Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc S-3, filed Dec 1, 2023
Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. (EOSE)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1, 2023
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
EOS ENERGY ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| Delaware | 84-4290188 | |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
3920 Park Avenue
Edison, New Jersey 08820
(732) 225-8400
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Joe Mastrangelo
Chief Executive Officer
Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc.
3920 Park Avenue
Edison, New Jersey 08820
Tel: (732) 225-8400
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
Copy to:
Michael Kaplan
Roshni Banker Cariello
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(212) 450-4000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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. ☐
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 429
Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, the prospectus that is a part of this registration statement is a combined prospectus that relates to and will be used in connection with the offer and sale from time to time of: (1) up to $300,000,000 of securities to be sold by the Company registered hereby, and (2)(i) a maximum of $130,350,642 principal amount of 5%/6% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 (the “notes”) to be sold by Wood River Capital, LLC (“Wood River”), a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc. and (ii) a maximum of 6,516,359 shares of common stock to be sold by Wood River upon conversion of the notes, which were previously registered by the Registration Statement on Form S-3 which was declared effective on April 25, 2022 (File No. 333-263298) (the “Prior Registration Statement”), that, to the registrant’s knowledge, have not been sold or otherwise disposed of by the selling securityholder named therein. This registration statement shall constitute a post-effective amendment to the Prior Registration Statement, and such post-effective amendment shall hereafter become effective concurrently with the effectiveness of this registration statement and in accordance with Section 8(c) of the Securities Act.
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Neither we nor the selling securityholder may sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED DECEMBER 1, 2023
Preliminary Prospectus
$300,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Senior Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
Offered by EOS Energy Enterprises, Inc.
$130,350,642 5%/6% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes Due 2026
6,516,359 Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon
Conversion of the 5%/6% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes Due 2026
Offered by the Selling Securityholder Named Herein
Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. may from time to time offer and sell common stock, preferred stock, senior debt securities, warrants or units. Specific terms of the preferred stock, senior debt securities, warrants or units will be provided in supplements to this prospectus.
This prospectus also relates to the offer and resale from time to time by Wood River Capital, LLC (“Wood River”), a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc of (1) up to $130,350,642 principal amount of 5%/6% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 (the “notes”) including (i) up to $102,900,000 principal amount of notes originally issued to Wood River Capital pursuant to the Indenture, dated April 7, 2022, between Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, and the Investment Agreement dated July 6, 2021 with Wood River (the “Investment Agreement”), and (ii) a maximum of $27,450,642 principal amount of notes issuable as PIK interest payments on the notes and (2) a maximum of 6,516,359 shares of common stock underlying the notes and issuable upon conversion of the notes, which may be sold by Wood River from time to time.
We and the selling securityholder may sell the securities covered by this prospectus in a number of different ways and at varying prices. The securities may be sold directly to you, through agents, or through underwriters and dealers. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.
We will receive proceeds from the issuance and sale of our common stock, preferred stock, senior debt securities, warrants or units. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of securities by the selling securityholder. We will pay certain expenses associated with the registration of the securities covered by this prospectus, as described in the section titled “Plan of Distribution.”
Our common stock are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “EOSE.” The closing price of our common stock on November 30, 2023 was $1.10 per share. The closing price of our warrants on November 30, 2023 was $0.20 per warrant.
Investing in these securities involves certain risks. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference, as amended or supplemented from time to time by any risk factors we include in subsequent annual or quarterly reports on Form 10-K or 10-Q, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is December 1, 2023
Neither we nor the selling securityholder have authorized anyone to provide you with information that differs from the information provided in this prospectus, as well as the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. Neither we nor the selling securityholder are making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document. Since the respective dates of this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed.
table of contents
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing 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 sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Eos” refer to Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination (as defined below), the Company was known as B. Riley Principal Merger Corp. II, or “BMRG”.
Where You Can Find More Information
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information in this document. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this document, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this document.
We are incorporating by reference the filings listed below and any additional documents that we may file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date hereof and prior to the termination of any offering (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):
| ● | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2023; |
| ● | information specifically incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March 27, 2023; |
| ● | our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023 filed with the SEC on May 9, 2023, August 14, 2023 and November 6, 2023, respectively; |
| ● | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 19, 2023, January 23, 2023, February 2, 2023 (except information furnished under item 2.02), February 10, 2023, February 13, 2023, March 9, 2023, March 17, 2023, March 27, 2023, April 11, 2023, April 14, 2023, May 17, 2023, May 18, 2023, May 25, 2023, May 30, 2023, July 28, 2023 (except information furnished under items 2.02 and 7.01), August 23, 2023, August 28, 2023, August 31, 2023 (except information furnished under item 7.01) and October 6, 2023; and |
| ● | the description of our securities contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-39291), filed with the SEC on November 16, 2020, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
Any statement contained in this prospectus, or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in any subsequently filed document that also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov, from which you can inspect these documents and other information we have filed electronically with the SEC. You may also request copies of these documents, at no cost to you, from our website (https://eosenergystorage.com), or by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc.
3920 Park Avenue
Edison, New Jersey 08820
Attn: General Counsel
(732) 225-8400
Exhibits to these documents will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have been specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
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Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “project,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements appear in a number of places in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, them. Because such statements are based on expectations as to future financial and operating results and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to:
| ● | changes adversely affecting the business in which we are engaged; |
| ● | our ability to forecast trends accurately; |
| ● | our ability to generate cash, service indebtedness and incur additional indebtedness; |
| ● | our ability to raise financing in the future; |
| ● | our customers’ ability to secure project financing; |
| ● | the amount of final tax credits available to our customers or to Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act; |
| ● | uncertainties around our ability to meet the applicable conditions precedent and secure final approval of a loan in a timely manner or at all from the Department of Energy, Loan Programs Office, or the timing of funding and the final size of any loan if approved; |
| ● | the possibility of a government shutdown while we remain in the due diligence phase with the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office or while we await notice of a decision regarding the issuance of a loan from the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office; |
| ● | our ability to develop efficient manufacturing processes to scale and to forecast related costs and efficiencies accurately; |
| ● | fluctuations in our revenue and operating results; |
| ● | competition from existing or new competitors; |
| ● | the failure to convert firm order backlog and pipeline to revenue; |
| ● | risks associated with security breaches in our information technology systems; |
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| ● | risks related to legal proceedings or claims; |
| ● | risks associated with evolving energy policies in the United States and other countries and the potential costs of regulatory compliance; |
| ● | risks associated with changes to U.S. trade environment; |
| ● | risks resulting from the impact of global pandemics, including the novel coronavirus, Covid-19; |
| ● | our ability to maintain the listing of our shares of common stock on NASDAQ; |
| ● | our ability to grow our business and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain our management and key employees; |
| ● | risks related to adverse changes in general economic conditions, including inflationary pressures and increased interest rates; |
| ● | risk from supply chain disruptions and other impacts of geopolitical conflict; |
| ● | changes in applicable laws or regulations; |
| ● | other factors detailed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” herein; and |
| ● | other risks and uncertainties described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and our subsequent filings with the SEC, that we incorporate by reference herein. |
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, they could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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This summary highlights selected information and does not contain all of the information that is important to you. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Before making your investment decision with respect to our securities, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents referred to in “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Overview
We design, develop, manufacture, and market innovative zinc-based energy storage solutions for utility-scale, microgrid, and commercial & industrial (“C&I”) applications. We believe that our batteries have the potential to emerge as a leading alternative to Lithium-ion (“Li-ion”) batteries for such long-duration applications. We have developed a broad range of intellectual property with multiple patents covering unique battery chemistry, mechanical product design, energy block configuration and a software operating system (Battery Management System or “BMS”). The BMS software uses proprietary Eos-developed algorithms and includes ambient and battery temperature sensors, as well as voltage and electric current sensors for the electrical strings and the system. We focus on designing, developing, producing and selling safe, reliable, long-lasting, low-cost turn-key alternating current (“AC”) integrated systems using Eos’ direct current (“DC”) Battery Energy Storage System (“BESS”). Our primary applications focus on integrating battery storage solutions with: (1) renewable energy systems that are connected to the utility power grid; (2) renewable energy systems that are not connected to the utility power grid; (3) storage systems utilized to relieve congestion; and (4) storage systems to assist C&I customers in reducing their peak energy usage or participating in the utilities ancillary and demand response markets. We have a manufacturing facility in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania to produce DC energy blocks with an integrated BMS. Our primary market is North America with opportunistic growth opportunities in Europe, Oceania, Africa, and Asia.
We offer an innovative Znyth™ technology BESS designed to provide the operating flexibility to manage increased grid complexity and price volatility resulting from an overall increase in renewable energy generation and a congested grid coming from an increase in electricity demand growth. Our BESS is a validated chemistry with accessible non-precious earth components in a durable design that delivers results in even the most extreme temperatures and conditions. The system is safe, flexible, scalable, sustainable and manufactured in the United States, using raw materials primarily sourced in the United States. Our BESS is the core of our innovative systems that today provide utilities, independent power producers, renewables developers, and C&I customers with a validated, reliable energy storage alternative for 3- to 12-hour discharge durations. Our innovative spirit extends to our manufacturing strategy, which includes proprietary equipment and processes that allow us to scale quickly and with a lower capital intensity than other similar technologies. We believe our technology will continue to reduce cost and improve the operating efficiency and competitiveness of our BESS.
In addition to our BESS, we currently offer: (a) a BMS which provides a remote asset monitoring capability and service to track the performance and health of our BESS and to proactively identify future system performance issues through predictive analytics; (b) project management services to ensure the process of implementing our BESS are coordinated in conjunction with the customer’s overall project plans; (c) commissioning services that ensure the customer’s installation of the BESS meets the performance expected by the customer; and (d) long-term maintenance plans to maintain optimal operating performance of our systems.
Corporate Information
The Company was incorporated in Delaware in June 2019 as a blank check company under the name B. Riley Principal Merger Corp. II. In connection with its business combination on November 16, 2020, the Company changed its name to Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc.
Additional Information
The mailing address of our principal executive office is 3920 Park Avenue, Edison, NJ 08820, and our phone number is (732) 225-8400. Our corporate website address is www.eosenergystorage.com. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.
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Risk Factors Summary
The following is a summary of the principal risks related to our common stock and the notes.
Risk Related to Our Common Stock
| ● | To the extent that any shares of common stock are issued upon exercise of any warrants to purchase shares of common stock or upon conversion of any convertible notes, the number of shares eligible for resale in the public market would increase. |
| ● | Provisions in our Charter and Delaware law may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers. |
| ● | Provisions in our Charter may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our common stock and could entrench management. |
| ● | Future resales of common stock may cause the market price of our securities to drop significantly, even if our business is doing well. |
| ● | Our stock price may be volatile and may decline regardless of our operating performance. |
| ● | There can be no assurance that our common stock will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of Nasdaq. |
| ● | We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock. |
| ● | We are a “smaller reporting company” and, because we have opted to use the reduced reporting requirements available to us, certain investors may find investing in our securities less attractive. |
Risks Related to the Notes
| ● | The notes are effectively subordinated to our secured debt and any liabilities of our subsidiaries. |
| ● | The notes are our obligations only and our operations are conducted through, and substantially all of our consolidated assets are held by, our subsidiaries. |
| ● | Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our business to pay our substantial debt. |
| ● | The notes do not include any make-whole conversion feature and therefore will not adequately compensate you for any lost value of your notes as a result of a fundamental change transaction or redemption. |
| ● | The notes may not pay any cash interest. |
| ● | Regulatory actions and other events may adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the notes. |
| ● | Volatility in the market price and trading volume of our common stock could adversely impact the trading price of the notes. |
| ● | Despite our current debt levels, we may still incur substantially more debt or take other actions which would intensify the risks discussed above. |
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| ● | Redemption may adversely affect your return on the notes. |
| ● | We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions of the notes or to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change, and our future debt may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion or repurchase of the notes. |
| ● | The conversion feature of the notes may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results. |
| ● | Future sales of our common stock or equity-linked securities in the public market could lower the market price for our common stock and adversely impact the trading price of the notes. |
| ● | Holders of notes will not be entitled to any rights with respect to our common stock, but they will be subject to all changes made with respect to them to the extent our conversion obligation includes shares of our common stock. |
| ● | The governmental approval requirement with respect to conversions of the notes could result in your receiving less than the value of our common stock into which the notes would otherwise be convertible, and could delay your receipt of any shares of our common stock upon conversion. |
| ● | Upon conversion of the notes, you may receive less valuable consideration than expected because the value of our common stock may decline after you exercise your conversion right but before we settle our conversion obligation. |
| ● | The notes are not protected by restrictive covenants. |
| ● | The conversion rate of the notes may not be adjusted for all dilutive events. |
| ● | Some significant restructuring transactions may not constitute a fundamental change, in which case we would not be obligated to offer to repurchase the notes. |
| ● | We cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the notes. |
| ● | Any adverse rating of the notes may cause their trading price to fall. |
| ● | You may be subject to tax if we make or fail to make certain adjustments to the conversion rate of the notes even though you do not receive a corresponding cash distribution. |
| ● | The notes will be issued with original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
| ● | Certain provisions in the notes and the indenture could delay or prevent an otherwise beneficial takeover or takeover attempt of us and, therefore, the ability of holders to exercise their rights associated with a potential fundamental change. |
| ● | If the notes are issued in book-entry form, holders must rely on DTC’s procedures to receive communications relating to the notes and exercise their rights and remedies. |
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THE OFFERING
The summary below describes the principal terms of the securities. Certain of the terms and conditions described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions. The “Description of Capital Stock” and “Description of Notes” sections of this prospectus contains a more detailed description of the terms and conditions of the securities. As used in this section, “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. and not to its consolidated subsidiaries.
Resale of the Notes by Wood River
| Issuer | Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation. |
| The Notes | Up to $130,350,642 principal amount of 5%/6% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026. |
| Maturity | June 30, 2026, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. |
| Interest |
We may, at our option subject to any applicable restrictive covenants, elect to pay any or all interest on the notes with respect to any interest payment date (i) in cash (such method referred as the “cash method”) or (ii) in the form of an increase to the principal amount of the outstanding notes (such method referred to as the “capitalization method”) or in the form of additional notes in integral multiples of $1.00. We refer to interest paid by the cash method as “cash interest” and to interest paid as set forth in the foregoing clause (ii) as “PIK interest”. The principal amount of any note at any time, as increased to such time by any PIK interest, is referred to herein as the “capitalized principal amount” of such note.
Interest will accrue from the date of issuance or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, and will be payable semiannually in arrears on June 30 and December 30 of each year.
|
| Interest Rate |
5.00% per year with respect to cash interest. 6.00% per year with respect to PIK interest.
Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to accrued interest on, or in respect of, any note that has not been paid or capitalized shall be deemed to refer to the amount of such interest that would have accrued as of the relevant time at the applicable cash interest rate as if we had elected the cash method in respect of all of the relevant interest. |
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| Conversion Rights |
Holders may convert all or any portion of their notes, if the portion to be converted is $1,000 capitalized principal amount or any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof, at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date:
● The conversion rate for the notes is initially 49.9910 shares of common stock per $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $20.00 per share of common stock), subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus.
● Upon conversion, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election. If we satisfy our conversion obligation solely in cash or through payment and delivery, as the case may be, of a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, the amount of cash and shares of common stock, if any, due upon conversion will be based on a daily conversion value (as described herein) calculated on a proportionate basis for each trading day in a 40 trading day observation period (as described herein). See “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion.”
● You will not receive any additional cash payment or additional shares representing accrued and unpaid interest that has not been capitalized, if any, upon conversion of a note, except in limited circumstances. Instead, interest will be deemed to be paid by the cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock paid or delivered, as the case may be, to you upon conversion of a note.
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| Redemption at Our Option | We may not redeem the notes prior to June 30, 2024. We may redeem for cash all or part of the notes, at our option, on or after June 30, 2024 if the last reported sale price of our common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which we provide notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the capitalized principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized to, but excluding, the redemption date. No “sinking fund” is provided for the notes, which means that we are not required to redeem or retire the notes periodically. See “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption.” |
| Fundamental Change | If we undergo a “fundamental change” (as defined in this prospectus under “Description of Notes—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes”), subject to certain conditions, holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or part of their notes in principal amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof. The fundamental change repurchase price will be equal to 100% of the capitalized principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued interest thereon that has not been paid or capitalized to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. See “Description of Notes—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes.” |
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| Ranking |
The notes are our senior unsecured obligations and rank:
● senior in right of payment to any of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes;
● equal in right of payment to any of our unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated;
● effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and
● structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries.
As of September 30, 2023, our total consolidated indebtedness was $234.3 million, of which an aggregate of $227.8 million was senior indebtedness and an aggregate of $106.5 million was secured indebtedness. As of September 30, 2023, our subsidiaries had $58.6 million of indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables, but excluding intercompany obligations and liabilities of a type not required to be reflected on a balance sheet of such subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP) to which the notes would have been structurally subordinated.
The indenture governing the notes will not limit the amount of debt that we or our subsidiaries may incur.
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| Registration Rights | We prepared this prospectus in connection with our obligations under an investment agreement that provides the selling securityholder with certain registration rights with respect to the resale of the notes originally issued in a transaction exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, if any. Pursuant to such investment agreement, we will use our reasonable efforts to keep the shelf registration statement of which this prospectus is a part effective until the earlier of (i) such time as all registrable securities have been sold in accordance with the plan of distribution disclosed in this prospectus and (ii) such time as there otherwise ceases to be any registrable securities. |
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| Use of Proceeds | The selling securityholder will receive all of the proceeds from the sale under this prospectus of the notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, if any. We will not receive any proceeds from these sales. |
| Form | The notes will initially be issued in physical, certificated form. However, subject to certain conditions, the notes may be issued in book-entry form and be represented by permanent global certificates deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Beneficial interests in any of such notes would be shown on, and transfers will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee and any such interest may not be exchanged for certificated securities, except in limited circumstances. |
| Absence of a Public Market for the Notes | The notes were originally issued to a single investor in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There is currently no established market for the notes. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to the development or liquidity of any market for the notes. We do not intend to apply for a listing of the notes on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system. |
| U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences | For the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the holding, disposition and conversion of the notes, and the holding and disposition of shares of our common stock, see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” |
| Nasdaq Capital Market Symbol for Our Common Stock | Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “EOSE.” |
| Trustee, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent | Wilmington Trust, National Association |
Common Stock
| Issuer | Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation. |
| Shares of Common Stock Outstanding | 158,064,466 shares of common stock as of November 1, 2023. |
| Shares of Common Stock Offered by the Selling Securityholder | Up to 6,516,359 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes. |
| Use of Proceeds | The selling securityholder will receive all of the proceeds from the sale under this prospectus of the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes. We will not receive any proceeds from these sales. |
| Nasdaq Capital Market Symbol for Our Common Stock | Our common stock are currently traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “EOSE.” |
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An investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves risk and uncertainties. You should consider carefully the risk factors described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and any subsequent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and any applicable prospectus supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances.
Risk Related to Our Common Stock
To the extent that any shares of common stock are issued upon exercise of any warrants to purchase shares of common stock or upon conversion of any convertible notes, the number of shares eligible for resale in the public market would increase.
To the extent that any shares of common stock are issued upon exercise of any of the warrants to purchase shares of common stock or upon conversion of any convertible notes, there will be an increase in the number of shares of common stock eligible for resale in the public market. Sales of a substantial number of such shares in the public market could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Provisions in our Charter and Delaware law may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.
Our Charter requires, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, that (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us, our directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our Charter or our bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us or our directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware, except any claim (A) as to which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within 10 days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction, or (D) any action arising under the Securities Act, as to which the Court of Chancery and the federal district court for the District of Delaware shall have concurrent jurisdiction. If an action is brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel. Although we believe that this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, a court may determine that this provision is unenforceable, and to the extent it is enforceable, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers, although our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, our Charter provides that the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Although we believe that this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.
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Provisions in our Charter may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our common stock and could entrench management.
Our Charter contains provisions that may hinder unsolicited takeover proposals that stockholders may consider to be in their best interests. We are also subject to anti-takeover provisions under Delaware law, which could delay or prevent a change of control. Together these provisions may make more difficult the removal of management and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities. These provisions include:
| ● | no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates; |
| ● | a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms, which could delay the ability of stockholders to change the membership of a majority of the Board; |
| ● | the right of our Board to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of our Board or the resignation, death or removal of a director in certain circumstances, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our Board; |
| ● | a prohibition on stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders; |
| ● | advance notice procedures that stockholders must comply with in order to nominate candidates to our Board or to propose matters to be acted upon at a meeting of stockholders, which may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company; and |
| ● | the requirement that a meeting of stockholders may only be called by members of our Board or the stockholders holding a majority of our shares, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors. |
Future resales of common stock may cause the market price of our securities to drop significantly, even if our business is doing well.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could occur at any time irrespective of our performance. These sales, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares intend to sell shares, could reduce the market price of our common stock. Such sales may occur based upon individual investor liquidity requirements or other factors outside of our control.
As registration statements are available for use, the sale or possibility of sale of shares by shareholders could have the effect of increasing the volatility in our share price or the market price of our common stock could decline if the holders of currently restricted shares sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them.
Our stock price may be volatile and may decline regardless of our operating performance.
Fluctuations in the price of our securities could contribute to the loss of part or all of your investment. The trading price of our securities could be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. Any of the factors listed below could have a material adverse effect on your investment in our securities and our securities may trade at prices significantly below the price you paid for them. In such circumstances, the trading price of our securities may not recover and may experience a further decline.
Factors affecting the trading price of our securities may include:
| ● | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to be similar to us; |
| ● | changes in the market’s expectations about our operating results; |
| ● | success of competitors; |
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| ● | our operating results failing to meet the expectation of securities analysts or investors in a particular period; |
| ● | changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts concerning us or the industries in which we operate in general; |
| ● | operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us; |
| ● | our ability to market new and enhanced products on a timely basis; |
| ● | changes in laws and regulations affecting our business; |
| ● | commencement of, or involvement in, litigation involving us; |
| ● | changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of securities or the incurrence of additional debt; |
| ● | the volume of shares of our common stock available for public sale; |
| ● | any major change in our board of directors or management; |
| ● | sales of substantial amounts of our common stock by our directors, executive officers or significant stockholders or the perception that such sales could occur; and |
| ● | general economic and political conditions such as recessions, interest rates, fuel prices, international currency fluctuations and acts of war or terrorism. |
Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our securities irrespective of our operating performance. The stock market in general, and Nasdaq, have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the particular companies affected. The trading prices and valuations of these stocks, and of our securities, may not be predictable. A loss of investor confidence in the market for the stocks of other companies that investors perceive to be similar to us could depress our stock price regardless of our business, prospects, financial conditions or results of operations. A decline in the market price of our securities also could adversely affect our ability to issue additional securities and our ability to obtain additional financing in the future.
There can be no assurance that our common stock will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of Nasdaq.
The shares of our common stock and warrants are listed on Nasdaq. If Nasdaq delists the common stock from trading on its exchange for failure to meet the listing standards, we and our stockholders could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
| ● | a limited availability of market quotations for our securities; |
| ● | a determination that our common stock is a “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading in our common stock to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our common stock; |
| ● | a limited amount of analyst coverage; and |
| ● | a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to declare cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable laws, and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
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We are a “smaller reporting company” and, because we have opted to use the reduced reporting requirements available to us, certain investors may find investing in our securities less attractive.
As a smaller reporting company, we are permitted to comply with scaled-back disclosure obligations in our SEC filings compared to other issuers, including with respect to disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We have elected to adopt the accommodations available to smaller reporting companies. Until we cease to be a smaller reporting company, the scaled-back disclosure in our SEC filings will result in less information about our company being available than for other public companies. If investors consider our common stock less attractive as a result of our election to use the scaled-back disclosure permitted for smaller reporting companies, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our share price may be more volatile.
We are also a non-accelerated filer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and we are not required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Therefore, our internal controls over financial reporting will not receive the level of review provided by the process relating to the auditor attestation included in annual reports of issuers that are subject to the auditor attestation requirements. In addition, we cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we are not required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements. We cannot predict if investors will find our securities less attractive because we rely on these available exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the market price of our securities may be more volatile.
Risks Related to the Notes
The notes will be effectively subordinated to our secured debt and any liabilities of our subsidiaries.
The notes rank senior in right of payment to any of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes; equal in right of payment to any of our liabilities that are not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, our assets that secure debt ranking senior or equal in right of payment to the notes will be available to pay obligations on the notes only after the secured debt has been repaid in full from these assets. There may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all of the notes then outstanding. The indenture governing the notes will not prohibit us from incurring additional senior debt or secured debt, nor will it prohibit any of our subsidiaries from incurring additional liabilities.
As of September 30, 2023, our total consolidated indebtedness was $224.3 million, of which an aggregate of $227.8 million was senior indebtedness and an aggregate of $106.5 million was secured indebtedness. As of September 30, 2023, our subsidiaries had $58.6 million of indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables but excluding intercompany obligations and liabilities of a type not required to be reflected on a balance sheet of such subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP) to which the notes would have been structurally subordinated.
The notes will be our obligations only and our operations are conducted through, and substantially all of our consolidated assets are held by, our subsidiaries.
The notes will be our obligations exclusively and will not guaranteed by any of our operating subsidiaries. A substantial portion of our consolidated assets is held by our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our ability to service our debt, including the notes, depends on the results of operations of our subsidiaries and upon the ability of such subsidiaries to provide us with cash, whether in the form of dividends, loans or otherwise, to pay amounts due on our obligations, including the notes. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to make payments on the notes or to make any funds available for that purpose. In addition, dividends, loans or other distributions to us from such subsidiaries may be subject to contractual and other restrictions and are subject to other business considerations.
Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our business to pay our substantial debt.
Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness, including the notes, depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not continue to generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to service our debt and make necessary capital expenditures. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our debt obligations.
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The notes will not include any make-whole conversion feature and therefore will not adequately compensate you for any lost value of your notes as a result of a fundamental change transaction or redemption.
The notes will not include any feature that increases the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with a fundamental change or notice of redemption or any other transaction or event. As a result, if you convert your notes early as a result of a corporate event or our delivery of a notice of redemption, you will not receive any compensation for any lost value of your notes as a result of such event or redemption, as the case may be.
The notes may not pay any cash interest.
We may, at our option subject to any applicable restrictive covenants, elect to pay any or all interest on the notes with respect to any interest payment date (i) in cash (such method referred as the “cash method”) or (ii) in the form of an increase to the principal amount of the outstanding notes (such method referred to as the “capitalization method”) or in the form of additional notes in integral multiples of $1.00. As a result, you may not receive any ongoing cash payments in respect of your investment in the notes. See “Description of Notes—Interest.”
Regulatory actions and other events may adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the notes.
We expect that many investors in, and potential purchasers of, the notes will employ, or seek to employ, a convertible arbitrage strategy with respect to the notes. Investors would typically implement such a strategy by selling short the common stock underlying the notes and dynamically adjusting their short position while continuing to hold the notes. Investors may also implement this type of strategy by entering into swaps on our common stock in lieu of or in addition to short selling the common stock. We cannot assure you that market conditions will permit investors to implement this type of strategy, whether on favorable pricing and other terms or at all. If market conditions do not permit investors to implement this type of strategy, whether on favorable pricing and other terms or at all, at any time while the notes are outstanding, the trading price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.
The SEC and other regulatory and self-regulatory authorities have implemented various rules and taken certain actions, and may in the future adopt additional rules and take other actions, that may impact those engaging in short selling activity involving equity securities (including our common stock). Such rules and actions include Rule 201 of SEC Regulation SHO, the adoption by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. and the national securities exchanges of a “Limit Up-Limit Down” program, the imposition of market-wide circuit breakers that halt trading of securities for certain periods following specific market declines, and the implementation of certain regulatory reforms required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Any governmental or regulatory action that restricts the ability of investors in, or potential purchasers of, the notes to effect short sales of our common stock, borrow our common stock or enter into swaps on our common stock could adversely affect the trading price and the liquidity of the notes.
In addition, the number of shares of our common stock available for lending in connection with short sale transactions and the number of counterparties willing to enter into an equity swap on our common stock with a note investor may not be sufficient for the implementation of a convertible arbitrage strategy. These and other market events could make implementing a convertible arbitrage strategy prohibitively expensive or infeasible. We cannot assure you that a sufficient number of shares of our common stock will be available to borrow on commercial terms, or at all, to potential purchasers or holders of the notes. If potential purchasers of the notes that seek to employ a convertible arbitrage strategy are unable to do so on commercial terms, or at all, then the trading price of, and the liquidity of the market for, the notes may significantly decline.
Volatility in the market price and trading volume of our common stock could adversely impact the trading price of the notes.
The stock market in recent years has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated to the operating performance of companies. The market price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly for many reasons, including in response to the risks described in this section, elsewhere in this prospectus or the documents we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus or for reasons unrelated to our operations, such as reports by industry analysts, investor perceptions or negative announcements by our customers, competitors or suppliers regarding their own performance, as well as industry conditions and general financial, economic and political instability. A decrease in the market price of our common stock would likely adversely impact the trading price of the notes. The market price of our common stock could also be affected by possible sales of our common stock by investors who view the notes as a more attractive means of equity participation in us and by hedging or arbitrage trading activity that we expect to develop involving our common stock. This trading activity could, in turn, affect the trading price of the notes.
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Despite our current debt levels, we may still incur substantially more debt or take other actions that would intensify the risks discussed above.
Despite our current consolidated debt levels, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional debt in the future, subject to the restrictions contained in our future debt instruments, some of which may be secured debt. We will not be restricted under the terms of the indenture governing the notes from incurring additional debt, securing existing or future debt, recapitalizing our debt or taking a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the indenture governing the notes that could have the effect of diminishing our ability to make payments on the notes when due.
Redemption may adversely affect your return on the notes.
We may not redeem the notes prior to June 30, 2024. We may redeem for cash all or part of the notes, at our option, on or after June 30, 2024 if the last reported price of our common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which we provide notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the capitalized principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized to, but excluding, the redemption date. As a result, we may choose to redeem some or all of the notes, including at times when prevailing interest rates are relatively low. As a result, you may not be able to reinvest the proceeds you receive from the redemption in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the interest rate on your notes being redeemed. In addition, the foregoing stock price condition only needs to be met for any 20 trading days in the 30 trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of the redemption notice. As a result, the price of our common stock may decrease dramatically, including below the conversion price, between the 20th such trading day that the stock price condition is satisfied and the day we actually deliver the redemption notice. See “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption.”
We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions of the notes or to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change, and our future debt may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion or repurchase of the notes.
Holders of the notes will have the right to require us to repurchase their notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the capitalized principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, as described under “Description of Notes—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes.” In addition, upon conversion of the notes, unless we elect (or are deemed to have elected) to deliver solely shares of our common stock to settle such conversion (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), we will be required to make cash payments in respect of the notes being converted as described under “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion.” However, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of notes surrendered therefor or notes being converted. In addition, our ability to repurchase the notes or to pay cash upon conversions of the notes may be limited by law, by regulatory authority or by agreements governing our future indebtedness. Our failure to repurchase notes at a time when the repurchase is required by the indenture or to pay any cash payable on future conversions of the notes as required by the indenture would constitute a default under the indenture. A default under the indenture or the fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under agreements governing our future indebtedness. If the repayment of the related indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the notes or make cash payments upon conversions thereof.
The conversion feature of the notes may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
Holders of notes are entitled to convert the notes at any time at their option. See “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights.” If one or more holders elect to convert their notes, unless we elect (or are deemed to have elected) to satisfy our conversion obligation by delivering solely shares of our common stock (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), we would be required to settle a portion or all of our conversion obligation through the payment of cash, which could adversely affect our liquidity.
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Future sales of our common stock or equity-linked securities in the public market could lower the market price for our common stock and adversely impact the trading price of the notes.
In the future, we may sell additional shares of our common stock or equity-linked securities to raise capital. In addition, a substantial number of shares of our common stock is reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock options, upon exercise of our outstanding warrants, and upon conversion of the notes. We cannot predict the size of future issuances or the effect, if any, that they may have on the market price for our common stock. The issuance and sale of substantial amounts of common stock or equity-linked securities, or the perception that such issuances and sales may occur, could adversely affect the trading price of the notes and the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity or equity-linked securities.
Holders of notes will not be entitled to any rights with respect to our common stock, but they will be subject to all changes made with respect to them to the extent our conversion obligation includes shares of our common stock.
Holders of notes will not be entitled to any rights with respect to our common stock (including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on our common stock) prior to the conversion date relating to such notes (if we have elected to settle the relevant conversion by delivering solely shares of our common stock (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share)) or the last trading day of the relevant observation period (if we elect to pay and deliver, as the case may be, a combination of cash and shares of our common stock in respect of the relevant conversion) (and, in each case, assuming all relevant governmental approvals as described under “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Governmental Approvals” have been obtained), but holders of notes will be subject to all changes affecting our common stock. For example, if an amendment is proposed to our certificate of incorporation or bylaws requiring stockholder approval and the record date for determining the stockholders of record entitled to vote on the amendment occurs prior to the conversion date related to a holder’s conversion of its notes (if we have elected to settle the relevant conversion by delivering solely shares of our common stock (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share)) or the last trading day of the relevant observation period (if we elect to pay and deliver, as the case may be, a combination of cash and shares of our common stock in respect of the relevant conversion), such holder will not be entitled to vote on the amendment, although such holder will nevertheless be subject to any changes affecting our common stock.
The governmental approval requirement with respect to conversions of the notes could result in your receiving less than the value of our common stock into which the notes would otherwise be convertible, and could delay your receipt of any shares of our common stock upon conversion.
To the extent that physical settlement or combination settlement in respect of any conversion of notes would require us or any holder to obtain any regulatory approvals or consents from, or make any filing with, any governmental entity, the right to convert the relevant notes and our obligation to deliver (or cause to be delivered) any related shares of common stock upon such conversion will be contingent upon, and subject to, the receipt of any required governmental approval (as determined by the holder or us, as applicable), and any such delivery will be delayed until such governmental approval is received. If you attempt to convert your notes and such a governmental approval is required but not obtained in time, you will not be able to convert your notes, and you may not be able to receive the shares of common stock into which the notes would otherwise be convertible. Receipt of any such governmental approval could take a significant amount of time, delaying your ability to receive any shares of common stock into which the notes would otherwise be convertible. The trading price of our common stock at the time of the ultimate delivery of such shares (if any) may be less than, and possibly significantly less than, the trading price at the time of the attempted conversion. See “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Governmental Approvals.”
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Upon conversion of the notes, you may receive less valuable consideration than expected because the value of our common stock may decline after you exercise your conversion right but before we settle our conversion obligation.
Under the notes, a converting holder will be exposed to fluctuations in the value of our common stock during the period from the date such holder surrenders notes for conversion until the date we settle our conversion obligation.
Upon conversion of the notes, we have the option to pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. If we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation in cash or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, the amount of consideration that you will receive upon conversion of your notes will be determined by reference to the volume-weighted average price of our common stock for each trading day in a 40 trading day observation period. As described under “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion,” this period would be (i) subject to clause (ii), if the relevant conversion date occurs prior to the 45th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, the 40 consecutive trading day period beginning on, and including, the third trading day immediately succeeding such conversion date; (ii) if the relevant conversion date occurs on or after the date of our issuance of a notice of redemption with respect to the notes as described under “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption” and prior to the relevant redemption date, the 40 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the 42nd scheduled trading day immediately preceding such redemption date; and (iii) subject to clause (ii), if the relevant conversion date occurs on or after the 45th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, the 40 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the 42nd scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. Accordingly, if the price of our common stock decreases during this period, the amount and/or value of consideration you receive will be adversely affected. In addition, if the market price of our common stock at the end of such period is below the average volume-weighted average price of our common stock during such period, the value of any shares of our common stock that you will receive in satisfaction of our conversion obligation will be less than the value used to determine the number of shares that you will receive.
If we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation solely in shares of our common stock upon conversion of the notes, we will be required to deliver the shares of our common stock, together with cash for any fractional share, on the third business day following the relevant conversion date. Accordingly, if the price of our common stock decreases during this period, the value of the shares that you receive will be adversely affected and would be less than the conversion value of the notes on the conversion date.
In addition, there may be a delay in our delivery of any conversion consideration as a result of the requirement for us and the applicable holder to obtain any necessary governmental approvals in advance of any such delivery, as described above under “—The governmental approval requirement with respect to conversions of the notes could result in your receiving less than the value of our common stock into which the notes would otherwise be convertible, and could delay your receipt of any shares of our common stock upon conversion.”
The notes will not be protected by restrictive covenants.
The indenture governing the notes will not contain any financial or operating covenants or restrictions on the payments of dividends, the incurrence of indebtedness or the issuance or repurchase of securities by us or any of our subsidiaries. The indenture will not contain any covenants or other provisions to afford protection to holders of the notes in the event of a fundamental change or other corporate transaction involving us except to the extent described under “Description of Notes—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” and “Description of Notes—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets.”
The conversion rate of the notes may not be adjusted for all dilutive events.
The conversion rate of the notes is subject to adjustment for certain events, including, but not limited to, the issuance of certain stock dividends on our common stock, the issuance of certain rights or warrants, subdivisions, combinations, distributions of capital stock, indebtedness, or assets, cash dividends and certain issuer tender or exchange offers as described under “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Conversion Rate Adjustments.” However, the conversion rate will not be adjusted for other events, such as a third-party tender or exchange offer or an issuance of common stock for cash, that may adversely affect the trading price of the notes or our common stock. An event that adversely affects the value of the notes may occur, and that event may not result in an adjustment to the conversion rate.
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Some significant restructuring transactions may not constitute a fundamental change, in which case we would not be obligated to offer to repurchase the notes.
Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change, you have the right to require us to repurchase your notes. However, the fundamental change provisions will not afford protection to holders of notes in the event of other transactions that could adversely affect the notes. For example, transactions such as leveraged recapitalizations, refinancings, restructurings, or acquisitions initiated by us may not constitute a fundamental change requiring us to repurchase the notes. In the event of any such transaction, the holders would not have the right to require us to repurchase the notes, even though each of these transactions could increase the amount of our indebtedness, or otherwise adversely affect our capital structure or any credit ratings, thereby adversely affecting the holders of notes.
We cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the notes.
The notes were originally issued to a single investor in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There has been no trading market for the notes, and the notes may continue to be held by a small group of investors indefinitely. We do not intend to apply to list the notes on any securities exchange or to arrange for quotation on any automated dealer quotation system. In addition, the liquidity of the trading market in the notes (if any), and the market price quoted for the notes (if any), may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for this type of security and by changes in our financial performance or prospects or in the prospects for companies in our industry generally. As a result, we cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the notes. If an active trading market for the notes does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. In that case, you may not be able to sell your notes at a particular time or you may not be able to sell your notes at a favorable price.
Any adverse rating of the notes may cause their trading price to fall.
We do not intend to seek a rating on the notes. However, if a rating service were to rate the notes and if such rating service were to lower its rating on the notes below the rating initially assigned to the notes or otherwise announce its intention to put the notes on credit watch, the trading price of the notes could decline.
You may be subject to tax if we make or fail to make certain adjustments to the conversion rate of the notes even though you do not receive a corresponding cash distribution.
The conversion rate of the notes is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. If the conversion rate is adjusted as a result of a distribution that is taxable to our common stockholders, such as a cash dividend, you will be deemed to have received a distribution, which may be treated as a dividend subject to U.S. federal income tax, without the receipt of any cash. In addition, a failure to adjust (or to adjust adequately) the conversion rate after an event that increases your proportionate interest in us could be treated as a deemed taxable dividend to you. If a fundamental change occurs prior to the maturity date or we issue a notice of redemption, under some circumstances, we will increase the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with the fundamental change or during the related redemption conversion period. Such increase may also be treated as a distribution subject to U.S. federal income tax as a dividend. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” If you are a non-U.S. holder (as defined in “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”), any deemed dividend would generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable treaty. Any U.S. federal withholding tax or backup withholding may be withheld from or set off against subsequent payments on the notes (including upon conversion, repayment or maturity), or in some circumstances from any payments on our common stock, or from sales proceeds subsequently paid or credited to you, or from your other funds or assets.
The notes will be issued with original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
For each interest period, we have the option, in lieu of cash interest, to pay stated interest on the notes in (i) PIK interest or (ii) a combination of cash interest and PIK interest. As a result, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, none of the stated interest payments on the notes will constitute “qualified stated interest,” even if we never exercise the option to pay any PIK interest. Therefore, the notes will be treated as having been issued with original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“OID”). Holders subject to U.S. federal income taxation will be required to include any amounts representing OID in gross income (as ordinary income) as it accrues (on a constant yield to maturity basis) in advance of the receipt of the cash payments to which such OID is attributable and regardless of the holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
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Certain provisions in the notes and the indenture could delay or prevent an otherwise beneficial takeover or takeover attempt of us and, therefore, the ability of holders to exercise their rights associated with a potential fundamental change.
Certain provisions in the notes and the indenture could make it more difficult or more expensive for a third party to acquire us. For example, if an acquisition event constitutes a fundamental change, holders of the notes will have the right to require us to purchase their notes in cash. In this case, our obligations under the notes and the indenture as well as provisions of our organizational documents and other agreements could increase the cost of acquiring us or otherwise discourage a third party from acquiring us or removing incumbent management. There is no exception from the definition of fundamental change for transactions in which the consideration received by holders of our common stock consists of other listed stock. As a result, such a transaction could constitute a fundamental change and require us to offer to repurchase the notes, which could discourage a potential acquirer in such a transaction.
If the notes are issued in book-entry form, holders must rely on DTC’s procedures to receive communications relating to the notes and exercise their rights and remedies.
Although the notes were initially issued in certificated form, subject to certain conditions, we may issue the notes in the form of one or more global notes registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Beneficial interests in global notes will be shown on, and transfers of global notes will be effected only through, the records maintained by DTC. Except in limited circumstances, after the issuance of global notes we will not issue certificated notes. See “Description of Notes—Book-Entry, Settlement and Clearance.” Accordingly, if you own a beneficial interest in a global note, then you will not be considered an owner or holder of the notes. Instead, DTC or its nominee will be the sole holder of global notes. Unlike persons who have certificated notes registered in their names, owners of beneficial interests in global notes will not have the direct right to act on our solicitations for consents or requests for waivers or other actions from holders. Instead, those beneficial owners will be permitted to act only to the extent that they have received appropriate proxies to do so from DTC or, if applicable, a DTC participant. The applicable procedures for the granting of these proxies may not be sufficient to enable owners of beneficial interests in global notes to vote on any requested actions on a timely basis. In addition, notices and other communications relating to any global notes will be sent to DTC. We expect DTC to forward any such communications to DTC participants, which in turn would forward such communications to indirect DTC participants. But we can make no assurances that you timely receive any such communications.
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We will receive proceeds from the issuance and sale of our common stock, preferred stock, senior debt securities, warrants or units and from the exercise of any warrants. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from our sale of securities will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, acquisitions, retirement of debt and other business opportunities.
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common stock, warrants to purchase common stock or notes by any selling securityholder hereunder.
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The following is a description of the material terms of, and is qualified in its entirety by, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws. These documents are also incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The Charter authorizes the issuance of 301,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of (x) 300,000,000 authorized shares of common stock and (y) 1,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of November 1, 2023, there were 158,064,466 shares of common stock outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors.
Common Stock
Voting Power
Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of preferred stock, the holders of common stock possess all voting power for the election of our directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action and will at all times vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted on by stockholders.
Dividends
Holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors in its discretion out of funds legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.
Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up
In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding-up, the holders of common stock will be entitled to receive an equal amount per share of all of our assets of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders, after the rights of the holders of the preferred stock have been satisfied and after payment or provision for payment of our debts and other liabilities.
Preemptive or Other Rights
Our stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights and there is no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to common stock.
Election of Directors
The Company’s board of directors are classified into three (3) classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III. The directors first elected to Class I hold office for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the Closing; the directors first elected to Class II will hold office for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Closing; and the directors first elected to Class III will hold office for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Closing. At each succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company, the successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting will be elected by plurality vote of all votes cast at such meeting to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the second year following the year of their election.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
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Preferred Stock
Our Charter provides that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our board of directors is authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our board of directors may, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the common stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company or the removal of existing management. We have no preferred stock outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future. Specific terms of any preferred stock will be provided in one or more supplements to this prospectus.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law, the Company’s Charter and Bylaws
The Charter, bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL contain provisions that could have the effect of rendering more difficult, delaying, or preventing an acquisition deemed undesirable by our board of directors. These provisions could also make it difficult for stockholders to take certain actions, including electing directors who are not nominated by the members of our board of directors or taking other corporate actions, including effecting changes in our management. For instance, our board of directors will be empowered to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or the resignation, death, or removal of a director in certain circumstances; and our advance notice provisions in our bylaws will require that stockholders must comply with certain procedures in order to nominate candidates to our board of directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting.
Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Directors’ Liability; Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation limits the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and provides that we will provide them with customary indemnification. We entered into customary indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors that provide them, in general, with customary indemnification in connection with their service to us or on our behalf.
Securities Exchange
Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “EOSE.”
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Description of Debt Securities
We may issue senior debt securities, in one or more series, as debt or convertible debt. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the senior debt securities. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the particular series of senior debt securities being offered, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the senior debt securities. We have filed, or will file, as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, the form of indenture and any supplemental agreements that describe the terms of the series of senior debt securities we are offering before the issuance of the related series of senior debt securities.
We may evidence each series of senior debt securities we will issue by an indenture that we enter into with a trustee. We will indicate the name and address of the trustee, if applicable, in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of senior debt securities being offered.
Form of Debt Securities
Each senior debt security will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Certificated securities in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the senior debt securities represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.
Registered Global Securities
We may issue the registered senior debt securities in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.
If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.
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So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture or unit agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture or unit agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture or unit agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture or unit agreement, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on senior debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of the Company, the trustees, the warrant agents or any other agent of the Company, agent of the trustees or agent of the warrant agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.
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We may issue warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
| ● | the title of such warrants; |
| ● | the aggregate number of such warrants; |
| ● | the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued; |
| ● | the currency or currencies in which the price of such warrants will be payable; |
| ● | the securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of such warrants; |
| ● | the price at which and the currency or currencies in which the securities or other rights purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased; |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; |
| ● | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time; |
| ● | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security; |
| ● | if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
| ● | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of any material United States Federal income tax considerations; and |
| ● | any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants. |
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Description of Units
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more warrants, debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock or any combination of such securities. The applicable supplement will describe:
| ● | the terms of the units and of the warrants, debt securities and common stock comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately; |
| ● | a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of any material United States Federal income tax considerations; and |
| ● | a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units. |
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The notes were issued under an indenture (the “indenture”), dated April 7, 2022, between us and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “trustee”). A copy of the indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms of the notes include those expressly set forth in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).
You may request a copy of the indenture from us as described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the notes and the indenture and does not purport to be complete. This summary is subject to and is qualified by reference to all the provisions of the notes and the indenture, including the definitions of certain terms used in the indenture. We urge you to read these documents because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of the notes.
For purposes of this description, references to “we,” “our” and “us” refer only to Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. and not to its subsidiaries.
General
The notes:
| ● | are our general unsecured, senior obligations; |
| ● | were initially issued in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000; |
| ● | accrue interest from the date of issuance (or the most recent interest payment date, whichever is later), payable in cash at the rate of 5.00% per year or in kind at the rate of 6.00% per year, at our election, on June 30 and December 30 of each year, as described below under “—Interest;” |
| ● | are subject to redemption at our option, in whole or in part, on or after June 30, 2024 if the last reported sale price of our common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which we provide notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the capitalized principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized to, but excluding, the redemption date; |
| ● | are subject to repurchase by us at the option of the holders following a fundamental change (as defined below under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes”), at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the capitalized principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date; |
| ● | mature on June 30, 2026, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased; |
| ● | are issued in minimum denominations of $1.00 principal amount and integral multiples thereof; and |
| ● | are initially represented in certificated form but may, subject to certain conditions, be represented by one or more registered notes in global form. See “Book-Entry, Settlement and Clearance.” |
Subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, the notes may be converted at an initial conversion rate of 49.9910 shares of common stock per $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $20.00 per share of common stock). The conversion rate is subject to adjustment if certain events occur.
We will settle conversions of notes by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, as described under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion.” You will not receive any separate cash payment for interest, if any, accrued and unpaid to the conversion date except under the limited circumstances described below.
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The indenture does not limit the amount of debt that may be issued by us or our subsidiaries under the indenture or otherwise. The indenture does not contain any financial covenants and will not restrict us from paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing our other securities. Other than restrictions described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” and “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” below, the indenture does not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving us or in the event of a decline in our credit rating as the result of a takeover, recapitalization, highly leveraged transaction or similar restructuring involving us that could adversely affect such holders.
We may, without the consent of the holders, reopen the indenture for the notes and issue additional notes under the indenture with the same terms as the notes offered hereby (other than differences in the issue date, the issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of such additional notes) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if any such additional notes are not fungible with the notes initially offered hereby for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional notes will have a separate CUSIP number (if any).
We do not intend to list the notes on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system.
Except to the extent the context otherwise requires, we use the term “notes” in this prospectus to refer to each $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes. We use the term “common stock” in this prospectus to refer to our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. References in this prospectus to a “holder” or “holders” of notes that are held through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) are references to owners of beneficial interests in such notes, unless the context otherwise requires. However, we and the trustee will treat the person in whose name the notes are registered (Cede & Co., in the case of notes held through DTC) as the owner of such notes for all purposes. References herein to the “close of business” refer to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, and to the “open of business” refer to 9:00 a.m., New York City time. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to accrued interest on, or in respect of, any note that has not been paid or capitalized shall be deemed to refer to the amount of such interest that would have accrued as of the relevant time at the applicable cash interest rate as if we had elected the cash method in respect of all of the relevant interest. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to the principal amount of any notes shall be deemed to refer to the capitalized principal amount of such notes at the relevant time.
Purchase and Cancellation
We will cause all notes surrendered for payment at maturity, repurchase upon a fundamental change, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion, if surrendered to us or any of our agents, subsidiaries or affiliates that we control, to be delivered to the trustee for cancellation. All notes delivered to the trustee shall be cancelled promptly by the trustee. Except for notes surrendered for transfer or exchange, no notes shall be authenticated in exchange for any notes cancelled as provided in the indenture.
We may, to the extent permitted by law, and directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such notes are surrendered to us), repurchase notes in the open market or otherwise, whether by us or our subsidiaries or through a private or public tender or exchange offer or through counterparties to private agreements, including by cash-settled swaps or other derivatives. We will cause any notes so repurchased (other than notes repurchased pursuant to cash-settled swaps or other derivatives) to be surrendered to the trustee for cancellation, and they will no longer be considered “outstanding” under the indenture upon their cancellation.
Payments on the Notes; Paying Agent and Registrar; Transfer and Exchange
We will pay the principal of, and interest on, notes in global form registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such global note.
We will pay the principal of any certificated notes at the office or agency designated by us for that purpose. We have initially designated the trustee as our paying agent and registrar and its agency in the continental United States of America as a place where notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer. We may, however, change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the notes, and we may act as paying agent or registrar. Any cash interest on certificated notes will be payable (i) to holders having an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or less, by check mailed to the holders of these notes and (ii) to holders having an aggregate principal amount of more than $5,000,000 (or such other amount as we determine in our discretion), either by check mailed to each holder or, upon application by such a holder to the registrar not later than the relevant regular record date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that holder’s account within the United States if such holder has provided us, the trustee or the paying agent with the requisite information necessary to make such wire transfer prior to the relevant regular record date, which application shall remain in effect until the holder notifies, in writing, the registrar to the contrary.
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A holder of notes may transfer or exchange notes at the office of the registrar in accordance with the indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents. No service charge will be imposed by us, the trustee or the registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but we may require a holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge required by law or permitted by the indenture. We are not required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption or surrendered for conversion or required repurchase.
The registered holder of a note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.
Interest
We may, at our option, elect to pay interest on the notes on any interest payment date (i) by paying an amount in cash on such interest payment date equal to all or a portion of interest accrued from, and including, the immediately preceding interest payment date (or if there is no immediately preceding interest payment date, from, and including, the issue date of the relevant note) on the capitalized principal amount of the notes as of the immediately preceding interest payment date (or if there is no immediately preceding interest payment date, on the initial principal amount of such note), calculated at the rate of 5.00% per year (the “cash interest rate” and, such method of paying interest, the “cash method”) and (ii) to the extent not paid by the cash method, by paying interest in kind (a “PIK payment”) by either increasing the principal amount of the notes or issuing paid-in-kind notes in an amount equal to the interest accrued on such capitalized principal amount as described in the foregoing clause (i) and not paid in cash, calculated at the rate of 6.00% per year (the “PIK interest rate” and, such method of paying interest, “capitalization” or the “capitalization method”); provided that for any notes (1) surrendered for conversion after a regular record date and on or prior to the corresponding interest payment date; (2) redeemed in connection with a redemption date that is after a regular record date and on or prior to the corresponding interest payment date; or (3) repurchased on a fundamental change repurchase date that is after a regular record date and on or prior to the corresponding interest payment date, any amount by which the capitalized principal amount for such notes would have been increased pursuant to the capitalization method on such corresponding interest payment date will instead be paid in cash at the cash interest rate to the relevant holder(s) of such notes as of such regular record date, and no such increase shall be made to the capitalized principal amount of such notes (notwithstanding any prior election (or deemed election) by us to pay such interest pursuant to the capitalization method for such notes).
We will elect the method of paying interest on an interest payment date by delivering a written notice to the trustee and the holders on or prior to the 10th calendar day immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date identifying the method selected and (a) the amount of cash interest to be paid and/or (b) the capitalization amount and new capitalized principal amount, as applicable. In the absence of such an election with respect to an interest payment date, we will be deemed to have elected the capitalization method. All interest payable in respect of the interest payment date scheduled to occur on the maturity date shall be paid entirely by the cash method.
Any PIK payment may be made by either increasing the principal amount of notes, in the case of global notes, or issuing additional notes, in each case, in integral multiples of $1.00 and in accordance with the procedures set forth in the indenture and, in the case of global notes held by DTC, as required by DTC’s procedures. We refer to any interest made in a PIK payment as “PIK interest.” The principal amount of any note at any time, as increased to such time by any PIK interest, is referred to herein as the “capitalized principal amount” of such note.
Interest will accrue from the date of issuance or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, and will be payable semiannually in arrears on June 30 and December 30 of each year. Interest will be paid to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on June 15 or December 15, as the case may be, immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date (each, a “regular record date”). Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for partial months, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month.
If any interest payment date, the maturity date, any redemption date or any earlier required repurchase date upon a fundamental change of a note falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment will be made on the next succeeding business day and no interest on such payment will accrue in respect of the delay. The term “business day” means, with respect to any note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.
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Ranking
The notes are our general unsecured obligations that rank senior in right of payment to all of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes. The notes rank equal in right of payment with all of our liabilities that are not so subordinated. The notes effectively rank junior to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, our assets that secure secured debt will be available to pay obligations on the notes only after all indebtedness under such secured debt has been repaid in full from such assets. The notes rank structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries (including trade payables but excluding intercompany obligations and liabilities of a type not required to be reflected on a balance sheet of such subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP). We advise you that there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all the notes then outstanding.
As of September 30, 2023, our total consolidated indebtedness was $234.3 million, of which an aggregate of $227.8 million was senior indebtedness and an aggregate of $106.5 million was secured indebtedness. As of September 30, 2023, our subsidiaries had $58.6 million of indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables but excluding intercompany obligations and liabilities of a type not required to be reflected on a balance sheet of such subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP) to which the notes would have been structurally subordinated.
The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends and make other payments to us is restricted by, among other things, applicable corporate and other laws and regulations as well as agreements to which our subsidiaries may become a party. We may not be able to pay the cash portions of any settlement amount upon conversion of the notes, or to pay cash for the fundamental change repurchase price upon a fundamental change if a holder requires us to repurchase notes as described below. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Notes—We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions of the notes or to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change, and our future debt may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion or repurchase of the notes.”
Optional Redemption
No “sinking fund” is provided for the notes, which means that we are not required to redeem or retire the notes periodically. Prior to June 30, 2024, the notes will not be redeemable. On or after June 30, 2024, we may redeem for cash all or part of the notes, at our option, if the last reported sale price of our common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which we provide notice of redemption. In the case of any optional redemption, we will provide not less than 50 nor more than 70 scheduled trading days’ notice before the redemption date to the trustee, the paying agent and each holder of notes; provided that if, in accordance with the provisions described under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion” we elect to settle all conversions of notes with a conversion date that occurs on or after the date of our issuance of a notice of redemption and prior to the related redemption date by physical settlement, then we may instead elect to choose a redemption date that is a business day not less than 15 nor more than 60 calendar days after the date we send such notice of redemption. The redemption price will be equal to 100% of the capitalized principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized to, but excluding, the redemption date (unless the redemption date falls after a regular record date but on or prior to the immediately succeeding interest payment date, in which case we will pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest in cash at the cash interest rate to the holder of record as of the close of business on such regular record date, and the redemption price will be equal to 100% of the capitalized principal amount of the notes to be redeemed). The redemption date must be a business day.
If we decide to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding notes and the notes to be redeemed are global notes, the notes to be redeemed will be selected by the depositary in accordance with its procedures. If we decide to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding notes and the notes to be redeemed are not global notes, then the trustee will select the notes to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1.00 in excess thereof) by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the trustee considers to be fair and appropriate.
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If the trustee selects a portion of your note for partial redemption and you convert a portion of the same note, the converted portion will be deemed to be from the portion selected for redemption.
In the event of any redemption in part, we will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any note so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any note being redeemed in part.
No notes may be redeemed if the principal amount of the notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to the redemption date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a default by us in the payment of the redemption price with respect to such notes).
The “last reported sale price” of our common stock on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is traded. If our common stock is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the “last reported sale price” will be the last quoted bid price for our common stock in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If our common stock is not so quoted, the “last reported sale price” will be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for our common stock on the relevant date from a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm selected by us for this purpose.
“Trading day” means a day on which (i) trading in our common stock (or other security for which a closing sale price must be determined) generally occurs on The Nasdaq Capital Market or, if our common stock (or such other security) is not then listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock (or such other security) is then listed or, if our common stock (or such other security) is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our common stock (or such other security) is then traded, and (ii) a last reported sale price for our common stock (or closing sale price for such other security) is available on such securities exchange or market. If our common stock (or such other security) is not so listed or traded, “trading day” means a “business day.”
Conversion Rights
General
Holders may convert all or any portion (if the portion to be converted is $1,000 capitalized principal amount or any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof) of their notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date.
The conversion rate will initially be 49.9910 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $20.00 per share of common stock). Upon conversion of a note, we will satisfy our conversion obligation by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, all as set forth below under “—Settlement upon Conversion.” If we satisfy our conversion obligation solely in cash or through payment and delivery, as the case may be, of a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, the amount of cash and shares of common stock, if any, due upon conversion will be based on a daily conversion value (as defined below) calculated on a proportionate basis for each trading day in a 40 trading day observation period (as defined below under “—Settlement upon Conversion”). The trustee will initially act as the conversion agent.
If we call notes for redemption, a holder of notes may convert all or any portion of its notes only until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date.
Upon conversion, you will not receive any separate cash payment for any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, except as described below. We will not issue fractional shares of our common stock upon conversion of notes. Instead, we will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share as described under “—Settlement upon Conversion.” Our payment and delivery, as the case may be, to you of the cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof, as the case may be, into which a note is convertible will be deemed to satisfy in full our obligation to pay:
| ● | the principal amount of the note; and |
| ● | any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, to, but not including, the relevant conversion date. |
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As a result, any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, to, but not including, the relevant conversion date will be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. Upon a conversion of notes into a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized will be deemed to be paid first out of the cash paid upon such conversion.
Notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, if notes are converted after the close of business on a regular record date for the payment of interest, holders of such notes at the close of business on such regular record date will receive the full amount of interest payable on such notes in cash at the cash interest rate as if we had elected the cash method for all such interest (whether or not we actually elected the cash method) on the corresponding interest payment date notwithstanding the conversion. Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any regular record date to the open of business on the immediately following interest payment date must be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of such interest payable on the notes so converted; provided that no such payment need be made:
| ● | for conversions following the regular record date immediately preceding the maturity date; |
| ● | if we have specified a redemption date that is after a regular record date and on or prior to the business day immediately following the corresponding interest payment date; |
| ● | if we have specified a fundamental change repurchase date that is after a regular record date and on or prior to the business day immediately following the corresponding interest payment date; or |
| ● | to the extent of any overdue interest, if any overdue interest exists at the time of conversion with respect to such note. |
Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, all record holders on the regular record date immediately preceding the maturity date will receive the full interest payment due on the maturity date in cash at the cash interest rate as if we had elected the cash method for all such interest (whether or not we actually elected the cash method) regardless of whether their notes have been converted following such regular record date.
In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this prospectus, in respect of any conversion of notes with a conversion date occurring from and after our delivery of a redemption notice with respect to the notes and on or prior to the scheduled trading day prior to the related redemption date, simultaneously with delivery of the related consideration in satisfaction of our conversion obligation in respect of such conversion, we will also make a cash payment to the converting holder equal to the present value, calculated using a discount rate equal to the treasury rate in respect of such conversion date plus 50 basis points (and discounted on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360 day year consisting of twelve 30 day months)), of all interest payments on the capitalized principal amount of the notes being converted that the holder of such notes would have been entitled to receive had such notes remained outstanding to the maturity date assuming we had elected entirely the cash method on each interest payment date and without duplication of any interest such Holder is entitled to receive pursuant to the indenture.
The “treasury rate” means, with respect to any conversion date, the yield to maturity of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the date we settle our conversion obligation in respect of such conversion date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such conversion cate to June 30, 2026; provided that if the period from such conversion date to June 30, 2026 is less than one year, the “treasury rate” will be the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year.
If a holder converts notes, we will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on any issuance of any shares of our common stock upon the conversion, unless the tax is due because the holder requests such shares to be issued in a name other than the holder’s name, in which case the holder will pay that tax.
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Conversion Procedures
If you hold a beneficial interest in a global note, to convert you must comply with DTC’s procedures for converting a beneficial interest in a global note and, if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next interest payment date to which you are not entitled. As such, if you are a beneficial owner of the notes, you must allow for sufficient time to comply with DTC’s procedures if you wish to exercise your conversion rights.
If you hold a certificated note, to convert you must:
| ● | complete and manually sign the conversion notice on the back of the note, or a facsimile, PDF or other electronic transmission of the conversion notice; |
| ● | deliver the conversion notice, which is irrevocable, and the note to the conversion agent; |
| ● | if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents; and |
| ● | if required, pay funds equal to any accrued interest that has not been capitalized and is payable on the next interest payment date to which you are not entitled. |
We will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax on the issuance of any shares of our common stock upon conversion of the notes, unless the tax is due because the holder requests such shares to be issued in a name other than the holder’s name, in which case the holder will pay the tax.
We refer to the date you comply with the relevant procedures for conversion described above as the “conversion date.”
If a holder has already delivered a repurchase notice as described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” with respect to a note, the holder may not surrender that note for conversion until the holder has withdrawn the repurchase notice in accordance with the relevant provisions of the indenture. If a holder submits its notes for required repurchase, the holder’s right to withdraw the repurchase notice and convert the notes that are subject to repurchase will terminate at the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the relevant fundamental change repurchase date.
Settlement upon Conversion
Upon conversion, we may choose to pay or deliver, as the case may be, either cash (“cash settlement”), shares of our common stock (“physical settlement”) or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock (“combination settlement”), as described below. We refer to each of these settlement methods as a “settlement method.”
All conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs after our issuance of a notice of redemption with respect to the notes and prior to the related redemption date, and all conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs on or after the 45th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date (the “cut-off date”) will be settled using the same settlement method. Except for any conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs after our issuance of a notice of redemption but prior to the related redemption date, and any conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs on or after the cut-off date, we will use the same settlement method for all conversions with the same conversion date, but we will not have any obligation to use the same settlement method with respect to conversions with different conversion dates. That is, we may choose for notes converted on one conversion date to settle conversions in physical settlement, and choose for notes converted on another conversion date cash settlement or combination settlement.
If we elect a settlement method, we will inform holders so converting, the trustee and the conversion agent of the settlement method we have selected no later than the close of business on the second trading day immediately following the related conversion date (or in the case of any conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs (i) after the date of issuance of a notice of redemption as described under “—Optional Redemption” and prior to the related redemption date, in such notice of redemption or (ii) on or after the cut-off date, no later than the cut-off date). If we do not timely elect a settlement method, we will no longer have the right to elect a settlement method with respect to any conversion on the relevant conversion date or during the relevant period, and we will be deemed to have elected the default settlement method (as defined below) with respect to such conversion. If we elect combination settlement, but we do not timely notify converting holders of the specified dollar amount per $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes, such specified dollar amount will be deemed to be $1,000. For the avoidance of doubt, our failure to timely elect a settlement method or specify as applicable a specified dollar amount will not constitute a default under the indenture.
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The “default settlement method” will initially be physical settlement. By notice to holders of the notes, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee), we may, from time to time, change the default settlement method. In addition, by notice to holders of the notes, we may, at our option, elect to irrevocably fix the settlement method to any settlement method that we are then permitted to elect, including combination settlement with a specified dollar amount per $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes of $1,000 or with an ability to continue to set the specified dollar amount per $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes at or above a specific amount set forth in such election notice. If we change the default settlement method or we irrevocably elect to fix the settlement method, in either case, to combination settlement with an ability to continue to set the specified dollar amount per $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes at or above a specific amount, we will, after the date of such change or election, as the case may be, inform holders converting their notes, the trustee and the conversion agent of such specified dollar amount no later than the relevant deadline for election of a settlement method as described in the immediately preceding paragraph, or, if we do not timely notify holders, such specified dollar amount will be the specific amount set forth in the election notice or, if no specific amount was set forth in the election notice, such specified dollar amount will be $1,000 per $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes. A change in the default settlement method or an irrevocable election will apply to all note conversions on conversion dates occurring subsequent to delivery of such notice; provided that no such change or election will affect any settlement method theretofore elected (or deemed to be elected) with respect to any note. For the avoidance of doubt, such an irrevocable election, if made, will be effective without the need to amend the indenture or the notes, including pursuant to the provisions described in clause (11) of the second paragraph under the caption “—Modification and Amendment” below. However, we may nonetheless choose to execute such an amendment without the consent of holders at our option.
Settlement amounts will be computed as follows:
| ● | if we elect (or are deemed to have elected) physical settlement, we will deliver to the converting holder in respect of each $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes being converted a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate; |
| ● | if we elect (or are deemed to have elected) cash settlement, we will pay to the converting holder in respect of each $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes being converted cash in an amount equal to the sum of the daily conversion values for each of the 40 consecutive trading days during the related observation period; and |
| ● | if we elect (or are deemed to have elected) combination settlement, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, to the converting holder in respect of each $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes being converted a “settlement amount” equal to the sum of the daily settlement amounts for each of the 40 consecutive trading days during the related observation period. |
The “daily settlement amount,” for each of the 40 consecutive trading days during the observation period, shall consist of:
| ● | cash equal to the lesser of (i) the maximum cash amount per $1,000 principal amount of notes to be received upon conversion as specified in the notice specifying our chosen settlement method (the “specified dollar amount”), if any, divided by 40 (such quotient, the “daily measurement value”) and (ii) the daily conversion value; and |
| ● | if the daily conversion value exceeds the daily measurement value, a number of shares equal to (i) the difference between the daily conversion value and the daily measurement value, divided by (ii) the daily VWAP for such trading day. |
The “daily conversion value” means, for each of the 40 consecutive trading days during the observation period, 2.5% of the product of (1) the conversion rate on such trading day and (2) the daily VWAP for such trading day.
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The “daily VWAP” means, for each of the 40 consecutive trading days during the relevant observation period, the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page “EOSE <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such trading day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of our common stock on such trading day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by us). The “daily VWAP” will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.
The “observation period” with respect to any note surrendered for conversion means:
| ● | subject to the immediately succeeding bullet, if the relevant conversion date occurs prior to the cut-off date, the 40 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the third trading day immediately succeeding such conversion date; |
| ● | if the relevant conversion date occurs on or after the date of our issuance of a notice of redemption with respect to the notes as described under “—Optional Redemption” and prior to the relevant redemption date, the 40 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the 42nd scheduled trading day immediately preceding such redemption date; and |
| ● | subject to the immediately preceding bullet, if the relevant conversion date occurs on or after the cut-off date, the 40 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the 42nd scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. |
For the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion only, “trading day” means a day on which (i) there is no “market disruption event” (as defined below) and (ii) trading in our common stock generally occurs on The Nasdaq Capital Market or, if our common stock is not then listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is then listed or, if our common stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our common stock is then listed or admitted for trading. If our common stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “trading day” means a “business day.”
“Scheduled trading day” means a day that is scheduled to be a trading day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which our common stock is listed or admitted for trading. If our common stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “scheduled trading day” means a “business day.”
For the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion, “market disruption event” means (i) a failure by the primary U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which our common stock is listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (ii) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any scheduled trading day for our common stock for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in our common stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to our common stock.
Except as described under “—Governmental Approvals” and “—Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of our Common Stock,” we will deliver the consideration due in respect of conversion on the third business day immediately following the relevant conversion date, if we elect physical settlement, or on the third business day immediately following the last trading day of the relevant observation period, in the case of any other settlement method. Any shares of common stock deliverable upon conversion may be delivered in book-entry or certificated form.
We will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share of common stock issuable upon conversion based on the daily VWAP for the relevant conversion date (in the case of physical settlement) or based on the daily VWAP for the last trading day of the relevant observation period (in the case of combination settlement).
Subject in all respects to “—Governmental Approvals” below, each conversion will be deemed to have been effected as to any notes surrendered for conversion on the conversion date; provided, however, that, subject to “—Governmental Approvals” below, the person in whose name any shares of our common stock shall be issuable upon such conversion will become the holder of record of such shares as of the close of business on the conversion date (in the case of physical settlement) or the last trading day of the relevant observation period (in the case of combination settlement).
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Governmental Approvals
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this prospectus, to the extent that physical settlement or combination settlement would require us or any holder to obtain any regulatory approvals or consents from, or make any filing with, any governmental entity, then we, on the one hand, and the applicable holder, on the other hand, will, at our request or at the request of the holder, as applicable, (a) as promptly as practicable, make, or cause to be made, all filings and submissions required under applicable law, and (b) use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or cause to be obtained, approval of the transaction or relevant consent associated with the filing or the termination or expiration of the applicable waiting period (“governmental approval”), and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this prospectus, the right to convert the relevant notes and our obligation to deliver (or cause to be delivered) any related shares of common stock upon such conversion will be contingent upon, and subject to, the receipt of any required governmental approval (as determined by the holder or us, as applicable, and notified in writing to the trustee and conversion agent) and any such delivery shall be delayed until such governmental approval is received; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any filing or submission fees required under applicable laws shall be paid by such holder.
Exchange in Lieu of Conversion
When a holder surrenders its notes for conversion, we may, at our election (an “exchange election”), direct the conversion agent to deliver, on or prior to the second trading day immediately following the conversion date, such notes to one or more financial institutions designated by us for exchange in lieu of conversion. In order to accept any notes surrendered for conversion, the designated financial institution(s) must agree to timely pay or deliver, as the case may be, in exchange for such notes, cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, that would otherwise be due upon conversion as described above under “—Settlement upon Conversion” or such other amount agreed to by the holder and the designated financial institution(s) (the “conversion consideration”). If we make an exchange election, we will, by the close of business on the second trading day following the relevant conversion date, notify in writing the trustee, the conversion agent (if other than the trustee) and the holder surrendering its notes for conversion that we have made the exchange election, and we will notify the designated financial institution(s) of the relevant deadline for delivery of the consideration due upon conversion and the type of conversion consideration to be paid and/or delivered, as the case may be.
Any notes delivered to the designated financial institution(s) will remain outstanding, subject to applicable DTC procedures in the case of global notes. If the financial institution(s) agree(s) to accept any notes for exchange but does not timely pay and/or deliver, as the case may be, the related conversion consideration, or if such designated financial institution does not accept the notes for exchange, we will pay and/or deliver, as the case may be, the relevant conversion consideration, as, and at the time, required pursuant to the indenture as if we had not made the exchange election.
Our designation of any financial institution(s) to which the notes may be submitted for exchange does not require such financial institution(s) to accept any notes.
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Conversion Rate Adjustments
The conversion rate will be adjusted as described below, except that we will not make any adjustments to the conversion rate if holders of the notes participate (other than in the case of (x) a share split or share combination or (y) a tender or exchange offer), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of our common stock and solely as a result of holding the notes, in any of the transactions described below without having to convert their notes as if they held a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate for each $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes held by such holder.
| (1) | If we exclusively issue shares of our common stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of our common stock, or if we effect a share split or share combination, the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula: |
where,
| CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date of such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the effective date of such share split or share combination, as applicable; |
| CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date; |
| OS0 | = | the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date (before giving effect to any such dividend, distribution, split or combination); and |
| OS1 | = | the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination. |
Any adjustment made under this clause (1) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the effective date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this clause (1) is declared but not so paid or made, the conversion rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date our board of directors or a committee thereof determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.
| (2) | If we issue to all or substantially all holders of our common stock any rights, options or warrants (other than in connection with a stockholder rights plan) entitling them, for a period of not more than 60 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of our common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula: |
where,
| CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such issuance; |
| CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date; |
| OS0 | = | the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such ex-dividend date; |
| X | = | the total number of shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and |
| Y | = | the number of shares of our common stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants. |
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Any increase made under this clause (2) will be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such issuance. To the extent that shares of common stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the conversion rate shall be decreased to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of common stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the conversion rate shall be decreased to the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such ex-dividend date for such issuance had not occurred.
For the purpose of this clause (2), in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of the common stock at less than such average of the last reported sale prices for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of common stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by us for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by us.
| (3) | If we distribute shares of our capital stock, evidences of our indebtedness, other assets or property of ours or rights, options or warrants to acquire our capital stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, excluding: |
| ● | dividends, distributions or issuances as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above; |
| ● | except as otherwise described below, rights issued pursuant to any stockholder rights plan of ours then in effect; |
| ● | distributions of reference property issued in exchange for, or upon conversion of, our common stock as described under “—Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of Our Common Stock”; |
| ● | dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which the provisions set forth in clause (4) below shall apply; and |
| ● | spin-offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this clause (3) shall apply; |
then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:
where,
| CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution; |
| CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date; |
| SP0 | = | the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such distribution; and |
| FMV | = | the fair market value (as determined by us) of the shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants distributed with respect to each outstanding share of our common stock on the ex-dividend date for such distribution. |
Any increase made under the portion of this clause (3) above will become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, the conversion rate shall be decreased to be the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “FMV” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each holder of a note shall receive, in respect of each $1,000 capitalized principal amount thereof, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of our common stock, the amount and kind of our capital stock, evidences of our indebtedness, other assets or property of ours or rights, options or warrants to acquire our capital stock or other securities that such holder would have received if such holder owned a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate in effect on the ex-dividend date for the distribution.
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With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this clause (3) where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on our common stock of shares of capital stock of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to a subsidiary or other business unit, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange, which we refer to as a “spin-off,” the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:
where,
| CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the end of the valuation period (as defined below); |
| CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the end of the valuation period; |
| FMV0 | = | the average of the last reported sale prices of the capital stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of our common stock applicable to one share of our common stock (determined by reference to the definition of last reported sale price set forth under “—Optional Redemption” as if references therein to our common stock were to such capital stock or similar equity interest) over the first 10 consecutive trading day period after, and including, the ex-dividend date of the spin-off (the “valuation period”); and |
| MP0 | = | the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the valuation period. |
The increase to the conversion rate under the preceding paragraph will occur at the close of business on the last trading day of the valuation period; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of notes for which physical settlement is applicable, if the relevant conversion date occurs during the valuation period, the reference to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the ex-dividend date for such spin-off to, and including, such conversion date in determining the conversion rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of notes for which cash settlement or combination settlement is applicable, for any trading day that falls within the relevant observation period for such conversion and within the valuation period, the reference to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the ex-dividend date for such spin-off to, and including, such trading day in determining the conversion rate as of such trading day.
| (4) | If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula: |
where,
| CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution; |
| CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution; |
| SP0 | = | the last reported sale price of our common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution; and |
| C | = | the amount in cash per share we distribute to all or substantially all holders of our common stock. |
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Any increase made under this clause (4) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the conversion rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date our board of directors or a committee thereof determines not to make or pay such dividend or distribution, to be the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “C” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each holder of a note shall receive, for each $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of shares of our common stock, the amount of cash that such holder would have received if such holder owned a number of shares of our common stock equal to the conversion rate on the ex-dividend date for such cash dividend or distribution.
| (5) | If we or any of our subsidiaries make a payment in respect of a tender or exchange offer for our common stock that is subject to the then applicable tender offer rules under the Exchange Act (other than any odd-lot tender offer), to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of common stock exceeds the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period commencing on, and including, the trading day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula: |
where,
| CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th trading day immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; |
| CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th trading day immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; |
| AC | = | the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by us) paid or payable for shares purchased in such tender or exchange offer; |
| OS0 | = | the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the date such tender or exchange offer expires (prior to giving effect to the purchase of all shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); |
| OS1 | = | the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after the date such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase of all shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and |
| SP1 | = | the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period commencing on, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires. |
The increase to the conversion rate under the preceding paragraph will occur at the close of business on the 10th trading day immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of notes for which physical settlement is applicable, if the relevant conversion date occurs during the 10 trading days immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such conversion date in determining the conversion rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of notes for which cash settlement or combination settlement is applicable, for any trading day that falls within the relevant observation period for such conversion and within the 10 trading days immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such trading day in determining the conversion rate as of such trading day.
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If we are or one of our subsidiaries is obligated to purchase shares of our common stock pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer described in clause (5) but we are, or such subsidiary is, permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchase or all such purchases are rescinded, the conversion rate will be readjusted to be the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such tender or exchange offer had not been made or had been made only in respect of the purchases that have been made.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a conversion rate adjustment becomes effective on any ex-dividend date as described above, and a holder that has converted its notes on or after such ex-dividend date and on or prior to the related record date would be treated as the record holder of shares of our common stock as of the related conversion date as described under “—Settlement upon Conversion” based on an adjusted conversion rate for such ex-dividend date, then, notwithstanding the foregoing conversion rate adjustment provisions, the conversion rate adjustment relating to such ex-dividend date will not be made for such converting holder. Instead, such holder will be treated as if such holder were the record owner of the shares of our common stock on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.
Except as stated herein, we will not adjust the conversion rate for the issuance of shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock or the right to purchase shares of our common stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.
As used in this section, “ex-dividend date” means the first date on which the shares of our common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from us or, if applicable, from the seller of our common stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market, and “effective date” means the first date on which the shares of our common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable.
As used in this section, “record date” means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of our common stock (or other applicable security) have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which our common stock (or such other security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of our common stock (or such other security) entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, statute, contract or otherwise).
We are permitted to increase the conversion rate of the notes by any amount for a period of at least 20 business days if we determine that such increase would be in our best interest. We may also (but are not required to) increase the conversion rate to avoid or diminish income tax to holders of our common stock or rights to purchase shares of our common stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares (or rights to acquire shares) or similar event.
A holder may, in some circumstances, including a distribution of cash dividends to holders of our shares of common stock, be deemed to have received a distribution subject to U.S. federal income tax as a result of an adjustment or the nonoccurrence of an adjustment to the conversion rate. For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an adjustment to the conversion rate, see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
If we have a rights plan in effect upon conversion of the notes into common stock, you will receive, in addition to any shares of common stock received in connection with such conversion, the rights under the rights plan. However, if, prior to any conversion, the rights have separated from the shares of common stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable rights plan, the conversion rate will be adjusted at the time of separation as if we distributed to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, shares of our capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants as described in clause (3) above, subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the conversion rate will not be adjusted:
| ● | upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on our securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of our common stock under any plan; |
| ● | upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit or incentive plan or program of or assumed by us or any of our subsidiaries; |
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| ● | upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in the preceding bullet and outstanding as of the date the notes were first issued; |
| ● | for a third-party tender offer by any party other than a tender offer by one or more of our subsidiaries as described in clause (5) above; |
| ● | upon the repurchase of any shares of our common stock pursuant to an open market share purchase program or other buy-back transaction, including structured or derivative transactions such as accelerated share repurchase transactions or similar forward derivatives, or other buy-back transaction, that is not a tender offer or exchange offer of the kind described under clause (5) above; |
| ● | solely for a change in the par value of the common stock; or |
| ● | for accrued and unpaid interest, if any. |
Adjustments to the conversion rate will be calculated to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share.
If an adjustment to the conversion rate otherwise required by the provisions described above would result in a change of less than 1% to the conversion rate, then, notwithstanding the foregoing, we may, at our election, defer and carry forward such adjustment, except that all such deferred adjustments must be given effect immediately upon the earliest to occur of the following: (i) when all such deferred adjustments would result in an aggregate change of at least 1% to the conversion rate; (ii) on the conversion date for any notes (in the case of physical settlement); (iii) on each trading day of any observation period related to any conversion of notes (in the case of cash settlement or combination settlement); (iv) the cut-off date; (v) on any date on which we deliver a notice of redemption; and (vi) on the effective date of any fundamental change, in each case, unless the adjustment has already been made.
Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of Our Common Stock
In the case of:
| ● | any recapitalization, reclassification or change of our common stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination), |
| ● | any consolidation, merger or combination involving us, |
| ● | any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of the consolidated assets of ours and our subsidiaries substantially as an entirety, or |
| ● | any statutory share exchange, |
in each case, as a result of which our common stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof), then, at and after the effective time of the transaction, the right to convert each $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes will be changed into a right to convert such capitalized principal amount of notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate immediately prior to such transaction would have owned or been entitled to receive (the “reference property”) upon such transaction. However, at and after the effective time of the transaction, (i) we will continue to have the right to determine the form of consideration to be paid or delivered, as the case may be, upon conversion of notes, as set forth under “—Settlement upon Conversion” and (ii)(x) any amount payable in cash upon conversion of the notes as set forth under “—Settlement upon Conversion” will continue to be payable in cash, (y) any shares of our common stock that we would have been required to deliver upon conversion of the notes as set forth under “—Settlement upon Conversion” will instead be deliverable in the amount and type of reference property that a holder of that number of shares of our common stock would have received in such transaction and (z) the daily VWAP will be calculated based on the value of a unit of reference property that a holder of one share of our common stock would have received in such transaction. If the transaction causes our common stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), the reference property into which the notes will be convertible will be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of our common stock. If the holders of our common stock receive only cash in such transaction, then for all conversions that occur after the effective date of such transaction (i) the consideration due upon conversion of each $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes shall be solely cash in an amount equal to the conversion rate in effect on the conversion date, multiplied by the price paid per share of common stock in such transaction and (ii) we will satisfy our conversion obligation by paying cash to converting holders on or prior to the tenth business day immediately following the conversion date. We will notify holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee) of the weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made.
We will not become a party to any such transaction unless its terms are consistent with the foregoing.
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Adjustments of Prices
Whenever any provision of the indenture requires us to calculate the last reported sale prices, the daily VWAPs, the daily conversion values or the daily settlement amounts over a span of multiple days (including, without limitation, an observation period), we will make any adjustments to each that we reasonably determine to be appropriate to account for any adjustment to the conversion rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the conversion rate where the record date, ex-dividend date, effective date or expiration date of the event occurs, at any time during the period when the last reported sale prices, the daily VWAPs, the daily conversion values or the daily settlement amounts are to be calculated.
Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes
If a “fundamental change” (as defined below in this section) occurs at any time, holders will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase for cash all of their notes, or any portion of the principal thereof that is equal to $1,000 or a multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof. The fundamental change repurchase date will be a date specified by us that is not less than 20 calendar days or more than 35 business days following the date of our fundamental change notice as described below.
The fundamental change repurchase price we are required to pay will be equal to 100% of the capitalized principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued interest thereon that has not been paid or capitalized to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date (unless the fundamental change repurchase date falls after a regular record date but on or prior to the interest payment date to which such regular record date relates, in which case we will instead pay in cash at the cash interest rate the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to the holder of record on such regular record date (notwithstanding any prior election (or deemed election) by us to pay such interest as PIK interest), and the fundamental change repurchase price will be equal to 100% of the capitalized principal amount of the notes to be repurchased).
A “fundamental change” will be deemed to have occurred at the time after the notes are originally issued if any of the following occurs:
| (1) | other than as set forth in clause (2) below, a “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than us, our direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, our and their employee benefit plans and any holder or an affiliate thereof, files a Schedule TO (or any successor schedule, form or report) or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act that discloses that such person or group has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of our common stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of our common stock; |
| (2) | the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of our common stock (other than a change to par value or changes resulting from a subdivision or combination) as a result of which our common stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets; (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of us pursuant to which our common stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets; or (C) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person other than one or more of our direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries; provided, however, that a transaction described in clause (A) or (B) in which the holders of all classes of our common equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of common equity of the continuing or surviving person or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction shall not be a fundamental change pursuant to this clause (2); |
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| (3) | our stockholders approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of us; or |
| (4) | our common stock ceases to be listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Capital Market (or any of their respective successors). |
If any transaction in which our common stock is replaced by the common stock or other common equity of another entity occurs, following any related fundamental change repurchase date (or, in the case of a transaction that would have been a fundamental change but for the proviso in clause (2) above, following the effective date of such transaction), references to us in the definition of “fundamental change” above shall instead be references to such other entity.
On or before the 20th business day after the occurrence of a fundamental change, we will provide to all holders of the notes and the trustee and paying agent a notice of the occurrence of the fundamental change and of the resulting repurchase right. Such notice shall state, among other things:
| ● | the events causing a fundamental change; |
| ● | the effective date of the fundamental change; |
| ● | the last date on which a holder may exercise the repurchase right; |
| ● | the fundamental change repurchase price; |
| ● | the fundamental change repurchase date; |
| ● | the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion agent, if applicable; |
| ● | if applicable, the conversion rate and any adjustments to the conversion rate; |
| ● | that the notes with respect to which a fundamental change repurchase notice has been delivered by a holder may be converted only if the holder withdraws the fundamental change repurchase notice in accordance with the terms of the indenture; and |
| ● | the procedures that holders must follow to require us to repurchase their notes. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not be required to repurchase, or to make an offer to repurchase, the notes upon a fundamental change if a third party makes such an offer in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us as set forth above and such third party purchases all notes properly surrendered and not validly withdrawn under its offer in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us as set forth above.
To exercise the fundamental change repurchase right, you must deliver, on or before the business day immediately preceding the fundamental change repurchase date, the notes to be repurchased, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written repurchase notice, to the paying agent. Each repurchase notice must state:
| ● | if certificated, the certificate numbers of your notes to be delivered for repurchase; |
| ● | the portion of the principal amount of notes to be repurchased, which must be $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof; and |
| ● | that the notes are to be repurchased by us pursuant to the applicable provisions of the notes and the indenture. |
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If the notes are not in certificated form, such repurchase notice must comply with appropriate DTC procedures.
Holders may withdraw any repurchase notice (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the paying agent prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the fundamental change repurchase date. The notice of withdrawal shall state:
| ● | the principal amount of the withdrawn notes; |
| ● | if certificated notes have been issued, the certificate numbers of the withdrawn notes; and |
| ● | the principal amount, if any, which remains subject to the repurchase notice. |
If the notes are not in certificated form, such notice of withdrawal must comply with appropriate DTC procedures.
We will be required to repurchase the notes on the fundamental change repurchase date. Holders who have exercised the repurchase right will receive payment of the fundamental change repurchase price on the later of (i) the fundamental change repurchase date and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of the notes. If the paying agent holds money sufficient to pay the fundamental change repurchase price of the notes on the fundamental change repurchase date, then, with respect to the notes that have been properly surrendered for repurchase and have not been validly withdrawn:
| ● | the notes will cease to be outstanding and interest will cease to accrue (whether or not book-entry transfer of the notes is made or whether or not the notes are delivered to the paying agent); and |
| ● | all other rights of the holder will terminate (other than the right to receive the fundamental change repurchase price). |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this prospectus, to the extent that compliance with our obligations to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change would result in a violation of any federal or state securities laws or other applicable laws or regulations, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations with respect to such repurchase by virtue of such conflict. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the fundamental change repurchase date will be subject to postponement in order to allow us to comply with applicable law.
No notes may be repurchased on any date at the option of holders upon a fundamental change if the principal amount of the notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a default by us in the payment of the fundamental change repurchase price with respect to such notes).
The repurchase rights of the holders could discourage a potential acquirer of us. The fundamental change repurchase feature, however, is not the result of management’s knowledge of any specific effort to obtain control of us by any means or part of a plan by management to adopt a series of anti-takeover provisions.
The term fundamental change is limited to specified transactions and may not include other events that might adversely affect our financial condition. In addition, the requirement that we offer to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change may not protect holders in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, merger or similar transaction involving us.
The definition of fundamental change includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease or other transfer of “all or substantially all” of our consolidated assets. There is no precise, established definition of the phrase “substantially all” under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of the notes to require us to repurchase its notes as a result of the sale, lease or other transfer of less than all of our assets may be uncertain.
If a fundamental change were to occur, we may not have enough funds to pay the fundamental change repurchase price. Our ability to repurchase the notes for cash may be limited by restrictions on our ability to obtain funds for such repurchase through dividends from our subsidiaries, the terms of our then existing borrowing arrangements or otherwise. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Notes—We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions of the notes or to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change, and our future debt may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion or repurchase of the notes.” If we fail to repurchase the notes when required following a fundamental change, we will be in default under the indenture. In addition, we have, and may in the future incur, other indebtedness with similar change in control provisions permitting our holders to accelerate or to require us to repurchase our indebtedness upon the occurrence of similar events or on some specific dates.
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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
The indenture will provide that we shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the properties and assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to, another person, unless (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee person either (x) is us or (y) if not us, is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and such corporation (if not us) expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the notes and the indenture; and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture. Upon any such consolidation, merger or sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not us) shall succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, ours under the indenture, and we shall be discharged from our obligations under the notes and the indenture except in the case of any such lease.
Although these types of transactions will be permitted under the indenture, certain of the foregoing transactions could constitute a fundamental change permitting each holder to require us to repurchase the notes of such holder as described above.
Events of Default
Each of the following is an event of default with respect to the notes:
| (1) | default in any payment of interest on any note when due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days; |
| (2) | default in the payment of principal of any note when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon optional redemption, upon any required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise; |
| (3) | our failure to comply with our obligation to convert the notes in accordance with the indenture upon exercise of a holder’s conversion right and such failure continues for a period of five business days; |
| (4) | our failure to give a fundamental change notice as described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” when due, and such failure continues for a period of five business days; |
| (5) | our failure to comply with our obligations under “—Consolidation, merger and sale of assets”; |
| (6) | our failure for 60 days after written notice from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the notes then outstanding has been received to comply with any of our other agreements contained in the notes or indenture; |
| (7) | default by us or any of our significant subsidiaries with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $100,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of us and/or any such significant subsidiary, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity date or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal of any such debt when due and payable (after the expiration of all applicable grace periods) at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, and in the cases of clauses (i) and (ii), such acceleration shall not have been rescinded or annulled or such failure to pay or default shall not have been cured or waived, or such indebtedness is not paid or discharged, as the case may be, within 30 days after written notice to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of notes then outstanding in accordance with the terms of the indenture; |
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| (8) | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of us; or |
| (9) | one or more final, non-appealable judgments or orders is rendered against us or any of our significant subsidiaries, which requires the payment in money by us or any of our significant subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate, of an amount (net of amounts covered by insurance or bonded) in excess of $50,000,000, and such judgment or judgments have not been satisfied, stayed, paid, discharged, vacated, bonded, annulled or rescinded within 60 days after (i) the date on which the right to appeal thereof has expired if no such appeal has commenced, or (ii) the date on which all rights to appeal have been extinguished. |
“Significant subsidiary” means a subsidiary of ours that meets the definition of “significant subsidiary” in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.
If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee by notice to us, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes by notice to us and the trustee, may declare 100% of the capitalized principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the notes to be due and payable. In case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, involving us, 100% of the capitalized principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on the notes will automatically become due and payable. Upon such a declaration of acceleration, such capitalized principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be due and payable immediately.
If any portion of the amount payable on the notes upon acceleration is considered by a court to be unearned interest (through the allocation of the value of the instrument to the embedded warrant or otherwise), the court could disallow recovery of any such portion.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes may waive all past defaults (except with respect to nonpayment of principal or interest or with respect to the failure to deliver the consideration due upon conversion) and rescind any such acceleration with respect to the notes and its consequences if (i) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (ii) all existing events of default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of and interest on the notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.
Each holder shall have the right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of:
| ● | the principal (including the redemption price, the repurchase price on any repurchase date and the fundamental change repurchase price, if applicable) of; |
| ● | accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on; and |
| ● | the consideration due upon conversion of, |
its notes, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the indenture, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be.
If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered, and if requested, provided to the trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal or interest when due, or the right to receive payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes unless:
| (1) | such holder has previously given the trustee notice that an event of default is continuing; |
| (2) | holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes have requested the trustee to pursue the remedy; |
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| (3) | such holders have offered, and if requested, provided the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense; |
| (4) | the trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of such security or indemnity; and |
| (5) | the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes have not given the trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. |
Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.
The indenture will provide that in the event an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will be required in the exercise of its powers to use the degree of care that a prudent person would use in the conduct of its own affairs. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the trustee in personal liability (it being understood that the trustee has no duty to determine whether any such action is prejudicial to any holder). Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the trustee will be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense caused by taking or not taking such action.
The indenture will provide that if a default occurs and is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee must deliver to each holder notice of the default within the later of 90 days after it occurs or is known to the trustee. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of or interest on any note or a default in the payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, the trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of trust officers of the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders. In addition, we are required to deliver to the trustee, within 150 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any event of default that occurred during the previous year. We are also required to deliver to the trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any events which would constitute certain defaults, their status and what action we are taking or proposing to take in respect thereof.
Payments of the redemption price, the fundamental change repurchase price, principal and interest that are not made when due will accrue interest per annum at the then-applicable cash interest rate from the required payment date.
Modification and Amendment
Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture or the notes may be amended with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, notes) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, notes). However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding note affected, no amendment may, among other things:
| (1) | reduce the amount of notes whose holders must consent to any amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification; |
| (2) | reduce the rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any note; |
| (3) | reduce the principal of or extend the stated maturity of any note; |
| (4) | except as expressly required by the indenture, make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights of any notes; |
| (5) | reduce the redemption price or the fundamental change repurchase price of any note or change the times at which, or the circumstances under which, we will redeem the notes or repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change; |
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| (6) | make any note payable in money, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the note; |
| (7) | change the ranking of the notes; or |
| (8) | make any direct or indirect change in the amendment provisions that require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions. |
Without the consent of any holder, we and the trustee may amend the indenture to:
| (1) | cure any mistake, ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; |
| (2) | provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations under the notes and the indenture; |
| (3) | add guarantees with respect to the notes; |
| (4) | secure the notes; |
| (5) | add to our covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon us; |
| (6) | make any change that does not, individually or in the aggregate with all other such changes, materially adversely affect the rights of any holder; |
| (7) | in connection with any transaction described under “—Conversion Rights—Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of Our Common Stock” above, provide that the notes are convertible into reference property, subject to the provisions described under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion” above, and make certain related changes to the terms of the notes to the extent expressly required by the indenture; |
| (8) | comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary, including DTC, so long as such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect; |
| (9) | increase the conversion rate as provided in the indenture; |
| (10) | provide for the acceptance of appointment by a trustee or successor trustee, security registrar, paying agent or conversion agent, or to facilitate the administration of the trusts under the indenture by more than one trustee; |
| (11) | irrevocably elect a settlement method or a specified dollar amount, or eliminate our right to elect a settlement method; provided that no such election or elimination will affect any settlement method theretofore elected (or deemed to be elected) with respect to any note pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Conversion Rights”; or |
| (12) | make payments of PIK interest (including to issue additional notes) or facilitate the same. |
Holders do not need to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It will be sufficient if such holders approve the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the indenture becomes effective, we are required to deliver to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all the holders, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
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Withholding Taxes
Each holder of a note agrees that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, we, the paying agent, the conversion agent or the trustee (an “applicable withholding agent”) shall have the right to deduct and withhold from any payment or distribution made with respect to the notes (or the issuance of shares of common stock upon conversion of the notes) such amounts as are required to be deducted or withheld with respect to the making of such payment or distribution (or issuance) under any applicable tax law. In the case of any withholding obligation that is not accompanied by a corresponding payment, distribution or issuance, including deemed dividends or amounts treated as original issue discount for tax purposes, any such withholding tax may be withheld from subsequent payments on the notes (or the issuance of shares of common stock upon conversion of the notes, or dividends or any other amounts payable with respect to such shares). If an applicable withholding agent is required to remit any withholding tax payments to the applicable governmental entity in respect of such an item of income prior to any such subsequent payment or issuance, the holder shall promptly upon notice reimburse the applicable withholding agent for the required withholding tax payment. To the extent that any amounts are deducted or withheld as described in this “—Withholding Taxes” Section, such deducted or withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of the indenture as having been paid to the person in respect of which such deduction or withholding was made. Each holder, by its acceptance of the notes, agrees to provide to us, with a copy to the trustee, a fully completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or W-8 (or applicable successor form), with any required attachments, as well as any other information determined by us or the trustee to be reasonably necessary for an applicable withholding agent to determine its withholding responsibilities with respect to such holder, (i) prior to, and as a condition to, becoming a holder under the indenture, (ii) upon reasonable demand by us or the trustee and (iii) promptly upon learning that any such tax form previously provided by it has become obsolete or incorrect.
Discharge
We may satisfy and discharge our obligations under the indenture by delivering to the securities registrar for cancellation all outstanding notes or by depositing with the trustee or delivering to the holders, as applicable, after the notes have become due and payable, whether at maturity, at any redemption date, at any fundamental change repurchase date, upon conversion or otherwise, cash or cash and/or shares of common stock, solely to satisfy outstanding conversions, as applicable, sufficient to pay all of the outstanding notes and paying all other sums payable under the indenture by us. Such discharge is subject to terms contained in the indenture.
Calculations in Respect of Notes
Except as otherwise provided above, we will be responsible for making all calculations called for under the notes. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the capitalization amounts with respect to PIK interest, the last reported sale prices of our common stock, the daily VWAPs, the daily conversion values, the daily settlement amounts, accrued interest payable on the notes and the conversion rate of the notes. We will make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, our calculations will be final and binding on holders of notes. We will provide a schedule of our calculations to each of the trustee and the conversion agent, and each of the trustee and the conversion agent is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of our calculations without independent verification. We will forward our calculations to any holder of notes upon the request of that holder.
Reports
The indenture will provide that any documents or reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act must be filed by us with the trustee within 15 days after the same are required to be filed with the SEC (giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act, and excluding any such information, documents or reports, or portions thereof, subject to confidential treatment and any correspondence with the SEC). Documents filed by us with the SEC via the EDGAR system will be deemed to be filed with the trustee as of the time such documents are filed via EDGAR.
Rule 144A Information
At any time we are not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, we will, so long as any of the notes or any shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion thereof will, at such time, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, promptly provide to the trustee and will, upon written request, provide to any holder, beneficial owner or prospective purchaser of such notes or any shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of such notes the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act to facilitate the resale of such notes or shares of our common stock pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
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Trustee
Wilmington Trust, National Association is the trustee, security registrar, paying agent and conversion agent. Wilmington Trust, National Association, in each of its capacities, including without limitation as trustee, security registrar, paying agent and conversion agent, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information concerning us or our affiliates or any other party contained in this document or the related documents or for any failure by us or any other party to disclose events that may have occurred and may affect the significance or accuracy of such information.
Governing Law
The indenture provides that it and the notes, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the indenture or the notes, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Waiver of Jury Trial
The indenture provides that each of us, each holder of the notes by its acceptance thereof, and the trustee irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the notes or the transactions contemplated thereby.
Book-Entry, Settlement and Clearance
Certificated Notes
The notes were initially issued in physical certificated form. However, once issued in the form of global notes, notes in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to each person that DTC identifies as a beneficial owner of the related notes only if:
| ● | DTC notifies us at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days; |
| ● | DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days; or |
| ● | an event of default with respect to the notes has occurred and is continuing and such beneficial owner requests that its notes be issued in physical, certificated form. |
The Global Notes
The notes may be issued in the form of one or more registered notes in global form, without interest coupons (the “global notes”). Upon such issuance, each of the global notes will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global note will be limited to persons who have accounts with DTC (“DTC participants”) or persons who hold interests through DTC participants. We expect that under procedures established by DTC:
| ● | upon deposit of a global note with DTC’s custodian, DTC will credit portions of the principal amount of the global note to the accounts of the DTC participants designated by the relevant holder(s); and |
| ● | ownership of beneficial interests in a global note will be shown on, and transfer of ownership of those interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of DTC participants) and the records of DTC participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the global note). |
Beneficial interests in global notes may not be exchanged for notes in physical, certificated form except in the limited circumstances described above.
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Book-Entry Procedures for the Global Notes
All interests in the global notes will be subject to the operations and procedures of DTC and, therefore, you must allow for sufficient time in order to comply with these procedures if you wish to exercise any of your rights with respect to any global notes. We provide the following summary of those operations and procedures solely for the convenience of investors. The operations and procedures of DTC are controlled by that settlement system and may be changed at any time. None of we, the trustee or our or its agents are responsible for those operations or procedures.
DTC has advised us that it 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 State Banking Law; |
| ● | a member of the Federal Reserve System; |
| ● | a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code; and |
| ● | a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act. |
DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers; banks and trust companies; clearing corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to DTC’s system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies; these indirect participants clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. Investors who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through DTC participants or indirect participants in DTC.
So long as DTC’s nominee is the registered owner of a global note, that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by that global note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note:
| ● | will not be entitled to have notes represented by the global note registered in their names; |
| ● | will not receive or be entitled to receive physical, certificated notes; and |
| ● | will not be considered the owners or holders of the notes under the indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the trustee under the indenture. |
As a result, each investor who owns a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights of a holder of notes under the indenture (and, if the investor is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which the investor owns its interest).
Payments of principal and interest with respect to the notes represented by a global note will be made by the trustee to DTC’s nominee as the registered holder of the global note. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a global note, for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of those interests by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to those interests.
Payments by participants and indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in a global note will be governed by standing instructions and customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of those participants or indirect participants and DTC.
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected under DTC’s procedures and will be settled in same-day funds.
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We are registering (1) the offer and sale from time to time by us of our common stock, preferred stock, senior debt securities, warrants or units in one or more offerings of up to $300,000,000 in aggregate offering price, and (2) the resale from time to time by the selling securityholder of up to (i) $130,350,642 principal amount of notes, including a maximum of $27,450,642 principal amount of notes issuable as PIK interest payments on the notes and (ii) 6,516,359 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes.
We will receive proceeds from the issuance and sale of our common stock, preferred stock, senior debt securities, warrants or units. We will pay any underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses incurred by us in connection with the sale of securities by us.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the securities by the selling securityholder. The aggregate proceeds to the selling securityholder will be the purchase price of the securities less any discounts and commissions borne by the selling securityholder.
We will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the securities covered by this prospectus, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, Nasdaq listing fees and fees and expenses of our counsel and our independent registered public accountants.
The securities to be offered and sold by us covered by this prospectus may be offered and sold from time to time. The securities beneficially owned by the selling securityholder covered by this prospectus may be offered and sold from time to time by the selling securityholder. The term “selling securityholder” includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors in interest selling securities received after the date of this prospectus from the selling securityholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer. The selling securityholder will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale.
Such sales may be made on one or more exchanges or in the over-the-counter market or otherwise, at prices and under terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price or in negotiated transactions. We and the selling securityholder reserve the right to accept and, together with its respective agents, to reject, any proposed purchase of securities to be made directly or through agents. We, the selling securityholder and any of its permitted transferees may sell their securities offered by this prospectus on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities are traded or in private transactions. If underwriters are used in the sale, such underwriters will acquire the shares for their own account. These sales may be at a fixed price or varying prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The securities may be offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if any of the securities are purchased.
We or, subject to the limitations set forth in any applicable registration rights agreement or the Investment Agreement, the selling securityholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling the securities offered by this prospectus:
| ● | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by such broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to this prospectus; |
| ● | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers; |
| ● | block trades in which the broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
| ● | an over-the-counter distribution in accordance with the rules of the Nasdaq; |
| ● | through trading plans entered into by a selling securityholder pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act that are in place at the time of an offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement hereto that provide for periodic sales of their securities on the basis of parameters described in such trading plans; |
| ● | to or through underwriters or broker-dealers; |
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| ● | in “at the market” offerings, as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, at negotiated prices; |
| ● | at prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, including sales made directly on a national securities exchange or sales made through a market maker other than on an exchange or other similar offerings through sales agents; |
| ● | directly to purchasers, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process or in privately negotiated transactions; |
| ● | in options transactions; |
| ● | through a combination of any of the above methods of sale; or |
| ● | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
There can be no assurance that we or the selling securityholder will sell all or any of the securities offered by this prospectus. In addition, we and the selling securityholder may also sell securities under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if available, or in other transactions exempt from registration, rather than under this prospectus. We and the selling securityholder, as applicable, have the sole and absolute discretion not to accept any purchase offer or make any sale of securities if we or they deem the purchase price to be unsatisfactory at any particular time.
The selling securityholder also may transfer the securities in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors-in-interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus. Upon being notified by the selling securityholder that a donee, pledgee, transferee, other successor-in-interest intends to sell our securities, we will, to the extent required, promptly file a supplement to this prospectus to name specifically such person as a selling securityholder.
With respect to a particular offering of the securities by us or of securities held by the selling securityholder, to the extent required, an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is part, will be prepared and will set forth the following information:
| ● | the specific securities to be offered and sold; |
| ● | the names of the selling securityholders; |
| ● | the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the proceeds to be received from the sale, if any, and other material terms of the offering; |
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| ● | settlement of short sales entered into after the date of this prospectus; |
| ● | the names of any participating agents, broker-dealers or underwriters; and |
| ● | any applicable commissions, discounts, concessions and other items constituting compensation from us. |
In connection with distributions of the securities or otherwise, the selling securityholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions. In connection with such transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with the selling securityholder. The selling securityholder may also sell the securities short and redeliver the securities to close out such short positions. The selling securityholder may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction). The selling securityholder may also pledge securities to a broker-dealer or other financial institution, and, upon a default, such broker-dealer or other financial institution, may effect sales of the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters or agents, as the case may be, involved in the offering of such securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our securities. Specifically, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in our securities for their own account. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of our securities, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may bid for, and purchase, such securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allotted to an underwriter or a broker-dealer for distributing such securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. The underwriters or agents, as the case may be, are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.
We and the selling securityholder may solicit offers to purchase the securities directly from, and may sell such securities directly to, institutional investors or others. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. The terms of any of those sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if utilized, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in our securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for our securities. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq under the symbol “EOSE.”
We and the selling securityholder may authorize underwriters, broker-dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we or the selling securityholder pay for solicitation of these contracts.
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The selling securityholder may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by the selling securityholder or borrowed from the selling securityholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from any selling securityholder in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, any selling securityholder may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
In effecting sales, broker-dealers or agents engaged by us or the selling securityholder may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate. Broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions, discounts or concessions from us or the selling securityholder in amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to the sale.
If at the time of any offering made under this prospectus a member of FINRA participating in the offering has a “conflict of interest” as defined in FINRA Rule 5121 (“Rule 5121”), that offering will be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Rule 5121.
Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may facilitate the marketing of an offering online directly or through one of their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms and a prospectus online and, depending upon the particular underwriter, broker-dealer or agent, place orders online or through their financial advisors.
In offering the securities covered by this prospectus, we, the selling securityholder and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents who execute sales for the selling securityholder may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of those securities may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
The underwriters, broker-dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
We have agreed to indemnify the selling securityholder against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law. Agents, broker-dealers and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us and the selling securityholder against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents, broker-dealers or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
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Selling Securityholders
This prospectus also relates to the offer and resale from time to time by the selling securityholder named in this prospectus of up to (i) $130,350,642 principal amount of notes, including a maximum of $27,450,642 principal amount of notes issuable as PIK interest payments on the notes and (ii) 6,516,359 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes.
The term “selling securityholder” includes the securityholder listed in the table in this section and its permitted transferees.
Beneficial Ownership of the Notes
On July 7, 2021, we issued $100 million aggregate principal amount of the notes to Spring Creek Capital, LLC (“Spring Creek”) pursuant to the Investment Agreement, by and among Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Spring Creek, a Delaware limited liability company. On May 2, 2022, Spring Creek transferred all of the notes to Wood River. The Investment Agreement provides Wood River with certain registration rights with respect to the resale of the notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes.
Our registration of the notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes does not necessarily mean that the selling securityholder will sell all or any of such notes or common stock. The following table sets forth certain information as of December 1, 2023 concerning the notes and shares of common stock that may be offered from time to time by the selling securityholder with this prospectus. The information is based on information provided by or on behalf of the selling securityholder. In the table below, the number of shares of common stock that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus is calculated based on the conversion rate, as of the date of this prospectus, of 49.9910 shares of common stock per $1,000 capitalized principal amount of notes. The number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances described in the indenture governing the notes. Accordingly, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes and the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned and offered by the selling securityholder pursuant to this prospectus may increase or decrease from that set forth in the table below. Information about the selling securityholder may change over time. In particular, the selling securityholder identified below may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a portion of its notes since the date on which the selling securityholder provided us with information regarding its notes. Any changed or new information given to us by the selling securityholder will be set forth in supplements to this prospectus or amendments to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, if and when necessary.
| Name | Maximum Principal Amount of Notes Beneficially Owned and Offered Hereby (1) | Maximum Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned and Offered Hereby (2) | Maximum Percentage of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned and Offered Hereby (3) | |||||||||
| Wood River Capital, LLC(4) | 130,350,642 | 6,516,359 | 4.1 | % | ||||||||
| (1) | Reflects $102,900,000 principal amount of notes originally issued pursuant to the Investment Agreement dated July 6, 2021 with Wood River and a maximum of $27,450,642 principal amount of notes issuable as future PIK interest payments on the notes. |
| (2) | Assumes for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes a conversion rate of 49.9910 shares of common stock upon conversion. This conversion rate is subject to adjustment, however, as described in this prospectus under “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Conversion Rate Adjustments.” As a result, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes may increase or decrease in the future. |
| (3) | The percentage reflects the 158,064,466 shares of common stock outstanding as of November 1, 2023 and gives effect to the total number of shares of common stock beneficially owned and offered hereby by Wood River Capital, LLC. |
| (4) | Wood River is beneficially owned by SCC Holdings, LLC (“SCC”), SCC is beneficially owned by KIM, LLC (“KIM”), KIM is beneficially owned by Koch Investments Group, LLC (“KIG”), KIG is beneficially owned by Koch Investments Group Holdings, LLC (“KIGH”), and KIGH is beneficially owned by Koch Industries, in each case by means of ownership of all voting equity instruments. Koch Industries, SCC, KIM, KIG, and KIGH may be deemed to beneficially own the common stock held by Wood River by virtue of (i) Koch Industries’ beneficial ownership of KIGH, (ii) KIGH’s beneficial ownership of KIG, (iii) KIG’s beneficial ownership of KIM, (iv) KIM’s beneficial ownership of SCC and (v) SCC’s beneficial ownership of Wood River. |
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Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion describes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our notes and our common stock, which we refer to collectively as our securities. This discussion applies only to securities that are purchased from us or the selling securityholder pursuant to this prospectus, and to securities (including any shares of common stock into which the notes are convertible) that are held as capital assets.
This discussion does not describe all of the U.S. federal tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances, such as consequences arising under the federal estate and gift tax, the alternative minimum tax or the Medicare tax on net investment income or the consequences to you if you are an accrual-method taxpayer that is required to conform the timing of recognition of items of income to an “applicable financial statement” under Section 451(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or differing tax consequences applicable to you if you are a beneficial owner of notes or common stock subject to special rules, such as:
| ● | certain financial institutions; |
| ● | insurance companies; |
| ● | dealers or traders in securities subject to a mark-to-market method of tax accounting with respect to the notes or our common stock; |
| ● | persons holding notes as part of a “straddle,” integrated transaction or similar transaction; |
| ● | U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
| ● | entities or arrangements classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or |
| ● | tax-exempt entities. |
If you are an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes that holds notes or common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding notes or common stock and partners in those partnerships should consult their tax advisors as to their particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of the notes or the common stock.
This summary is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this offering memorandum may affect the tax consequences described herein. If you are considering the purchase of notes, you are urged to consult your tax advisors with regard to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular situation as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
Characterization of the Notes
Based on applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, we believe and intend to take the position that the notes are not subject to the specific rules relating to contingent payment debt instruments (“CPDI”).
Our position that the notes should not be treated as CPDI is binding on you, unless you disclose a contrary position in the proper manner to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), but is not binding on the IRS. If the IRS takes a position contrary to that described above, you may be required to accrue interest income based upon a “comparable yield,” regardless of your method of tax accounting. That yield would be higher than the stated interest rate on the notes. In addition, any gain on the sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of the notes (including any gain realized on the conversion of a note) would be treated as ordinary income. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the notes being treated as CPDI. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the notes are not treated as CPDI.
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Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a U.S. Holder. You are a U.S. Holder if for U.S. federal income tax purposes you are a beneficial owner of a note or common stock that is:
| ● | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| ● | a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; or |
| ● | an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source. |
The Notes
Interest and OID
For each interest period, we have the option, in lieu of cash interest, to pay interest on the notes (i) with PIK interest or (ii) with a combination of cash interest and PIK interest. The existence of this option means that no stated interest payments on the notes will be treated as qualified stated interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes (even if we never exercise the option to pay any PIK interest). Therefore, (i) the notes will be treated as having been issued with “original issue discount” (“OID”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an aggregate amount equal to the excess of the “stated redemption price at maturity” of the notes (the sum of all payments of principal and stated interest to be made on the notes) over their “issue price” (generally, the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold for money to investors, not including bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers), and (ii) as discussed below, you will be required to include the OID in gross income as ordinary interest income as it accrues (on a constant yield to maturity basis), potentially in advance of the receipt of cash payments to which the OID is attributable and regardless of your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
A U.S. Holder is generally required to include in income the sum of the daily accruals of the OID for the debt security for each day during the taxable year (or portion of the taxable year) in which the U.S. Holder held the notes, regardless of such holder’s regular method of accounting. Thus, you may be required to include OID in income in advance of the receipt of some or all of the related cash payments. The daily portion is determined by allocating to each day in an “accrual period” a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. The OID allocable to any accrual period other than the final accrual period will equal the product of (a) the “adjusted issue price” of the note as of the beginning of such period and (b) the note’s “yield to maturity.” The OID allocable to the final accrual period will equal the difference between the amount payable at maturity and the adjusted issue price at the beginning of the final accrual period. The “accrual period” for a note may be of any length and may vary in length over the term of a note, provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and that each scheduled payment of interest or principal occurs on the first or final day of an accrual period. The “adjusted issue price” of a note as of the beginning of any accrual period will equal its issue price, increased by previously accrued OID on the note and decreased by any cash payments previously made on the note. The “yield to maturity” of a note generally is the discount rate that causes the present value, as of the original issue date or deemed reissuance date, of all payments to be made under the note to equal the issue price of the note.
Determining the “yield to maturity” of a note and the amount of OID attributable to each accrual period is complex and will depend on certain assumptions as to whether stated interest on the note will be paid in cash or in kind, and you may be required to make adjustments later if these assumptions are not borne out. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the determination of a note's yield to maturity and the amount of OID attributable to each accrual period.
Each payment made in cash under a note pursuant to the note’s payment schedule (determined in accordance with the OID rules) will be treated first as payment of any accrued OID on the notes to the extent such accrued OID has not been allocated to prior cash payments and second as a payment of principal on the notes. You generally will not be required to include separately in income cash payments received on the notes to the extent such payments constitute payments of previously accrued OID or payments of principal.
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Any additional note (“PIK Note”) or additional principal amount received as PIK interest by you generally will not be treated as a payment of interest. Instead, such PIK Note or additional principal amount will be aggregated with the note on which it was paid and treated as a single debt instrument for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The rules regarding OID and PIK interest are complex and the rules described above may not apply in all cases. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the application of these complex rules.
Market Discount
If you purchase a note from the selling securityholder pursuant to this prospectus for an amount that is less than its “adjusted issue price” (as defined above in “—Interest and OID”), the amount of the difference will be treated as “market discount” for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless this difference satisfies a de minimis test, described below. You will generally be required to treat any payment on, or any gain on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of the note as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount not previously included in income that accrued on the notes during your holding period. In general, market discount is treated as accruing on a straight-line basis over the term of the debt security unless an election is made to accrue the market discount under a constant yield method. In addition, you may be required to defer, until the maturity of the note or its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of a portion of the interest paid on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry the note in an amount not exceeding the accrued market discount on the note.
You may elect to include market discount in income currently as it accrues (on either a straight-line or constant yield basis), in lieu of treating a portion of any gain realized on a sale, exchange, retirement, or other disposition of the debt security as ordinary income. If an election is made to include market discount on a current basis, the interest deduction deferral rule described above will not apply. If you make such an election, it will apply to all market discount obligations acquired by you on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies. The election may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. You should consult with your own tax advisor before making this election.
If the difference between the adjusted issue price of a note and the amount paid for the notes is less than 1/4 of 1% of the note’s adjusted issue price, multiplied by the number of remaining complete years to the note’s maturity (“de minimis market discount”), the note is not treated as purchased with market discount.
Generally, you may make an election to include in income the entire return on a note (i.e., the excess of all remaining payments to be received on the note over the amount paid for the note by you) in accordance with a constant yield method based on the compounding of interest, as discussed below under “—Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount.” If you make such an election for a note with market discount, you will be required to include market discount in income currently as it accrues on a constant yield basis for all market discount notes acquired by you on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies, and such election may be revoked only with the permission of the IRS.
Generally, upon conversion of a note acquired at a market discount into shares of common stock, any market discount not previously included in income (including as a result of the conversion) will carry over to the shares of common stock received in exchange for the note. Any such market discount that is carried over to shares of common stock received upon conversion will be taxable as ordinary income upon the sale or other disposition of such shares of common stock (including a deemed sale or disposition of a fractional share of common stock pursuant to a conversion). If you hold notes acquired with a market discount, you should consult your own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences to you of conversion of a note for shares of common stock.
Acquisition Premium
If you purchase a note for an amount that is greater than the note's adjusted issue price but less than or equal to the sum of all amounts payable on the note after the purchase date other than qualified stated interest, you will be considered to have purchased the note with acquisition premium. Under the acquisition premium rules, the amount of OID that you must include in gross income with respect to the note for any taxable year (or any portion of a taxable year in which the note is held) will be reduced by the portion of acquisition premium properly allocable to the period. The amount of acquisition premium allocated to each period is determined by multiplying the OID that otherwise would have been included in income by a fraction, the numerator of which is the excess of the cost over the adjusted issue price of the note and the denominator of which is the excess of the note’s stated redemption price at maturity over its adjusted issue price.
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Amortizable Bond Premium
If you purchase a note for an amount in excess of the sum of all amounts payable on the note after the purchase date, other than qualified stated interest, you will be considered to have purchased the note with “amortizable bond premium” equal in amount to such excess. For purposes of determining the amount of any amortizable bond premium on a note, the purchase price for the note is reduced by the amount of the portion of the purchase price attributable to the note’s conversion feature.
You may elect to amortize such premium as an offset to interest income using a constant yield method over the remaining term of the note based on your yield to maturity with respect to the note. You generally may use the amortizable bond premium allocable to an accrual period to offset interest required to be included in the your income under your regular method of accounting with respect to the note in that accrual period. If the amortizable bond premium allocable to an accrual period exceeds the amount of interest allocable to such accrual period, such excess would be allowed as a deduction for such accrual period, but only to the extent of your prior interest inclusions on the note that have not been offset previously by bond premium. Any excess is generally carried forward and allocable to the next accrual period.
Because we may redeem the notes prior to maturity, special rules apply that may reduce or eliminate the amount of premium that a U.S. Holder may amortize with respect to a note. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors about these special rules, including whether it would be advisable to elect to treat all interest on the notes as OID, which would result in a U.S. Holder not being subject to these special rules.
An election to amortize bond premium applies to all taxable debt obligations held by you at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies and thereafter acquired by you and may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. Generally, you may make an election to include in income the entire return on a note (i.e., the excess of all remaining payments to be received on the note over the amount paid for the note by you) in accordance with a constant yield method based on the compounding of interest, as discussed below under “—Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount.” If you make such an election for a note with amortizable bond premium, such election will result in a deemed election to amortize bond premium for all of your notes with amortizable bond premium and may be revoked only with the permission of the IRS.
Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount
A U.S. Holder may elect to include in income all interest that accrues on a debt security using the constant-yield method applicable to OID described above, subject to certain limitations and exceptions. For purposes of this election, interest includes stated interest, acquisition discount, OID, market discount, de minimis market discount, and unstated interest, as adjusted by any acquisition premium or amortizable bond premium, each as described herein. If this election is made for a note, then, to apply the constant-yield method: (i) the issue price of the note will equal its cost, (ii) the issue date of the note will be the date it was acquired, and (iii) no payment on the note will be treated as a payment of qualified stated interest. A U.S. Holder must make this election for the taxable year in which the note was acquired, and may not revoke the election without the consent of the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors before making this election.
Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Repurchase or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes
Except as provided below under “—Conversion of Notes,” you generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption, repurchase or other taxable disposition of a note, equal to the difference between (i) the amount realized on the disposition and (ii) your tax basis in the note. Your tax basis in a note generally will be equal to the cost of the note to you, increased by any OID, market discount or de minimis market discount included in income by you, and decreased by the amount of any premium previously amortized and the amount of any payment (other than a payment of qualified stated interest) received in respect of the note. Although not free from doubt, your adjusted tax basis in a note should be allocated between the original note and any PIK Note or additional principal amount received in respect of PIK interest thereon in proportion to their relative principal amounts, and your holding period in any such PIK Note or additional principal amount would likely be identical to its holding period for the original note with respect to which such PIK Note or additional principal amount was received.
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Subject to the market discount rules discussed above under “—Market Discount,” any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of such disposition, the note was held by you for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of individuals and certain other non-corporate U.S. Holders are, under certain circumstances, subject to a reduced tax rate. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. You should consult your own tax advisor as to the deductibility of capital losses in its particular circumstances.
Conversion of Notes
Conversion into Common Stock. A U.S. Holder’s conversion of a note solely into our common stock and cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock will not be a taxable event, except that (i) the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock will result in capital gain or loss (measured by the difference between the cash received in lieu of the fractional share and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the fractional share) and (ii) the fair market value of common stock received with respect to accrued interest will be taxed as a payment of interest (as described above under “—Interest and OID”).
A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common stock received upon a conversion of a note (other than common stock received with respect to accrued interest, but including any basis allocable to a fractional share) will equal the tax basis of the note that was converted. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common stock received with respect to accrued interest will equal the fair market value of the stock received. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in a fractional share will be determined by allocating the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common stock between the common stock received upon conversion and the fractional share, in accordance with their respective fair market values.
The U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common stock received will include the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the note converted, except that the holding period of any common stock received with respect to accrued interest will commence on the day after the date of receipt.
Conversion into Cash. If you convert a note and receive from the Company solely cash, you will recognize gain or loss in the same manner as if you had disposed of the note in a taxable disposition as described under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes” above.
Conversion into Common Stock and Cash. If you convert a note and receive a combination of common stock and cash, the tax treatment of that conversion is not entirely clear.
A conversion of a note into a combination of common stock and cash may be treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which case you will recognize capital gain, but not loss, equal to the excess of the sum of the fair market value of the common stock and cash received (other than amounts attributable to accrued interest, which will be treated as interest and will be taxed as described above under “—Interest and OID”) over your tax basis in the note, but in no event will the capital gain recognized exceed the amount of cash received (excluding cash attributable to accrued interest or received in lieu of a fractional share).
In these circumstances, your tax basis in the common stock received upon a conversion of a note (other than common stock received with respect to accrued interest, but including any basis allocable to a fractional share) will equal the tax basis of the note that was converted, reduced by the amount of cash received (excluding cash received in lieu of a fractional share and cash attributable to accrued interest), and increased by the amount of gain, if any, recognized (other than with respect to a fractional share). Your tax basis in the common stock received with respect to accrued interest will equal the fair market value of the stock received.
The receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share will result in capital gain or loss (measured by the difference between the cash received in lieu of the fractional share and your tax basis in the fractional share). Your tax basis in a fractional share will be determined by allocating your tax basis in the common stock between the common stock received upon conversion and the fractional share, in accordance with their respective fair market values.
Any capital gain recognized by you upon conversion will be long-term capital gain if at the time of conversion the notes have been held for more than one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders will be subject to reduced tax rates. Your holding period for common stock received upon conversion will include the period during which you held the notes, except that the holding period of any common stock received with respect to accrued interest will commence on the day after the date of receipt.
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An alternative characterization would treat the cash payment received on conversion (other than cash attributable to accrued interest) as proceeds from a sale of a portion of the note and would tax the sale portion in the manner described under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes” above. Under this alternative characterization, you would not recognize gain or loss with respect to our common stock received (other than common stock attributable to accrued interest), and your holding period for that stock would include the period during which you held the notes. In this case, your basis in the note would be allocated pro rata between the common stock and cash received, in accordance with their fair market values.
You should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax treatment of the receipt of cash and common stock for notes upon conversion.
Exchange in Lieu of Conversion
If we make an exchange election (as described above under “Description of Notes—Exchange in Lieu of Conversion”), your surrender of notes to the designated financial institution and receipt of cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock will not be treated as a conversion. Instead, the surrender and receipt will be treated as a taxable disposition of the notes, as described above under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes.” If you receive shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, your tax basis in the common stock received will equal the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the exchange, and your holding period in the shares of our common stock received will begin the day after the date of the exchange.
Constructive Distributions
We may adjust the conversion rate of the notes in certain circumstances. Under the Code and applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, adjustments that have the effect of increasing a holder’s proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits may, in some circumstances, result in a deemed distribution to the beneficial owner of the note. If we were to make a distribution of cash or property to stockholders (for example, distributions of evidences of indebtedness or assets) and the conversion rate of the notes were increased pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the indenture, that increase would be deemed to be a distribution to you. In addition, any other increase in the conversion rate of the notes (including an adjustment to the conversion rate in connection with a fundamental change or redemption) may, depending on the circumstances, be deemed to be a distribution to you.
In certain circumstances, the failure to make an adjustment of the conversion rate may result in a taxable distribution to beneficial owners of notes, if as a result of the failure the proportionate interest of the note holders in our assets or earnings and profits is increased.
Any deemed distribution will be taxed in the same manner as an actual distribution. See “—Distributions” below. However, it is not entirely clear whether such deemed distributions would be eligible for the reduced tax rate applicable to certain dividends paid to non-corporate holders or for the dividends-received deduction applicable to certain dividends paid to corporate holders. Your basis in your notes will be increased by the amount of any of any deemed dividends. You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of receiving constructive dividends.
The IRS has proposed regulations addressing the amount and timing of deemed distributions, obligations of withholding agents and filing and notice obligations of issuers. If adopted as proposed, the regulations would generally provide that (i) the amount of a deemed distribution is the excess of the fair market value of the right to acquire stock immediately after the conversion rate adjustment over the fair market value of the right to acquire stock without the adjustment, (ii) the deemed distribution occurs at the earlier of the date the adjustment occurs under the terms of the note and the date of the actual distribution of cash or property that results in the deemed distribution, (iii) subject to certain limited exceptions, a withholding agent is required to withhold in respect of deemed distributions to a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined below) and, if there is no associated cash payment, may withhold the required amounts from payments on the notes (or, in some circumstances, any payments on our common stock) or sales proceeds received by or other funds or assets of such holder and (iv) we are required to report the amount of any deemed distributions on our website or to the IRS and to all holders of notes (including holders of notes that would otherwise be exempt from reporting). The final regulations will be effective for deemed distributions occurring on or after the date of adoption, but holders of notes and withholding agents may rely on them prior to that date under certain circumstances.
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Possible Effect of a Consolidation, Merger or Change in Conversion Consideration
In certain situations, we may consolidate or merge into another entity, as described above under “Description of Notes—Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of Our Common Stock,” depending on the circumstances, a change in the obligor of the notes as a result of the consolidation or merger could result in a deemed taxable exchange to you and the modified note could be treated as newly issued at that time, potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or other consequences to you. Whether or not the notes are subject to a deemed taxable exchange, a change in the conversion consideration to be delivered to you upon conversion of a note could affect the tax consequences of a conversion. For example, conversion of a note into shares of an entity other than the obligor may be a taxable event. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of such transactions.
The Common Stock
Distributions on the Common Stock
We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the near future. If we pay any distributions on our common stock, such distributions, other than certain pro rata distributions of common shares, will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits and will be includible in your income and taxable as ordinary income when received. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will first be treated as a tax-free return of your investment, up to your tax basis in the common stock, and any remaining excess will be treated as a capital gain. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, dividends received by you will be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates if you meet certain holding period and other applicable requirements. If you are a corporate U.S. Holder, dividends received by you will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction if you meet certain holding period and other applicable requirements.
Sale, Certain Redemptions or Other Taxable Dispositions of the Common Stock
Upon sales, certain redemptions or other taxable dispositions of our common stock you generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of all other property received upon such disposition and (ii) your tax basis in the common stock. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if your holding period in the common stock is more than one year at the time of the taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) generally are subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. A U.S. Holder’s ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information reporting requirements generally will apply to payments to a U.S. Holder of interest on the notes, accruals of OID on a note and dividends on shares of common stock (as well as constructive dividends deemed paid with respect to the notes) and the proceeds of a sale of a note, a share of common stock, unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient (such as a corporation). Backup withholding (currently at a 24% rate) will apply to those payments if the U.S. Holder fails to provide its correct taxpayer identification number, or certification of exempt status, or if the U.S. Holder is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report in full payments of interest and dividend income.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished timely to the IRS.
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Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a Non-U.S. Holder. You are a Non-U.S. Holder if for U.S. federal income tax purposes you are a beneficial owner of a note or common stock that is:
| ● | a nonresident alien individual; |
| ● | a foreign corporation; or |
| ● | a foreign estate or trust. |
You are not a Non-U.S. Holder if you are an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition of the notes or common stock and who is not otherwise a resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or if you are a former citizen or former resident of the United States, in which case you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the notes or common stock.
Payments of Interest on the Notes
Subject to the discussion below under “—FATCA,” payments of principal and interest on the notes to you will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, provided that, in the case of interest (including, for purposes of this discussion of Non-U.S. Holders, OID):
| ● | you do not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote; |
| ● | you are not a controlled foreign corporation related, directly or indirectly, to us through stock ownership; |
| ● | you certify on a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form), under penalties of perjury, that you are not a United States person; and |
| ● | the interest is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States as described below. |
If you cannot satisfy one of the first three requirements described above and interest on the notes is not exempt from withholding because it is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States as described below, payments of interest on the notes will be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 30%, or the rate specified by an applicable treaty. In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, you will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) certifying your entitlement to benefits under a treaty.
Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes, Shares of Common Stock and Warrants
You generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of the notes, the common stock or the warrants unless:
| ● | the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, as described below, or |
| ● | we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation,” as defined in the Code, at any time within the five-year period preceding the disposition or your holding period, whichever is shorter, and certain other conditions are met. |
We believe that we are not, and do not anticipate becoming, a United States real property holding corporation.
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Dividends and Constructive Distributions
Dividends (including deemed dividends on the notes) paid or deemed to be paid to you generally will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty (see “Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—The Notes—Constructive Distributions”), unless the dividend is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, as described below. In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, you will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) certifying your entitlement to benefits under a treaty. In the case of any constructive dividend, it is possible that the U.S. federal tax on the constructive dividend would be withheld from interest, shares of common stock or sales proceeds from warrants or other property subsequently paid or credited to you.
Effectively Connected Income
If interest, constructive dividends or gain on a note, dividends or gain on our common stock is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by you), you will generally be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. Holder (see “Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders” above). In this case, you will be exempt from the withholding tax on interest or dividends discussed above, although you will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI in order to claim an exemption from withholding. You should consult your tax advisor with respect to other U.S. tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of notes or our common stock, including the possible imposition of a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate) if you are a corporation.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with payments (including OID accrued) on the notes and the common stock. Unless you comply with certification procedures to establish that you are not a United States person, information returns may be filed with the IRS in connection with the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of the notes or the common stock, and you may be subject to backup withholding on payments on the notes and on the common stock or on the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of the notes, the common stock. Compliance with the certification procedures required to claim the exemption from withholding tax on interest described above will avoid backup withholding as well.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to you will be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
FATCA
Provisions commonly referred to as “FATCA” impose withholding of 30% on payments of interest or dividends on notes or shares of the common stock to “foreign financial institutions” (which is broadly defined for this purpose and in general includes investment vehicles) and certain other non-U.S. entities unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of certain interests in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied or an exemption applies. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. If any withholding is imposed, a beneficial owner of a note or a share of our common stock that is not a foreign financial institution generally will be entitled to a refund of any amounts withheld by filing a U.S. federal income tax return, which may entail significant administrative burden. While withholding under FATCA would also have applied to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of notes or shares of common stock, proposed U.S. Treasury regulations would eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely, and the preamble to the proposed regulations provides that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the implications of FATCA.
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Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP has passed upon the validity of the securities of the Company offered by this prospectus.
The financial statements of Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc., incorporated by reference in this prospectus, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable in connection with the offering of the securities being registered, all of which will be paid by the registrant (except any underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses incurred by the selling securityholder in disposing of the securities).
| Amount to Be Paid | ||||
| Registration fee | $ | 44,280 | ||
| Printing expenses | * | |||
| Legal fees and expenses (including Blue Sky fees) | * | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses | * | |||
| Trustee and transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses | * | |||
| Miscellaneous | * | |||
| Total | $ | 44,280 | ||
| * | To be provided in one or more prospectus supplements filed hereunder. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings in which such person is made a party by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent to the registrant. The DGCL provides that Section 145 is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. The registrant’s by-laws provide for indemnification by the registrant of its directors, officers and employees to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. The registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its current directors and executive officers to provide these directors and executive officers additional contractual assurances regarding the scope of the indemnification set forth in the registrant’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws and to provide additional procedural protections. There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director or executive officer of the registrant for which indemnification is sought.
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases, redemptions or other distributions, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The registrant’s certificate of incorporation provides for such limitation of liability.
The registrant maintains standard policies of insurance under which coverage is provided (a) to its directors and officers against loss rising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act, and (b) to the registrant with respect to payments which may be made by the registrant to such officers and directors pursuant to the above indemnification provision or otherwise as a matter of law.
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Item 16. Exhibits
| (a) | The following exhibits are included or incorporated by reference in this registration statement on Form S-3: |
| * | To be provided in an amendment hereto or in a subsequent filing that is incorporated by reference herein. |
| † | Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(a)(5). The Registrant agrees to furnish a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its request. |
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Item 17. Undertakings
| (a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
| (1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
| (ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; |
| (iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement. |
| (2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
| (4) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser: |
| (A) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
| (B) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
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| (5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: |
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
| (i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
| (ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
| (iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
| (iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
| (6) | To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. |
| (b) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (c) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Edison, State of New Jersey, on this 1st day of December, 2023.
| EOS ENERGY ENTERPRISES, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Nathan Kroeker | ||
| Name: | Nathan Kroeker | ||
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | ||
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Joseph Mastrangelo and Nathan Kroeker, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all additional registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them or their or his or her substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Joe Mastrangelo | Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | December 1, 2023 | ||
| Joe Mastrangelo | ||||
| /s/ Nathan Kroeker | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
December 1, 2023 | ||
| Nathan Kroeker | ||||
| /s/ Sumeet Puri | Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) |
December 1, 2023 | ||
| Sumeet Puri | ||||
| /s/ Jeff Bornstein | Director | December 1, 2023 | ||
| Jeff Bornstein | ||||
| /s/ Alex Dimitrief | Director | December 1, 2023 | ||
| Alex Dimitrief | ||||
| /s/ Claude Demby | Director | December 1, 2023 | ||
| Claude Demby | ||||
| /s/ Jeff McNeil | Director | December 1, 2023 | ||
| Jeff McNeil | ||||
| /s/ Russell Stidolph | Director | December 1, 2023 | ||
| Russell Stidolph | ||||
| /s/ Marian “Mimi” Walters | Director | December 1, 2023 | ||
| Marian “Mimi” Walters | ||||
| /s/ Andrey Zibelman | Director | December 1, 2023 | ||
| Andrey Zibelman | ||||
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Exhibit 4.3
EOS ENERGY ENTERPRISES, INC.
as Issuer
and
Wilmington Trust, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee
SENIOR INDENTURE
Dated as of [ ], 2023
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
EOS ENERGY ENTERPRISES, INC.
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 | |
| 310(a)(1) and (2) | 5.08 | |
| 310(a)(3) and (4) | Inapplicable | |
| 310(b) | 5.12 and 5.09(a), (b) and (d) | |
| 310(c) | Inapplicable | |
| 311(a) | 5.12 | |
| 311(b) | 5.12 | |
| 311(c) | Inapplicable | |
| 312(a) | 3.06 | |
| 312(b) | 3.06 | |
| 312(c) | 4.02(c) | |
| 313(a) | 3.08 | |
| 313(b)(1) | Inapplicable | |
| 313(b)(2) | 3.08 | |
| 313(c) | 3.08 | |
| 313(d) | 3.08 | |
| 314(a) | 3.07 | |
| 314(b) | Inapplicable | |
| 314(c)(1) and (2) | 10.05 | |
| 314(c)(3) | Inapplicable | |
| 314(d) | Inapplicable | |
| 314(e) | 10.05 | |
| 314(f) | Inapplicable | |
| 315(a), (c) and (d) | 5.01 | |
| 315(b) | 4.11 | |
| 315(e) | 4.12 | |
| 316(a)(1) | 4.09 | |
| 316(a)(2) | Not required | |
| 316(a) (last sentence) | 6.04 | |
| 316(b) | 4.07 | |
| 317(a) | 4.02 | |
| 317(b) | 3.04(a) and (b) | |
| 318(a) | 10.07 |
| NOTE: | This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. |
Table of Contents
| Page | |||
| Article 1 Definitions |
|||
| Section 1.01. | Certain Terms Defined | 1 | |
| Article 2 SECURITIES |
|||
| Section 2.01. | Forms Generally | 7 | |
| Section 2.02. | Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication | 7 | |
| Section 2.03. | Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 8 | |
| Section 2.04. | Authentication and Delivery of Securities | 10 | |
| Section 2.05. | Execution of Securities | 11 | |
| Section 2.06. | Certificate of Authentication | 13 | |
| Section 2.07. | Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest | 14 | |
| Section 2.08. | Registration, Transfer and Exchange | 14 | |
| Section 2.09. | Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 15 | |
| Section 2.10. | Cancellation of Securities; Disposition Thereof | 16 | |
| Section 2.11. | Temporary Securities | 17 | |
| Section 2.12. | Computation of Interest | 17 | |
| Article 3 Covenants of the Issuer and the Trustee |
|||
| Section 3.01. | Payment of Principal and Interest | 17 | |
| Section 3.02. | Offices for Payments, Etc | 17 | |
| Section 3.03. | Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee | 18 | |
| Section 3.04. | Paying Agents | 18 | |
| Section 3.05. | Certificate of the Issuer | 19 | |
| Section 3.06. | Securityholders Lists | 19 | |
| Section 3.07. | Reports by the Issuer | 19 | |
| Section 3.08. | Reports by the Trustee | 19 | |
| Article 4 Remedies of the Trustee and Securityholders on Event of Default |
|||
| Section 4.01. | Event of Default Defined; Acceleration of Maturity; Waiver of Default | 20 | |
| Section 4.02. | Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Indebtedness | 22 | |
| Section 4.03. | Application of Proceeds | 25 | |
| Section 4.04. | Suits for Enforcement | 26 | |
| Section 4.05. | Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceedings | 26 | |
| Section 4.06. | Limitations on Suits by Securityholders | 26 | |
i
| Section 4.07. | Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Institute Certain Suits | 26 | |
| Section 4.08. | Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of Default | 27 | |
| Section 4.09. | Control by Securityholders | 27 | |
| Section 4.10. | Waiver of Past Defaults | 27 | |
| Section 4.11. | Trustee to Give Notice of Default, But May Withhold in Certain Circumstances | 28 | |
| Section 4.12. | Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs | 28 | |
| Article 5 Concerning the Trustee |
|||
| Section 5.01. | Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default | 29 | |
| Section 5.02. | Certain Rights of the Trustee | 30 | |
| Section 5.03. | Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof | 32 | |
| Section 5.04. | Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities, Etc | 32 | |
| Section 5.05. | Moneys Held by Trustee | 32 | |
| Section 5.06. | Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim | 32 | |
| Section 5.07. | Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers’ Certificate, Etc | 33 | |
| Section 5.08. | Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee | 33 | |
| Section 5.09. | Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee | 34 | |
| Section 5.10. | Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee | 35 | |
| Section 5.11. | Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee | 36 | |
| Section 5.12. | Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer | 36 | |
| Article 6 Concerning the Securityholders |
|||
| Section 6.01. | Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders | 37 | |
| Section 6.02. | Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities; Record Date | 37 | |
| Section 6.03. | Holders to Be Treated as Owners | 37 | |
| Section 6.04. | Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding | 38 | |
| Section 6.05. | Right of Revocation of Action Taken | 38 | |
| Article 7 Supplemental Indentures |
|||
| Section 7.01. | Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders | 39 | |
| Section 7.02. | Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders | 40 | |
| Section 7.03. | Effect of Supplemental Indenture | 41 | |
| Section 7.04. | Documents to Be Given to Trustee | 41 | |
| Section 7.05. | Notation on Securities in Respect of Supplemental Indentures | 41 | |
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| Article 8 Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance |
|||
| Section 8.01. | Issuer May Consolidate, Etc, on Certain Terms | 42 | |
| Section 8.02. | Successor Corporation Substituted | 42 | |
| Section 8.03. | Opinion of Counsel to Trustee | 43 | |
| Article 9 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Unclaimed Moneys |
|||
| Section 9.01. | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 43 | |
| Section 9.02. | Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities | 44 | |
| Section 9.03. | Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent | 44 | |
| Section 9.04. | Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years | 44 | |
| Article 10 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
|||
| Section 10.01. | Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability | 45 | |
| Section 10.02. | Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Securityholders | 45 | |
| Section 10.03. | Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture | 45 | |
| Section 10.04. | Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Securityholders | 45 | |
| Section 10.05. | Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein | 46 | |
| Section 10.06. | Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays | 47 | |
| Section 10.07. | Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act of 1939 | 47 | |
| Section 10.08. | New York Law to Govern | 47 | |
| Section 10.09. | Counterparts | 47 | |
| Section 10.10. | Effect of Headings | 48 | |
| Section 10.11. | Separability Clause | 48 | |
| Article 11 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS |
|||
| Section 11.01. | Applicability of Article | 48 | |
| Section 11.02. | Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions | 49 | |
| Section 11.03. | Payment of Securities Called for Redemption | 50 | |
| Section 11.04. | Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption | 50 | |
| Section 11.05. | Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds | 51 | |
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| Article 12 Defeasance |
|||
| Section 12.01. | Issuer’s Option to Effect Defeasance | 53 | |
| Section 12.02. | Defeasances and Discharge | 53 | |
| Section 12.03. | Covenant Defeasance | 53 | |
| Section 12.04. | Conditions to Defeasance | 54 | |
| Section 12.05. | Deposited Money and U.S | 55 | |
| Article 13 CONVERSION OF SECURITIES |
|||
| Section 13.01. | Applicability; Conversion Privilege and Conversion Price | 56 | |
| Section 13.02. | Exercise of Conversion Privilege | 56 | |
| Section 13.03. | Fractions of Shares | 57 | |
| Section 13.04. | Adjustment of Conversion Price | 57 | |
| Section 13.05. | Notice of Adjustments of Conversion Price | 59 | |
| Section 13.06. | Notice of Certain Corporate Action | 60 | |
| Section 13.07. | Issuer to Reserve Common Stock | 60 | |
| Section 13.08. | Taxes on Conversions | 60 | |
| Section 13.09. | Covenant as to Common Stock | 61 | |
| Section 13.10. | Cancellation of Converted Securities | 61 | |
| Section 13.11. | Provisions in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets | 61 | |
iv
THIS SENIOR INDENTURE, dated as of [ ], 2023 between eos ENERGY enterprises, inc. (the “Issuer”), a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, and Wilmington Trust, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (the “Trustee”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the issue from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of Indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “Securities”) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration thereof, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms have been done;
NOW, THEREFORE:
In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the holders thereof, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Securities or of a series thereof as follows:
Article
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Definitions
Section 1.01. Certain Terms Defined. The following terms (except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Article. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or the definitions of which in the Securities Act of 1933 are referred to in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act of 1933 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture.
All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation. The words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular.
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“Board of Directors” means either the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee of such Board duly authorized to act hereunder.
“Business Day” means, with respect to any Security, a day that in New York, New York or the city (or in any of the cities, if more than one) in which amounts are payable, as specified in the form of such Security, is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law or regulation to close.
“Capital Lease Obligations” means any obligation to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) real or personal property that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease obligation under generally accepted accounting principles, and, for the purposes of this Indenture, the amount of such obligation at any date shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such date, determined in accordance with such principles.
“Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or if at any time after the execution and delivery 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 on such date.
“Common Stock” means any stock of any class of the Issuer which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer and which is not subject to redemption by the Issuer.
“Consolidated Net Assets” means the total of all assets (less depreciation and amortization reserves and other valuation reserves and loss reserves) which, under generally accepted accounting principles, would appear on the asset side of a consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, less the aggregate of all liabilities, deferred credits, minority shareholders’ interests in Subsidiaries, reserves and other items which, under such principles, would appear on the liability side of such consolidated balance sheet, except Funded Indebtedness and Stockholders’ Equity; provided, however, that in determining Consolidated Net Assets, there shall not be included as assets, (a) all assets (other than goodwill, which shall be included) which would be classified as intangible assets under generally accepted accounting principles, including, without limitation, patents, trademarks, copyrights and unamortized debt discount and expense, (b) any treasury stock carried as an asset, or (c) any write-ups of capital assets (other than write-ups resulting from the acquisition of stock or assets of another corporation or business).
“Conversion Price” has the meaning specified in Section 13.01.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated, located at 50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 , Attention: EOS Energy Enterprises, Inc., Administrator.
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“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of that series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Global Securities of that series.
“Event of Default” means any event or condition specified as such in Section 4.01.
“Funded Indebtedness” of any Person means all indebtedness for borrowed money created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed in any manner by such Person, and all indebtedness incurred or assumed by such Person in connection with the acquisition of any business, property or asset, which in each case matures more than one year after, or which by its terms is renewable or extendible or payable out of the proceeds of similar indebtedness incurred pursuant to the terms of any revolving credit agreement or any similar agreement at the option of such Person for a period ending more than one year after the date as of which Funded Indebtedness is being determined (excluding any amount thereof which is included in current liabilities); provided, however, that Funded Indebtedness shall not include: (a) any indebtedness for the payment, redemption or satisfaction of which money (or evidences of indebtedness, if permitted under the instrument creating or evidencing such indebtedness) in the necessary amount shall have been irrevocably deposited in trust with a trustee or proper depository either on or before the maturity or redemption date thereof or (b) any indebtedness of such Person to any of its subsidiaries or of any subsidiary to such Person or any other subsidiary or (c) any indebtedness incurred in connection with the financing of operating, construction or acquisition projects, provided that the recourse for such indebtedness is limited to the assets of such projects.
“Global Security” means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Securities, issued to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 2.05, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 2.05.
“Holder”, “holder of Securities”, “Securityholder” or other similar terms mean the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the security register kept by the Issuer for the purpose in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Indebtedness” means (a) any liability of any Person (i) for borrowed money, or any non-contingent reimbursement obligation relating to a letter of credit, or (ii) evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument (including a purchase money obligation) given in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind (other than a trade payable or a current liability arising in the ordinary course of business), or (iii) for the payment of money relating to a Capital Lease Obligation; (b) any liability of others described in the preceding clause (a) that the Person has guaranteed or that is otherwise its legal liability; and (c) any amendment, supplement, modification, deferral, renewal, extension or refunding of any liability of the types referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above.
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“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and delivered or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented or both, and shall include the forms and terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.
“Interest” means, when used with respect to non-interest bearing Securities, interest payable after maturity.
“Issuer” means Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, and, subject to Article 8, its successors and assigns.
“Issuer Order” means a written statement, request or order of the Issuer signed in its name by the chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, president, any vice president or the treasurer of the Issuer.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the chairman of the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, president or any vice president and by the treasurer or the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and include the statements provided for in Section 10.05 hereof, if and to the extent that such sections are applicable.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel who may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer and who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and include the statements provided for in Section 10.05 hereof, if and to the extent that such sections are applicable.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01.
“Outstanding”, when used with reference to Securities, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except
(a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Issuer) or shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Issuer for the holders of such Securities (if the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent), provided that if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as herein provided, or provision reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice;
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(c) Securities in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered, or which shall have been paid, pursuant to the terms of Section 2.09 (except with respect to any such Security as to which proof reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that such Security is held by a person in whose hands such Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer); and
(d) Securities converted for Common Stock pursuant to Article 13.
In determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01.
“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the stated maturity or maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Issuer or its agents upon the issuance of such Securities.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“principal” whenever used with reference to the Securities or any Security or any portion thereof, shall be deemed to include “and premium, if any”.
“Principal Property” means all property and equipment directly engaged in the exploration, production, refining, marketing and transportation activities of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, except any such property and equipment which the Board of Directors declares is not material to the business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, the secretary, the treasurer, any senior trust officer, any trust officer, any assistant trust officer, any assistant vice president, any assistant secretary, any assistant treasurer, or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who, in each case, shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
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“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that owns a Principal Property and has Stockholders’ Equity that is greater than 2% of the Consolidated Net Assets of the Issuer.
“Security” or “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture, or, as the case may be, Securities that have been authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Senior Funded Indebtedness” means any Funded Indebtedness which is also Senior Indebtedness.
“Senior Indebtedness” shall mean the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on (including interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding pursuant to any bankruptcy law) and other amounts due on or in connection with any Indebtedness of the Issuer, whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or hereafter created, incurred or assumed, unless, in the case of any particular Indebtedness, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Senior Indebtedness shall not include Indebtedness of the Issuer to a Subsidiary of the Issuer for money borrowed or advanced from such Subsidiary.
“Stockholders’ Equity” means the aggregate of (however designated) capital, capital stock (including preferred stock), capital surplus, capital in excess of par value of stock, earned surplus, net income retained for use in the business and cumulative foreign exchange translation adjustments, after deducting the cost of shares of the Issuer held in its treasury.
“Subsidiary” means (a) any corporation of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors thereof is at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Issuer or by the Issuer and one or more Subsidiaries or by one or more Subsidiaries, and (b) any limited partnership in which the Issuer or a Subsidiary is a general partner and in which more than 50% of the voting interests thereof is at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Issuer or by the Issuer and one or more Subsidiaries or by one or more Subsidiaries. The term “subsidiary”, when used with respect to any Person other than the Issuer, shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing.
“Trust Indenture Act of 1939” (except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01 and 7.02) means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was originally executed.
“Trustee” means the Person identified as “Trustee” in the first paragraph hereof and, subject to the provisions of Article 5, shall also include any successor trustee. “Trustee” shall also 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 the Securities of such series.
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“U.S. Government Obligations” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.01.
“vice president” when used with respect to the Issuer 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 of “vice president”.
“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity on a series of Securities, calculated at the time of issuance of such series, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series, and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.
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Securities
Section 2.01. Forms Generally. The Securities of each series shall be substantially in such form (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors (as set forth in such resolution or, to the extent established pursuant to rather than set forth in such resolution, an Officers’ Certificate detailing such establishment) 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 imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or to conform to general usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities. In the case of any conflict between the terms of the Securities and the terms of the Indenture, the terms of the Indenture shall control.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
Section 2.02. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| Wilmington Trust, National Association, | ||
| as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Officer | ||
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Section 2.03. 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 resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,
(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);
(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.11, 7.05 or 11.03);
(c) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable;
(d) if other than the coin or currency of the United States, the coin or currency in which the Securities of that series are denominated, the coin or currency in which payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of that series shall be payable and the method of valuing that coin or currency for purposes of determining the aggregate principal amount of Securities of that series then Outstanding and the amount to be paid to satisfy a judgment denominated in the coin or currency of the United States;
(e) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable;
(f) the place or places where the principal of and any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable (if other than as provided in Section 3.02);
(g) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;
(h) if other than minimum denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(i) the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
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(j) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 4.02;
(k) if the amount of payments of principal of and interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(l) whether and under what circumstances the Issuer will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Issuer will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such additional amounts;
(m) any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the Securities of such series;
(n) any other events of default or covenants with respect to the Securities of such series;
(o) whether the Securities of the series shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities;
(p) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the Securities of the series are convertible into Common Stock of the Issuer; and
(q) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).
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 such resolution of the Board of Directors or Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to such a resolution of the Board of Directors, such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
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Section 2.04. Authentication and Delivery of Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities pursuant to an Issuer Order, or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee and to such recipients as may be specified from time to time by an Issuer Order. The maturity date, original issue date, interest rate and any other terms of the Securities of such series may, if not previously established by a resolution of the Board of Directors, Officers’ Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto pursuant to Section 2.03, be determined by or pursuant to such Issuer Order and procedures. If provided for in such procedures, such Issuer Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to instructions from the Issuer or its duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing. In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in the case of subparagraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) below only at or before the time of the first request of the Issuer to the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series), and (subject to Section 5.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, unless and until such documents have been superseded or revoked:
(a) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors relating to such series, in each case certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer;
(b) an executed supplemental indenture, if any;
(c) an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the form and terms, or the manner of establishing the terms, of the Securities as required pursuant to Section 2.01 and 2.03, respectively and prepared in accordance with Section 10.05;
(d) an Opinion of Counsel, prepared in accordance with Section 10.05, to the effect that
(i) the form or forms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 2.01 and 2.03 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(ii) in the case of an underwritten offering, the terms of the Securities have been duly authorized and established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, and, in the case of a Periodic Offering, certain terms of the Securities have been established pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, an Officers’ Certificate or a supplemental indenture in accordance with this Indenture, and when such other terms as are to be established pursuant to procedures set forth in an Issuer Order shall have been established, all such terms will have been duly authorized by the Issuer and will have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(iii) such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuer;
(iv) all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Issuer of the Securities have been complied with; and
(v) covering such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request; and
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(e) an Issuer Order requesting such authentication and setting forth delivery instructions if the Securities are not to be delivered to the Issuer, provided that, with respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, (i) such Issuer Order may be delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee prior to the delivery to the Trustee of such Securities for authentication and delivery, (ii) the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the aggregate principal amount established for such series, pursuant to an Issuer Order or pursuant to procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by an Issuer Order, (c) the maturity date or dates, original issue date or dates, interest rate or rates and any other terms of Securities of such series shall be determined by an Issuer Order or pursuant to such procedures and (d) if provided for in such procedures, such Issuer Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Issuer or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities under this Section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken by the Issuer or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or board of trustees, executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees or Responsible Officers shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders or would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities, this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 2.05. Execution of Securities. The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Issuer by both (a) the chairman of its Board of Directors or any vice chairman of its Board of Directors or its chief executive officer, chief financial officer, president or any vice president and (b) by its treasurer or any assistant treasurer or its secretary or any assistant secretary, under its corporate seal (if any) which may, but need not, be attested. Such signatures may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such officers. The seal of the Issuer (if any) may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such reproduction of the seal (if any) or any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.
In case any officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such officer before the Security so signed shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of by the Issuer, such Security nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Security had not ceased to be such officer of the Issuer; and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security, shall be the proper officers of the Issuer, although at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.
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If the Issuer shall establish pursuant to Section 2.03 that the Securities of a series are to be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section and the Issuer Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities that (a) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities of such series having the same terms issued and not yet canceled, shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (c) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions and (d) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:
UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF SUCH DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.
Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 2.03 must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any other applicable statute or regulation.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.05, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive form, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary.
If at any time the Depositary for any Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Securities shall no longer be eligible under this Section 2.05, the Issuer shall appoint a successor Depositary eligible under this Section 2.05 with respect to such Securities. If a successor Depositary eligible under this Section 2.05 for such Securities is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Issuer’s election pursuant to Section 2.03 that such Securities be represented by one or more Global Securities shall no longer be effective and the Issuer will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Global Securities representing such Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Global Securities.
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The Issuer may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by a Global Security or Global Securities. In such event the Issuer will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Global Securities representing such Securities, in exchange for such Global Security or Global Securities.
If specified by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03 with respect to Securities represented by a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of the same series in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuer and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge,
(a) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and
(b) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (a) above.
Upon the exchange of a Global Security for Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or an agent of the Issuer or the Trustee. Securities in definitive registered form without coupons issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.05 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Issuer or the Trustee. The Trustee or such agent shall deliver such Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
Section 2.06. Certificate of Authentication. Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
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Section 2.07. Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest. The Securities shall be issuable as registered securities without coupons and in denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in minimum denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof. The Securities shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the officers of the Issuer executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, shall bear interest, if any, from such date and shall be payable on the dates, in each case, which shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.03.
The person in whose name any Security of any series is registered at the close of business on any record date applicable to a particular series with respect to any interest payment date for such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Issuer shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for such series, in which case such defaulted interest shall be paid to the persons in whose names Outstanding Securities for such series are registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest) established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Issuer to the holders of Securities not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date. The term “record date” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment of defaulted interest) shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Securities of any particular series, or, if no such date is so specified, if such interest payment date is the first day of a calendar month, the fifteenth day of the next preceding calendar month or, if such interest payment date is the fifteenth day of a calendar month, the first day of such calendar month, whether or not such record date is a Business Day.
Section 2.08. Registration, Transfer and Exchange. The Issuer will keep or cause to be kept at each office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.02 a register or registers in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it will register, and will register the transfer of, Securities as in this Article provided. Such register shall be in written form in the English language or in any other form capable of being converted into such form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times such register or registers shall be open for inspection by the Trustee.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at any such office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.02, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series in authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount.
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Any Security or Securities of any series may be exchanged for a Security or Securities of the same series in other authorized denominations, in an equal aggregate principal amount. Securities of any series to be exchanged shall be surrendered at any office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for the purpose as provided in Section 3.02, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Security or Securities of the same series which the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.
All Securities presented for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption or payment shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by, the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
The Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities. No service charge shall be made for any such transaction.
The Issuer shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Securities of any series for a period of 15 days next preceding the first mailing of notice of redemption of Securities of such series to be redeemed, or (b) any Securities selected, called or being called for redemption except, in the case of any Security where notice has been given that such Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed.
All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
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 participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof. Neither the Trustee nor any of its agents shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by DTC.
Section 2.09. Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated, defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute, and upon the written request of any officer of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated or defaced Security, or in lieu of and substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case, the applicant for a substitute Security shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to indemnify and defend and to save each of them harmless and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, shall furnish evidence to their reasonable satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.
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Upon the issuance of any substitute Security, the Issuer 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. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated or defaced Security), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as any of them may require to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer and the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee evidence to their reasonable satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.
Every substitute Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section by virtue of the fact that any such Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone and that substitute Security shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations of rights set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced or destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
Section 2.10. Cancellation of Securities; Disposition Thereof. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange, or for credit against any payment in respect of a sinking or analogous fund, if surrendered to the Issuer or any agent of the Issuer or of the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it; and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of canceled Securities held by it in accordance with its customary procedures and deliver a certificate of cancellation to the Issuer. If the Issuer shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
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Section 2.11. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities for any series, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Securities for such series (printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee). Temporary Securities of any series shall be issuable as registered Securities without coupons, of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such series but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuer with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Issuer and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities. Without unreasonable delay the Issuer shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at each office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for that purpose pursuant to Section 3.02, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities of such series a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.
Section 2.12. Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 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.
Article
3
Covenants of the Issuer and the Trustee
Section 3.01. Payment of Principal and Interest. The Issuer covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and interest on, each of the Securities of such series at the place or places, at the respective times and in the manner provided in such Securities. Each installment of interest on the Securities of any series may be paid by mailing checks for such interest payable to or upon the written order of the holders of Securities entitled thereto as they shall appear on the registry books of the Issuer.
Section 3.02. Offices for Payments, Etc. So long as any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Issuer will maintain in The City of New York, the following for each series: an office or agency (a) where the Securities may be presented for payment, (b) where the Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided, (c) where Securities may be surrendered for conversion and (d) where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities or of this Indenture may be served. The Issuer will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Unless otherwise specified in accordance with Section 2.03, the Issuer hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office as the office to be maintained by it for each such purpose. In case the Issuer shall fail to so designate or maintain any such office or agency or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the Corporate Trust Office.
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Section 3.03. Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 5.09, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to each series of Securities hereunder.
Section 3.04. Paying Agents. Whenever the Issuer shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section,
(a) that it will hold all sums received by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of Trustee and the holders of the Securities of such series or of the Trustee,
(b) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable, and
(c) that it will pay any such sums so held by it in trust to the Trustee upon the Trustee’s written request at any time during the continuance of the failure referred to in clause (b) above.
The Issuer will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.
If the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent with respect to the Securities of any series, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Trustee and the holders of the Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action. Upon any Event of Default under Section 4.01(e) or Section 4.01(f), the Trustee shall automatically become the paying agent.
Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to one or more or all series of Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such series by the Issuer or any paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.
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Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of Section 9.03 and 9.04.
Section 3.05. Certificate of the Issuer. The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee, on or before a date not more than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer ending after the date of this Indenture, a written statement signed by the following officers (one of whom shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Issuer): the Chairman, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Comptroller, an Assistant Comptroller, the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary of the Issuer, stating whether or not, after a review under each signer’s supervision of the activities of the Issuer during such year and of the Issuer’s performance under this Indenture, to the best knowledge, based on such review, of the signers thereof, the Issuer has fulfilled all of its obligations, conditions and covenants under this Indenture throughout such year, and, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, condition or covenant specifying each default and the nature and status thereof.
Section 3.06. Securityholders Lists. If and so long as the Trustee shall not be the Security registrar for the Securities of any series, the Issuer will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the holders of the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (a) semi-annually not more than 15 days after each record date for the payment of interest on such Securities, as hereinabove specified, as of such record date and on dates to be determined pursuant to Section 2.03 for non-interest bearing securities in each year, and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within thirty days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such information is furnished.
Section 3.07. Reports by the Issuer. The Issuer covenants to deliver to the Trustee, within 15 days after the Issuer is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports which the Issuer may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or pursuant to Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
Section 3.08. Reports by the Trustee. Any Trustee’s report required under Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 shall be transmitted on or before July 15 in each year following the date hereof, so long as any Securities are Outstanding hereunder, and shall be dated as of a date convenient to the Trustee no more than 60 nor less than 45 days prior thereto. At the time it delivers such report, the Trustee shall deliver a copy thereof to the Issuer.
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Article
4
Remedies of the Trustee and Securityholders on Event of Default
Section 4.01. Event of Default Defined; Acceleration of Maturity; Waiver of Default. “Event of Default” with respect to Securities of any series wherever used herein, means each one of the following events which shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(b) default in the payment of all or any part of the principal on any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or
(c) default in the payment of any sinking fund installment as and when the same shall become due and payable by the terms of the Securities of such series; or
(d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Issuer in respect of the Securities of such series (other than a covenant or warranty in respect of the Securities of such series a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Issuer by the Trustee or to the Issuer and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series affected thereby, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(e) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of the Issuer’s affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
(f) the Issuer shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law at the date of this Indenture or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for any substantial part of its property, or make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors;
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(g) an event of default, as defined in any indenture or instrument evidencing or securing or under which the Issuer has at the date of this Indenture or shall hereafter have outstanding, any Indebtedness in an amount exceeding $[ ], which default shall involve (i) the failure by the Issuer to make any payment when such Indebtedness is due and payable after demand has been made and the passage of any applicable grace period and such failure shall have continued for a period of thirty days after written notice thereof to the Issuer and the Trustee by the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series or (ii) a default in the payment of interest, premium, principal or a default in the payment of a sinking fund or redemption payment, which shall have resulted in such Indebtedness having been accelerated so that the same shall be or become due and payable prior to the date on which the same would otherwise become due and payable, and such acceleration shall not be stayed, rescinded or annulled within ten days after written notice thereof to the Issuer and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series; provided, however, that if such event of default under such indenture or instrument shall be remedied or cured by the Issuer or be waived by the holders of such Indebtedness before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered, then the Event of Default hereunder by reason thereof shall be deemed likewise to have been thereupon remedied, cured or waived without further action upon the part of either the Trustee or any of the holders of the Securities of such series; or
(h) any other Event of Default provided in the supplemental indenture or provided in or pursuant to the resolution of the Board of Directors under which such series of Securities is issued or in the form of Security for such series.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all of the Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding hereunder (each such series voting as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Securities of such series and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.
The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal (or, if the Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of the Securities of any series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Issuer shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of such series and the principal of any and all Securities of such series which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series to the date of such payment or deposit) and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of the Trustee’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction, and if any and all Events of Default under the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein—then and in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Securities of such series, each series voting as a separate class, then Outstanding, by written notice to the Issuer and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults with respect to such series and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.
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For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.
The Trustee shall not be charged with notice of any event of default referred to in Section 4.01(g) unless (i) an officer of the Trustee assigned to its Corporate Trustee Administration Department shall have actual knowledge thereof or (ii) the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Issuer, the holder of any Indebtedness referred to in Section 4.01(g) or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series.
Section 4.02. Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Indebtedness. The Issuer covenants that (x) in case default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of any series when such interest shall have become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days or (y) in case default shall be made in the payment of all or any part of the principal of any of the Securities of any series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Securities of such series or upon any redemption or by declaration or otherwise—then upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Securities of such series for principal or interest, as the case may be (with interest to the date of such payment upon the overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series); and in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and any expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of the Trustee’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
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Until such demand is made by the Trustee, the Issuer may pay the principal of and interest on the Securities of any series to the registered holders, whether or not the principal of and interest on the Securities of such series be overdue.
In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or other obligor upon such Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated, the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.
In case there shall be pending proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Issuer or its property or such other obligor, or in case of any other comparable judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of any series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of any Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest (or, if the Securities of any series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities of any series, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, except as a result of the Trustee’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction) and of the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of any series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor,
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(b) unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the Securities of any series in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings, and
(c) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of the Securityholders and of the Trustee on their behalf; and any trustee, receiver, or liquidator, custodian or other similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of the Trustee’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction and all other amounts due to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to Section 5.06.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of any series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding except, as aforesaid, to vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar person.
All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof on any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment, subject to the payment of the expenses, liabilities incurred, disbursements and compensation of the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys, shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities in respect of which such action was taken.
In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Securities in respect to which such action was taken, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of such Securities parties to any such proceedings.
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Section 4.03. Application of Proceeds. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article in respect of any series shall be applied in the following order at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the several Securities in respect of which monies have been collected and stamping (or otherwise noting) thereon the payment, or issuing Securities of such series in reduced principal amounts in exchange for the presented Securities of like series if only partially paid, or upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses applicable to such series in respect of which monies have been collected, including reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys and of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of the Trustee’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction, and all other amounts due to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to Section 5.06;
SECOND: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;
THIRD: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such series for principal and interest, with interest upon the overdue principal, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and interest or Yield to Maturity, without preference or priority of principal over interest or Yield to Maturity, or of interest or Yield to Maturity over principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and accrued and unpaid interest or Yield to Maturity; and
FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Issuer or any other person lawfully entitled thereto.
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Section 4.04. Suits for Enforcement. In case an Event of Default has occurred, has not been waived and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
Section 4.05. Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceedings. In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.
Section 4.06. Limitations on Suits by Securityholders. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, and unless also the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered, and if requested, provided to the Trustee such indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby and the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action or proceeding and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.09; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Security with every other Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Securities of any series shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holder of Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of Securities of the applicable series. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
Section 4.07. Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Institute Certain Suits. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture and any provision of any Security, the right of any Holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Security on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in such Security, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
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Section 4.08. Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of Default. Except as provided in Sections 2.09 and 4.06, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Securityholders 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.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Securityholder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to Section 4.06, every power and remedy given by this Indenture or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders.
Section 4.09. Control by Securityholders. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected (with each series voting as a separate class) at the time Outstanding 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 by this Indenture; provided that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture and provided further that (subject to the provisions of Section 5.01) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or if the Trustee in good faith shall so determine that the actions or forbearances specified in or pursuant to such direction would be unduly prejudicial to the interests of Holders of the Securities of all series so affected not joining in the giving of said direction, it being understood that (subject to Section 5.01) the Trustee shall have no duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders.
Nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee in its discretion to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction or directions by Securityholders.
Section 4.10. Waiver of Past Defaults. Prior to a declaration of the acceleration of the maturity of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 4.01, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series at the time Outstanding (each such series voting as a separate class) may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default or Event of Default described in clause (d) or (g) of Section 4.01 which relates to less than all series of Securities then Outstanding, except a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Holder affected as provided in Section 7.02. Prior to a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 4.01, the Holders of Securities of a majority in principal amount of all the Securities then Outstanding (voting as one class) may on behalf of all Holders waive any past default or Event of Default referred to in said clause (d) or (g) which relates to all series of Securities then Outstanding, or described in clause (e) or (f) of Section 4.01, except a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Security affected as provided in Section 7.02. In the case of any such waiver, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of each series affected shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively.
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Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist and be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, and not to have occurred for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 4.11. Trustee to Give Notice of Default, But May Withhold in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall give to the Securityholders of any series, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the registry books, notice by mail of all defaults known to the Trustee which have occurred with respect to such series, such notice to be transmitted within the later of 90 days after the occurrence thereof of which a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge or the date on which a Responsible Officer obtains actual knowledge, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “default” or “defaults” for the purposes of this Section being hereby defined to mean any event or condition which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default); provided that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any of the Securities of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders of such series.
Section 4.12. Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder or group of Securityholders of any series holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series, or, in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clauses (d) or (g) of Section 4.01 (if the suit relates to Securities of more than one but less than all series), 10% in aggregate principal amount of Securities Outstanding affected thereby, or in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clauses (d) or (g) (if the suit relates to all the Securities then Outstanding), (e) or (f) of Section 4.01, 10% in aggregate principal amount of all Securities Outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the due date expressed in such Security.
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Article
5
Concerning the Trustee
Section 5.01. Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default. With respect to the Holders of any series of Securities issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a particular series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred with respect to such series, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (which has not been cured or waived) the Trustee shall with respect to such series of Securities exercise 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 man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that
(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:
(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any statements, certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such statements, 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 any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein);
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(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(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 pursuant to Section 4.09 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;
(d) whether or not therein 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; and
(e) in the event that the Trustee is also acting as custodian, note registrar, paying agent, conversion agent or transfer agent hereunder, the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article 5 or elsewhere in this Indenture shall also be afforded to such custodian, note registrar, paying agent, conversion agent or transfer agent.
None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.
The provisions of this Section 5.01 are in furtherance of and subject to Sections 315 and 316 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
Section 5.02. Certain Rights of the Trustee. In furtherance of and subject to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, and subject to Section 5.01:
(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, Officers’ Certificate or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer;
(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
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(d) 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 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 Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered, and if requested provided to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred therein or thereby;
(f) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion, rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(g) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default, 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, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security, or other paper or document unless requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected then Outstanding; provided that, if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding; the reasonable expenses of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuer or, if paid by the Trustee or any predecessor trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuer upon demand;
(h) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys not regularly in its employ and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent, custodian, nominee or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(i) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on an Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel;
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(j) the permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties;
(k) in no event shall the Trustee be liable for any special, indirect, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action; and
(l) Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities, unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Issuer or by any Holder of the Securities at the Corporate Trust Office and such notice states that it is a “Notice of Default.”
Section 5.03. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of any of the Securities or of the proceeds thereof.
Section 5.04. Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities, Etc. The Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent and may otherwise deal with the Issuer and receive, collect, hold and retain collections from the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent.
Section 5.05. Moneys Held by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.04 hereof, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law. Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be under any liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder.
Section 5.06. Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim. The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, compensation (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) and the Issuer covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by or on behalf of it in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all agents and other persons not regularly in its employ) except to the extent any such expense, disbursement or advance may arise from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or the trusts hereunder and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim of liability in the premises, except to the extent such loss, liability or expense is due to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Trustee as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. The obligations of the Issuer under this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional Indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee. Such additional Indebtedness shall be a senior lien to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Securities, and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior lien.
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Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 4.01(e) or Section 4.01(f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.
Section 5.07. Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers’ Certificate, Etc. Subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.02, whenever in the administration of the trusts of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
Section 5.08. Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee. The Trustee for each series of Securities hereunder shall at all times be a corporation having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, and which is eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of a Federal, State or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.
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Section 5.09. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee. (a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign with respect to one or more or all series of Securities by giving written notice of resignation to the Issuer and by mailing notice thereof by first class mail to Holders of the applicable series of Securities at their last addresses as they shall appear on the Security register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees with respect to the applicable series by written instrument in duplicate, executed by authority of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee or trustees. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed with respect to any series and have accepted appointment within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 4.12, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months; or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Securityholder; or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver or liquidator 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, the Issuer may remove the Trustee with respect to the applicable series of Securities and appoint a successor trustee for such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months may on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
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(c) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series and appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the successor trustee so appointed and to the Issuer the evidence provided for in Section 6.01 of the action in that regard taken by the Securityholders.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee with respect to any series and any appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 5.09 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 5.10.
Section 5.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 5.09 shall execute and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee with respect to all or any applicable series shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to such series of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee for such series hereunder; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor trustee, upon payment of its charges then unpaid, the trustee ceasing to act shall, subject to Section 9.04, pay over to the successor trustee all moneys at the time held by it hereunder and shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all such rights, powers, duties and obligations. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Issuer shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a senior lien upon all property or funds held or collected by such trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.06.
If a successor trustee is appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, the predecessor Trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and 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 under separate indentures.
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Upon acceptance of appointment by any successor trustee as provided in this Section 5.10, the Issuer shall mail notice thereof by first-class mail to the Holders of Securities of any series for which such successor trustee is acting as trustee at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security register. If the acceptance of appointment is substantially contemporaneous with the resignation, then the notice called for by the preceding sentence may be combined with the notice called for by Section 5.09. If the Issuer fails to mail such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Issuer.
Section 5.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 5.08, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.
In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities of any series shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and, in case at that time any of the Securities of any series 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 Trustee; and in all such cases such certificate shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities of such series or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities of any series in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 5.12. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer. Reference is made to Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
Section 5.13. Limitation on Rights of Trustee as Creditor. If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Securities under this Indenture), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of the claims against the Issuer (or any such other obligor).
Section 5.14. Reports by the Trustee. Within 60 days after each [ ] beginning with the [ ] following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as any Securities remain outstanding, the Trustee will send to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (but if no event described in such Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be sent). At the time it delivers such report, the Trustee shall deliver a copy thereof to the Company..
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Article
6
Concerning the Securityholders
Section 6.01. Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by a specified percentage in principal amount of the Securityholders of any or all series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such specified percentage of Securityholders in person or by 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. Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 5.01 and 5.02) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Article.
Section 6.02. Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary, or its custodian, or under such Global Securities. The Depositary may be treated by the Issuer, any other obligor upon the Securities, the Trustee and any agent of any of them as the absolute owner of the Global Securities for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, any other obligor upon the Securities, the Trustee or any agent of any of them from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner of any Security. The Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action that a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.
Section 6.03. Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities; Record Date. Subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.02, the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Securities shall be proved by the Security register or by a certificate of the registrar thereof. The Issuer may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of holders of Securities of any series entitled to vote or consent to any action referred to in Section 6.01 which record date may be set at any time or from time to time by notice to the Trustee, for any date or dates (in the case of any adjournment or reconsideration) not more than 60 days nor less than five days prior to the proposed date of such vote or consent, and thereafter, notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, only holders of Securities of such series of record on such record date shall be entitled to so vote or give such consent or revoke such vote or consent.
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Section 6.04. Holders to Be Treated as Owners. The Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name any Security shall be registered upon the Security register for such series as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any such person, or upon his order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Security.
Section 6.05. Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver only Securities which the Trustee knows 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 reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice. Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers’ Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Issuer to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described persons; and, subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.02, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers’ Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.
Section 6.06. Right of Revocation of Action Taken. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 6.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Security the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included among the serial numbers of the Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in this Article, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Security and of any Securities issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon any such Security. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Securities affected by such action.
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Article
7
Supplemental Indentures
Section 7.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders. The Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order), and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Securities of one or more series any property or assets;
(b) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Issuer, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Issuer pursuant to Article 8;
(c) to add to the covenants of the Issuer such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as its Board of Directors and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default;
(d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture; or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture or under any supplemental indenture as the Board of Directors may deem necessary or desirable; provided that no such action shall adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities in any material respect;
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(e) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.03; and
(f) to make provision with respect to the conversion rights, if any, of Holders of Securities pursuant to the requirements of Article 13 hereof; and
(g) 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 5.10.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee 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.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 7.02.
Section 7.02. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 6) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, the Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors, and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, 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 any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series; provided, that no such supplemental indenture shall (a) extend the final maturity of any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 4.02, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for the payment thereof or, if the Securities provide therefor, any right of repayment at the option of the Securityholder without the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected, or adversely affect the right to convert any Security as provided in Article 13, or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities of any series, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Security so affected.
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A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the holders of Securities of any other series.
Upon the request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders as aforesaid and other documents, if any, required by Section 6.01, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Issuer shall mail a notice thereof by first class mail to the Holders of Securities of each series affected thereby at their addresses as they shall appear on the registry books of the Issuer, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture. Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
Section 7.03. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of Securities of each series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 7.04. Documents to Be Given to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 5.01 and 5.02, shall be provided an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, and as conclusive evidence that, any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article 7 complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
Section 7.05. Notation on Securities in Respect of Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee for such series as to any matter provided for by such supplemental indenture. If the Issuer or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of such series then Outstanding.
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Article
8
Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance
Section 8.01. Issuer May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms. The Issuer covenants that it will not merge or consolidate with any other corporation or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, unless (a) either the Issuer shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor corporation or the Person which acquires by sale or conveyance substantially all the assets of the Issuer (if other than the Issuer) shall be a corporation organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof and shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Issuer and shall have provided for conversion rights in accordance with Section 13.11, by supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such corporation, and (b) the Issuer or such successor corporation, as the case may be, shall not, immediately after such merger or consolidation, or such sale or conveyance, be in default in the performance of any such covenant or condition of this Indenture.
Section 8.02. Successor Corporation Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, and following such an assumption by the successor corporation, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for the Issuer, with the same effect as if it had been named herein. Such successor corporation may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Issuer prior to such succession any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor corporation instead of the Issuer and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor corporation thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All of the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
In the event of any such sale or conveyance (other than a conveyance by way of lease) the Issuer or any successor corporation which shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in this Article shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may be liquidated and dissolved.
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Section 8.03. Opinion of Counsel to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 5.01 and 5.02, may receive an Opinion of Counsel, prepared in accordance with Section 10.05, as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, and any such assumption, and any such liquidation or dissolution, complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
Article
9
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Unclaimed Moneys
Section 9.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. If at any time (a) the Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid the principal of and interest on all the Securities of any series Outstanding hereunder (other than Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09) as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or (b) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of any series theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09) or (c)(i) all the Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and (ii) the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Issuer in accordance with Section 9.04) or direct obligations of the United States of America, backed by its full faith and credit (“U.S. Government Obligations”), maturing as to principal and interest in such amounts and at such times as will insure the availability of cash sufficient (in case U.S. Government Obligations have been so deposited, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee) to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Securities of such series (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09) not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and interest due or to become due on or prior to such date of maturity as the case may be, and if, in any such case, the Issuer shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer with respect to Securities of such series, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of such series (except as to (A) rights of registration of transfer and exchange and conversion, if any, of Securities of such series, and the Issuer’s right of optional redemption, if any, (B) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (C) rights of holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration) and remaining rights of the holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (D) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, (E) the rights of the Securityholders of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them and (F) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.02), and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute such instruments reasonably requested by the Issuer acknowledging such satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to such series; provided, that the rights of Holders of the Securities to receive amounts in respect of principal of and interest on the Securities held by them shall not be delayed longer than required by then-applicable mandatory rules or policies of any securities exchange upon which the Securities are listed. The Issuer agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities of such series.
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Section 9.02. Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities. Subject to Section 9.04, all moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Issuer acting as its own paying agent), to the Holders of the particular Securities of such series for the payment or redemption of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal and interest; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 9.03. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or any defeasance under Article 12 with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.
Section 9.04. Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of any series and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such principal or interest shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Issuer and unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Issuer by the Trustee for such series or such paying agent, and the Holder of the Security of such series shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Issuer for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease provided, however, that the Trustee or such paying agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuer cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.
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Article
10
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 10.01. Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any Indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or through the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
Section 10.02. Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Securityholders. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.
Section 10.03. Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 10.04. Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Securityholders. Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities to or on the Issuer may be given or served by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed (until another address of the Issuer is filed by the Issuer with the Trustee) to Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc., 3920 Park Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08820. Any notice, direction, request or demand by the Issuer or any Securityholder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes if in writing and by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed to the Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Eos Energy Notes Administrator or such other office or agency of the Trustee specified by the Trustee. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 10.04 to the contrary, no office of the Trustee shall be an office or agency for service of legal process on the Company. Any notice to the Trustee shall be deemed given when actually received by the Trustee.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder entitled thereto, at his last address as it appears in the Security register. 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.
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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 delivered to the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
Section 10.05. Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificate required by Section 3.05) shall include (a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, information with respect to which is in the possession of the Issuer, upon the certificate, statement or opinion of or representations by an officer of officers of the Issuer, unless such counsel knows that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.
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Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Issuer, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.
Any certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.
Section 10.06. Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. If the date of maturity of interest on or principal of the Securities of any series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any such Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption or repayment, and no interest shall accrue on the payment so deferred for the period after such date.
Section 10.07. Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act of 1939. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by or with another provision (an “incorporated provision”) included in this Indenture by operation of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.
Section 10.08. New York Law to Govern; Jurisdiction. This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract under the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of such State, except as may otherwise be required by mandatory provisions of law. The Company irrevocably consents and agrees, for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Notes and the Trustee, that any legal action, suit or proceeding against it with respect to obligations, liabilities or any other matter arising out of or in connection with this Indenture or the Notes may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, New York and, until amounts due and to become due in respect of the Notes have been paid, hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in personam, generally and unconditionally with respect to any action, suit or proceeding for itself in respect of its properties, assets and revenues.
Section 10.09. Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. When used in herein, the words “execute,” “execution,” “signed” and “signature” and words of similar import used in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Indenture, any Security or any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including amendments, waivers, consents and other modifications) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures and the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature in ink or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as applicable, to the fullest extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Trustee pursuant to reasonable procedures approved by the Trustee.
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Section 10.10. Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 10.11. Separability Clause. In case any provision of 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 10.12. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE ISSUER, EACH SECURITYHOLDER OF THE SECURITIES BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 10.13. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, epidemics or pandemics and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, including the unavailability of the Federal Reserve wire or payment facility; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Article
11
Redemption of Securities and Sinking Funds
Section 11.01. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities of such series.
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Section 11.02. Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of the Issuer shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such Holders of Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the registry books. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security of such series.
The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall specify the principal amount of each Security of such series held by such Holder to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that such redemption is pursuant to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.
The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be redeemed at the option of the Issuer shall be given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer.
On or prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 3.04) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If less than all the Outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee at least 70 days prior to the date on which notice of redemption is to be issued an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair, Securities of such Series to be redeemed in whole or in part. Securities may be redeemed in part in multiples equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series or any multiple thereof. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities of any series shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.
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Section 11.03. Payment of Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue and, except as provided in Sections 5.05 and 9.04, such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided that any semiannual payment of interest becoming due on or prior to the date fixed for redemption shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities registered as such on the relevant record date subject to the terms and provisions of Section 2.04 hereof.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by the Security.
Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Security or Securities of such series, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.
Section 11.04. Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption. Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in a written statement signed by an authorized officer of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee at least 40 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Issuer or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer.
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Section 11.05. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. The date on which a sinking fund payment is to be made is herein referred to as the “sinking fund payment date”.
In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities in cash, the Issuer may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of such series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except upon redemption pursuant to the mandatory sinking fund) by the Issuer or receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10, (b) receive credit for optional sinking fund payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section, (c) receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) redeemed by the Issuer through any optional redemption provision contained in the terms of such series or (d) which have been converted into Common Stock or otherwise acquired by the Issuer pursuant to the terms of such Securities. Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such Securities.
On or before the sixtieth day next preceding each sinking fund payment date for any series, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee a written statement (which need not contain the statements required by Section 10.05) signed by an authorized officer of the Issuer (a) specifying the portion of the mandatory sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion to be satisfied by credit of Securities of such series, (b) stating that none of the Securities of such series has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default with respect to such series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured) and are continuing and (d) stating whether or not the Issuer intends to exercise its right to make an optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series and, if so, specifying the amount of such optional sinking fund payment which the Issuer intends to pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Any Securities of such series to be credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in order for the Issuer to be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10 to the Trustee with such written statement (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee). Such written statement shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Issuer shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payments or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Issuer, on or before any such sixtieth day, to deliver such written statement and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Issuer (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Issuer will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section.
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If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Issuer shall so request) with respect to the Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $50,000 or less and the Issuer makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $50,000 is available. The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 11.02, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said cash, as nearly as may be, and shall (if requested in writing by the Issuer) inform the Issuer of the serial numbers of the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) so selected. The Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer (or the Issuer, if it shall so request the Trustee in writing) shall cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such series to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 11.02 (and with the effect provided in Section 11.03) for the redemption of Securities of such series in part at the option of the Issuer. The amount of any sinking fund payments not so applied or allocated to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Any and all sinking fund moneys held on the stated maturity date of the Securities of any particular series (or earlier, if such maturity is accelerated), which are not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series shall be applied, together with other moneys, if necessary, sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of, and interest on, the Securities of such series at maturity.
On or prior to each sinking fund payment date, the Issuer shall pay to the Trustee in cash or shall otherwise provide for the payment of all interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date.
The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities for such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default except that, where the mailing of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Issuer a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such default or Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article 4 and held for the payment of all such Securities. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 4.10 or the default cured on or before the sixtieth day preceding the sinking fund payment date in any year, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section to the redemption of such Securities.
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Article
12
Defeasance
Section 12.01. Issuer’s Option to Effect Defeasance. The Issuer may at its option, by a resolution of the Board of Directors, at any time, elect to defease the Issuer’s obligations under the Outstanding Securities of any series and this Indenture in accordance with either Section 12.02 or Section 12.03 upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 12. Notwithstanding any such election, the terms of the Securities of such series shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 12.02. Defeasances and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise of the option set forth in Section 12.01 applicable to this Section, and after the expiration of the 90-day (or other) period referred to in clause (f)(ii) of Section 12.04, the Issuer shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series and to have satisfied all its other obligations under the Securities of such series and this Indenture insofar as the Securities of such series are concerned (and the Trustee, upon an Issuer Order and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: ((a) the rights of holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 12.04 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and interest on the Securities of such series when such payments are due, (b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Securities of such series under Sections 2.08, 2.09 and 3.02, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, including but not limited to Article 5, (d) the Issuer’s right of optional redemption, if any, (e) the rights of Holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, and (f) this Article 12. Subject to compliance with this Article 12, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 12.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 12.03 with respect to the Securities of such series.
Section 12.03. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Issuer’s exercise of the option set forth in Section 12.01 applicable to this Section, and after the expiration of the 90-day (or other) period referred to in clause (f)(ii) of Section 12.04, the Issuer shall be released, on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied, from its obligations with respect to the Outstanding Securities of any series under any other covenants established with respect to such series pursuant to Section 2.02(n) (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”). For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series, the Issuer may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section, 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, and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or Event of Default under Section 4.01(d), but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and the Securities of such series shall be unaffected thereby.
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Section 12.04. Conditions to Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 12.02 or Section 12.03 to the Outstanding Securities of any series.
(a) The Issuer shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the holders of Securities of such series (i) money in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest, if any, in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in each case, 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 to pay and discharge the principal of and interest, if any, on the Outstanding Securities of such series on the stated maturity of such principal or interest or earlier date of redemption.
(b) No Event of Default or event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit.
(c) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not cause the Trustee for the Securities of such series to have a conflicting interest as defined in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with respect to any Securities of the Issuer.
(d) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be permitted by, and shall not result in breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound.
(e) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not cause any Securities of such series then listed on any registered national securities exchange under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be delisted.
(f) In the case of an election under Section 12.02, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, (i) the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred, and (ii) that after the passage of 90 days (or such other period of time as then required by the non-insider preference provisions of any applicable federal bankruptcy laws) following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and (iii) that there would not occur any violation of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on the part of the Issuer, the trust funds representing such deposit or the Trustee as a result of such deposit and the related exercise of the Issuer’s election under this Article 12.
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(g) In the case of an election under Section 12.03, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such Opinion shall also cover the matters referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii) of Section 12.04(f).
(h) The Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an irrevocable Issuer Order to apply the monies so deposited towards payment of all indebtedness on the Securities of such series at their stated maturity or earlier date of redemption, and an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to either the defeasance under Section 12.02 or the covenant defeasance under Section 12.03 (as the case may be) have been complied with.
Section 12.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Reinstatement; Miscellaneous. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.04, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.04 in respect of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities of such series and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Issuer acting as its own paying agent), as the Trustee may determine, to the holders of Securities of such series, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Issuer 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 9.01 or 12.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series.
If the Trustee is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.01 or 12.04 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 9.01 or 12.04; provided that if the Issuer has made any payment of principal of or interest on any Securities of such series because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities of such series to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee.
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Article
13
Conversion of Securities
Section 13.01. Applicability; Conversion Privilege and Conversion Price. Securities of any series which are convertible into Common Stock shall be convertible in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.
Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article 13, at the option of the Holder thereof, any Security or any portion of the principal amount thereof which is $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 may be converted at the principal amount thereof, (or, with respect to Original Issue Discount Securities, at the amount determined pursuant to Section 2.03), or of such portion thereof, into fully paid and nonassessable shares (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest one-hundredth of a share) of Common Stock, at the Conversion Price, determined as hereinafter provided, in effect at the time of conversion. Such conversion right shall expire at the close of business on the date specified for Securities of such Series. In case a Security or portion thereof is called for redemption, such conversion right in respect of the Security or portion so called shall expire at the close of business on the date fixed for redemption, unless the Issuer defaults in making the payment due upon redemption.
The price at which shares of Common Stock shall be delivered upon conversion (herein called the “Conversion Price”) shall be the price specified in relation to Securities of such series pursuant to Section 2.03. The Conversion Price shall be adjusted in certain instances as provided in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (g) of Section 13.04.
Section 13.02. Exercise of Conversion Privilege. In order to exercise the conversion privilege, the Holder of any Security to be converted shall surrender such Security, together with the conversion notice duly executed, at any office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 3.02, accompanied by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee at such office or agency that the Holder elects to convert such Security or, if less than the entire principal amount thereof is to be converted, the portion thereof to be converted. Securities or portions thereof surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any regular record date next preceding any interest payment date to the opening of business on such interest payment date shall (unless such Securities or portions thereof have been called for redemption on a redemption date within such period) be accompanied by payment to the Issuer or its order, in New York Clearing House funds or other funds acceptable to the Issuer, of an amount equal to the interest payable on such interest payment date on the principal amount of Securities or portions thereof being surrendered for conversion. No payment or adjustment shall be made upon any conversion on account of any interest accrued on the Securities surrendered for conversion or, except as provided in Section 13.04, on account of any dividends on the Common Stock issued upon conversion.
Securities shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the day of surrender of such Securities for conversion in accordance with the foregoing provisions, and at such time the rights of the Holders of such Securities as Holders shall cease, and the Person or Persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Common Stock at such time. As promptly as practicable on or after the conversion date, the Issuer shall issue and shall deliver at such office or agency a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion, together with payment in lieu of any fraction of a share, as provided in Section 13.03.
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In the case of any Security which is converted in part only, upon such conversion the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations in aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the principal amount of such Security.
Section 13.03. Fractions of Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of Securities. If more than one Security shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares which shall be issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions thereof) so surrendered. Instead of any fractional share of Common Stock which would otherwise be issuable upon conversion of any Security or Securities (or specified portions thereof), the Issuer shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fraction in an amount equal to the same fraction of the market price (determined as provided in the last sentence of paragraph (f) of Section 13.04) at the close of business on the day of conversion.
Section 13.04. Adjustment of Conversion Price. (a) In case the Issuer shall pay or make a dividend or other distribution on any class of capital stock of the Issuer in Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and the denominator shall be the sum of such number of shares and the total number of shares constituting such dividend or other distribution, such reduction to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination. For the purposes of this paragraph (a), the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Issuer but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Issuer will not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Issuer.
(b) In case the Issuer shall issue rights or warrants to all holders of its Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the market price (determined as provided in paragraph (f) of this Section) of the Common Stock on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination plus the number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate of the offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase would purchase at such market price and the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination plus the number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase, such reduction to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination. For the purposes of this paragraph (b), the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Issuer but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Issuer will not issue any rights or warrants in respect of shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Issuer.
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(c) In case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately reduced, and, conversely, in case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall each be combined into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such combination becomes effective shall be proportionately increased, such reduction or increase, as the case may be, to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective.
(d) In case the Issuer shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness or assets (including securities, but excluding any rights or warrants referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section, any dividend or distribution paid in cash out of the retained earnings of the Issuer and any dividend or distribution referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section), the Conversion Price shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the market price per share (determined as provided in paragraph (f) of this Section) of the Common Stock on the date fixed for such determination, reduced by the then fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a resolution of the Board of Directors filed with the Trustee) of the portion of the assets or evidence of indebtedness so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock and the denominator shall be such market price per share of the Common Stock, such adjustment to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution.
(e) The reclassification of Common Stock into securities including other than Common Stock (other than any reclassification upon a consolidation or merger to which Section 13.11 applies) shall be deemed to involve (a) a distribution of such securities other than Common Stock to all holders of Common Stock (and the effective date of such reclassification shall be deemed to be “the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution” and “the date fixed for such determination”) within the meaning of paragraph (d) of this Section, and (b) a subdivision or combination, as the case may be, of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such reclassification into the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately thereafter (and the effective date of such reclassification shall be deemed to be “the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective” or “the day upon which such combination becomes effective”, as the case may be, and “the day upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective” within the meaning of paragraph (c) of this Section).
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(f) For the purpose of any computation under paragraphs (b) and (d) of this Section, the market price on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily market prices for the ten consecutive Business Days selected by the Issuer commencing not less than ten nor more than 80 Business Days before the day in question. The closing price for each day shall be the last reported sales price regular way on the composite tape or, in case no such reported sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices regular way, in either case on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on such Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm selected from time to time by the Issuer for that purpose.
(g) The Issuer may make such reductions in the Conversion Price, in addition to those required by paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section, as it considers to be advisable in order that any event treated for Federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights shall not be taxable to the recipients.
Section 13.05. Notice of Adjustments of Conversion Price. Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted as herein provided:
(a) the Issuer shall compute the adjusted Conversion Price in accordance with Section 13.04 and shall prepare a certificate signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller or an Assistant Controller of the Issuer setting forth the adjusted Conversion Price and showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall forthwith be filed with the Trustee and at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of Securities pursuant to Section 3.02; and
(b) a notice stating that the Conversion Price has been adjusted and setting forth the adjusted Conversion Price shall forthwith be required, and as soon as practicable after it is required, such notice shall be prepared by the Issuer, delivered to the Trustee and mailed by the Issuer to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security register.
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Section 13.06. Notice of Certain Corporate Action. In case:
(a) the Issuer shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on Common Stock payable otherwise than in cash out of its retained earnings; or
(b) the Issuer shall authorize the granting to the holders of Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any other rights; or
(c) of any reclassification of the Common Stock (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common Stock), or of any consolidation or merger to which the Issuer is a party and for which approval of any stockholders of the Issuer is required, or of the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer; or
(d) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Issuer;
then the Issuer shall cause to be filed with the Trustee and at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of Securities pursuant to Section 3.02, and shall cause to be mailed to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security register, at least 20 days (or ten days in any case specified in clause (a) or (b) above) prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, rights or warrants, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, rights or warrants are to be determined, or (y) the date on which such reclassification, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. The failure to give notice required by this Section or any defect therein shall not affect the legality or validity of any dividend, distribution, rights, warrants, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up, or the vote on any such action.
Section 13.07. Issuer to Reserve Common Stock. The Issuer shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from pre-emptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities, the full number of shares of Common Stock then issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding Securities.
Section 13.08. Taxes on Conversions. The Issuer will pay any and all transfer taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on conversion of Securities pursuant thereto. The Issuer shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that of the Holder of the Security or Securities to be converted, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the Person requesting such issue has paid to the Issuer the amount of any such tax, or has established to the satisfaction of the Issuer that such tax has been paid. The conversion agent or the Issuer’s stock transfer agent, as applicable, may refuse to deliver the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock being issued in a name other than the Securityholder’s name until the Trustee receives a sum sufficient to pay any tax that is due by such Securityholder in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence.
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Section 13.09. Covenant as to Common Stock. The Issuer covenants that all shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon conversion of Securities will upon issue be fully paid and nonassessable.
Section 13.10. Cancellation of Converted Securities. All Securities delivered for conversion shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and the Trustee shall dispose of the same as provided in Section 2.10.
Section 13.11. Provisions in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets. In case of any consolidation of the Issuer with, or merger of the Issuer into, any other corporation, any merger of another corporation into the Issuer (other than a merger which does not result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Issuer) or any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer, the corporation formed by such consolidation or resulting from such merger or which acquires such assets, as the case may be, shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture providing that the Holder of each Security then outstanding shall have the right thereafter, during the period such Security shall be convertible as specified in Section 13.01, to convert such Security only into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Issuer into which such Security might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer, assuming such holder of Common Stock of the Issuer (a) is not a corporation with which the Issuer consolidated or into which the Issuer merged or which merged into the Issuer or to which such sale or transfer was made, as the case may be (“constituent corporation”), or an affiliate of a constituent corporation and (b) failed to exercise his rights of election, if any, as to the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer (provided that if the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer is not the same for each share of Common Stock of the Issuer held immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer by others than a constituent corporation or an affiliate thereof and in respect of which such rights of election shall not have been exercised (“non-electing share”), then for the purpose of this Section the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer by each non-electing share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the non-electing shares). Such supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which, for events subsequent to the effective date of such supplemental indenture, shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article. The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers, sales or transfers.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.
| EOS ENERGY ENTERPRISES, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Exhibit 5.1
 |
Davis Polk & Wardwell llp 450 Lexington
Avenue davispolk.com |
| December 1, 2023 | |
| Re: | Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. 3920 Park Avenue Edison, New Jersey 08820 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (a) shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) of the Company; (b) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company; (c) the Company’s senior debt securities (the “Senior Debt Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to an indenture, between the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) (the “Senior Notes Indenture”);(d) warrants of the Company (the “Warrants”), which may be issued under one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Warrant Agent”); (e) units (the “Units”) to be issued under one or more unit agreements to be entered into among the Company, a bank or trust company, as unit agent (the “Unit Agent”), and the holders from time to time of the Units (each such unit agreement, a “Unit Agreement”); (f) the Company’s 5%/6% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 (the “Secondary Convertible Debt Securities”), which were previously issued to Spring Creek Capital LLC pursuant to an indenture, dated April 7, 2022, between the Company and the Trustee (the “Convertible Debt Indenture”) and the Investment Agreement dated as of July 6, 2021 (the “Investment Agreement”) between the Company and Spring Creek Capital, LLC; (g) additional Secondary Convertible Debt Securities, which may be issued to pay interest in kind on the Secondary Convertible Debt Securities pursuant to the Convertible Debt Indenture and the Investment Agreement between the Company and Spring Creek Capital, LLC (the “Secondary Convertible PIK Debt Securities”); and (h) shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Secondary Conversion Shares”) of the Company issuable upon conversion of the Secondary Convertible Debt Securities on the terms set forth therein.
We, as your counsel, have examined originals or copies of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion.
In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have, without independent inquiry or investigation, assumed that (i) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, (ii) all documents submitted to us as copies conform to authentic, complete originals, (iii) all documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that have not been executed will conform to the forms thereof, (iv) all signatures on all documents that we reviewed are genuine, (v) all natural persons executing documents had and have the legal capacity to do so, (vi) all statements in certificates of public officials and officers of the Company that we reviewed were and are accurate and (vii) all representations made by the Company as to matters of fact in the documents that we reviewed were and are accurate.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the additional assumptions and qualifications set forth below, we advise you that, in our opinion:
| 1. | When the necessary corporate action on the part of the Company has been taken to authorize the issuance and sale of such shares of Common Stock proposed to be sold by the Company, and when such shares of Common Stock are issued and delivered in accordance with the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor (in excess of par value thereof) or upon conversion or exercise of any security offered under the Registration Statement (the “Offered Security”), in accordance with the terms of such Offered Security or the instrument governing such Offered Security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, for the consideration approved by such Board of Directors (which consideration is not less than the par value of the Common Stock), such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully-paid and non-assessable. |
| 2. | Upon designation of the relative rights, preferences and limitations of any series of Preferred Stock by the Board of Directors of the Company and the proper filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of a Certificate of Designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock, all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company will have been taken to authorize the issuance and sale of such series of Preferred Stock proposed to be sold by the Company, and when such shares of Preferred Stock are issued and delivered in accordance with the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor (in excess of par value thereof), such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
| 3. | When the Senior Notes Indenture and any supplemental indenture to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Senior Debt Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee and the Company; the specific terms of a particular series of Senior Debt Securities have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Senior Notes Indenture; and such Senior Debt Securities have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the Senior Notes Indenture and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Senior Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, provided that we express no opinion as to the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of any provision that permits holders to collect any portion of stated principal amount upon acceleration of the Senior Debt Securities to the extent determined to constitute unearned interest. |
| 4. | When the Warrant Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Warrant Agent and the Company; the specific terms of the Warrants have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Warrant Agreement; and such Warrants have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability. |
| 5. | When the Unit Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Units has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Unit Agent and the Company; the specific terms of the Units have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Unit Agreement; and such Units have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Unit Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability. |
| 6. | The Secondary Convertible Debt Securities were duly authorized and such Secondary Convertible Debt Securities constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, provided that we express no opinion as to the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of any provision that permits holders to collect any portion of stated principal amount upon acceleration of the Secondary Convertible Debt Securities to the extent determined to constitute unearned interest. |
| 7. | The Secondary Convertible PIK Debt Securities have been duly authorized and, when delivered by the Trustee and the Company and such Secondary Convertible PIK Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the Convertible Debt Indenture and the Investment Agreement, such Secondary Convertible PIK Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, provided that we express no opinion as to the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of any provision that permits holders to collect any portion of stated principal amount upon acceleration of the Secondary Convertible PIK Debt Securities to the extent determined to constitute unearned interest. |
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| 8. | The Secondary Conversion Shares have been duly authorized and, when the Secondary Conversion Shares are issued and delivered upon conversion of the Secondary Convertible Debt Securities in accordance with the terms of such Secondary Convertible Debt Securities and the Convertible Debt Indenture, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully-paid and non-assessable. |
In connection with the opinions expressed above, we have assumed that, at or prior to the time of the delivery of any such security, (i) the Board of Directors of the Company shall have duly established the terms of such security and duly authorized the issuance and sale of such security and such authorization shall not have been modified or rescinded; (ii) the Company shall remain, validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; (iii) the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded; and (iv) the Senior Notes Indenture, the Senior Debt Securities, the Warrant Agreement, the Unit Agreement, the Convertible Debt Indenture and the Secondary Convertible Debt Securities are each valid, binding and enforceable agreements of each party thereto (other than as expressly covered above in respect of the Company); and (v) there shall not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity or enforceability of such security. We have also assumed that (i) the terms of any security whose terms are established subsequent to the date hereof and the issuance, execution, delivery and performance by the Company of any such security (a) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official and (b) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or public policy or regulation or any judgment, injunction, order or decree or any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company and (ii) any Warrant Agreement and Unit Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York..
We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement referred to above and further consent to the reference to our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus, which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ Davis Polk & Wardwell | |
| December 1, 2023 |
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Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 28, 2023 relating to the financial statements of Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”), appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2022. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, NY
December 1, 2023
Exhibit 25.1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
☐ Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
Kyle Barry
Senior Vice President
Wilmington Trust Company
285 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 839-6909
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
EOS Energy Enterprises, Inc.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter) | ||
| Delaware | 84-4290188 | |
| (State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.) | |
3920 Park Avenue
Edison, New Jersey 08820
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Senior Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3 – 15. Not applicable.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
| 1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association. |
| 2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4of this Form T-1. |
| 5. | Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of Wilmington Trust, National Association as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 of this Form T-1. |
| 7. | Current Report of the Condition of Wilmington Trust, National Association, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 of this Form T-1. |
| 8. | Not applicable. |
| 9. | Not applicable. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Minneapolis and State of Minnesota on the 1st day of December, 2023.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Barry D. Somrock | |
| Name: | Barry D. Somrock | |
| Title: | Vice President | |
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EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| 1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
| 2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director's term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
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FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| 1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
| 2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
| 3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
| 4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
| 5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director's removal.
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FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association's stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
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SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors' and shareholders' meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| 1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| 4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| 5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| 6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association's management or committees of the board. |
| 7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
| 8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
| 9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
| 10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
| 11) | Make contracts. |
| 12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
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EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
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In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association's board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
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EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
(Effective as of September 12, 2023)
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated by the chair of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors for the purpose of the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, except such date shall not be a legal holiday in Delaware. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his or her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the Board of Directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. The chair of the Board of Directors, the president, the chief executive officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders. A special meeting shall be called to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The Board of Directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
Section 3. Adjournment. If an annual or special shareholders' meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
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Section 4. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association, not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| (1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
| (2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
| (3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
| (4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
| (5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chair of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, all votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded.
Section 5. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. A director or an attorney of the association may act as proxy for shareholders voting if they are not also employed as an officer of the association. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
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ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof. The Board of Directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which: (a) exceeds by more than 2 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or (b) exceeds by more than 4 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit.
Section 3. Qualifications. Each director must be a citizen of the United States and must own in his or her own right either shares of the capital stock of the association or a company that controls the association that has not less than an aggregate par value of $1,000, an aggregate shareholders’ equity of $1,000, or an aggregate fair market value of $1,000. The value of the common or preferred stock held by a director is valued as of the date purchased or the date on which the individual became a director, whichever is greater.
Section 4. Organization Meeting. After each annual meeting of shareholders at which directors shall have been elected, the Board of Directors shall meet as soon as practicable for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business. Such first regular meeting shall be held at any place as may be designated by the chair, the president or the Board of Directors for such first regular meeting or, in default of such designation, where the immediately preceding meeting of shareholders was held.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such places as may be designated from time to time by the chair. No notice of regular meetings shall be necessary.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the chair, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the then- acting directors by vote at a meeting or in writing, or by a majority of the members of the executive committee, if one is constituted, by vote at a meeting or in writing. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, such meeting shall be held at such place as may be designated in the call. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be given notice stating the date, time and place, by letter, electronic delivery or in person, of each special meeting not less than one day before the meeting. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called, unless required by the Articles of Association or the bylaws.
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Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the entire Board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 11. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance. No director may vote by proxy.
Section 8. Attendance by Electronic, Telephonic or Similar Means. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a regular or special meeting of such board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all directors or committee members participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.
Section 9. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the Board of Directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 10. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the shareholders. Any director may be removed without cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the association entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the directors, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors may appoint a director to fill such vacancy until the next election at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 12. Consent of Directors without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board. The action may be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records. A director’s consent to action taken without a meeting may be in electronic form and delivered by electronic means.
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Section 13. Ratification. The board of directors may ratify and make binding on the association any action or inaction by the association or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter and as permitted by law. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee, which shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the association except as prohibited by law, the Articles of Association or these Bylaws. All acts done and powers conferred by the Executive Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Trust Audit Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the Board of Directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the Board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the association’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Section 3. Examining Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
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Section 4. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than three (3) directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more directors as alternative members of a committee. All acts done and powers conferred by the Board of Directors on committees of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under that authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Delegation of Responsibility and Authority. The responsibility, authority and constitution of any committee under this Article III may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted committee of the association’s parent corporation by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1 Officers. The Board of Directors shall annually, at the Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders, appoint or elect a chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a president, one or more vice presidents however denominated, a corporate secretary, a treasurer, a chief auditor, and such other officers as it may determine. At the Annual Reorganization Meeting, the Board of Directors shall also elect or reelect all of the officers of the association to hold office until the next Annual Reorganization Meeting. In the interim between Annual Reorganization Meetings, the officers of the association may be elected as follows and shall hold office until the next Annual Reorganization Meeting unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors or such authorized officer(s): The head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank or his or her designee or designees, may appoint officers up to and including the rank of senior executive vice president, including (without limitation as to title or number) one or more executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers and assistant auditors, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate, except the chair of the board, chief executive officer, president, any “Executive Officer” of the association for the purposes of Regulation O (codified at 12 C.F.R. §215.2(e)(1)), and any “Senior Executive Officer” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. §5.51(c)(4) may only be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chair of the Board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. President. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. The president shall be a member of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the chair, the president shall preside at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these Bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Vice President. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. One vice president shall be designated by the Board of Directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The Board of Directors shall appoint a secretary or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the Board of Directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the Board of Directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chair of the Board, or the president. The Board of Directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder's shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The Board of Directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
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Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually, by facsimile process, or electronic means by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed and otherwise comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 52 and 12 C.F.R. §7.2016(b).
Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In case any certificate representing shares shall be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or any officer or officers thereunder duly authorized by the Board of Directors, may authorize the issue of a substitute certificate or substitute shares in uncertificated form in the place of the certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall be the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 10 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by any officer elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this Section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these Bylaws.
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Section 3. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and standing committees of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the association in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under the Articles of Association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution- affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these Bylaws and (b) approval by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by shareholders. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the shareholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
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In the event that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the Board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the Board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in the Articles of Association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these Bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these Bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s Articles of Association, these Bylaws, a resolution of shareholders, a resolution of the Board of Directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its Board of Directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these Bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution- affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The Board of Directors shall have the power, at any regular or special meeting thereof, to amend, alter or repeal the bylaws of the association, or to make and adopt new bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the shareholders of the association to the extent and as permitted in the Articles of Association or applicable law.
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EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | |||
| Dated: December 1, 2023 | By: | /s/ Barry D. Somrock | |
| Name: | Barry D. Somrock | ||
| Title: | Vice President | ||
EXHIBIT 7
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2023
| ASSETS | Thousands of Dollars | |||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: | 525,125 | |||
| Securities: | 5,630 | |||
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: | 0 | |||
| Loans and leases held for sale: | 0 | |||
| Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: | 47,106 | |||
| Premises and fixed asset | 31,704 | |||
| Other real estate owned: | 0 | |||
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: | 0 | |||
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: | 0 | |||
| Intangible assets: | 0 | |||
| Other assets: | 62,016 | |||
| Total Assets: | 671,581 | |||
| LIABILITIES | Thousands of Dollars | |||
| Deposits | 8,675 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: | 0 | |||
| Other Liabilities: | 87,909 | |||
| Total Liabilities | 96,584 | |||
| EQUITY CAPITAL | Thousands of Dollars | |||
| Common Stock | 1,000 | |||
| Surplus | 344,089 | |||
| Retained Earnings | 230,252 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | (344 | ) | ||
| Total Equity Capital | 574,997 | |||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital | 671,581 | |||
Exhibit 25.2
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
☐ Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
Kyle Barry
Senior Vice President
Wilmington Trust Company
285 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 839-6909
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
EOS Energy Enterprises, Inc.
|
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter) | ||
| Delaware | 84-4290188 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
3920 Park Avenue
Edison, New Jersey 08820
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
5%/6% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes Due 2026
(Title of the indenture securities)
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3 – 15. Not applicable.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
| 1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association. | |
| 2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. | |
| 3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. | |
| 4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4of this Form T-1. | |
| 5. | Not applicable. | |
| 6. | The consent of Wilmington Trust, National Association as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 of this Form T-1. | |
| 7. | Current Report of the Condition of Wilmington Trust, National Association, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 of this Form T-1. | |
| 8. | Not applicable. | |
| 9. | Not applicable. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Minneapolis and State of Minnesota on the 1st day of December, 2023.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | |||
| By: | /s/ Barry D. Somrock | ||
| Name: | Barry D. Somrock | ||
| Title: | Vice President | ||
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EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit.resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| 1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or | |
| 2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director's term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
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In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| 1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. | |
| 2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. | |
| 3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. | |
| 4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. | |
| 5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director's removal.
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FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association's stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
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SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors' and shareholders' meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| 1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. | |
| 2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. | |
| 3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. | |
| 4) | Dismiss officers and employees. | |
| 5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. | |
| 6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association's management or committees of the board. | |
| 7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. | |
| 8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. | |
| 9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. | |
| 10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. | |
| 11) | Make contracts. | |
| 12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
5
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
6
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association's board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
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EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
(Effective as of September 12, 2023)
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated by the chair of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors for the purpose of the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, except such date shall not be a legal holiday in Delaware. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his or her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the Board of Directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. The chair of the Board of Directors, the president, the chief executive officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders. A special meeting shall be called to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The Board of Directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
Section 3. Adjournment. If an annual or special shareholders' meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
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Section 4. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association, not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| (1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
| (2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
| (3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
| (4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
| (5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chair of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, all votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded.
Section 5. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. A director or an attorney of the association may act as proxy for shareholders voting if they are not also employed as an officer of the association. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
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ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof. The Board of Directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which: (a) exceeds by more than 2 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or (b) exceeds by more than 4 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit.
Section 3. Qualifications. Each director must be a citizen of the United States and must own in his or her own right either shares of the capital stock of the association or a company that controls the association that has not less than an aggregate par value of $1,000, an aggregate shareholders’ equity of $1,000, or an aggregate fair market value of $1,000. The value of the common or preferred stock held by a director is valued as of the date purchased or the date on which the individual became a director, whichever is greater.
Section 4. Organization Meeting. After each annual meeting of shareholders at which directors shall have been elected, the Board of Directors shall meet as soon as practicable for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business. Such first regular meeting shall be held at any place as may be designated by the chair, the president or the Board of Directors for such first regular meeting or, in default of such designation, where the immediately preceding meeting of shareholders was held.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such places as may be designated from time to time by the chair. No notice of regular meetings shall be necessary.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the chair, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the then- acting directors by vote at a meeting or in writing, or by a majority of the members of the executive committee, if one is constituted, by vote at a meeting or in writing. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, such meeting shall be held at such place as may be designated in the call. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be given notice stating the date, time and place, by letter, electronic delivery or in person, of each special meeting not less than one day before the meeting. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called, unless required by the Articles of Association or the bylaws.
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Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the entire Board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 11. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance. No director may vote by proxy.
Section 8. Attendance by Electronic, Telephonic or Similar Means. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a regular or special meeting of such board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all directors or committee members participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.
Section 9. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the Board of Directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 10. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the shareholders. Any director may be removed without cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the association entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the directors, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors may appoint a director to fill such vacancy until the next election at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 12. Consent of Directors without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board. The action may be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records. A director’s consent to action taken without a meeting may be in electronic form and delivered by electronic means.
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Section 13. Ratification. The board of directors may ratify and make binding on the association any action or inaction by the association or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter and as permitted by law. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee, which shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the association except as prohibited by law, the Articles of Association or these Bylaws. All acts done and powers conferred by the Executive Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Trust Audit Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the Board of Directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the Board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the association’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Section 3. Examining Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
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Section 4. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than three (3) directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more directors as alternative members of a committee. All acts done and powers conferred by the Board of Directors on committees of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under that authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Delegation of Responsibility and Authority. The responsibility, authority and constitution of any committee under this Article III may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted committee of the association’s parent corporation by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1 Officers. The Board of Directors shall annually, at the Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders, appoint or elect a chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a president, one or more vice presidents however denominated, a corporate secretary, a treasurer, a chief auditor, and such other officers as it may determine. At the Annual Reorganization Meeting, the Board of Directors shall also elect or reelect all of the officers of the association to hold office until the next Annual Reorganization Meeting. In the interim between Annual Reorganization Meetings, the officers of the association may be elected as follows and shall hold office until the next Annual Reorganization Meeting unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors or such authorized officer(s): The head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank or his or her designee or designees, may appoint officers up to and including the rank of senior executive vice president, including (without limitation as to title or number) one or more executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers and assistant auditors, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate, except the chair of the board, chief executive officer, president, any “Executive Officer” of the association for the purposes of Regulation O (codified at 12 C.F.R. §215.2(e)(1)), and any “Senior Executive Officer” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. §5.51(c)(4) may only be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chair of the Board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. President. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. The president shall be a member of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the chair, the president shall preside at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these Bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Vice President. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. One vice president shall be designated by the Board of Directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The Board of Directors shall appoint a secretary or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the Board of Directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the Board of Directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chair of the Board, or the president. The Board of Directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder's shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The Board of Directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
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Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually, by facsimile process, or electronic means by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed and otherwise comply with the requirements of 12
U.S.C. 52 and 12 C.F.R. §7.2016(b).
Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In case any certificate representing shares shall be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or any officer or officers thereunder duly authorized by the Board of Directors, may authorize the issue of a substitute certificate or substitute shares in uncertificated form in the place of the certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall be the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 10 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by any officer elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this Section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these Bylaws.
Section 3. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and standing committees of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
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Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the association in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under the Articles of Association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution- affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these Bylaws and (b) approval by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by shareholders. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the shareholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
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In the event that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the Board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the Board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in the Articles of Association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these Bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these Bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s Articles of Association, these Bylaws, a resolution of shareholders, a resolution of the Board of Directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its Board of Directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these Bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution- affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The Board of Directors shall have the power, at any regular or special meeting thereof, to amend, alter or repeal the bylaws of the association, or to make and adopt new bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the shareholders of the association to the extent and as permitted in the Articles of Association or applicable law.
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EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | |||
| Dated: December 1, 2023 | By: | /s/ Barry D. Somrock | |
| Name: | Barry D. Somrock | ||
| Title: | Vice President | ||
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EXHIBIT 7
REPORT OF CONDITION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2023
| ASSETS | Thousands of Dollars | |||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: | 525,125 | |||
| Securities: | 5,630 | |||
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: | 0 | |||
| Loans and leases held for sale: | 0 | |||
| Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: | 47,106 | |||
| Premises and fixed asset | 31,704 | |||
| Other real estate owned: | 0 | |||
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: | 0 | |||
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: | 0 | |||
| Intangible assets: | 0 | |||
| Other assets: | 62,016 | |||
| Total Assets: | 671,581 | |||
| LIABILITIES | Thousands of Dollars | |||
| Deposits | 8,675 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: | 0 | |||
| Other Liabilities: | 87,909 | |||
| Total Liabilities | 96,584 | |||
| EQUITY CAPITAL | Thousands of Dollars | |||
| Common Stock | 1,000 | |||
| Surplus | 344,089 | |||
| Retained Earnings | 230,252 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | (344 | ) | ||
| Total Equity Capital | 574,997 | |||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital | 671,581 | |||