |
| • | permitting a special meeting of shareholders to be called only by the board of directors, the Chair of the Board, the Lead Director, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or upon the written demand of any one or more shareholders owning at least 20% of our outstanding common stock; and |
| • | requirements for advance notice for raising business or making nominations at shareholders’ meetings. |
Our bylaws provide that if the requirement for a classified board structure set forth in our licenses with the BCBSA is eliminated or otherwise no longer applicable to the Company, the board of directors will take all necessary actions to implement the elimination of the classified board structure and the annual election of all directors, which shall be phased in over a three-year period commencing with the first annual meeting of shareholders occurring at least 90 days after the board of directors determines that such requirement is eliminated or is otherwise no longer applicable to the Company.
Our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure with regard to business to be brought before an annual or special meeting of shareholders and advance notice and proxy access procedures with regard to the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than by or at the direction of the board of directors, including nominations made in accordance with Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Although our bylaws do not give the board of directors any power to approve or disapprove shareholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals for action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of shareholder proposals if the established procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its proposal without regard to whether consideration of those nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our shareholders.
In addition, our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (b) any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents to us or certain specified constituents of ours, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the IBCL or our articles of incorporation or bylaws, or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, will be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Marion Superior Court in Marion County, Indiana or, if the Marion Superior Court lacks jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
23
Table of Contents
Certain Provisions of the Indiana Business Corporation Law
As an Indiana corporation, we are governed by the IBCL. The following are some of the more significant provisions of the IBCL that may delay, prevent or make more difficult certain unsolicited acquisitions or changes of control of us. These provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which shareholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interest.
Control Share Acquisitions. Under Chapter 42 of the IBCL, an acquiring person or group who acquires, directly or indirectly, ownership of, or the power to direct the exercise of voting power with respect to, issued and outstanding “control shares” in an “issuing public corporation” may not exercise voting rights on any control shares unless these voting rights are conferred by a majority vote of the disinterested shareholders of the issuing public corporation at a special meeting of those shareholders held upon the request and at the expense of the acquiring person or, if no such request is made, at the next special or annual meeting of shareholders. If the acquiring person has acquired control shares with a majority or more of the voting power, and the control shares are accorded full voting rights by the disinterested shareholders, all shareholders of the issuing public corporation have dissenters’ rights to receive the fair value of their shares pursuant to Chapter 44 of the IBCL. We are an “issuing public corporation” as defined under Chapter 42.
Under Chapter 42, “control shares” means shares acquired by a person that, when added to all other shares of the issuing public corporation owned by that person or in respect to which that person may exercise or direct the exercise of voting power, would otherwise entitle that person to exercise voting power of the issuing public corporation in the election of directors within any of the following ranges: (i) one-fifth or more but less than one-third; (ii) one-third or more but less than a majority; or (iii) a majority or more.
Chapter 42 does not apply if, before a control share acquisition is made, the corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, including a bylaw adopted by the corporation’s board of directors, provide that such chapter does not apply. Our bylaws provide that we are not subject to Chapter 42; however, our board of directors could amend our bylaws to rescind our election to opt out of Chapter 42.
Certain Business Combinations. Chapter 43 of the IBCL restricts the ability of an Indiana corporation that has 100 or more shareholders to engage in any business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for five years after the date the shareholder became an “interested shareholder” (such date, the “share acquisition date”), unless the business combination or the purchase of shares by the interested shareholder on the interested shareholder’s share acquisition date is approved by the board of directors of the corporation before the share acquisition date. If such prior approval is not obtained, the interested shareholder may effect a business combination after the five-year period only if that shareholder receives approval from a majority of the disinterested shareholders or the offer meets specified fair price criteria.
For purposes of Chapter 43, “interested shareholder” means any person, other than the corporation or its subsidiaries, who is (1) the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation or (2) an affiliate or associate of the corporation, which at any time within the five-year period immediately before the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of the corporation.
Chapter 43 does not apply to corporations that elect not to be subject to Chapter 43 in an amendment to their articles of incorporation approved by a majority of the disinterested shareholders. That amendment, however, cannot become effective until 18 months after its passage and would apply only to share acquisitions occurring after its effective date. Our articles of incorporation do not exclude us from Chapter 43.
Mandatory Classified Board of Directors. Under Chapter 33 of the IBCL, a corporation with a class of voting shares registered with the SEC under Section 12 of the Exchange Act must have a classified board of
24
Table of Contents
directors unless the corporation adopts a bylaw expressly electing not to be governed by this provision. Although our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide for a classified board of directors so long as we are required to do so under our licenses with the BCBSA, we have adopted an amendment to our bylaws electing not to be subject to this mandatory requirement.
Unanimous Written Consent of Shareholders. Under Chapter 29 of the IBCL, as well as our articles of incorporation and our bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of common stock may be effected only at an annual meeting or special meeting of such holders, and shareholders may act in lieu of such meetings only by unanimous written consent.
Amendment and Repeal of Bylaws
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that the bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by either (1) the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire number of directors, or (2) except for certain provisions of the bylaws, the affirmative vote, at a shareholder meeting, of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the outstanding shares of all classes of our stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for this purpose as a single voting group.
Listing
Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ELV.” Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is the registrar, transfer agent, conversion agent and dividend disbursing agent for the common stock.
25
Table of Contents
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
We may issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will deposit shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares under a separate deposit agreement among us, a preferred stock depositary and the holders from time to time of the depositary shares. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a share of a particular series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares (including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights).
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement. Immediately following the issuance and delivery of the shares of preferred stock by us to a preferred stock depositary, we will cause such preferred stock depositary to issue, on our behalf, the depositary receipts. Copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt may be obtained from us upon request, and the statements made hereunder relating to the deposit agreement and the depositary receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable deposit agreement and related depositary receipts.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The preferred stock depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the shares of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares in proportion to the number of such depositary receipts owned by such holders, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the preferred stock depositary.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the preferred stock depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the preferred stock depositary, unless the preferred stock depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the preferred stock depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.
No distribution will be made in respect of any depositary share to the extent that it represents any shares of preferred stock converted into other securities.
Withdrawal of Stock
Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the applicable preferred stock depositary (unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption or converted into other securities), the holders thereof will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon such holder’s order, of the number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts. Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of preferred stock on the basis of the proportion of shares of preferred stock represented by each depositary share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, but holders of such shares of preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to receive depositary shares therefor. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the preferred stock depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares.
26
Table of Contents
Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the preferred stock depositary, the preferred stock depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of preferred stock so redeemed, provided we shall have paid in full to the preferred stock depositary the redemption price of the shares of preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the corresponding proportion of the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the shares of preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional depositary shares) or by any other equitable method determined by us that will not result in a violation of the ownership restrictions in our charter.
From and after the date fixed for redemption, all dividends in respect of the shares of preferred stock so called for redemption will cease to accrue, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares so called for redemption will cease, except the right to receive any moneys payable upon such redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of such depositary receipts were entitled upon such redemption and surrender thereof to the preferred stock depositary.
Voting of the Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the applicable shares of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the preferred stock depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares which represent such shares of preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the shares of preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the preferred stock depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of shares of preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The preferred stock depositary will vote the amount of shares of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the preferred stock depositary in order to enable the preferred stock depositary to do so. The preferred stock depositary will abstain from voting the amount of shares of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts evidencing such depositary shares. The preferred stock depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action is in good faith and does not result from negligence or willful misconduct of the preferred stock depositary.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Conversion of Preferred Stock
The depositary shares, as such, are not convertible into common stock or any of our other securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to an offering of depositary shares, the depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the preferred stock depositary with written instructions to the preferred stock depositary to instruct us to cause conversion of the shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts into whole shares of
27
Table of Contents
common stock or other shares of preferred stock, and we agree that upon receipt of such instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, we will cause the conversion thereof utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of shares of preferred stock to effect such conversion. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be converted in part only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion would result in a fractional share being issued, an amount will be paid in cash by us equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the common stock on the last business day prior to the conversion.
Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares which represent the preferred stock and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the preferred stock depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary receipts, or that would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the related shares of preferred stock, will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the existing holders of at least two-thirds of the applicable depositary shares evidenced by the applicable depositary receipts then outstanding. No amendment shall impair the right, subject to certain exceptions in the deposit agreement, of any holder of depositary receipts to surrender any depositary receipt with instructions to deliver to the holder the related shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with law. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended thereby.
The deposit agreement may be terminated by us upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the preferred stock depositary if a majority of each series of preferred stock affected by such termination consents to such termination, whereupon the preferred stock depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts together with any other property held by the preferred stock depositary with respect to such depositary receipts. In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (a) all outstanding depositary shares shall have been redeemed, (b) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related shares of preferred stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing such shares of preferred stock or (c) each related share of preferred stock shall have been converted into our securities not so represented by depositary shares.
Charges of a Preferred Stock Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the deposit agreement. In addition, we will pay the fees and expenses of the preferred stock depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay the fees and expenses of the preferred stock depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The preferred stock depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the preferred stock depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor preferred stock depositary. A successor preferred stock depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and that meets certain combined capital and surplus requirements.
28
Table of Contents
Miscellaneous
The preferred stock depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts any reports and communications from us which are received by the preferred stock depositary with respect to the related shares of preferred stock.
Neither we nor the preferred stock depositary will be liable if it is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control, performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of us and the preferred stock depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performing their duties thereunder in good faith and without negligence (in the case of any action or inaction in the voting of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares), gross negligence or willful misconduct, and we and the preferred stock depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts, depositary shares or shares of preferred stock represented thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the preferred stock depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting shares of preferred stock represented thereby for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information, and on documents believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.
In the event the preferred stock depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the preferred stock depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from us.
Depositary
The prospectus supplement will identify the depositary for the depositary shares.
Listing of the Depositary Shares
The prospectus supplement will specify whether or not the depositary shares will be listed on any securities exchange.
29
Table of Contents
We may issue warrants for the purchase of our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares representing shares of preferred stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any of the other securities offered by this prospectus that are offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from the securities offered by this prospectus. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
| • | the title of the warrants; |
| • | the aggregate number of the warrants; |
| • | the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; |
| • | the currencies in which the price or prices of such warrants may be payable; |
| • | the designation, number and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
| • | the designation and terms of the other securities offered by this prospectus with which the warrants are issued, and the number of the warrants issued with each security offered by this prospectus; |
| • | the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
| • | the price or prices at which and currency or currencies in which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and the date on which that right shall expire; |
| • | the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants which may be exercised at any one time; |
| • | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| • | a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
| • | any other material terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
30
Table of Contents
We may issue rights to our shareholders for the purchase of our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of rights. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The rights agreement and the rights certificates relating to each series of rights will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the rights to be issued, including the following, where applicable:
| • | the date for determining the securityholders entitled to the rights distribution; |
| • | the aggregate number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares purchasable upon exercise of such rights and the exercise price; |
| • | the aggregate number of rights being issued; |
| • | the date, if any, on and after which such rights may be transferable separately; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise such rights shall commence and the date on which such right will expire; |
| • | any special U.S. federal income tax consequences; and |
| • | any other terms of such rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of such rights. |
31
Table of Contents
DESCRIPTION OF THE STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating you to purchase from us, and us to sell to you, a specified number of shares of our preferred or common stock at a future date or dates. The price per share of stock and the number of shares of stock may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the stock purchase contracts. We may issue stock purchase contracts separately or as part of units, known as stock purchase units, consisting of a stock purchase contract and beneficial interests in:
| • | senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities; or |
| • | debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, |
which may or may not secure your obligations to purchase the stock under the stock purchase contract. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to you or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require you to secure your obligations in a specified manner. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units.
32
Table of Contents
Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we may sell the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus to or through one or more underwriters or dealers, or we may sell the securities to investors directly or through agents. Any such underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may sell securities directly to investors on our own behalf in those jurisdictions where we are authorized to do so.
Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at a fixed price or prices which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We also may, from time to time, authorize dealers or agents to offer and sell the securities upon such terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of any of the securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.
Shares of our common stock may also be sold in one or more of the following transactions: (i) block transactions (which may involve crosses) in which a broker-dealer may sell all or a portion of such shares as agent, but may position and resell all or a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (ii) purchases by any such broker-dealer as principal, and resale by such broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to a prospectus supplement; (iii) a special offering, an exchange distribution or a secondary distribution in accordance with applicable New York Stock Exchange or other stock exchange, quotation system or over-the-counter market rules; (iv) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which any such broker-dealer solicits purchasers; (v) sales “at the market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, for such shares; and (vi) sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers.
Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts or concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Unless otherwise set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the obligations of any underwriters to purchase any of the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such securities, if any are purchased.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
If indicated in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize underwriters or other agents to solicit offers by institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which we may make these delayed delivery contracts include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others. The obligations of any purchaser under any such delayed delivery contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility with regard to the validity or performance of these delayed delivery contracts.
33
Table of Contents
In connection with the offering of the securities hereby, certain underwriters, and selling group members and their respective affiliates may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the applicable securities. Such transactions may include stabilization transactions effected in accordance with Rule 104 of Regulation M promulgated by the SEC pursuant to which such persons may bid for or purchase securities for the purpose of stabilizing their market price. The underwriters in an offering of securities may also create a “short position” for their account by selling more securities in connection with the offering than they are committed to purchase from us. In such case, the underwriters could cover all or a portion of such short position by either purchasing securities in the open market following completion of the offering of such securities or by exercising any overallotment option granted to them by us. In addition, the managing underwriter may impose “penalty bids” under contractual arrangements with other underwriters, which means that they can reclaim from an underwriter (or any selling group member participating in the offering) for the account of the other underwriters, the selling concession with respect to securities that are distributed in the offering but subsequently purchased for the account of the underwriters in the open market. Any of the transactions described in this paragraph or comparable transactions that are described in any accompanying prospectus supplement may result in the maintenance of the price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. None of the transactions described in this paragraph or in an accompanying prospectus supplement are required to be undertaken by any underwriters and, if they are undertaken, may be discontinued at any time without notice.
We may sell the securities in exchange, in whole or part, for consideration other than cash. This consideration may consist of services or products, whether tangible or intangible, and include services or products we may use in our business; outstanding debt or equity securities of our Company or one or more of our subsidiaries; debt or equity securities or assets of other companies, including in connection with investments, joint ventures or other strategic transactions, or acquisitions; release of claims or settlement of disputes; and satisfaction of obligations, including obligations to make payments to distributors or other suppliers and payment of interest on outstanding obligations. We may sell the securities as part of a transaction in which outstanding debt or equity securities of our Company or one or more of our subsidiaries are surrendered, converted, exercised, canceled or transferred.
Our shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ELV.” Any securities that we issue, other than shares of common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market and may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange, quotation system or over-the-counter market. Any underwriters or agents to or through which securities are sold by us may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and any of them may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or trading market for any securities sold by us.
34
Table of Contents
In connection with particular offerings of the securities in the future, and if stated in the applicable prospectus supplements, the validity of those securities may be passed upon for the Company by Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP and Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and for any underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement. With respect to certain legal matters relating to Indiana law, Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP has relied upon the opinion of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, counsel for the Company.
35
Table of Contents
The consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Elevance Health appearing in Elevance Health’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2025, and the effectiveness of Elevance Health’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025 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 and financial statement schedule are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
36
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The estimated fees and expenses (not including underwriting discounts and commissions) payable by the Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby are set forth in the following table:
| SEC registration fee |
$ | * | ||
| Trustee’s fees |
$ | ** | ||
| Printing expenses |
$ | ** | ||
| Rating agency fees |
$ | ** | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
$ | ** | ||
| Legal fees and expenses |
$ | ** | ||
| Miscellaneous |
$ | ** | ||
| Total |
$ | ** |
| * | The Registrant is registering an indeterminate amount of securities under this Registration Statement and in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee. |
| ** | The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the estimated aggregate amount of expenses payable in respect of any offering of securities. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The IBCL provides that a corporation, unless limited by its articles of incorporation, is required to indemnify a director or an officer of the corporation who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal, to which the director or officer is a party because of his or her service as a director or officer of the corporation against reasonable expenses, including counsel fees, incurred in connection with the proceeding.
The IBCL also permits a corporation to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent who is made a party to a proceeding because the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against liability incurred in the proceeding if (i) the individual’s conduct was in good faith and (ii) the individual reasonably believed (A) in the case of conduct in the individual’s official capacity with the corporation, that the conduct was in the corporation’s best interests and (B) in all other cases that the individual’s conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation’s best interests and (iii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, the individual either (A) had reasonable cause to believe the individual’s conduct was lawful or (B) had no reasonable cause to believe the individual’s conduct was unlawful. The IBCL also permits a corporation, under certain circumstances, including that the individual furnishes the corporation a written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the above standard of conduct and a written undertaking to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet such standard of conduct, to pay for or reimburse reasonable expenses incurred before the final disposition of the proceeding and permits a court of competent jurisdiction to order a corporation to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent if the court determines that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not the person met the standard of conduct for indemnification otherwise provided in the IBCL.
As permitted by the IBCL, Elevance Health’s articles of incorporation provide for indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents of Elevance Health to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the IBCL, or otherwise consistent with the public policy of the State of Indiana, including, but not limited to, against any and all liability and reasonable expense, such as counsel fees and disbursements and amounts of judgments,
II-1
Table of Contents
fines or penalties against (including excise taxes assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan), and amounts paid in settlement by or on behalf of, such person, that may be incurred by them in connection with or resulting from any pending, threatened or completed claim, action, suit or proceeding and all appeals thereof (whether brought by or in the right of Elevance Health or any other corporation or otherwise), civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, formal or informal, in which they may become involved as a party or otherwise by reason of being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent thereof or serving or having served at Elevance Health’s request as a director, officer, employee, partner, trustee, member, manager, agent, or fiduciary of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other organization or entity, whether for profit or not, or by reason of any action taken or not taken by such individual in such capacity. To be entitled to indemnification, those persons must have been wholly successful in the claim, action, suit or proceeding or the board of directors must have determined, based upon a written finding of legal counsel or another independent referee, or a court of competent jurisdiction must have determined, that such persons acted in good faith in what they reasonably believed to be the best interest of Elevance Health (or at least not opposed to its best interests) and, in addition, in any criminal action, had reasonable cause to believe their conduct was lawful (or had no reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful). The articles of incorporation authorize Elevance Health to advance funds for expenses to an indemnified person, but only upon receipt of an undertaking that he or she will repay the same if it is ultimately determined that such party is not entitled to indemnification.
The rights of indemnification provided by the articles of incorporation of Elevance Health are not exhaustive and are in addition to any rights to which a director or officer may otherwise be entitled by contract or as a matter of law. Irrespective of the provisions of the articles of incorporation of Elevance Health, Elevance Health may, at any time and from time to time, indemnify directors, officers, employees and other persons to the full extent permitted by the provisions of applicable law at the time in effect, whether on account of past or future transactions.
In addition, Elevance Health has obtained a directors’ and officers’ liability and company reimbursement policy that insures against certain liabilities under the Securities Act, subject to applicable retentions.
Item 16. Exhibits
EXHIBIT INDEX
II-2
Table of Contents
| Exhibit Number |
Description of Documents | |
| 4.7* | Form of Deposit Agreement | |
| 4.8* | Form of Warrant | |
| 4.9* | Form of Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate | |
| 4.10* | Form of Rights Agreement | |
| 4.11* | Form of Purchase Contract Agreement | |
| 5.1** | Opinion of Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP | |
| 5.2** | Opinion of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP | |
| 23.1** | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Ernst & Young LLP | |
| 23.2** | Consent of Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
| 23.3** | Consent of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2) | |
| 24.1** | Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto) | |
| 25.1** | Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. to act as trustee for the form of the senior indenture | |
| 25.2** | Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. to act as trustee for the form of the subordinated indenture | |
| 107** | Filing Fee Table | |
| * | 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. |
| ** | Filed herewith. |
Item 17. Undertakings
| (a) | The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: |
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”);
(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 prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Filing Fee Tables” table in the effective registration statement; and
(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 (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to
II-3
Table of Contents
the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) that are incorporated by reference in the 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, 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 to any purchaser:
(i) 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
(ii) 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 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 the 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 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
| (b) | The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be |
II-4
Table of Contents
| 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 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
II-5
Table of Contents
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Indianapolis, State of Indiana, on October 28, 2026.
| ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Gail K. Boudreaux | |
| Name: | Gail K. Boudreaux | |
| Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Mark Kaye, Kathleen S. Kiefer and Erin M. Wessling, each of them acting individually, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, each with full power of substitution and revocation, in his or her name and on his or her behalf, to do any and all acts and things and execute, in the name of the undersigned, any and all instruments which said attorney-in-fact and agent may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of this registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended including specifically but without limitation, power and authority to sign the name of the undersigned to such registration statement, and any amendments to such registration statement (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable securities exchange or securities regulatory body, to sign any and all applications, registration statements, notices or other documents necessary or advisable to comply with applicable securities laws, including without limitation state securities laws, and to file the same, together with other documents in connection therewith with the appropriate authorities, including without limitation state securities authorities, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and to perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be signed in several counterparts.
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 of Capacities |
Date | ||
| /s/ Gail K. Boudreaux Gail K. Boudreaux |
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
October 28, 2026 | ||
| /s/ Mark B. Kaye Mark B. Kaye |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
October 28, 2026 | ||
| /s/ Ronald W. Penczek Ronald W. Penczek |
Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) |
October 28, 2026 | ||
II-6
Table of Contents
| Signature |
Title of Capacities |
Date | ||
| /s/ Ramiro G. Peru Ramiro G. Peru |
Chair of the Board | October 28, 2026 | ||
| /s/ Steven H. Collis Steven H. Collis |
Director | October 28, 2026 | ||
| /s/ Susan D. DeVore Susan D. DeVore |
Director | October 28, 2026 | ||
| /s/ Robert L. Dixon, Jr. Robert L. Dixon, Jr. |
Director | October 28, 2026 | ||
| /s/ Lewis Hay III Lewis Hay III |
Director | October 28, 2026 | ||
| /s/ Bahija Jallal Bahija Jallal |
Director | October 28, 2026 | ||
| /s/ Antonio F. Neri Antonio F. Neri |
Director | October 28, 2026 | ||
| /s/ Ryan M. Schneider Ryan M. Schneider |
Director | October 28, 2026 | ||
| /s/ Amy W. Schulman Amy W. Schulman |
Director | October 28, 2026 | ||
| /s/ Deanna D. Strable Deanna D. Strable |
Director | October 28, 2026 | ||
II-7
Exhibit 4.1
ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC.
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
Trustee
Indenture
Dated as of [●], 2026
Senior Debt Securities
Certain Sections of this Indenture relating to Sections 310 through 318,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939:
| Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section | |||||
| Section 310 (a)(1) | 609 | |||||
| (a)(2) | 609 | |||||
| (a)(3) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (a)(4) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (a)(5) | 609 | |||||
| (b) | 608 | |||||
| (c) | Not Applicable | |||||
| Section 311 (a) | 613 | |||||
| (b) | 613 | |||||
| (c) | Not Applicable | |||||
| Section 312 (a) | 701, 702 | |||||
| (b) | 702 | |||||
| (c) | 702 | |||||
| Section 313 (a) | 703 | |||||
| (b)(1) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (b)(2) | 703 | |||||
| (c) | 703 | |||||
| (d) | 703 | |||||
| Section 314 (a) | 704 | |||||
| (a)(4) | 101, 1004 | |||||
| (b) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (c)(1) | 102 | |||||
| (c)(2) | 102 | |||||
| (c)(3) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (d) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (e) | 102 | |||||
| (f) | Not Applicable | |||||
| Section 315 (a) | 601 | |||||
| (b) | 602 | |||||
| (c) | 601 | |||||
| (d) | 601 | |||||
| (e) | 514 | |||||
| Section 316 (a)(last sentence) | 106 | |||||
| (a)(1)(A) | 502, 512 | |||||
| (a)(1)(B) | 513 | |||||
| (a)(2) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (b) | 508 | |||||
| (c) | 104 | |||||
| Section 317 (a)(1) | 503 | |||||
| (a)(2) | 504 | |||||
| (b) | 1003 | |||||
| Section 318 (a) | ||||||
NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE ONE |
| |||||
| DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION |
| |||||
| SECTION 101 | Definitions |
1 | ||||
| SECTION 102 | Compliance Certificates and Opinions |
6 | ||||
| SECTION 103 | Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee |
6 | ||||
| SECTION 104 | Acts of Holders; Record Dates |
7 | ||||
| SECTION 105 | Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company |
8 | ||||
| SECTION 106 | Notice to Holders, Waiver |
9 | ||||
| SECTION 107 | Conflict with Trust Indenture Act |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 108 | Effect of Headings and Table of Contents |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 109 | Successors and Assigns |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 110 | Separability Clause |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 111 | Benefits of Indenture |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 112 | Governing Law |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 113 | Legal Holidays |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 114 | No Recourse Against Others |
11 | ||||
| SECTION 115 | Counterparts |
11 | ||||
| ARTICLE TWO |
| |||||
| SECURITY FORMS |
| |||||
| SECTION 201 | Form and Dating |
11 | ||||
| SECTION 202 | Execution and Authentication |
12 | ||||
| SECTION 203 | Transfer and Exchange |
13 | ||||
| ARTICLE THREE |
| |||||
| THE SECURITIES |
| |||||
| SECTION 301 | Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series |
15 | ||||
| SECTION 302 | Temporary Securities |
18 | ||||
| SECTION 303 | Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange |
18 | ||||
| SECTION 304 | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities |
19 | ||||
| SECTION 305 | Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved |
20 | ||||
| SECTION 306 | Persons Deemed Owners |
21 | ||||
| SECTION 307 | Cancellation |
21 | ||||
| SECTION 308 | Computation of Interest |
21 | ||||
| SECTION 309 | CUSIP Numbers |
21 | ||||
| SECTION 310 | Original Issue Discount |
21 | ||||
| ARTICLE FOUR |
| |||||
| SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE |
| |||||
| SECTION 401 | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture |
22 | ||||
| SECTION 402 | Application of Trust Money |
22 | ||||
| ARTICLE FIVE |
| |||||
| REMEDIES |
| |||||
| SECTION 501 | Events of Default |
23 | ||||
| SECTION 502 | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment |
24 | ||||
| SECTION 503 | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee |
25 | ||||
| SECTION 504 | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim |
25 | ||||
| SECTION 505 | Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities |
25 | ||||
| SECTION 506 | Application of Money Collected |
26 | ||||
| SECTION 507 | Limitation on Suits |
26 | ||||
i
| SECTION 508 | Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and to Convert Securities |
27 | ||||
| SECTION 509 | Restoration of Rights and Remedies |
27 | ||||
| SECTION 510 | Rights and Remedies Cumulative |
27 | ||||
| SECTION 511 | Delay or Omission Not Waiver |
27 | ||||
| SECTION 512 | Control by Holders |
27 | ||||
| SECTION 513 | Waiver of Past Defaults |
28 | ||||
| SECTION 514 | Undertaking for Costs |
28 | ||||
| SECTION 515 | Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws |
28 | ||||
| ARTICLE SIX |
| |||||
| THE TRUSTEE |
| |||||
| SECTION 601 | Certain Duties and Responsibilities |
28 | ||||
| SECTION 602 | Notice of Defaults |
29 | ||||
| SECTION 603 | Certain Rights of Trustee |
29 | ||||
| SECTION 604 | Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities |
31 | ||||
| SECTION 605 | May Hold Securities |
31 | ||||
| SECTION 606 | Money Held in Trust |
31 | ||||
| SECTION 607 | Compensation and Reimbursement |
31 | ||||
| SECTION 608 | Conflicting Interests |
32 | ||||
| SECTION 609 | Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility |
32 | ||||
| SECTION 610 | Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor |
33 | ||||
| SECTION 611 | Acceptance of Appointment by Successor |
34 | ||||
| SECTION 612 | Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business |
34 | ||||
| SECTION 613 | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company |
35 | ||||
| SECTION 614 | Appointment of Authenticating Agent |
35 | ||||
| ARTICLE SEVEN |
| |||||
| HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY |
| |||||
| SECTION 701 | Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders |
36 | ||||
| SECTION 702 | Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders |
36 | ||||
| SECTION 703 | Reports by Trustee |
36 | ||||
| SECTION 704 | Reports by Company |
37 | ||||
| ARTICLE EIGHT |
| |||||
| CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE |
| |||||
| SECTION 801 | Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms |
37 | ||||
| SECTION 802 | Successor Substituted |
38 | ||||
| ARTICLE NINE |
| |||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES |
| |||||
| SECTION 901 | Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders |
38 | ||||
| SECTION 902 | Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders |
39 | ||||
| SECTION 903 | Execution of Supplemental Indentures |
40 | ||||
| SECTION 904 | Effect of Supplemental Indentures |
40 | ||||
| SECTION 905 | Conformity with Trust Indenture Act |
40 | ||||
| SECTION 906 | Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures |
40 | ||||
| ARTICLE TEN |
| |||||
| COVENANTS |
| |||||
| SECTION 1001 | Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest |
41 | ||||
| SECTION 1002 | Maintenance of Office or Agency |
41 | ||||
| SECTION 1003 | Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust |
41 | ||||
| SECTION 1004 | Statement by Officer as to Default |
42 | ||||
| SECTION 1005 | Existence |
42 | ||||
| SECTION 1006 | Waiver of Certain Covenants |
42 | ||||
ii
| ARTICLE ELEVEN |
| |||||
| REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES |
| |||||
| SECTION 1101 | Applicability of Article |
43 | ||||
| SECTION 1102 | Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee |
43 | ||||
| SECTION 1103 | Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed |
43 | ||||
| SECTION 1104 | Notice of Redemption |
44 | ||||
| SECTION 1105 | Deposit of Redemption Price |
45 | ||||
| SECTION 1106 | Securities Payable on Redemption Date |
45 | ||||
| SECTION 1107 | Securities Redeemed in Part |
45 | ||||
| ARTICLE TWELVE |
| |||||
| SINKING FUNDS |
| |||||
| SECTION 1201 | Applicability of Article |
46 | ||||
| SECTION 1202 | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities |
46 | ||||
| SECTION 1203 | Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund |
46 | ||||
| ARTICLE THIRTEEN |
| |||||
| DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
| |||||
| SECTION 1301 | Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance |
46 | ||||
| SECTION 1302 | Defeasance and Discharge |
47 | ||||
| SECTION 1303 | Covenant Defeasance |
47 | ||||
| SECTION 1304 | Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance |
47 | ||||
| SECTION 1305 | Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions |
48 | ||||
| SECTION 1306 | Reinstatement |
49 | ||||
Exhibit A: Form of Security
iii
INDENTURE, dated as of [●], 2026, between ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Indiana (herein called the “Company”), having its principal office at 220 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a national banking association, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its senior notes, debentures or other evidences of unsubordinated indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series under this Indenture.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101 Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the date of such computation;
(4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” a “Section” or a “Subsection” refers to an Article, a Section or a Subsection, as the case may be, of this Indenture;
(5) 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, Subsection or other subdivision;
(6) “including” means including without limitation;
(7) references to statutes are to be construed as including all statutory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing the statute referred to;
(8) when used with respect to any Security, the words “convert,” “converted” and “conversion” are intended to refer to the right of the Holder or the Company to convert or exchange such Security into or for securities or other property in accordance with such terms, if any, as may hereafter be specified for such Security as contemplated by Section 301, and these words are not intended to refer to any right of the Holder or the Company to exchange such Security for other Securities of the same series and like tenor pursuant to Section 302, Section 303, Section 304, Section 906 or Section 1107 or another similar provisions of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires; and references herein to the terms of any Security that may be converted mean such terms as may be specified for such Security as contemplated in Section 301; and
1
(9) unless otherwise provided, references to agreements and other instruments shall be deemed to include all amendments and other modifications to such agreements and instruments, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture.
“Act”, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Agent” means any Security Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar.
“Applicable Procedures” of a Depository means, with respect to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of such Depository, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors or such authorized persons or duly appointed person thereof and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer of the Company (or any Person designated in writing by an Officer of the Company as authorized to execute and deliver Company Requests and Company Orders), and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office as of the date of this instrument is located at 311 South Wacker Drive, Suite 6200B, Floor 62, Chicago, Illinois 60606; Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company.
2
“corporation” means a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company, company, joint-stock company or business (including Delaware statutory) trust.
“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 1303.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 305.
“Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 1302.
“Definitive Security” means a certificated Security registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 203 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, except that such Security shall not bear the Global Security Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto.
“Depository” means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 203, and, unless otherwise provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the depositary which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Expiration Date” has the meaning specified in Section 104.
“Global Security” means a Security, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, that bears the Global Security Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository, issued in accordance with Section 201 or Section 203 of this Indenture.
“Global Security Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 203(b), which is required to be placed on all Global Securities issued under this Indenture.
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301.
“interest”, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
3
“Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 501(4).
“Officer” means the Chair of the Board, a Vice Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Legal Officer, a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company (or any Person designated in writing by an Officer of the Company as authorized to execute and deliver Officer’s Certificates), and delivered to the Trustee.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel, who may be an employee of, or outside counsel for, the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which 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 502.
“Outstanding”, when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(1) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided, however, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(3) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 1302;
(4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 304 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; and
(5) Securities as to which any property deliverable upon conversion thereof has been delivered (or such delivery has been made available), or as to which any other particular conditions have been satisfied, in each case as may be provided for such Securities as contemplated in Section 301; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 502, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 301, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 301, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in Clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount determined as provided in such Clause), and (D) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
4
“Participant” means, with respect to the Depository, a Person who has an account with the Depository.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision of a government or governmental agency.
“Place of Payment”, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 301.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 304 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
“Redemption Date”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Redemption Price”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301.
“Responsible Officer”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee within the corporate trust group of the Trustee (or any successor unit or department of the Trustee) located at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee who has direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and, for the purposes of Section 601(3)(B) and Section 602 (for the purposes of Section 315(b) of the Trust Indenture Act), shall also include any officer of the Trustee to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who, in each case, has direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“Securities” means the Securities described in the first recital hereto and shall include any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 303.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee at the direction of the Company pursuant to Section 305.
“Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
5
“Subsidiary” means a Person more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock or other equity interests which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors, managers, trustees or other voting members of the governing body of such Person, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
“U.S. Government Obligation” has the meaning specified in Section 1304.
“Vice President”, when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.
SECTION 102 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with (i) the issuance of Securities that are part of any series as to which such an opinion has been furnished, (ii) a request by the Company that the Trustee deliver a notice to Holders under this Indenture where the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate with respect to such notice or (iii) a cancellation order delivered pursuant to Section 307. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, if to be given by an Officer of the Company or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture.
Every certificate (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 1004) or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include,
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 103 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
6
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which such certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or Opinion of Counsel or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Counsel delivering an Opinion of Counsel may also rely as to factual matters on certificates of governmental or other officials customary for opinions of the type required.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
SECTION 104 Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing, and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including a Depository that is a Holder of a Global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depository that is a Holder of a Global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security.
The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
7
The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so; provided, however, that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, however, that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Sections 105 or 106.
The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 512, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, however, that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106.
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which sets such record date may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided, however, that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.
SECTION 105 Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be by electronic transmission) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or
8
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.
The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Company shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Company whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Company understands and agrees that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Company shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Issuer and/or the Obligor, as applicable; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee immediately upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures. “Electronic Means” shall mean the following communications methods: e-mail, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.
SECTION 106 Notice to Holders, Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at its address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Any notice when mailed to a Holder in the aforesaid manner shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder whether or not actually received by such Holder. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to a Holder of a Global Security, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository for such Security (or its designee), pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depository, not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice.
9
SECTION 107 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act or deemed to be a part of and govern this Indenture, such required or deemed provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
SECTION 108 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 109 Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 110 Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 111 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture, except as may otherwise be expressly provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any specific Securities.
SECTION 112 Governing Law.
This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (including without limitation Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law or any successor to such statute). The Trustee and the Company agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any United States federal or state court located in the Borough of Manhattan, in The City of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Securities.
The Trustee and the Company, and each Holder of a Security by its acceptance thereof, hereby knowingly, voluntarily, irrevocably and intentionally waive any rights they may have to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation based hereon, or arising out of, under or in connection with this Indenture, the Securities or any course of conduct, course of dealing, statements (whether oral or written) or actions of the Trustee or the Company relating thereto. The Company acknowledges and agrees that it has received full and sufficient consideration for this provision and that this provision is a material inducement for the Trustee and the Holders entering into this Indenture.
SECTION 113 Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security, or any date on which a Holder has the right to convert such Holder’s Security, shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any), or the Redemption Price or conversion of such Security need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, or on such conversion date; and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or conversion date, as the case may be, if payment is made on the next succeeding Business Day.
10
SECTION 114 No Recourse Against Others.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of any series, or for any claim based thereon, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, against any incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or any successor of the Company, either directly or indirectly through the Company or any successor of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment of penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and all the Securities of each series are solely corporate obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or is incurred by, any incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor of the Company, either directly or indirectly through the Company or any successor of the Company, because of the incurring of the indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities of any series, or to be implied herefrom or therefrom; and that all such personal liability is hereby expressly released and waived as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of the Securities of each series.
SECTION 115 Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Indenture electronically shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof. The words “execution,” “executed,” “signed,” signature” and words of like import in this Indenture or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Indenture shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by email or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 201 Form and Dating.
The Securities of each series and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication thereon shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, the terms of which are incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture, or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or, subject to Section 202, set forth in, or determined in the manner provided in, an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or Depository therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officer executing such Securities, as evidenced by his or her execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 202 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, the Securities shall be issuable only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
11
The Definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officer executing such Securities, as evidenced by his or her execution of such Securities. Securities issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Security Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto). Securities issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Security Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto). Each Global Security shall represent such of the outstanding Securities as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 203 hereof.
SECTION 202 Execution and Authentication.
An Officer of the Company shall sign the Securities for the Company, by manual, facsimile or electronic signature.
If the Officer of the Company whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time such Security is authenticated, such Security shall be valid nevertheless.
A Security shall not be valid or obligatory, or entitled to any benefit under this Indenture, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein manually or electronically executed by the Trustee or an Authentication Agent. The manual or electronic signature of the Trustee shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been authenticated and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
The Trustee, upon a Company Order, shall authenticate and deliver Securities for original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in such order. Such Company Order shall specify the principal amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 201 and Section 301, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating to the following effect,
(1) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(2) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and
(3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
12
If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 307, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 203 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Securities. A Global Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or to another nominee of the Depository, or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depository with respect to the Global Securities. Global Securities shall be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Securities if:
(i) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depository that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depository or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depository is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depository; or
(ii) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Securities (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Securities and delivers written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or
(iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default under this Indenture and the Trustee has received a request from the Depository or any Holder to issue Definitive Securities.
Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i) or (ii) above, the Company will notify the Trustee in writing that, upon surrender by the Participants of their interest in such Global Securities, Definitive Securities will be issued to each Person that such Participants and the Depository identify as being the beneficial owner of the related Securities. Global Securities also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 302 and Section 304 hereof. Except as otherwise provided above in this Section 203, every Security authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 203 or Section 302 or Section 304 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security. A Global Security may not be exchanged for another Security other than as provided in this Section 203(a).
(b) Legends. The following legend shall appear on the face of all Global Securities issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:
“THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS HELD BY AND REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY), IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 203 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED PURSUANT TO SECTION 203(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 307 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.
13
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“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 IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”
(c) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Securities and Definitive Securities upon the Company’s order or at the Security Registrar’s request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made to a Holder of a Definitive Security for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Section 302 hereof).
(iii) The Security Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
(iv) All Global Securities and Definitive Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Securities or Definitive Securities shall be the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Securities or Definitive Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(v) The Company shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business on a Business Day 15 days before the day of any selection of Securities for redemption under Section 1103 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection or (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Security between a record date for the payment of interest and the next succeeding interest payment date.
(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Security, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Securities and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
14
(vii) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Securities and Definitive Securities upon original issuance in accordance with the provisions of Section 202 hereof.
(viii) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Security Registrar pursuant to this Section 203 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted electronically with the original to follow by first class mail.
(d) No Obligation of the Trustee.
(i) None of the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner in a Global Security, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Securities shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of the Global Security). The rights of beneficial owners in the Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee, any Paying Agent and the Security Registrar may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners. The Trustee, each Paying Agent and the Security Registrar shall be entitled to deal with any depositary (including the Depository), and any nominee thereof, that is the Holder of any Global Security for all purposes of this Indenture relating to such global Security (including the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest and additional amounts, if any, and the giving of instructions or directions by or to the owner or holder of a beneficial ownership interest in such Global Security) as the sole Holder of such Global Security and shall have no obligations to the beneficial owners thereof. None of the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of any such depositary with respect to such Global Security, for the records of any such depositary, including records in respect of beneficial ownership interests in respect of any such Global Security, for any transactions between such depositary and any participant in such depositary or between or among any such depositary, any such participant and/or any holder or owner of a beneficial interest in such Global Security or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any such Global Security.
(ii) The Trustee 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 Security (including any transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners in the Global Security) other than to make any required 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.
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 301 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
15
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 202, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,
(1) the form and title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);
(2) the limit, if any, on the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 302, Section 303, Section 304, Section 906 or Section 1107 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 202, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may from time to time be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;
(3) the price or prices at which the Securities will be sold;
(4) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;
(5) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on any Securities of the series is payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates;
(6) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable, or a combination thereof) at which any Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral;
(7) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable, the place or places where the Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made and the manner in which any payment may be made;
(8) the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;
(9) the obligation or the right, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation or option;
(10) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(11) if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying Agent;
(12) if the amount of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to a financial or economic measure or index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined,
16
(13) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities of the series shall be denominated, payable, redeemable or purchasable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 101;
(14) if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities of the series is to be payable, redeemable or purchasable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, redeemable or purchasable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, redeemable or purchasable the periods within which or the dates on which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable, redeemable or purchasable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined);
(15) if the provisions of Section 401 relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture shall not apply to the Securities of that series; or if provisions for the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture other than as set forth in Section 401 shall apply to the Securities of that series;
(16) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;
(17) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);
(18) if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease any Securities of the series pursuant to Section 1302 or Section 1303 shall be evidenced; whether any Securities of the series other than Securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate are to be subject to Section 1302 or Section 1303; or, in the case of Securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate, if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall not be defeasible pursuant to Section 1302 or Section 1303 or both such Sections;
(19) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositories for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 203 and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Clause (ii) of the last paragraph of Section 203(a) in which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the Depository for such Global Security or a nominee thereof;
(20) any deletion from, addition to or change in the Events of Default that apply to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 502;
(21) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article Ten that apply to Securities of the series or in any defined term used in Article Ten;
(22) the terms of any right to convert or exchange Securities of such series into any other securities or property of the Company or of any other corporation or Person, and the additions or changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;
17
(23) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed by any Person or Persons and, if so, the identity of such Person or Persons, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective guarantors;
(24) whether the Securities of the series will be secured by any collateral and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be secured and, if applicable, upon which such liens may be subordinated to other liens securing other indebtedness of the Company or any guarantor;
(25) whether the Securities will be issued in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act and any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;
(26) the exchanges, if any, on which the Securities may be listed; and
(27) any and all other terms with respect to such series, including, but not limited to, any terms that may be required by or advisable under U.S. laws or regulations or otherwise included in connection with the marketing of the Securities of that series.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 202) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at one time and, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and, subject to Section 202, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions or in any such indenture supplemental hereto with respect to a series of Securities, additional Securities of a series may be issued, at the option of the Company, without the consent of any Holder, at any time and from time to time.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
SECTION 302 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute and, upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause Definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of Definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company designated for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more Definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges under this Indenture as Definitive Securities of such series and tenor.
18
SECTION 303 Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office or agency and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided. The Company may at any time replace such Security Registrar, change such office or agency or act as its own Security Registrar. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change of the Security Registrar or of the location of such office or agency. At all reasonable times, the Security Register shall be available for inspection by the Trustee.
Except as otherwise specified or contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of such series at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Except as otherwise specified or contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, any Security of such series may be exchanged at the option of the Holder, for one or more new Securities of the same series, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Securities delivered upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed or shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, no service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities.
SECTION 304 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and shall cancel and dispose of such mutilated security in accordance with its customary procedures.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
19
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
SECTION 305 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee, at the direction of the Company, shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so transmitted, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2).
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
In the case of any Security which is converted after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Security whose Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest whose Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or made available for payment) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Security which is converted, interest whose Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion of such Security shall not be payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of any Security that may be converted may provide that the provisions of this paragraph do not apply, or apply with such additions, changes or omissions as may be provided thereby, to such Security.
20
SECTION 306 Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Sections Section 303 and Section 305) interest, if any, on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
SECTION 307 Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and, if not already cancelled, shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the Trustee’s then customary procedures. If requested by the Company, certification of the disposition of all cancelled Securities shall be delivered to the Company.
SECTION 308 Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
SECTION 309 CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” and/or other similar numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” and/or such other numbers in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption or exchange and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” and/or such other numbers.
SECTION 310 Original Issue Discount.
If any of the Securities is an Original Issue Discount Security, the Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (1) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on such Outstanding Original Issue Discount Securities as of the end of such year and (2) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code.
21
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 401 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(1) either
(A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 304 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee as cancelled or for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee as cancelled or for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid, or otherwise made provision for the payment of, all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such Securities; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of any series, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1103 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
SECTION 402 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1103, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee. All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 (and held by it or any Paying Agent) for the payment of Securities subsequently converted into other property shall be returned to the Company upon Company Request.
22
The Company may direct by a Company Order the investment of any money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401, without distinction between principal and income, in (1) United States Treasury securities with a maturity of one year or less or (2) a money market fund that invests solely in short term United States Treasury securities (including money market funds for which the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee serves as investment advisor, administrator, shareholder, servicing agent and/or custodian or sub-custodian, notwithstanding that (a) the Trustee charges and collects fees and expenses from such funds for services rendered and (b) the Trustee charges and collects fees and expenses for services rendered pursuant to this Indenture at any time), and from time to time the Company may direct the reinvestment of all or a portion of such money in other securities or funds meeting the criteria specified in Clause (1) or (2) of this Section.
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
SECTION 501 Events of Default.
“Event of Default”, wherever used herein or in a Security issued hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), except as may be otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 for Securities of any series:
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series; or
(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty, a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(6) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by the Company of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by the Company in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or
23
(7) any other Event of Default provided as contemplated by Section 301 or Section 901 with respect to Securities of that series.
SECTION 502 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or Section 501(6)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or Section 501(6) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable. Upon payment of such amount, all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series shall terminate.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(A) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,
(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,
(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607;
and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
24
SECTION 503 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days; or
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof, and such default is continuing,
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, 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, and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
SECTION 504 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607) allowed in any such proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the 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 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 607.
No provision of this Indenture 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 Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.
SECTION 505 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
25
SECTION 506 Application of Money Collected.
Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article and, after an Event of Default, any money or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture, shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee (including any predecessor Trustee) under Section 607;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind (other than contractual subordination agreements pursuant to this Indenture), according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: To the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct;
provided, however, in the event that default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or default is made in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Security on the Stated Maturity Date or Redemption Date thereof, the Trustee may reserve from any money collected pursuant to this Article an amount sufficient, in the reasonable determination of the Trustee, to cover the expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee that may be incurred thereafter.
The Trustee may fix a record date for the payment of any amounts to Holders pursuant to this Section.
SECTION 507 Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.
26
SECTION 508 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and to Convert Securities.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and (subject to Sections 303 and 305) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date and, if the terms of such Security so provide, to convert such Security in accordance with its terms) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and, if applicable, any such right to convert and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 509 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 510 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 304, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 511 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
SECTION 512 Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series, provided, however, that
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;
(2) such direction shall not involve the Trustee in personal liability; and
(3) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
27
SECTION 513 Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default
(1) in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series, or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 514 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, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company or the Trustee, a suit by a Holder under Section 508, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities.
SECTION 515 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 601 Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(1) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities:
(A) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee with respect to such series; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture, but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(2) In case an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to the Securities of such series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
28
(3) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(A) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsections (1) and (4) of this Section;
(B) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(C) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series.
(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(5) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
SECTION 602 Notice of Defaults.
Within 90 days after the occurrence, and during the continuance, of any default with respect to the Securities of any series that is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, notice of all such uncured or unwaived defaults; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to the Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders of Securities shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof. Except in the case of a default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security, or in the payment of any sinking fund installment, the Trustee may withhold such notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interest of the Holders of the Securities. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.
SECTION 603 Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601:
(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;
29
(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(9) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any default (within the meaning of Section 602) or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series for which it is acting as Trustee unless written notice of such default or Event of Default, as the case may be, is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee from the Company, any other obligor upon such Securities or by any Holder of such Securities, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;
(10) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder, as well as to the Trustee’s employees, officers and directors;
(11) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which certificate may be signed by any persons authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;
(12) the permissive right of the Trustee hereunder to take or omit to take any action shall not be construed as a duty;
(13) 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), irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;
(14) 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 control, including, without limitation, any provision of any law or regulation or any act of any governmental authority, acts of God; 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; and
30
(15) in order to comply with applicable tax laws (inclusive of rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) related to this Indenture in effect from time to time (“Applicable Tax Law”) that a foreign financial institution, issuer, trustee, paying agent or other party is or has agreed to be subject to, the Company agrees (i) to provide to the Trustee and the Agents sufficient information about the parties and/or transactions (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) so the Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, can determine whether it has tax related obligations under Applicable Tax Law, (ii) that the Trustee and the Agents shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Tax Law for which neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any liability and (iii) to hold harmless the Trustee and the Agents for any Losses it may suffer due to the actions it takes to comply with Applicable Tax Law. The terms of this section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.
SECTION 604 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall not be responsible to make any calculation with respect to any matter under this Indenture. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor or investigate the Company’s compliance with or the breach of, or cause to be performed or observed, any representation, warranty, or covenant, or agreement of any Person, other than the Trustee, made in this Indenture.
SECTION 605 May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Section 608 and Section 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
SECTION 606 Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on, or for the investment of, any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.
SECTION 607 Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its own negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment), and the Trustee shall provide the Company reasonable notice of any expenditure not in the ordinary course of business; and
(3) to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify each of the Trustee, or any predecessor Trustee, and their respective officers, employees, directors, shareholders and agents (each, an “indemnitee”), for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trusts and its duties under this Indenture, including the enforcement of this provision, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending (including the reasonable compensation and the expense and disbursements of its agents and counsel) themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, damage, claim, liability or expense shall be determined (by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment) to have been caused by such indemnitee’s own negligence or willful misconduct.
31
The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity; provided, however, that any failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder, unless the Company is materially prejudiced thereby. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel if (i) the Company shall have failed to assume the defense thereof or employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee or (ii) the Trustee has been advised by such counsel that there may be one or more defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Company. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, other than funds held in trust under Section 402.
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 in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or Section 501(6), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal and State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
The Company’s obligations under this Section 607 and the lien referred to in this Section 607 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the discharge of the Company’s obligations under Articles Four and Thirteen of this Indenture and/or the termination of this Indenture.
“Trustee” for purposes of this Section 607 shall include any predecessor Trustee; provided, however, that the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.
SECTION 608 Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall eliminate such interest, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as trustee (if any of the Securities are registered pursuant to the Securities Act) or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture, in its capacity as trustee in respect of the Securities of any series, or in its capacity as trustee under any other indenture or indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in other securities, of the Company are outstanding. Nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the Commission the application referred to in the second to last paragraph of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 609 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of each series, which may be Trustee hereunder for Securities of one or more other series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and has its Corporate Trust Office in the United States of America. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
32
SECTION 610 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611.
The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the Trustee’s receipt of such notice of removal, the departing Trustee may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or (B) subject to Section 514, Holders of 10% in principal amount of Securities of any series who have been bona fide Holders of such Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of which such Trustee acts as trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, Holders of 10% in principal amount of Securities of any series who have been bona fide Holders of such Securities for at least six months or the Trustee may, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
33
The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 611 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder; subject, nevertheless, to its lien provided for in Section 607.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary, to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; subject, nevertheless, to its lien provided for in Section 607.
Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
SECTION 612 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any Person into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities; and in case at that time any Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in each such case, such certificate shall have the full force and effect accorded to a certificate of the Trustee under the Securities or this Indenture.
34
SECTION 613 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).
SECTION 614 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of and subject to the direction of the Trustee to authenticate and deliver Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 304, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 607.
35
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| Dated: |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | |||||
| By: | ||||||
| As Authenticating Agent | ||||||
| By: | ||||||
| Authorized Signatory | ||||||
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 701 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date, a list for each series of Securities, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date; and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar for the Securities of a series, no such list need be furnished with respect to such series of Securities.
SECTION 702 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.
Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 703 Reports by Trustee.
So long as any Securities remain outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within sixty days after each September 1 following the date of this Indenture deliver to Holders a brief report, dated as of such September 1, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Section 313(a) has occurred within the 12 months preceding the reporting date, no such report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Section 313(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
36
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange or delisted therefrom.
SECTION 704 Reports by Company.
Except as may be otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 for Securities of any series, the Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports, if any, that it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or pursuant to Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.
All required reports, information and documents referred to in this Section 704 shall be deemed filed with the Trustee and transmitted to the Holders at the time such reports, information or documents are publicly filed with the Commission via the Commission’s EDGAR filing system (or any successor system). For purposes of clarification, the foregoing sentence does not impose on the Trustee any duty to search for or obtain any electronic or other filings that the Company makes with the Commission, regardless of whether such filings are periodic, supplemental or otherwise. The Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute a representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any such reports, information and documents or actual or constructive knowledge or notice 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 Officer’s Certificates).
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 801 Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease (as lessor) its properties and assets as or substantially as an entirety to any Person unless:
(1) in the case of a merger, (i) the Company is the surviving Person or (ii) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases the properties and assets of the Company as, or substantially as, an entirety (the “Successor”) shall be a corporation validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and, for each Security that by its terms provides for conversion, shall have provided for the right to convert such Security in accordance with its terms;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall exist; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and such supplemental indenture, if any, complies with this Indenture (except that such Opinion of Counsel need not opine as to Clause (2) above).
37
SECTION 802 Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease (where the Company is the lessor) of the properties and assets of the Company as, or substantially as, an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except, in the case of a lease (where the Company is the lessor), the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 901 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by any successor Person of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company herein and in the Securities contained, all as provided in Article Eight;
(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company with regard to all or any series of Securities (and if any such surrender is to be made with regard to less than all series of Securities, stating that such surrender is expressly being made solely with regard to such series);
(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series);
(4) to add one or more guarantees for the benefit of Holders of the Securities or to release guarantors in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;
(5) to secure the Securities;
(6) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611;
(7) subject to any limitations established pursuant to Section 301, to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series;
(8) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 201 and Section 301;
(9) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depository;
(10) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form;
38
(11) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture with regard to all or any series of Securities (and if any such addition, change or elimination is to be made with regard to less than all series of Securities, stating that such addition, change or elimination is expressly being made solely with regard to such series); provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no such Security described in Clause (A)(i) Outstanding;
(12) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision of this Indenture or the Securities which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein;
(13) to change any other provision under this Indenture; provided that such action pursuant to this Clause (13) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect;
(14) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 401, Section 1302 and Section 1303; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect;
(15) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded;
(16) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depository or the requirements of the Commission either to effect or maintain the qualifications of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
(17) to conform any provision of this Indenture, any supplemental indenture, one or more series of Securities or any related guarantees or security documents, if any, to the description of such Securities contained in the Company’s prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or similar document with respect to the offering of the Securities of such series.
SECTION 902 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for Securities), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security;
(2) reduce the principal amount of any Security or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or reduce the rate of interest on any Security;
(3) reduce any premium payable upon the redemption or change the date on which any Security may or must be redeemed;
(4) change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Security is payable;
39
(5) impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date);
(6) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture;
(7) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513, or Section 1006, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1006, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Section 611 and Section 901(6); or
(8) if the Securities of any series are convertible into or for any other securities or property of the Company, make any change that adversely affects in any material respect the right to convert any Security of such series (except as permitted by Section 901) or decrease the conversion rate or increase the conversion price of any such Security of such series, unless such decrease or increase is permitted by the terms of such Security.
A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 903 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 904 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
SECTION 905 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 906 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series. Failure to make a notation or issue a new Security shall not affect the validity and effect of any amendment, supplement or waiver.
40
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
SECTION 1001 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture. Principal of, premium, if any, and interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of noon, 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 of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes then due.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Company or the Paying Agent may, to the extent it is required to do so by law, deduct or withhold income or other similar taxes imposed by the United States of America or other domestic or foreign taxing authorities from principal or interest payments hereunder.
SECTION 1002 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Security Registrar or Co-Security Registrar) where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities may be surrendered for conversion, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will 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 appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
With respect to any Global Security, and except as otherwise may be specified for such Global Security as contemplated by Section 301 or as the Trustee may otherwise direct, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or such other office as the Trustee shall designate) shall be the Place of Payment where such Global Security may be presented or surrendered for payment or for registration of transfer or exchange, or where successor Securities may be delivered in exchange therefor; provided, however, that any such payment, presentation, surrender or delivery effected pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depository for such Global Security shall be deemed to have been effected at the Place of Payment for such Global Security in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
SECTION 1003 Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
41
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to noon, New York City time, on each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit (or, if the Company has deposited any trust funds with a trustee pursuant to Section 1304(1), cause such trustee to deposit) with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided; (2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of that series; and (3) during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Subject to applicable abandoned property laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.
SECTION 1004 Statement by Officer as to Default.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officer’s Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signer thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which the signer thereof may have knowledge.
SECTION 1005 Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate (or equivalent) existence.
SECTION 1006 Waiver of Certain Covenants.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 301(21), Section 901(2) or Section 901(8) for the benefit of the Holders of such series, if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
42
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1101 Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities) in accordance with this Article.
SECTION 1102 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, in case of any redemption at the election of the Company of the Securities of any series (including any such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, not less than 10 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
SECTION 1103 Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, if less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date, in the case of Securities held in certificated form, by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by lot, and in the case of Securities held in book-entry form, in accordance with the Applicable Procedures; provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date, from the Outstanding Securities of such series and specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.
If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted during a selection of securities to be redeemed shall be treated as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.
With respect to Securities held in certificated form, the Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
The provisions of the three preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.
43
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed. If the Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.
SECTION 1104 Notice of Redemption.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed or otherwise delivered in accordance with the Applicable Procedures not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date (or within such period as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the relevant Securities), to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the Security Register.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, all notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
(2) the Redemption Price (or the method of calculating such price);
(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed;
(4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price, and accrued interest, if any, will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date;
(5) the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;
(6) for any Securities that by their terms may be converted, the terms of conversion, the date on which the right to convert the Security to be redeemed will terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion;
(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;
(8) the CUSIP and/or other similar number as contemplated by Section 309; provided, however, that no representation will be made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, or any similar number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities; and
(9) any conditions precedent described in the second paragraph below.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request (which may be rescinded or revoked at any time prior to the time at which the Trustee shall have given such notice to the Holders), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. The notice, if sent in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities.
44
Any redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, at the Company’s discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions precedent included at the Company’s discretion shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company) or the Redemption Date may not occur and such notice may be rescinded if all such conditions precedent included at the Company’s discretion shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Company). In addition, such notice may provide that payment of the Redemption Price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another person.
SECTION 1105 Deposit of Redemption Price.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, on or prior to noon, New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date or the Securities of the series provide otherwise) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions of Securities called for redemption that are owned by the Company or a Subsidiary and have been delivered by the Company or such Subsidiary to the Trustee for cancellation. All money, if any, earned on funds held by the Paying Agent shall be remitted to the Company. In addition, 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, if any, on, all Securities to be redeemed.
If any Security called for redemption is converted into shares of common stock or other securities of the Company in compliance with the terms of such Security, any money deposited with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security shall (subject to any right of the Holder of such Security or any Predecessor Security to receive interest as provided in the last paragraph of Section 305 or in the terms of such Security) be paid to the Company upon Company Request or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.
SECTION 1106 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together, if applicable, with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 305; provided further that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date, the accrued and unpaid interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Securities registered on the relevant Regular Record Date.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
SECTION 1107 Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor or such other office as the Trustee shall designate (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
45
ARTICLE TWELVE
SINKING FUNDS
SECTION 1201 Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of any series of Securities is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of any Securities, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities as provided for by the terms of such Securities.
SECTION 1202 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided, however, that the Securities to be so credited have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
SECTION 1203 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 45 days (or such shorter period as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to Section 1202 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 1106 and Section 1107.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 1301 Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, Section 1302 and Section 1303 shall apply to all Securities or each series of Securities, as the case may be, in either case denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article; and the Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 1302 and Section 1303 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, pursuant to such Section 1302 or Section 1303, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth in this Article. Any such election to have or not to have Section 1302 and Section 1303 apply, as the case may be, shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.
46
SECTION 1302 Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of such Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1304 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities when payments are due, (2) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 302, 303, 304, 1002 and 1003 and with respect to the Trustee, including but not limited to those under Section 607, (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (4) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to such Securities.
SECTION 1303 Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, (1) the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 704, 801, 1004 and 1005 and any covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(21), Section 901(2) or Section 901(8) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in Section 501(4) (with respect to Sections 704, 801, 1004 and 1005 and any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(21), Section 901(2) or Section 901(8)) and Section 501(7) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Covenant Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, 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 specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 501(4)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
SECTION 1304 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 1302 or Section 1303 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be:
(1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than noon, New York City time, on the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, without reinvestment, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities. As used herein, “U.S. Government Obligation” means (x) any security which is a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in Clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held, provided, however, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
47
(2) In the event of an election to have Section 1302 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating 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 instrument, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(3) In the event of an election to have Section 1303 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.
(4) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit.
(5) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit (other than such event or Event of Default (if any) resulting from the incurrence of indebtedness or the grant of liens securing such indebtedness, all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be applied to such deposit).
(6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, or if such breach or default would occur, which is not waived as of, and for all purposes, on and after, the date of such deposit.
(7) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with (in each case, subject to the satisfaction of the condition in clause (5).
Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in accordance with Article Eleven.
SECTION 1305 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and Section 1306, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1304 in respect of any Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
48
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1304 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 Outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1304 with respect to any Securities which are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.
SECTION 1306 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 1302 or Section 1303 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1305 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that (a) if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust and (b) unless otherwise required by any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall return all such money and U.S. Government Obligations to the Company promptly after receiving a written request therefor at any time, if such reinstatement of the Company’s obligations has occurred and continues to be in effect.
[Signature pages follow]
49
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
| ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: |
||
| Title: |
||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: |
||
| Title: |
||
1
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC.
[Global Securities Legend]
THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS HELD BY AND REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY) IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 203 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED PURSUANT TO SECTION 203(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 307 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“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 IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
A-1
[Form of Face of Security]
ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC.
[Designation of Series]
CUSIP No.
[Other No. ]
No. $
Elevance Health, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Indiana (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to, or registered assigns, the principal sum of Dollars ($ ) on [if the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert: and to pay interest thereon from or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on and of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing , at the rate of % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment][if applicable, insert: provided, however that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand]. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the or (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee at the direction of the Company, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.][If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert: The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal and any overdue premium shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue principal or premium shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on overdue principal or premium which is not paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest on interest shall be legally enforceable), from the date of such demand until the amount so demanded is paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue interest shall be payable on demand.]
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) [if applicable, insert: and any such interest] on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts [if applicable, insert: provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register].
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
A-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
| ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: |
||
| Title: |
||
A-3
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated:
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
A-4
[Form of Reverse of Security]
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of , 2026 (herein called the “Indenture”, which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (herein called the ‘“Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable, insert: initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $ ].
[If applicable, insert relevant Redemption provisions.]
[If applicable, insert relevant Sinking Fund provisions.]
[If applicable, insert: The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of [the entire indebtedness of this Security] [or] [certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security] [, in each case] upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert: If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert: If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to [insert formula for determining the amount]. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal, premium and interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Company’s obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and premium and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.
A-5
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, the transfer of this Security may be registered and this Security may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
A-6
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Security, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Security to: ______________________________________________________
(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. no.)
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint _____________________ as agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Your Signature: _____________________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security)
Your Name: _____________________________________________________________
Date:
Signature Guarantee:
| * | NOTICE: The Signature must be guaranteed by an Institution which is a member of one of the following recognized signature Guarantee Programs: (i) The Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP); (ii) The New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program (MNSP); (iii) The Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP); or (iv) such other guarantee program acceptable to the Trustee. |
A-7
[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES]
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL SECURITY
The following exchanges of an interest in this Global Security for an interest in another Global Security or for a Definitive Security, or exchanges of an interest in another Global Security or a Definitive Security for an interest in this Global Security have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Security |
Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Security |
Principal Amount of this Global Security following such decrease or increase |
Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee or Securities Custodian |
||||||||||||
A-8
Exhibit 4.2
ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC.
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
Trustee
Indenture
Dated as of [●], 2026
Subordinated Debt Securities
Certain Sections of this Indenture relating to Sections 310 through 318,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939:
| Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section | |||||
| Section 310 (a)(1) | 609 | |||||
| (a)(2) | 609 | |||||
| (a)(3) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (a)(4) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (a)(5) | 609 | |||||
| (b) | 608 | |||||
| (c) | Not Applicable | |||||
| Section 311 (a) | 613 | |||||
| (b) | 613 | |||||
| (c) | Not Applicable | |||||
| Section 312 (a) | 701, 702 | |||||
| (b) | 702 | |||||
| (c) | 702 | |||||
| Section 313 (a) | 703 | |||||
| (b)(1) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (b)(2) | 703 | |||||
| (c) | 703 | |||||
| (d) | 703 | |||||
| Section 314 (a) | 704 | |||||
| (a)(4) | 101, 1004 | |||||
| (b) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (c)(1) | 102 | |||||
| (c)(2) | 102 | |||||
| (c)(3) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (d) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (e) | 102 | |||||
| (f) | Not Applicable | |||||
| Section 315 (a) | 601 | |||||
| (b) | 602 | |||||
| (c) | 601 | |||||
| (d) | 601 | |||||
| (e) | 514 | |||||
| Section 316 (a)(last sentence) | 106 | |||||
| (a)(1)(A) | 502, 512 | |||||
| (a)(1)(B) | 513 | |||||
| (a)(2) | Not Applicable | |||||
| (b) | 508 | |||||
| (c) | 104 | |||||
| Section 317 (a)(1) | 503 | |||||
| (a)(2) | 504 | |||||
| (b) | 1003 | |||||
| Section 318 (a) | ||||||
NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE ONE |
| |||||
| DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION |
| |||||
| SECTION 101 | Definitions |
1 | ||||
| SECTION 102 | Compliance Certificates and Opinions |
6 | ||||
| SECTION 103 | Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee |
7 | ||||
| SECTION 104 | Acts of Holders; Record Dates |
7 | ||||
| SECTION 105 | Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company |
9 | ||||
| SECTION 106 | Notice to Holders, Waiver |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 107 | Conflict with Trust Indenture Act |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 108 | Effect of Headings and Table of Contents |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 109 | Successors and Assigns |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 110 | Separability Clause |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 111 | Benefits of Indenture |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 112 | Governing Law |
11 | ||||
| SECTION 113 | Legal Holidays |
11 | ||||
| SECTION 114 | No Recourse Against Others |
11 | ||||
| SECTION 115 | Counterparts |
11 | ||||
| ARTICLE TWO |
| |||||
| SECURITY FORMS |
| |||||
| SECTION 201 | Form and Dating |
12 | ||||
| SECTION 202 | Execution and Authentication |
12 | ||||
| SECTION 203 | Transfer and Exchange |
13 | ||||
| ARTICLE THREE |
| |||||
| THE SECURITIES |
| |||||
| SECTION 301 | Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series |
16 | ||||
| SECTION 302 | Temporary Securities |
19 | ||||
| SECTION 303 | Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange |
19 | ||||
| SECTION 304 | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities |
20 | ||||
| SECTION 305 | Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved |
20 | ||||
| SECTION 306 | Persons Deemed Owners |
21 | ||||
| SECTION 307 | Cancellation |
21 | ||||
| SECTION 308 | Computation of Interest |
22 | ||||
| SECTION 309 | CUSIP Numbers |
22 | ||||
| SECTION 310 | Original Issue Discount |
22 | ||||
| ARTICLE FOUR |
| |||||
| SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE |
| |||||
| SECTION 401 | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture |
22 | ||||
| SECTION 402 | Application of Trust Money |
23 | ||||
| ARTICLE FIVE |
| |||||
| REMEDIES |
| |||||
| SECTION 501 | Events of Default |
23 | ||||
| SECTION 502 | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment |
24 | ||||
| SECTION 503 | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee |
25 | ||||
| SECTION 504 | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim |
25 | ||||
| SECTION 505 | Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities |
26 | ||||
| SECTION 506 | Application of Money Collected |
26 | ||||
| SECTION 507 | Limitation on Suits |
26 | ||||
i
| SECTION 508 | Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and to Convert Securities |
27 | ||||
| SECTION 509 | Restoration of Rights and Remedies |
27 | ||||
| SECTION 510 | Rights and Remedies Cumulative |
27 | ||||
| SECTION 511 | Delay or Omission Not Waiver |
27 | ||||
| SECTION 512 | Control by Holders |
28 | ||||
| SECTION 513 | Waiver of Past Defaults |
28 | ||||
| SECTION 514 | Undertaking for Costs |
28 | ||||
| SECTION 515 | Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws |
28 | ||||
| ARTICLE SIX |
| |||||
| THE TRUSTEE |
| |||||
| SECTION 601 | Certain Duties and Responsibilities |
29 | ||||
| SECTION 602 | Notice of Defaults |
29 | ||||
| SECTION 603 | Certain Rights of Trustee |
30 | ||||
| SECTION 604 | Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities |
31 | ||||
| SECTION 605 | May Hold Securities |
31 | ||||
| SECTION 606 | Money Held in Trust |
31 | ||||
| SECTION 607 | Compensation and Reimbursement |
32 | ||||
| SECTION 608 | Conflicting Interests |
33 | ||||
| SECTION 609 | Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility |
33 | ||||
| SECTION 610 | Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor |
33 | ||||
| SECTION 611 | Acceptance of Appointment by Successor |
34 | ||||
| SECTION 612 | Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business |
35 | ||||
| SECTION 613 | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company |
35 | ||||
| SECTION 614 | Appointment of Authenticating Agent |
35 | ||||
| ARTICLE SEVEN |
| |||||
| HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY |
| |||||
| SECTION 701 | Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders |
36 | ||||
| SECTION 702 | Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders |
37 | ||||
| SECTION 703 | Reports by Trustee |
37 | ||||
| SECTION 704 | Reports by Company |
37 | ||||
| ARTICLE EIGHT |
| |||||
| CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE |
| |||||
| SECTION 801 | Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms |
37 | ||||
| SECTION 802 | Successor Substituted |
38 | ||||
| ARTICLE NINE |
| |||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES |
| |||||
| SECTION 901 | Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders |
38 | ||||
| SECTION 902 | Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders |
39 | ||||
| SECTION 903 | Execution of Supplemental Indentures |
40 | ||||
| SECTION 904 | Effect of Supplemental Indentures |
41 | ||||
| SECTION 905 | Conformity with Trust Indenture Act |
41 | ||||
| SECTION 906 | Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures |
41 | ||||
| ARTICLE TEN |
| |||||
| COVENANTS |
| |||||
| SECTION 1001 | Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest |
41 | ||||
| SECTION 1002 | Maintenance of Office or Agency |
41 | ||||
| SECTION 1003 | Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust |
42 | ||||
| SECTION 1004 | Statement by Officer as to Default |
42 | ||||
| SECTION 1005 | Existence |
43 | ||||
| SECTION 1006 | Waiver of Certain Covenants |
43 | ||||
ii
| ARTICLE ELEVEN |
| |||||
| REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES |
| |||||
| SECTION 1101 | Applicability of Article |
43 | ||||
| SECTION 1102 | Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee |
43 | ||||
| SECTION 1103 | Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed |
43 | ||||
| SECTION 1104 | Notice of Redemption |
44 | ||||
| SECTION 1105 | Deposit of Redemption Price |
45 | ||||
| SECTION 1106 | Securities Payable on Redemption Date |
45 | ||||
| SECTION 1107 | Securities Redeemed in Part |
46 | ||||
| ARTICLE TWELVE |
| |||||
| SINKING FUNDS |
| |||||
| SECTION 1201 | Applicability of Article |
46 | ||||
| SECTION 1202 | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities |
46 | ||||
| SECTION 1203 | Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund |
46 | ||||
| ARTICLE THIRTEEN |
| |||||
| DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
| |||||
| SECTION 1301 | Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance |
47 | ||||
| SECTION 1302 | Defeasance and Discharge |
47 | ||||
| SECTION 1303 | Covenant Defeasance |
47 | ||||
| SECTION 1304 | Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance |
48 | ||||
| SECTION 1305 | Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions |
49 | ||||
| SECTION 1306 | Reinstatement |
49 | ||||
| ARTICLE FOURTEEN |
| |||||
| SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES |
| |||||
| SECTION 1401 | Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt |
49 | ||||
| SECTION 1402 | Payments to Securityholders |
50 | ||||
| SECTION 1403 | Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt |
51 | ||||
| SECTION 1404 | Article Not to Prevent Event of Default |
51 | ||||
| SECTION 1405 | Trustee to Effectuate Subordination; No Impairment of Subordination |
51 | ||||
| SECTION 1406 | Notice to Trustee |
52 | ||||
| SECTION 1407 | Reliance on Certificate of Liquidating Agent |
53 | ||||
| SECTION 1408 | Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt |
53 | ||||
| SECTION 1409 | Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt |
53 | ||||
| SECTION 1410 | Article Applicable to Paying Agent |
53 | ||||
| SECTION 1411 | Trust Moneys Not Subordinated |
53 | ||||
Exhibit A: Form of Security
iii
INDENTURE, dated as of [●], 2026, between ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Indiana (herein called the “Company”), having its principal office at 220 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a national banking association, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its subordinated notes, debentures or other evidences of subordinated indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series under this Indenture.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof and, with respect to the provisions of Article Fourteen, the holders of Senior Debt (as hereinafter defined), as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101 Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the date of such computation;
(4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” a “Section” or a “Subsection” refers to an Article, a Section or a Subsection, as the case may be, of this Indenture;
(5) 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, Subsection or other subdivision;
(6) “including” means including without limitation;
(7) references to statutes are to be construed as including all statutory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing the statute referred to;
(8) when used with respect to any Security, the words “convert,” “converted” and “conversion” are intended to refer to the right of the Holder or the Company to convert or exchange such Security into or for securities or other property in accordance with such terms, if any, as may hereafter be specified for such Security as contemplated by Section 301, and these words are not intended to refer to any right of the Holder or the Company to exchange such Security for other Securities of the same series and like tenor pursuant to Section 302, Section 303, Section 304, Section 906 or Section 1107 or another similar provisions of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires; and references herein to the terms of any Security that may be converted mean such terms as may be specified for such Security as contemplated in Section 301; and
1
(9) unless otherwise provided, references to agreements and other instruments shall be deemed to include all amendments and other modifications to such agreements and instruments, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture.
“Act”, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Agent” means any Security Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar.
“Applicable Procedures” of a Depository means, with respect to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of such Depository, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors or such authorized persons or duly appointed person thereof and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer of the Company (or any Person designated in writing by an Officer of the Company as authorized to execute and deliver Company Requests and Company Orders), and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office as of the date of this instrument is located at 311 South Wacker Drive, Suite 6200B, Floor 62, Chicago, Illinois 60606; Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company.
2
“corporation” means a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company, company, joint-stock company or business (including Delaware statutory) trust.
“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 1303.
“Debt” means, with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of that Person and whether or not contingent:
(1) every obligation of that Person for money borrowed;
(2) every obligation of that Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses;
(3) every reimbursement obligation of that Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of that Person;
(4) every obligation of that Person incurred in connection with the acquisition of property or services, but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business;
(5) every capital lease obligation of that Person; and
(6) every obligation of the type referred to above of another Person and all dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case, such Person has guaranteed or for which such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 305.
“Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 1302.
“Definitive Security” means a certificated Security registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 203 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, except that such Security shall not bear the Global Security Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto.
“Depository” means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 203, and, unless otherwise provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the depositary which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Expiration Date” has the meaning specified in Section 104.
“Global Security” means a Security, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, that bears the Global Security Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository, issued in accordance with Section 201 or Section 203 of this Indenture.
“Global Security Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 203(b), which is required to be placed on all Global Securities issued under this Indenture.
3
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301.
“interest”, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 501(4).
“Officer” means the Chair of the Board, a Vice Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Legal Officer, a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company (or any Person designated in writing by an Officer of the Company as authorized to execute and deliver Officer’s Certificates), and delivered to the Trustee.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel, who may be an employee of, or outside counsel for, the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which 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 502.
“Outstanding”, when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(1) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided, however, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(3) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 1302;
(4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 304 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; and
4
(5) Securities as to which any property deliverable upon conversion thereof has been delivered (or such delivery has been made available), or as to which any other particular conditions have been satisfied, in each case as may be provided for such Securities as contemplated in Section 301; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 502, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 301, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 301, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in Clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount determined as provided in such Clause), and (D) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
“Participant” means, with respect to the Depository, a Person who has an account with the Depository.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision of a government or governmental agency.
“Place of Payment”, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 301.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 304 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
“Redemption Date”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Redemption Price”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301.
“Responsible Officer”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee within the corporate trust group of the Trustee (or any successor unit or department of the Trustee) located at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee who has direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and, for the purposes of Section 601(3)(B) and Section 602 (for the purposes of Section 315(b) of the Trust Indenture Act), shall also include any officer of the Trustee to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who, in each case, has direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
5
“Securities” means the Securities described in the first recital hereto and shall include any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 303.
“Senior Debt” means the principal of, and any premium and interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company, whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) on the Company’s Debt, whether incurred on, before or after the date of this instrument, unless the instrument creating or evidencing such Debt or under which such Debt is outstanding provides that obligations created by it are not superior in right of payment to the Securities.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee at the direction of the Company pursuant to Section 305.
“Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” means a Person more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock or other equity interests which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors, managers, trustees or other voting members of the governing body of such Person, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
“U.S. Government Obligation” has the meaning specified in Section 1304.
“Vice President”, when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.
SECTION 102 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with (i) the issuance of Securities that are part of any series as to which such an opinion has been furnished, (ii) a request by the Company that the Trustee deliver a notice to Holders under this Indenture where the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate with respect to such notice or (iii) a cancellation order delivered pursuant to Section 307. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, if to be given by an Officer of the Company or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture.
6
Every certificate (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 1004) or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include,
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 103 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which such certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or Opinion of Counsel or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Counsel delivering an Opinion of Counsel may also rely as to factual matters on certificates of governmental or other officials customary for opinions of the type required.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
SECTION 104 Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing, and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
7
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including a Depository that is a Holder of a Global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depository that is a Holder of a Global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security.
The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so; provided, however, that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, however, that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Sections 105 or 106.
The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 512, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, however, that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106.
8
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which sets such record date may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided, however, that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.
SECTION 105 Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be by electronic transmission) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.
The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Company shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Company whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Company understands and agrees that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Company shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Issuer and/or the Obligor, as applicable; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee immediately upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures. “Electronic Means” shall mean the following communications methods: e-mail, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.
9
SECTION 106 Notice to Holders, Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at its address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Any notice when mailed to a Holder in the aforesaid manner shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder whether or not actually received by such Holder. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to a Holder of a Global Security, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository for such Security (or its designee), pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depository, not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice.
SECTION 107 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act or deemed to be a part of and govern this Indenture, such required or deemed provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
SECTION 108 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 109 Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 110 Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 111 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders and, with respect to the provisions of Article Fourteen, the holders of Senior Debt any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture, except as may otherwise be expressly provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any specific Securities.
10
SECTION 112 Governing Law.
This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (including without limitation Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law or any successor to such statute). The Trustee and the Company agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any United States federal or state court located in the Borough of Manhattan, in The City of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Securities.
The Trustee and the Company, and each Holder of a Security by its acceptance thereof, hereby knowingly, voluntarily, irrevocably and intentionally waive any rights they may have to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation based hereon, or arising out of, under or in connection with this Indenture, the Securities or any course of conduct, course of dealing, statements (whether oral or written) or actions of the Trustee or the Company relating thereto. The Company acknowledges and agrees that it has received full and sufficient consideration for this provision and that this provision is a material inducement for the Trustee and the Holders entering into this Indenture.
SECTION 113 Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security, or any date on which a Holder has the right to convert such Holder’s Security, shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any), or the Redemption Price or conversion of such Security need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, or on such conversion date; and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or conversion date, as the case may be, if payment is made on the next succeeding Business Day.
SECTION 114 No Recourse Against Others.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of any series, or for any claim based thereon, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, against any incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or any successor of the Company, either directly or indirectly through the Company or any successor of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment of penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and all the Securities of each series are solely corporate obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or is incurred by, any incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor of the Company, either directly or indirectly through the Company or any successor of the Company, because of the incurring of the indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities of any series, or to be implied herefrom or therefrom; and that all such personal liability is hereby expressly released and waived as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of the Securities of each series.
SECTION 115 Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Indenture electronically shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof. The words “execution,” “executed,” “signed,” signature” and words of like import in this Indenture or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Indenture shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by email or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.
11
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 201 Form and Dating.
The Securities of each series and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication thereon shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, the terms of which are incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture, or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or, subject to Section 202, set forth in, or determined in the manner provided in, an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or Depository therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officer executing such Securities, as evidenced by his or her execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 202 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, the Securities shall be issuable only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
The Definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officer executing such Securities, as evidenced by his or her execution of such Securities. Securities issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Security Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto). Securities issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Security Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto). Each Global Security shall represent such of the outstanding Securities as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 203 hereof.
SECTION 202 Execution and Authentication.
An Officer of the Company shall sign the Securities for the Company, by manual, facsimile or electronic signature.
If the Officer of the Company whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time such Security is authenticated, such Security shall be valid nevertheless.
A Security shall not be valid or obligatory, or entitled to any benefit under this Indenture, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein manually or electronically executed by the Trustee or an Authentication Agent. The manual or electronic signature of the Trustee shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been authenticated and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
12
The Trustee, upon a Company Order, shall authenticate and deliver Securities for original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in such order. Such Company Order shall specify the principal amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 201 and Section 301, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating to the following effect,
(1) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(2) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and
(3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 307, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 203 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Securities. A Global Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or to another nominee of the Depository, or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depository with respect to the Global Securities. Global Securities shall be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Securities if:
(i) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depository that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depository or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depository is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depository; or
13
(ii) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Securities (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Securities and delivers written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or
(iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default under this Indenture and the Trustee has received a request from the Depository or any Holder to issue Definitive Securities.
Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i) or (ii) above, the Company will notify the Trustee in writing that, upon surrender by the Participants of their interest in such Global Securities, Definitive Securities will be issued to each Person that such Participants and the Depository identify as being the beneficial owner of the related Securities. Global Securities also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 302 and Section 304 hereof. Except as otherwise provided above in this Section 203, every Security authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 203 or Section 302 or Section 304 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security. A Global Security may not be exchanged for another Security other than as provided in this Section 203(a).
(b) Legends. The following legend shall appear on the face of all Global Securities issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:
“THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS HELD BY AND REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY), IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 203 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED PURSUANT TO SECTION 203(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 307 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“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 IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”
(c) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Securities and Definitive Securities upon the Company’s order or at the Security Registrar’s request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made to a Holder of a Definitive Security for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Section 302 hereof).
14
(iii) The Security Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
(iv) All Global Securities and Definitive Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Securities or Definitive Securities shall be the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Securities or Definitive Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(v) The Company shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business on a Business Day 15 days before the day of any selection of Securities for redemption under Section 1103 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection or (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Security between a record date for the payment of interest and the next succeeding interest payment date.
(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Security, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Securities and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(vii) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Securities and Definitive Securities upon original issuance in accordance with the provisions of Section 202 hereof.
(viii) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Security Registrar pursuant to this Section 203 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted electronically with the original to follow by first class mail.
(d) No Obligation of the Trustee.
(i) None of the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner in a Global Security, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Securities shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of the Global Security). The rights of beneficial owners in the Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee, any Paying Agent and the Security Registrar may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners. The Trustee, each Paying Agent and the Security Registrar shall be entitled to deal with any depositary (including the Depository), and any nominee thereof, that is the Holder of any Global Security for all purposes of this Indenture relating to such global Security (including the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest and additional amounts, if any, and the giving of instructions or directions by or to the owner or holder of a beneficial ownership interest in such Global Security) as the sole Holder of such Global Security and shall have no obligations to the beneficial owners thereof. None of the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of any such depositary with respect to such Global Security, for the records of any such depositary, including records in respect of beneficial ownership interests in respect of any such Global Security, for any transactions between such depositary and any participant in such depositary or between or among any such depositary, any such participant and/or any holder or owner of a beneficial interest in such Global Security or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any such Global Security.
15
(ii) The Trustee 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 Security (including any transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners in the Global Security) other than to make any required 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.
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 301 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 202, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,
(1) the form and title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);
(2) the limit, if any, on the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 302, Section 303, Section 304, Section 906 or Section 1107 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 202, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may from time to time be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;
(3) the price or prices at which the Securities will be sold;
(4) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;
(5) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on any Securities of the series is payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates;
(6) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable, or a combination thereof) at which any Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral;
(7) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable, the place or places where the Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made and the manner in which any payment may be made;
16
(8) the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;
(9) the obligation or the right, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation or option;
(10) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(11) if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying Agent;
(12) if the amount of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to a financial or economic measure or index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined,
(13) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities of the series shall be denominated, payable, redeemable or purchasable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 101;
(14) if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities of the series is to be payable, redeemable or purchasable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, redeemable or purchasable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, redeemable or purchasable the periods within which or the dates on which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable, redeemable or purchasable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined);
(15) if the provisions of Section 401 relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture shall not apply to the Securities of that series; or if provisions for the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture other than as set forth in Section 401 shall apply to the Securities of that series;
(16) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;
(17) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);
(18) if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease any Securities of the series pursuant to Section 1302 or Section 1303 shall be evidenced; whether any Securities of the series other than Securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate are to be subject to Section 1302 or Section 1303; or, in the case of Securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate, if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall not be defeasible pursuant to Section 1302 or Section 1303 or both such Sections;
17
(19) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositories for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 203 and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Clause (ii) of the last paragraph of Section 203(a) in which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the Depository for such Global Security or a nominee thereof;
(20) any deletion from, addition to or change in the Events of Default that apply to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 502;
(21) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article Ten that apply to Securities of the series or in any defined term used in Article Ten;
(22) the terms of any right to convert or exchange Securities of such series into any other securities or property of the Company or of any other corporation or Person, and the additions or changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;
(23) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed by any Person or Persons and, if so, the identity of such Person or Persons, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective guarantors;
(24) whether the Securities of the series will be secured by any collateral and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be secured and, if applicable, upon which such liens may be subordinated to other liens securing other indebtedness of the Company or any guarantor;
(25) whether the Securities will be issued in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act and any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;
(26) the exchanges, if any, on which the Securities may be listed; and
(27) any and all other terms with respect to such series, including, but not limited to, any terms that may be required by or advisable under U.S. laws or regulations or otherwise included in connection with the marketing of the Securities of that series.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 202) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at one time and, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and, subject to Section 202, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions or in any such indenture supplemental hereto with respect to a series of Securities, additional Securities of a series may be issued, at the option of the Company, without the consent of any Holder, at any time and from time to time.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
18
SECTION 302 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute and, upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause Definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of Definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company designated for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more Definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges under this Indenture as Definitive Securities of such series and tenor.
SECTION 303 Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office or agency and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided. The Company may at any time replace such Security Registrar, change such office or agency or act as its own Security Registrar. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change of the Security Registrar or of the location of such office or agency. At all reasonable times, the Security Register shall be available for inspection by the Trustee.
Except as otherwise specified or contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of such series at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Except as otherwise specified or contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, any Security of such series may be exchanged at the option of the Holder, for one or more new Securities of the same series, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Securities delivered upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed or shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, no service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities.
19
SECTION 304 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and shall cancel and dispose of such mutilated security in accordance with its customary procedures.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
SECTION 305 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee, at the direction of the Company, shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so transmitted, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2).
20
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
In the case of any Security which is converted after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Security whose Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest whose Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or made available for payment) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Security which is converted, interest whose Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion of such Security shall not be payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of any Security that may be converted may provide that the provisions of this paragraph do not apply, or apply with such additions, changes or omissions as may be provided thereby, to such Security.
SECTION 306 Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Sections Section 303 and Section 305) interest, if any, on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
SECTION 307 Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and, if not already cancelled, shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the Trustee’s then customary procedures. If requested by the Company, certification of the disposition of all cancelled Securities shall be delivered to the Company.
21
SECTION 308 Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
SECTION 309 CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” and/or other similar numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” and/or such other numbers in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption or exchange and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” and/or such other numbers.
SECTION 310 Original Issue Discount.
If any of the Securities is an Original Issue Discount Security, the Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (1) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on such Outstanding Original Issue Discount Securities as of the end of such year and (2) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 401 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(1) either
(A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 304 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee as cancelled or for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee as cancelled or for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
22
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid, or otherwise made provision for the payment of, all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such Securities; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of any series, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1103 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
SECTION 402 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1103, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee. All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 (and held by it or any Paying Agent) for the payment of Securities subsequently converted into other property shall be returned to the Company upon Company Request.
The Company may direct by a Company Order the investment of any money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401, without distinction between principal and income, in (1) United States Treasury securities with a maturity of one year or less or (2) a money market fund that invests solely in short term United States Treasury securities (including money market funds for which the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee serves as investment advisor, administrator, shareholder, servicing agent and/or custodian or sub-custodian, notwithstanding that (a) the Trustee charges and collects fees and expenses from such funds for services rendered and (b) the Trustee charges and collects fees and expenses for services rendered pursuant to this Indenture at any time), and from time to time the Company may direct the reinvestment of all or a portion of such money in other securities or funds meeting the criteria specified in Clause (1) or (2) of this Section.
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
SECTION 501 Events of Default.
“Event of Default”, wherever used herein or in a Security issued hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), except as may be otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 for Securities of any series:
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
23
(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series; or
(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty, a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(6) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by the Company of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by the Company in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or
(7) any other Event of Default provided as contemplated by Section 301 or Section 901 with respect to Securities of that series.
SECTION 502 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or Section 501(6)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or Section 501(6) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable. Upon payment of such amount, all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series shall terminate.
24
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(A) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,
(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,
(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607;
and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 503 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days; or
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof, and such default is continuing,
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, 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, and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
SECTION 504 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607) allowed in any such proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the 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 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 607.
25
No provision of this Indenture 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 Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.
SECTION 505 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
SECTION 506 Application of Money Collected.
Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article and, after an Event of Default, any money or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture, shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee (including any predecessor Trustee) under Section 607;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind (other than contractual subordination agreements pursuant to this Indenture), according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: To the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct;
provided, however, in the event that default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or default is made in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Security on the Stated Maturity Date or Redemption Date thereof, the Trustee may reserve from any money collected pursuant to this Article an amount sufficient, in the reasonable determination of the Trustee, to cover the expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee that may be incurred thereafter.
The Trustee may fix a record date for the payment of any amounts to Holders pursuant to this Section.
SECTION 507 Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
26
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.
SECTION 508 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and to Convert Securities.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and (subject to Sections 303 and 305) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date and, if the terms of such Security so provide, to convert such Security in accordance with its terms) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and, if applicable, any such right to convert and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 509 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 510 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 304, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 511 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
27
SECTION 512 Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series, provided, however, that
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;
(2) such direction shall not involve the Trustee in personal liability; and
(3) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
SECTION 513 Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default
(1) in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series, or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 514 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, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company or the Trustee, a suit by a Holder under Section 508, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities.
SECTION 515 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
28
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 601 Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(1) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities:
(A) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee with respect to such series; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture, but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(2) In case an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to the Securities of such series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(3) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(A) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsections (1) and (4) of this Section;
(B) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(C) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series.
(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(5) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
SECTION 602 Notice of Defaults.
Within 90 days after the occurrence, and during the continuance, of any default with respect to the Securities of any series that is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, notice of all such uncured or unwaived defaults; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to the Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders of Securities shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof. Except in the case of a default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security, or in the payment of any sinking fund installment, the Trustee may withhold such notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interest of the Holders of the Securities. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.
29
SECTION 603 Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601:
(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;
(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(9) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any default (within the meaning of Section 602) or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series for which it is acting as Trustee unless written notice of such default or Event of Default, as the case may be, is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee from the Company, any other obligor upon such Securities or by any Holder of such Securities, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;
(10) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder, as well as to the Trustee’s employees, officers and directors;
30
(11) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which certificate may be signed by any persons authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;
(12) the permissive right of the Trustee hereunder to take or omit to take any action shall not be construed as a duty;
(13) 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), irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;
(14) 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 control, including, without limitation, any provision of any law or regulation or any act of any governmental authority, acts of God; 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; and
(15) in order to comply with applicable tax laws (inclusive of rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) related to this Indenture in effect from time to time (“Applicable Tax Law”) that a foreign financial institution, issuer, trustee, paying agent or other party is or has agreed to be subject to, the Company agrees (i) to provide to the Trustee and the Agents sufficient information about the parties and/or transactions (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) so the Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, can determine whether it has tax related obligations under Applicable Tax Law, (ii) that the Trustee and the Agents shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Tax Law for which neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any liability and (iii) to hold harmless the Trustee and the Agents for any Losses it may suffer due to the actions it takes to comply with Applicable Tax Law. The terms of this section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.
SECTION 604 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall not be responsible to make any calculation with respect to any matter under this Indenture. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor or investigate the Company’s compliance with or the breach of, or cause to be performed or observed, any representation, warranty, or covenant, or agreement of any Person, other than the Trustee, made in this Indenture.
SECTION 605 May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Section 608 and Section 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
SECTION 606 Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on, or for the investment of, any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.
31
SECTION 607 Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its own negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment), and the Trustee shall provide the Company reasonable notice of any expenditure not in the ordinary course of business; and
(3) to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify each of the Trustee, or any predecessor Trustee, and their respective officers, employees, directors, shareholders and agents (each, an “indemnitee”), for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trusts and its duties under this Indenture, including the enforcement of this provision, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending (including the reasonable compensation and the expense and disbursements of its agents and counsel) themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, damage, claim, liability or expense shall be determined (by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment) to have been caused by such indemnitee’s own negligence or willful misconduct.
The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity; provided, however, that any failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder, unless the Company is materially prejudiced thereby. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel if (i) the Company shall have failed to assume the defense thereof or employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee or (ii) the Trustee has been advised by such counsel that there may be one or more defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Company. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, other than funds held in trust under Section 402.
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 in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or Section 501(6), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal and State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
The Company’s obligations under this Section 607 and the lien referred to in this Section 607 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the discharge of the Company’s obligations under Articles Four and Thirteen of this Indenture and/or the termination of this Indenture.
“Trustee” for purposes of this Section 607 shall include any predecessor Trustee; provided, however, that the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.
32
SECTION 608 Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall eliminate such interest, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as trustee (if any of the Securities are registered pursuant to the Securities Act) or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture, in its capacity as trustee in respect of the Securities of any series, or in its capacity as trustee under any other indenture or indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in other securities, of the Company are outstanding. Nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the Commission the application referred to in the second to last paragraph of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 609 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of each series, which may be Trustee hereunder for Securities of one or more other series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and has its Corporate Trust Office in the United States of America. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
SECTION 610 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611.
The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the Trustee’s receipt of such notice of removal, the departing Trustee may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
33
then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or (B) subject to Section 514, Holders of 10% in principal amount of Securities of any series who have been bona fide Holders of such Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of which such Trustee acts as trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, Holders of 10% in principal amount of Securities of any series who have been bona fide Holders of such Securities for at least six months or the Trustee may, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 611 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder; subject, nevertheless, to its lien provided for in Section 607.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary, to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; subject, nevertheless, to its lien provided for in Section 607.
34
Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
SECTION 612 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any Person into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities; and in case at that time any Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in each such case, such certificate shall have the full force and effect accorded to a certificate of the Trustee under the Securities or this Indenture.
SECTION 613 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).
SECTION 614 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of and subject to the direction of the Trustee to authenticate and deliver Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 304, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
35
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 607.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| Dated: |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | |||||
| By: | ||||||
| As Authenticating Agent | ||||||
| By: | ||||||
| Authorized Signatory | ||||||
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 701 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date, a list for each series of Securities, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date; and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar for the Securities of a series, no such list need be furnished with respect to such series of Securities.
36
SECTION 702 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.
Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 703 Reports by Trustee.
So long as any Securities remain outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within sixty days after each September 1 following the date of this Indenture deliver to Holders a brief report, dated as of such September 1, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Section 313(a) has occurred within the 12 months preceding the reporting date, no such report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Section 313(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange or delisted therefrom.
SECTION 704 Reports by Company.
Except as may be otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 for Securities of any series, the Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports, if any, that it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or pursuant to Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.
All required reports, information and documents referred to in this Section 704 shall be deemed filed with the Trustee and transmitted to the Holders at the time such reports, information or documents are publicly filed with the Commission via the Commission’s EDGAR filing system (or any successor system). For purposes of clarification, the foregoing sentence does not impose on the Trustee any duty to search for or obtain any electronic or other filings that the Company makes with the Commission, regardless of whether such filings are periodic, supplemental or otherwise. The Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute a representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any such reports, information and documents or actual or constructive knowledge or notice 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 Officer’s Certificates).
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 801 Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease (as lessor) its properties and assets as or substantially as an entirety to any Person unless:
37
(1) in the case of a merger, (i) the Company is the surviving Person or (ii) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases the properties and assets of the Company as, or substantially as, an entirety (the “Successor”) shall be a corporation validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and, for each Security that by its terms provides for conversion, shall have provided for the right to convert such Security in accordance with its terms;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall exist; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and such supplemental indenture, if any, complies with this Indenture (except that such Opinion of Counsel need not opine as to Clause (2) above).
SECTION 802 Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease (where the Company is the lessor) of the properties and assets of the Company as, or substantially as, an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except, in the case of a lease (where the Company is the lessor), the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 901 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by any successor Person of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company herein and in the Securities contained, all as provided in Article Eight;
(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company with regard to all or any series of Securities (and if any such surrender is to be made with regard to less than all series of Securities, stating that such surrender is expressly being made solely with regard to such series);
(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series);
(4) to add one or more guarantees for the benefit of Holders of the Securities or to release guarantors in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;
(5) to secure the Securities;
38
(6) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611;
(7) subject to any limitations established pursuant to Section 301, to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series;
(8) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 201 and Section 301;
(9) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depository;
(10) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form;
(11) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture with regard to all or any series of Securities (and if any such addition, change or elimination is to be made with regard to less than all series of Securities, stating that such addition, change or elimination is expressly being made solely with regard to such series); provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no such Security described in Clause (A)(i) Outstanding;
(12) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision of this Indenture or the Securities which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein;
(13) to change any other provision under this Indenture; provided that such action pursuant to this Clause (13) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect;
(14) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 401, Section 1302 and Section 1303; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect;
(15) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded;
(16) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depository or the requirements of the Commission either to effect or maintain the qualifications of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
(17) to conform any provision of this Indenture, any supplemental indenture, one or more series of Securities or any related guarantees or security documents, if any, to the description of such Securities contained in the Company’s prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or similar document with respect to the offering of the Securities of such series.
SECTION 902 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for Securities), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,
39
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security;
(2) reduce the principal amount of any Security or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or reduce the rate of interest on any Security;
(3) reduce any premium payable upon the redemption or change the date on which any Security may or must be redeemed;
(4) change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Security is payable;
(5) impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date);
(6) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture;
(7) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513, or Section 1006, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1006, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Section 611 and Section 901(6); or
(8) if the Securities of any series are convertible into or for any other securities or property of the Company, make any change that adversely affects in any material respect the right to convert any Security of such series (except as permitted by Section 901) or decrease the conversion rate or increase the conversion price of any such Security of such series, unless such decrease or increase is permitted by the terms of such Security.
A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 903 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
40
SECTION 904 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
SECTION 905 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 906 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series. Failure to make a notation or issue a new Security shall not affect the validity and effect of any amendment, supplement or waiver.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
SECTION 1001 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture. Principal of, premium, if any, and interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of noon, 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 of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes then due.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Company or the Paying Agent may, to the extent it is required to do so by law, deduct or withhold income or other similar taxes imposed by the United States of America or other domestic or foreign taxing authorities from principal or interest payments hereunder.
SECTION 1002 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Security Registrar or Co-Security Registrar) where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities may be surrendered for conversion, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will 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 appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
41
With respect to any Global Security, and except as otherwise may be specified for such Global Security as contemplated by Section 301 or as the Trustee may otherwise direct, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or such other office as the Trustee shall designate) shall be the Place of Payment where such Global Security may be presented or surrendered for payment or for registration of transfer or exchange, or where successor Securities may be delivered in exchange therefor; provided, however, that any such payment, presentation, surrender or delivery effected pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depository for such Global Security shall be deemed to have been effected at the Place of Payment for such Global Security in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
SECTION 1003 Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to noon, New York City time, on each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit (or, if the Company has deposited any trust funds with a trustee pursuant to Section 1304(1), cause such trustee to deposit) with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided; (2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of that series; and (3) during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Subject to applicable abandoned property laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.
SECTION 1004 Statement by Officer as to Default.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officer’s Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signer thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which the signer thereof may have knowledge.
42
SECTION 1005 Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate (or equivalent) existence.
SECTION 1006 Waiver of Certain Covenants.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 301(21), Section 901(2) or Section 901(8) for the benefit of the Holders of such series, if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1101 Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities) in accordance with this Article.
SECTION 1102 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, in case of any redemption at the election of the Company of the Securities of any series (including any such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, not less than 10 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
SECTION 1103 Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, if less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date, in the case of Securities held in certificated form, by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by lot, and in the case of Securities held in book-entry form, in accordance with the Applicable Procedures; provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date, from the Outstanding Securities of such series and specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.
43
If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted during a selection of securities to be redeemed shall be treated as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.
With respect to Securities held in certificated form, the Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
The provisions of the three preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed. If the Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.
SECTION 1104 Notice of Redemption.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed or otherwise delivered in accordance with the Applicable Procedures not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date (or within such period as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the relevant Securities), to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the Security Register.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, all notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
(2) the Redemption Price (or the method of calculating such price);
(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed;
(4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price, and accrued interest, if any, will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date;
(5) the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;
(6) for any Securities that by their terms may be converted, the terms of conversion, the date on which the right to convert the Security to be redeemed will terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion;
(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;
44
(8) the CUSIP and/or other similar number as contemplated by Section 309; provided, however, that no representation will be made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, or any similar number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities; and
(9) any conditions precedent described in the second paragraph below.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request (which may be rescinded or revoked at any time prior to the time at which the Trustee shall have given such notice to the Holders), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. The notice, if sent in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities.
Any redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, at the Company’s discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions precedent included at the Company’s discretion shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company) or the Redemption Date may not occur and such notice may be rescinded if all such conditions precedent included at the Company’s discretion shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Company). In addition, such notice may provide that payment of the Redemption Price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another person.
SECTION 1105 Deposit of Redemption Price.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, on or prior to noon, New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date or the Securities of the series provide otherwise) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions of Securities called for redemption that are owned by the Company or a Subsidiary and have been delivered by the Company or such Subsidiary to the Trustee for cancellation. All money, if any, earned on funds held by the Paying Agent shall be remitted to the Company. In addition, 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, if any, on, all Securities to be redeemed.
If any Security called for redemption is converted into shares of common stock or other securities of the Company in compliance with the terms of such Security, any money deposited with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security shall (subject to any right of the Holder of such Security or any Predecessor Security to receive interest as provided in the last paragraph of Section 305 or in the terms of such Security) be paid to the Company upon Company Request or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.
SECTION 1106 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together, if applicable, with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 305; provided further that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date, the accrued and unpaid interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Securities registered on the relevant Regular Record Date.
45
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
SECTION 1107 Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor or such other office as the Trustee shall designate (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
ARTICLE TWELVE
SINKING FUNDS
SECTION 1201 Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of any series of Securities is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of any Securities, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities as provided for by the terms of such Securities.
SECTION 1202 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided, however, that the Securities to be so credited have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
SECTION 1203 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 45 days (or such shorter period as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to Section 1202 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 1106 and Section 1107.
46
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 1301 Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, Section 1302 and Section 1303 shall apply to all Securities or each series of Securities, as the case may be, in either case denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article; and the Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 1302 and Section 1303 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, pursuant to such Section 1302 or Section 1303, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth in this Article. Any such election to have or not to have Section 1302 and Section 1303 apply, as the case may be, shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.
SECTION 1302 Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of such Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1304 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities when payments are due, (2) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 302, 303, 304, 1002 and 1003 and with respect to the Trustee, including but not limited to those under Section 607, (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (4) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to such Securities.
SECTION 1303 Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, (1) the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 704, 801, 1004 and 1005 and any covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(21), Section 901(2) or Section 901(8) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in Section 501(4) (with respect to Sections 704, 801, 1004 and 1005 and any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(21), Section 901(2) or Section 901(8)) and Section 501(7) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Covenant Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, 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 specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 501(4)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
47
SECTION 1304 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 1302 or Section 1303 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be:
(1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than noon, New York City time, on the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, without reinvestment, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities. As used herein, “U.S. Government Obligation” means (x) any security which is a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in Clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held, provided, however, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
(2) In the event of an election to have Section 1302 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating 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 instrument, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(3) In the event of an election to have Section 1303 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.
(4) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit.
(5) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit (other than such event or Event of Default (if any) resulting from the incurrence of indebtedness or the grant of liens securing such indebtedness, all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be applied to such deposit).
(6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, or if such breach or default would occur, which is not waived as of, and for all purposes, on and after, the date of such deposit.
48
(7) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with (in each case, subject to the satisfaction of the condition in clause (5).
Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in accordance with Article Eleven.
SECTION 1305 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and Section 1306, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1304 in respect of any Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1304 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 Outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1304 with respect to any Securities which are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.
SECTION 1306 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 1302 or Section 1303 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1305 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that (a) if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust and (b) unless otherwise required by any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall return all such money and U.S. Government Obligations to the Company promptly after receiving a written request therefor at any time, if such reinstatement of the Company’s obligations has occurred and continues to be in effect.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1401 Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt.
The Company for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, by his acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on each and all Securities is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter in this Article set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt. The provisions of this Article shall constitute a continuing offer to all persons who, in reliance upon such provisions, become holders of, or continue to hold, Senior Debt, and such provisions are made for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt, and such holders are hereby made obligees hereunder the same as if their names were written herein as such, and they and/or each of them may proceed to enforce such provisions.
49
SECTION 1402 Payments to Securityholders.
(a) Upon (i) any acceleration of the principal amount due on the Securities of any series or (ii) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, or any assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets and liabilities, or any debt restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding, all principal, premium, if any, sinking funds and interest, if any, due upon all Senior Debt shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in cash or cash equivalents in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities, and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities of any series under the terms of this Indenture would be entitled, except for the provisions hereof, shall (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred by the provisions hereof upon the Senior Debt and the holders thereof with respect to the Securities and the Holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law), be paid by the Company or any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, or by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities if received by them, directly to the holders of Senior Debt (pro rata to each such holder on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Debt held by such holder) or their representatives, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Debt (including interest thereon) in full in cash or cash equivalents in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Debt, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities. The consolidation of the Company with, or a merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided in Section 801 hereof shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 1402(a).
(b) In the event that any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character not permitted by Section 1402(a), whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of Securities before all Senior Debt is paid in full, or provision made for such payment, in accordance with its terms upon written notice to the Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, (i) the holders of such Senior Debt or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Debt may have been issued, as their respective interest may appear, or (ii) if applicable, any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making payment or distribution of assets of the Company, in each case for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Debt in full in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to holders of such Senior Debt. Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 506 or Section 607. In addition, nothing in this Article shall prevent the Company from making or the Trustee from receiving or applying any payment in connection with the redemption of Securities of a series if the first publication of notice of such redemption (whether by mail or otherwise in accordance with this Indenture) has been made, and the Trustee has received such payment from the Company, prior to the occurrence of any of the contingencies specified in this Section 1402.
50
(c) No payment on account of principal of, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest on the Securities of any series shall be made unless full payment of amounts then due for principal, premium, if any, sinking funds and interest on any Senior Debt has been made or duly provided for in cash or cash equivalents in accordance with the terms of such Senior Debt. No payment on account of principal, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest on the Securities shall be made if, at the time of such payment or immediately after giving effect thereto, (i) there shall exist a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, sinking fund or interest with respect to any Senior Debt, or (ii) there shall have occurred an event of default (other than a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest) with respect to any Senior Debt, as defined therein or in the instrument under which the same is outstanding, permitting the holders thereof to accelerate the maturity thereof and upon written notice thereof given to the Trustee, with a copy to the Company (the delivery of which shall not affect the validity of the notice to the Trustee), and such event of default shall not have been cured or waived or shall not have ceased to exist.
SECTION 1403 Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt.
From and after the payment in full of all Senior Debt, the Holders of the Securities (together with the holders of any other indebtedness of the Company which is subordinate in right of payment to the payment in full of all Senior Debt, which is not subordinate in right of payment to the Securities and which by its terms grants such right of subrogation to the holder thereof) shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions of assets or securities of the Company applicable to the Senior Debt until the Securities shall be paid in full, and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no such payments or distributions to the holders of Senior Debt of assets or securities, which otherwise would have been payable or distributable to Holders of the Securities, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Debt, and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior Debt, it being understood that the provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Debt, on the other hand, and nothing contained in this Article is intended to or shall impair as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Debt, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of, premium, if any, sinking funds and interest, if any, on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of the Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of a Security of any series from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series subject to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt, under Section 1402, to receive cash, property or securities of the Company otherwise payable or deliverable to the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities or to a representative of such Holders, on their behalf.
SECTION 1404 Article Not to Prevent Event of Default.
Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or the Securities of any series shall prevent at any time the Company from making payments at any time of principal of, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest on the Securities, except under the conditions described in Section 1402 or during the pendency of any proceedings or sale referred to therein. The failure to make a payment on account of principal of, premium, if any, sinking funds and interest by reason of any provision of this Article shall not be construed as preventing an Event of Default under Section 501.
SECTION 1405 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination; No Impairment of Subordination.
Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment, authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provisions in this Article and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
51
No rights of any present or future holder of any Senior Debt to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company, with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.
Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Holders of the Securities, without incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Securities and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article or the obligations of the Holders of the Securities to the holders of Senior Debt, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Debt, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner Senior Debt of any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Debt is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Debt; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior Debt; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.
SECTION 1406 Notice to Trustee.
The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment of money or distribution to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article, including, not limited to, Sections 1402, 1403 and 1404 hereof, or any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment or distribution to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities otherwise required to be made pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or the Securities, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Debt or from any trustee therefor; and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any cash, property or securities may become payable or distributable for any purposes (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest on any Security), then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive and to apply monies, securities or other property received by it for any such payment or distribution to the purpose for which they were received and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may have been received by it within such three Business Days prior to such date.
The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of any such holder). In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Debt to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Debt held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under the Article, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment or distribution to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment or distribution.
52
SECTION 1407 Reliance on Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
Upon any payment or distribution referred to in this Article, the Trustee, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which a dissolution, winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.
SECTION 1408 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt.
With respect to the holders of Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Debt shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall in the absence of bad faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of the Securities of any series or to the Company or to any other Person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise.
SECTION 1409 Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Debt which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt, and nothing in Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act or Section 613 or elsewhere in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 506 or Section 607.
SECTION 1410 Article Applicable to Paying Agent.
In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article shall in such case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that this Section shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.
SECTION 1411 Trust Moneys Not Subordinated.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from moneys or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article Four or Thirteen by the Trustee for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities from the date of deposit (if made in compliance with this Indenture) shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Debt or subject to the restraints set forth in this Article, and none of the Holders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company or any holder of Senior Debt of the Company or any other creditor of the Company.
[Signature pages follow]
53
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
| ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: |
||
| Title: |
||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: |
||
| Title: |
||
1
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC.
[Global Securities Legend]
THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS HELD BY AND REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY) IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 203 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED PURSUANT TO SECTION 203(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 307 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“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 IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
A-1
[Form of Face of Security]
ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC.
[Designation of Series]
CUSIP No.
[Other No. ]
No. $
Elevance Health, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Indiana (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to, or registered assigns, the principal sum of Dollars ($ ) on [if the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert: and to pay interest thereon from or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on and of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing , at the rate of % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment][if applicable, insert: provided, however that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand]. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the or (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee at the direction of the Company, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.][If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert: The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal and any overdue premium shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue principal or premium shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on overdue principal or premium which is not paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest on interest shall be legally enforceable), from the date of such demand until the amount so demanded is paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue interest shall be payable on demand.]
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) [if applicable, insert: and any such interest] on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts [if applicable, insert: provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register].
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
A-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
| ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: |
||
| Title: |
||
A-3
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated:
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
A-4
[Form of Reverse of Security]
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of , 2026 (herein called the “Indenture”, which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (herein called the ‘“Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable, insert: initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $ ].
[If applicable, insert relevant Redemption provisions.]
[If applicable, insert relevant Sinking Fund provisions.]
[If applicable, insert: The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of [the entire indebtedness of this Security] [or] [certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security] [, in each case] upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert: If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert: If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to [insert formula for determining the amount]. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal, premium and interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Company’s obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and premium and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided in the Indenture, subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt, and this Security is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each Holder of this Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her behalf to take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each Holder hereof, by his or her acceptance hereof, waives all notice of the acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder of Senior Debt, whether now outstanding or hereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, and waives reliance by each such Holder upon said provisions.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
A-5
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, the transfer of this Security may be registered and this Security may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
A-6
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Security, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Security to: ______________________________________________________
(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. no.)
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint _____________________ as agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Your Signature: _____________________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security)
Your Name: _____________________________________________________________
Date:
Signature Guarantee:
| * | NOTICE: The Signature must be guaranteed by an Institution which is a member of one of the following recognized signature Guarantee Programs: (i) The Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP); (ii) The New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program (MNSP); (iii) The Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP); or (iv) such other guarantee program acceptable to the Trustee. |
A-7
[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES]
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL SECURITY
The following exchanges of an interest in this Global Security for an interest in another Global Security or for a Definitive Security, or exchanges of an interest in another Global Security or a Definitive Security for an interest in this Global Security have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Security |
Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Security |
Principal Amount of this Global Security following such decrease or increase |
Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee or Securities Custodian |
||||||||||||
A-8
Exhibit 5.1
| Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP Columbia Square 555 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 T +1 202 637 5600 F +1 202 637 5910 www.hlc.com |
October 28, 2026
Board of Directors
Elevance Health, Inc.
220 Virginia Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
To the addressee referred to above:
We are acting as counsel to Elevance Health, Inc., an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), in connection with its registration statement on Form S-3, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed public offering of one or more series of the following securities of the Company: (i) shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Shares”), (ii) shares of preferred stock, without par value (the “Preferred Shares”), (iii) senior debt securities (the “Senior Debt Securities”), (iv) subordinated debt securities (the “Subordinated Debt Securities” and, together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”), (v) Preferred Shares represented by depositary receipts (the “Depositary Shares”); (vi) warrants to purchase Preferred Shares (the “Preferred Stock Warrants”); (vii) warrants to purchase Common Shares (the “Common Stock Warrants”); (viii) warrants to purchase Depositary Shares (the “Depositary Share Warrants”), (ix) rights to purchase Preferred Shares, Common Shares or Depositary Shares (the “Rights”); (x) stock purchase contracts to purchase Preferred Shares or Common Shares (the “Stock Purchase Contracts”); and (xi) stock purchase units consisting of a Stock Purchase Contract and a beneficial interest in Debt Securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities (the “Stock Purchase Units” and, together with the Common Shares, the Preferred Shares, the Debt Securities, the Depositary Shares, the Preferred Stock Warrants, the Common Stock Warrants, the Depositary Share Warrants, the Rights and the Stock Purchase Contracts, the “Securities”), all of which may be sold from time to time and on a delayed or continuous basis, as set forth in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement, and as to be set forth in one or more supplements to the prospectus. This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. § 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of such agreements, instruments and documents as we have deemed an appropriate basis on which to render the opinions hereinafter expressed. In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all original documents, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies (including pdfs). As to all matters of fact, we have relied on the representations and statements of fact made in the documents so reviewed, and we have not independently established the facts so relied on. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.
Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in the state of Delaware. “Hogan Lovells Cadwalader” is an international legal practice that includes Hogan Lovells Cadwalader International LLP and Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP, with offices in: Alicante Amsterdam Baltimore Beijing Berlin Birmingham Boston Brussels Charlotte Colorado Springs Denver Dubai Dublin Dusseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Houston London Los Angeles Luxembourg Madrid Mexico City Miami Milan Minneapolis Monterrey Munich New York Northern Virginia Paris Philadelphia Riyadh Rome San Francisco São Paulo Shanghai Silicon Valley Singapore Tokyo Washington, D.C. Associated Offices: Jakarta Shanghai FTZ. Business Services Centers: Johannesburg Louisville. For more information see http://www.hlc.com.
| Board of Directors Elevance Health, Inc. |
October 28, 2026 |
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that (i) the issuance, sale, amount and terms of any Securities of the Company to be offered from time to time will have been duly authorized and established by proper action of the board of directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee of such board (“Board Action”) consistent with the procedures and terms described in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the Company’s charter and bylaws and applicable Indiana corporate law, in a manner that does not violate any law, government or court-imposed order or restriction or agreement or instrument then binding on the Company or otherwise impair the legal or binding nature of the obligations represented by the applicable Securities; (ii) at the time of offer, issuance and sale of any Securities, the Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and no stop order suspending its effectiveness will have been issued and remain in effect; (iii) any Senior Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to a senior indenture substantially in the form of the senior indenture, to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Senior Debt Securities thereunder, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement, with items shown in such exhibit as subject to completion completed in a satisfactory manner (the “Senior Indenture”); (iv) any Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to a subordinated indenture substantially in the form of the subordinated indenture, to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities thereunder, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement, with items shown in such exhibit as subject to completion completed in a satisfactory manner (the “Subordinated Indenture”); (v) the Senior Debt Indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”); (vi) the Subordinated Indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; (vii) any Preferred Stock Warrants will be issued under one or more equity warrant agreements, each to be between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as a warrant agent; (viii) any Common Stock Warrants will be issued under one or more equity warrant agreements, each to be between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as a warrant agent; (ix) any Depositary Share Warrants will be issued under one or more equity warrant agreements, each to be between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as a warrant agent; (x) any Depositary Shares will be issued under one or more deposit agreements, each deposit agreement to be between the Company and the financial institution identified therein as a depositary; (xi) any Rights will be issued under one or more rights agreements, each to be between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as a rights agent, (xii) any Stock Purchase Contracts will be issued under one or more purchase contract agreements, each to be between the Company and the financial institution identified therein as a purchase contract agent; (xiii) any Stock Purchase Units will be issued under one or more purchase contract agreements, each such agreement to be between the Company and the financial institution identified therein as a purchase contract agent; (xiv) if being sold by the issuer thereof, the Securities will be delivered against payment of valid consideration therefor and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Board Action authorizing such sale and any applicable underwriting agreement or purchase agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable prospectus supplement; (xv) the laws of the State of New York will be the governing law under any equity warrant agreement, deposit agreement, rights agreement or purchase contract agreement; and (xvi) the Company will remain an Indiana corporation.
| Board of Directors Elevance Health, Inc. |
October 28, 2026 |
To the extent that the obligations of the Company with respect to the Securities may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the other party under the Senior Indenture, under the Subordinated Indenture, under the warrant agreement for any Preferred Stock Warrants, Common Stock Warrants or Depositary Share Warrants, under the rights agreement for any Rights, under the deposit agreement for any Depositary Shares and under the purchase contract agreement for any Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units, namely, the trustee with respect to the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture, the warrant agent, the rights agent, the depositary or the purchase contract agent, respectively, is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that such other party is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by the Senior Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture, such warrant agreement, such rights agreement, such deposit agreement or such purchase contract agreement, as applicable; that the Senior Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture, such warrant agreement, such rights agreement, such deposit agreement or such purchase contract agreement, as applicable, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other party and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the other party enforceable against the other party in accordance with its terms; that such other party is in compliance with respect to performance of its obligations under the Senior Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture, such warrant agreement, such rights agreement, such deposit agreement or such purchase contract agreement, as applicable, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that such other party has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under the Senior Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture, such warrant agreement, such rights agreement, such deposit agreement or such purchase contract agreement, as applicable.
This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on the applicable provisions of the laws of the State of New York (but not including any laws, statutes, ordinances, administrative decisions, rules or regulations of any political subdivision below the state level). We express no opinion herein as to any other statutes, rules, or regulations (and in particular, we express no opinion as to any effect that such other statutes, rules, or regulations may have on the opinions expressed herein). Insofar as the opinion expressed herein relates to or is dependent upon matters governed by Indiana law, we have relied, without independent investigation, upon, and our opinion expressed herein is subject to all of the qualifications, assumptions and limitations expressed in, the opinion of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, special counsel to the Company in the State of Indiana. A copy of such opinion letter, dated as of the date hereof, is to be filed as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement.
Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
(a) The Senior Debt Securities, upon due execution and delivery of the Senior Indenture relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the trustee named therein, and upon authentication by the trustee and due execution and delivery on behalf of the Company in accordance with the Senior Indenture and any supplemental indenture or officer’s certificate and company order relating thereto, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(b) The Subordinated Debt Securities, upon due execution and delivery of the Subordinated Indenture relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the trustee named therein, and upon authentication by the trustee and due execution and delivery on behalf of the Company in accordance with the Subordinated Indenture and any supplemental indenture or officer’s certificate and company order relating thereto, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(c) The Preferred Stock Warrants, upon due execution and delivery of an equity warrant agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the warrant agent named therein and due authentication of the Preferred Stock Warrants by such warrant agent, and upon due execution and delivery of the Preferred Stock Warrants on behalf of the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
| Board of Directors Elevance Health, Inc. |
October 28, 2026 |
(d) The Common Stock Warrants, upon due execution and delivery of an equity warrant agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the warrant agent named therein and due authentication of the Common Stock Warrants by such warrant agent, and upon due execution and delivery of the Common Stock Warrants on behalf of the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(e) The Depositary Share Warrants, upon due execution and delivery of an equity warrant agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the warrant agent named therein and due authentication of the Depositary Share Warrants by such warrant agent, and upon due execution and delivery of the Depositary Share Warrants on behalf of the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(f) The depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares, upon due countersignature thereof and issuance against a deposit of duly authorized and validly issued Preferred Shares in accordance with the deposit agreement relating thereto, will be validly issued and entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in such depositary receipts and deposit agreement.
(g) The Rights, upon due execution and delivery of a rights agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company, and upon due execution and delivery of one or more certificates bearing such terms on behalf of the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(h) The Stock Purchase Contracts, upon due execution and delivery of a purchase contract agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the purchase contract agent named therein, and upon due execution and delivery of the Stock Purchase Contracts on behalf of the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(i) The Stock Purchase Units, upon due execution and delivery of a purchase contract agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the purchase contract agent named therein and due authentication of the Stock Purchase Units by such purchase contract agent, and upon due execution and delivery of the Stock Purchase Units on behalf of the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
The opinions expressed above in Paragraphs (a)–(i) with respect to the valid and binding nature of obligations may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory and other law regarding fraudulent conveyances and fraudulent, preferential or voidable transfers) and by the exercise of judicial discretion and the application of principles of equity, good faith, fair dealing, reasonableness, conscionability and materiality (regardless of whether the Securities are considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including, without limitation, principles limiting the availability of specific performance and injunctive relief.
This opinion letter has been prepared for use in connection with the Registration Statement. We assume no obligation to advise of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement.
| Board of Directors Elevance Health, Inc. |
October 28, 2026 |
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Validity of the Securities” in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Securities Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP
HOGAN LOVELLS CADWALADER US LLP
Exhibit 5.2
| Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP 600 East 96th Street, Suite 600 +1 317 569 9600 main +1 317 569 9600 fax |
October 28, 2026
Elevance Health, Inc.
220 Virginia Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as Indiana counsel to Elevance Health, Inc., an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (the “Registration Statement”) being filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
This opinion letter is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K.
The Registration Statement relates to the registration of an unlimited amount of (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Shares”); (ii) shares of preferred stock, without par value, of the Company (the “Preferred Shares”) in one or more series or class, which may be convertible into Common Shares or may be represented by depositary receipts (the “Depositary Shares”); (iii) one or more series of debt securities consisting of debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness representing unsubordinated obligations of the Company (the “Senior Debt Securities”); (iv) one or more series of debt securities consisting of debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness representing subordinated obligations of the Company (the “Subordinated Debt Securities” and collectively with the Senior Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”); (v) warrants to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares or Depositary Shares (the “Warrants”); (vi) rights to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares or Depositary Shares (the “Rights”); (vii) stock purchase contracts relating to the sale and purchase of Common Shares or Preferred Shares (the “Stock Purchase Contracts”); and (viii) stock purchase units of the Company consisting of a Stock Purchase Contract and an interest in Debt Securities or debt obligations of a third party, including U.S. Treasury securities (the “Stock Purchase Units”), to be offered and sold from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The Common Shares, the Preferred Shares, the Depositary Shares, the Debt Securities, the Warrants, the Rights, the Stock Purchase Contracts and the Stock Purchase Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”
Any Common Shares are to be issued under the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (the “Articles of Incorporation”). Any series of Preferred Shares is to be issued under the Articles of Incorporation and one or more articles of amendment thereto approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana (each,
| Elevance Health, Inc. | -2- | October 28, 2026 |
“Articles of Amendment”). Any Senior Debt Securities are to be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the “Senior Debt Indenture”), to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Senior Debt Securities, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Senior Debt Trustee”), the form of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement. Any Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the “Subordinated Debt Indenture”), to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Subordinated Debt Trustee”), the form of which is filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement. Any Depositary Shares are to be issued pursuant to a deposit agreement (including a form of depositary receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares) (the “Deposit Agreement”), to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Depositary Shares thereunder, by and between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as the depositary (the “Depositary”), which Deposit Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. Any Warrants are to be issued pursuant to a warrant agreement (including, if applicable, a form of certificate evidencing the Warrants) (the “Warrant Agreement”), to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Warrants thereunder, by and between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as the warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”), which Warrant Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. Any Rights are to be issued pursuant to a rights agreement (including, if applicable, a form of certificate evidencing the Rights) (the “Rights Agreement”), to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Rights thereunder, by and between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as the rights agent (the “Rights Agent”), which Rights Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. Any Stock Purchase Contracts are to be issued pursuant to a purchase contract agreement (including, if applicable, a form of Stock Purchase Contract) (the “Purchase Contract Agreement”), to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Stock Purchase Contracts thereunder, by and between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as the stock purchase contract agent (the “Stock Purchase Contract Agent”), which Purchase Contract Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. The Articles of Incorporation, each Articles of Amendment, the Senior Debt Indenture, the Subordinated Debt Indenture, each Deposit Agreement, each Warrant Agreement, each Rights Agreement and each Purchase Contract Agreement are referred to herein individually as a “Governing Document” and collectively as the “Governing Documents.”
In connection with this opinion we have examined the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, each as amended as of the date hereof, the Registration Statement, the form of Senior Debt Indenture, the form of Subordinated Debt Indenture and the proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the authorization of the Securities and the filing of the Registration Statement. We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise authenticated to our satisfaction, of such corporate records of the Company, instruments, certificates of public officials and representatives of the Company and other documents as we deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed and have made such examination of statutes and decisions and reviewed such questions of law as we have considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion letter.
| Elevance Health, Inc. | -3- | October 28, 2026 |
Based on and subject to the foregoing and to the other assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. With respect to any offering of Common Shares, including Common Shares issuable in exchange for or upon conversion of Preferred Shares or Debt Securities or upon the exercise or fulfillment of Warrants or Rights or pursuant to Stock Purchase Contracts or issued as a component of Stock Purchase Units, when (i) a prospectus supplement and any other offering material with respect to the Common Shares have been filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rule and regulations thereunder; (ii) the issuance of the Common Shares has been duly authorized by appropriate corporate action; (iii) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained; (iv) the Common Shares have been duly issued and delivered by the Company against payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in accordance with any relevant agreements and such corporate action; (v) certificates representing the Common Shares have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company, countersigned by the transfer agent therefor and delivered to the purchasers thereof or other persons entitled thereto (or in the case of Common Shares issued without certificates, the due registration of issuance and constructive delivery through book entry of such shares); and (vi) in the case of Common Shares issuable in exchange for or upon conversion of Preferred Shares or Debt Securities or upon the exercise or fulfillment of Warrants or Rights or pursuant to Stock Purchase Contracts or issued as a component of Stock Purchase Units, the actions in respect of such Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights, Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units referred to in paragraph 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 or 9 hereof (as the case may be) have been completed, then, upon the happening of such events, such Common Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2. With respect to any offering of Preferred Shares, including Preferred Shares underlying Depositary Shares or issuable in exchange for or upon conversion of Debt Securities or upon the exercise or fulfillment of Warrants or Rights or pursuant to Stock Purchase Contracts or issued as a component of Stock Purchase Units, when (i) a prospectus supplement and any other offering material with respect to the Preferred Shares have been filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (ii) the issuance of the Preferred Shares has been duly authorized by appropriate corporate action; (iii) the Articles of Amendment establishing the terms of the Preferred Shares have been duly approved by appropriate corporate action, executed by duly authorized officers of the Company and filed by the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana, all in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana; (iv) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained; (v) Preferred Shares with terms so fixed have been duly issued and delivered by the Company against payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in accordance with any relevant agreements and such corporate action; (vi) certificates representing the Preferred Shares have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company, countersigned by the transfer agent therefor and delivered to the purchasers thereof or other persons entitled thereto (or in the case of Preferred Shares issued without certificates, the due registration of issuance and constructive delivery through book entry of such shares); and (vii) in the case of Preferred Shares underlying Depositary Shares or issuable in exchange for or upon conversion of Debt Securities or upon the exercise or fulfillment of Warrants or Rights or pursuant to Stock Purchase Contracts or issued as a component of Stock Purchase Units, the actions in respect of such Debt Securities, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Rights, Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units referred to in paragraph 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 hereof (as the case may be) have been completed, then, upon the happening of such events, such Preferred Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
| Elevance Health, Inc. | -4- | October 28, 2026 |
3. With respect to any series of the Senior Debt Securities, including any Senior Debt Securities issued as a component of Stock Purchase Units, the Company is validly existing as a corporation and has the corporate power under Indiana law to create the Senior Debt Securities and when (i) the execution of the Senior Debt Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and the Senior Debt Trustee by appropriate corporate action; (ii) the Senior Debt Indenture, in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Senior Debt Trustee; (iii) a prospectus supplement and any other offering material with respect to such series of Senior Debt Securities have been filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iv) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained; (v) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the issuance and terms of such series of Senior Debt Securities and related matters and, if applicable, to authorize the execution and delivery of a supplement to, or an officer’s certificate delivered in accordance with, the Senior Debt Indenture with respect to such series of Senior Debt Securities; (vi) if applicable, a supplement to, or an officer’s certificate delivered in accordance with, the Senior Debt Indenture with respect to such series of Senior Debt Securities has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Senior Debt Trustee; (vii) the Senior Debt Securities, in the form included in the Senior Debt Indenture filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (with such changes or additions as permitted in the Senior Debt Indenture), have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Senior Debt Trustee pursuant to the Senior Debt Indenture and delivered to the purchasers thereof or other persons entitled thereto upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in accordance with any relevant agreements and such corporate action; and (viii) in the case of Senior Debt Securities issued as a component of Stock Purchase Units, the actions in respect of such Stock Purchase Units referred to in paragraph 9 hereof have been completed, then, upon the happening of such events, the Company will have taken all of the corporate action required to create the Senior Debt Securities.
4. With respect to any series of the Subordinated Debt Securities, including any Subordinated Debt Securities issued as a component of Stock Purchase Units, the Company is validly existing as a corporation and has the corporate power under Indiana law to create the Subordinated Debt Securities and when (i) the execution of the Subordinated Debt Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and the Subordinated Debt Trustee by appropriate corporate action; (ii) the Subordinated Debt Indenture, in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Subordinated Debt Trustee; (iii) a prospectus supplement and any other offering material with respect to such series of Subordinated Debt Securities have been filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iv) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained; (v) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the issuance and terms of such series of Subordinated Debt Securities and related matters and, if applicable, to authorize the execution and delivery of a supplement to, or an officer’s certificate delivered in accordance with, the Subordinated Debt Indenture with respect to such series of Subordinated Debt Securities; (vi) if applicable, a supplement to, or an officer’s certificate delivered in accordance with, the Subordinated Debt Indenture with respect to such series of Subordinated Debt Securities has been duly executed and delivered by
| Elevance Health, Inc. | -5- | October 28, 2026 |
the Company and the Subordinated Debt Trustee; (vii) the Subordinated Debt Securities, in the form included in the Subordinated Debt Indenture filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (with such changes or additions as permitted in the Subordinated Debt Indenture), have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Subordinated Debt Trustee pursuant to the Subordinated Debt Indenture and delivered to the purchasers thereof or other persons entitled thereto upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in accordance with any relevant agreements and such corporate action; and (viii) in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities issued as a component of Stock Purchase Units, the actions in respect of such Stock Purchase Units referred to in paragraph 9 hereof have been completed, then, upon the happening of such events, the Company will have taken all of the corporate action required to create the Subordinated Debt Securities.
5. With respect to the Depositary Shares, including Depositary Shares issuable upon the exercise or fulfillment of Warrants or Rights, the Company is validly existing as a corporation and has the corporate power under Indiana law to create the Depositary Shares, and when (i) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of a Deposit Agreement and issuance of the Depositary Shares; (ii) the Deposit Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Depositary; (iii) a prospectus supplement and any other offering material with respect to the Depositary Shares have been filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iv) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained; (v) the Depositary Shares with such terms are duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company and the Depositary against payment of the agreed-upon consideration in the manner provided for in the applicable Deposit Agreement, any other relevant agreements and such corporate action; (vi) the corporate actions in respect of the underlying Preferred Shares referred to in paragraph 2 hereof have been completed; and (vii) in the case of Depositary Shares issuable upon the exercise or fulfillment of Warrants or Rights, the actions in respect of such Warrants or Rights referred to in paragraph 6 or 7 hereof (as the case may be) have been completed, then, upon the happening of such events, the Company will have taken all of the corporate action required to create the Depositary Shares.
6. With respect to the Warrants, the Company is validly existing as a corporation and has the corporate power under Indiana law to create the Warrants, and when (i) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of a Warrant Agreement and the issuance of the Warrants; (ii) the Warrant Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Warrant Agent; (iii) a prospectus supplement and any other offering material with respect to the Warrants have been filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iv) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained; and (v) the Warrants with such terms are duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company against payment of the agreed-upon consideration in the manner provided for in the applicable Warrant Agreement, any other relevant agreements and such corporate action, then, upon the happening of such events, the Company will have taken all of the corporate action required to create the Warrants.
7. With respect to the Rights, the Company is validly existing as a corporation and has the corporate power under Indiana law to create the Rights, and when (i) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and
| Elevance Health, Inc. | -6- | October 28, 2026 |
delivery of a Rights Agreement and the issuance of the Rights; (ii) the Rights Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Rights Agent; (iii) a prospectus supplement and any other offering material with respect to the Rights have been filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iv) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained; and (v) the Rights with such terms are duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company against payment of the agreed-upon consideration in the manner provided for in the applicable Rights Agreement, any other relevant agreements and such corporate action, then, upon the happening of such events, the Company will have taken all of the corporate action required to create the Rights.
8. With respect to the Stock Purchase Contracts, including Stock Purchase Contracts issued as a component of Stock Purchase Units, the Company is validly existing as a corporation and has the corporate power under Indiana law to create the Stock Purchase Contracts, and when (i) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of a Purchase Contract Agreement and the Stock Purchase Contracts; (ii) the Purchase Contract Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Stock Purchase Contract Agent; (iii) a prospectus supplement and any other offering material with respect to the Stock Purchase Contracts have been filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iv) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained; (v) the Stock Purchase Contracts with such terms are duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company against payment of the agreed-upon consideration in the manner provided for in the applicable Purchase Contract Agreement, any other relevant agreements and such corporate action; and (vi) in the case of Stock Purchase Contracts issued as a component of Stock Purchase Units, the actions in respect of such Stock Purchase Units referred to in paragraph 9 hereof have been completed, then, upon the happening of such events, the Company will have taken all of the corporate action required to create the Stock Purchase Contracts.
9. With respect to the Stock Purchase Units, the Company is validly existing as a corporation and has the corporate power under Indiana law to create the Stock Purchase Units, and when (i) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the issuance of the Stock Purchase Units; (ii) a prospectus supplement and any other offering material with respect to the Stock Purchase Units have been filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained; (iv) the Stock Purchase Units with such terms are duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company against payment of the agreed-upon consideration in the manner provided for in any relevant agreements and such corporate action; and (v) the corporate actions in respect of any Stock Purchase Contracts or Debt Securities comprising such Stock Purchase Units referred to in paragraph 3, 4 or 8 hereof (as the case may be) have been completed, then, upon the happening of such events, the Company will have taken all of the corporate action required to create the Stock Purchase Units.
| Elevance Health, Inc. | -7- | October 28, 2026 |
The foregoing opinions assume that (a) the Registration Statement and any amendments relating thereto shall have become effective under the Securities Act and will continue to be effective, (b) the Company will remain duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Indiana, (c) at the time any Securities or Governing Documents are authorized, issued, executed, authenticated, acknowledged, delivered or filed (as the case may be), (i) there will not have occurred any change in applicable law or in the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws affecting the authorization, issuance, execution, authentication, acknowledgement, delivery, filing or validity of such Securities or Governing Documents, and (ii) no relevant corporate actions will have been modified or rescinded, (d) none of the particular terms of any Securities or Governing Documents established after the date hereof will violate, or be void or voidable under, any applicable law, (e) neither the authorization, issuance, execution, authentication, acknowledgement, delivery or filing of any Securities or Governing Documents, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of such Securities or Governing Documents, will result in a violation of or default under any agreement or instrument then binding upon the Company or any order of any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company then in effect, (f) the Securities will be issued in accordance with, and in compliance with any limitations on issuance contained in, the corporate action related thereto, (g) the Company will have received legally sufficient consideration for all Securities, (h) the terms of the Securities will be established in conformity with the applicable Governing Documents and the Securities will be issued within the limits of the then remaining authorized but unreserved and unissued amounts of such Securities under the applicable Governing Documents, (i) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange, or exercise or fulfillment of, or upon purchase pursuant to, any other Securities will have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance (in each case, within the limits of the then remaining authorized but unreserved and unissued amounts of such Securities), and any issuance of such Securities will be effected in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in such other Securities and the Governing Documents related thereto, (j) all certificates evidencing any Securities will be in the form required by law and approved for issuance by the Company, and (k) the Company will comply with all applicable notice requirements regarding uncertificated shares provided in the Indiana Business Corporation Law, as amended.
We have relied upon certificates of public officials as to the accuracy of all matters addressed therein and, with respect to certain factual matters, upon certificates of and information provided by officers and employees of the Company as to the accuracy of such factual matters, in each case without independent verification thereof or other investigation. We have assumed, without investigation, the following: (a) the genuineness of signatures, including electronic signatures, appearing upon certifications, documents, and proceedings, (b) each document submitted to us for review is accurate and complete, each such document that is an original is authentic, and each such document that is a copy conforms to an authentic original, (c) the legal capacity of natural persons who are involved on behalf of the Company to enter into and perform the referenced instrument or agreement or to carry out their role in the transactions contemplated thereby, (d) the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information, representations and warranties contained in the agreements, documents, instruments, certificates and records we have reviewed, and (e) the absence of any undisclosed modifications to the agreements and instruments reviewed by us.
The opinions set forth herein are limited to the laws of the State of Indiana, and we express no opinion as to the effect of any other laws.
We are furnishing this opinion letter to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement. We authorize Hogan Lovells US LLP to rely upon this opinion letter as though it were addressed to them in connection with their opinion letter to be filed as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. This opinion is rendered as of the date first written above and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion thereafter. This opinion is expressly limited to the matters set forth above, and we render no opinion, whether by implication or otherwise, as to any other matters relating to the Company, the Securities or the Governing Documents.
| Elevance Health, Inc. | -8- | October 28, 2026 |
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm appearing under the caption “Validity of the Securities” in the Prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby imply or admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP |
| FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Elevance Health, Inc. for the registration of senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares, warrants, rights, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 6, 2026, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Elevance Health, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Elevance Health, Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Indianapolis, Indiana
October 28, 2026
Exhibit 25.1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
| ☐ | CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
| 95-3571558 | ||
| (Jurisdiction of incorporation if not a U.S. national bank) |
(I.R.S. employer identification no.) | |
| 333 South Hope Street Suite 2525 Los Angeles, California |
90071 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) | |
Elevance Health, Inc.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
| Indiana | 35-2145715 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. employer identification no.) | |
| 220 Virginia Avenue Indianapolis, Indiana |
46204 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) | |
Senior Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| 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. |
| Name |
Address | |
| Comptroller of the Currency United States Department of the Treasury | Washington, DC 20219 | |
| Federal Reserve Bank | San Francisco, CA 94105 | |
| Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation | Washington, DC 20429 | |
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
Yes.
| 2. | Affiliations with Obligor. |
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
None.
| 16. | List of Exhibits. |
Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”).
| 1. | A copy of the articles of association of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875). |
| 2. | A copy of certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business. (Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948). |
| 3. | A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers (Exhibit 3 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875). |
2
| 4. | A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-229762). |
| 6. | The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875). |
| 7. | A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority. |
3
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a 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 Houston, and State of Texas, on the 26th day of October, 2026.
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. | ||
| By: | /s/ April Bradley | |
| Name: April Bradley | ||
| Title: Vice President | ||
4
EXHIBIT 7
Consolidated Report of Condition of
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
of 333 South Hope Street, Suite 2525, Los Angeles, CA 90071
At the close of business June 30, 2026, published in accordance with Federal regulatory authority instructions.
| Dollar amounts in thousands | ||
| ASSETS | ||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
||
| Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin |
114,578 | |
| Interest-bearing balances |
265,675 | |
| Securities: |
||
| Held-to-maturity securities |
0 | |
| Available-for-sale debt securities |
523 | |
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading |
0 | |
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell: |
||
| Federal funds sold in domestic offices |
0 | |
| Securities purchased under agreements to resell |
0 | |
| Loans and lease financing receivables: |
||
| Loans and leases held for sale |
0 | |
| Loans and leases held for investment |
0 | |
| LESS: Allowance for credit losses on loans and leases |
0 | |
| Loans and leases held for investment, net of allowance |
0 | |
| Trading assets |
0 | |
| Premises and fixed assets (including right-of-use assets) |
14,248 | |
| Other real estate owned |
0 | |
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies |
0 | |
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures |
0 | |
| Intangible assets |
856,313 | |
| Other assets |
121,260 | |
|
| ||
| Total assets |
$1,372,597 | |
|
|
1
| LIABILITIES |
||||
| Deposits: |
||||
| In domestic offices |
2,233 | |||
| Noninterest-bearing |
2,233 | |||
| Interest-bearing |
0 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase: |
||||
| Federal funds purchased in domestic offices |
0 | |||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
0 | |||
| Trading liabilities |
0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: |
||||
| (includes mortgage indebtedness) |
0 | |||
| Not applicable |
||||
| Not applicable |
||||
| Subordinated notes and debentures |
0 | |||
| Other liabilities |
263,415 | |||
| Total liabilities |
265,648 | |||
| Not applicable |
||||
| EQUITY CAPITAL |
||||
| Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus |
0 | |||
| Common stock |
1,000 | |||
| Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) |
108,850 | |||
| Not available |
||||
| Retained earnings |
997,100 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
-1 | |||
| Other equity capital components |
0 | |||
| Not available |
||||
| Total bank equity capital |
1,106,949 | |||
| Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries |
0 | |||
| Total equity capital |
1,106,949 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total liabilities and equity capital |
1,372,597 | |||
|
|
|
I, Natalie Bobnar, CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that the Reports of Condition and Income (including the supporting schedules) for this report date have been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Natalie Bobnar ) CFO
We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of the Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) for this report date and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.
| Elizabeth Lyndon, Managing Director |
) | |||
| Kevin C. Weeks, President | ) | Directors (Trustees) | ||
| Fernando A. Costa, Managing Director | ) |
2
Exhibit 25.2
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
| ☐ | CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
| 95-3571558 | ||
| (Jurisdiction of incorporation if not a U.S. national bank) |
(I.R.S. employer identification no.) | |
| 333 South Hope Street Suite 2525 Los Angeles, California |
90071 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) | |
Elevance Health, Inc.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
| Indiana | 35-2145715 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. employer identification no.) | |
| 220 Virginia Avenue Indianapolis, Indiana |
46204 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) | |
Subordinated Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| 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. |
| Name |
Address | |
| Comptroller of the Currency United States Department of the Treasury | Washington, DC 20219 | |
| Federal Reserve Bank | San Francisco, CA 94105 | |
| Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation | Washington, DC 20429 | |
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
Yes.
| 2. | Affiliations with Obligor. |
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
None.
| 16. | List of Exhibits. |
Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”).
| 1. | A copy of the articles of association of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875). |
| 2. | A copy of certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business. (Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948). |
| 3. | A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers (Exhibit 3 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875). |
2
| 4. | A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-229762). |
| 6. | The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875). |
| 7. | A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority. |
3
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a 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 Houston, and State of Texas, on the 26th day of October, 2026.
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. | ||||
| By: | /s/ April Bradley | |||
| Name: | April Bradley | |||
| Title: | Vice President | |||
4
EXHIBIT 7
Consolidated Report of Condition of
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
of 333 South Hope Street, Suite 2525, Los Angeles, CA 90071
At the close of business June 30, 2026, published in accordance with Federal regulatory authority instructions.
| Dollar amounts in thousands | ||
| ASSETS | ||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
||
| Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin |
114,578 | |
| Interest-bearing balances |
265,675 | |
| Securities: |
||
| Held-to-maturity securities |
0 | |
| Available-for-sale debt securities |
523 | |
| Equity securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading |
0 | |
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell: |
||
| Federal funds sold in domestic offices |
0 | |
| Securities purchased under agreements to resell |
0 | |
| Loans and lease financing receivables: |
||
| Loans and leases held for sale |
0 | |
| Loans and leases held for investment |
0 | |
| LESS: Allowance for credit losses on loans and leases |
0 | |
| Loans and leases held for investment, net of allowance |
0 | |
| Trading assets |
0 | |
| Premises and fixed assets (including right-of-use assets) |
14,248 | |
| Other real estate owned |
0 | |
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies |
0 | |
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures |
0 | |
| Intangible assets |
856,313 | |
| Other assets |
121,260 | |
|
| ||
| Total assets |
$1,372,597 | |
|
|
1
| LIABILITIES |
||||
| Deposits: |
||||
| In domestic offices |
2,233 | |||
| Noninterest-bearing |
2,233 | |||
| Interest-bearing |
0 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase: |
||||
| Federal funds purchased in domestic offices |
0 | |||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
0 | |||
| Trading liabilities |
0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: |
||||
| (includes mortgage indebtedness) |
0 | |||
| Not applicable |
||||
| Not applicable |
||||
| Subordinated notes and debentures |
0 | |||
| Other liabilities |
263,415 | |||
| Total liabilities |
265,648 | |||
| Not applicable |
||||
| EQUITY CAPITAL |
||||
| Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus |
0 | |||
| Common stock |
1,000 | |||
| Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) |
108,850 | |||
| Not available |
||||
| Retained earnings |
997,100 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
-1 | |||
| Other equity capital components |
0 | |||
| Not available |
||||
| Total bank equity capital |
1,106,949 | |||
| Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries |
0 | |||
| Total equity capital |
1,106,949 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total liabilities and equity capital |
1,372,597 | |||
|
|
|
I, Natalie Bobnar, CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that the Reports of Condition and Income (including the supporting schedules) for this report date have been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Natalie Bobnar ) CFO
We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of the Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) for this report date and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.
| Elizabeth Lyndon, Managing Director |
) | |||
| Kevin C. Weeks, President | ) | Directors (Trustees) | ||
| Fernando A. Costa, Managing Director | ) |
2