First Community Corp S-3, filed Dec 18, 2024
First Community Corp (FCCO)
As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 18, 2024.
Registration No. 333-___________
| UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 | |
| FORM
S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | |
| FIRST
COMMUNITY CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | |
| South
Carolina (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
57-1010751 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
5455 Sunset Blvd. Lexington, South Carolina 29072 (803)
951-2265 | |
Michael C. Crapps President and Chief Executive Officer First Community Corporation 5455 Sunset Blvd. Lexington, South Carolina 29072 (803)
951-2265 | |
Copies to: Brittany M. McIntosh John M. Jennings Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP 2 West Washington Street, Suite 400 Greenville, South Carolina 29601 (864) 373-2326 | |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
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. x
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. o
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. o
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. o
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. o
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 | o | Accelerated filer | o |
| Non-accelerated filer | x | Smaller reporting company | x |
| Emerging growth company | o |
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. o
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 this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus is included in a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it 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 18, 2024
PROSPECTUS
$75,000,000
Common
Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants, Depositary Shares, |
In this prospectus, unless the context suggests otherwise, references to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean the combined business of First Community Corporation and its subsidiary bank, First Community Bank (the “Bank”).
We may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, and in any combination up to a total initial offering price not exceeding $75,000,000:
· common stock;
· preferred stock;
· debt securities;
· warrants;
· depositary shares;
· subscription rights;
· stock purchase contracts;
· stock purchase units; and
· units.
This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer them. We will offer the securities in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of our offering. Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the securities and their terms, the manner in which we will offer them for sale and the net proceeds that we will receive from securities sales.
For more detail, see “Description of Common Stock,” “Description of Preferred Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Warrants,” Description of Depositary Shares,” “Description of Subscription Rights,” “Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units” and “Description of Units.”
We may offer and sell these securities directly to you, or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents that we select. If we use underwriters, dealers or agents to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. Our net proceeds will be the public offering price minus any applicable agent’s commissions, underwriter’s discounts and other offering expenses.
Our common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the trading symbol “FCCO.” On December 17, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $25.95. We have not yet determined whether any of the other securities that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus will be listed on any exchange. If we decide to do so, a prospectus supplement relating to such securities will identify the exchange or market on which they will be listed.
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors referred to on page 2 of this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus before investing in any of our securities.
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus is dated December 18, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer or sell securities in one or more offerings, on a continuous or delayed basis, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus.
This prospectus provides you with only a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer and sell securities using this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement and attach it to this prospectus and may also provide you with a free writing prospectus. The prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus will contain more specific information about the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Any information or statement contained in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded by any inconsistent information or statement contained in a prospectus supplement. Accordingly, if there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any documents that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information referred to under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before you invest.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO SELL ANY SECURITIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We are not making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make the offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of that document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
The registration statement that contains this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement, also contains additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. You can find the registration statement at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Unless otherwise indicated, currency amounts in this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement are stated in United States dollars.
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CAUTIONARY Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement (including the documents and information incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement) and any free writing prospectus that we may provide to you in connection with an offering of our securities described in this prospectus may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. You can identify these statements because they are not limited to historical fact or they use words such as “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “possible,” “likely” or other indications that the particular statements are not historical facts. Examples of forward-looking statements would include statements with respect to management’s current beliefs and expectations regarding future plans, strategies and financial performance, regulatory developments, industry and economic trends, and other matters.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors (including, without limitation, those referred to herein under “Risk Factors”) that may change at any time and may cause our actual results to differ materially from those that we expected. We derive many of these statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based on many detailed assumptions that we believe are reasonable. However, it is very difficult to predict the effect of known factors on future results, and we cannot anticipate all factors that could affect future results that may be important to you. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
| · | credit losses as a result of, among other potential factors, declining real estate values, increasing interest rates, increasing unemployment, or changes in customer payment behavior or other factors; |
| · | the amount of our loan portfolio collateralized by real estate and weaknesses in the real estate market; |
| · | restrictions or conditions imposed by our regulators on our operations; |
| · | the adequacy of the level of our allowance for credit losses and the amount of credit loss provisions required in future periods; |
| · | examinations by our regulatory authorities, including the possibility that the regulatory authorities may, among other things, require us to increase our allowance for credit losses, write-down assets, or take other actions; |
| · | risks associated with actual or potential information gatherings, investigations or legal proceedings by customers, regulatory agencies or others; |
| · | reduced earnings due to higher credit impairment charges resulting from additional decline in the value of our securities portfolio, specifically as a result of increasing default rates, and loss severities on the underlying real estate collateral; |
| · | increases in competitive pressure in the banking and financial services industries; |
| · | changes in the interest rate environment, which are affected by many factors beyond our control, including inflation, recession, unemployment, money supply, domestic and international events and changes in the United States and other financial markets, and that could reduce anticipated or actual margins; temporarily reduce the market value of our available-for-sale investment securities and temporarily reduce accumulated other comprehensive income or increase accumulated other comprehensive loss, which temporarily could reduce shareholders’ equity; |
| · | enterprise risk management may not be effective in mitigating risk and reducing the potential for losses; |
| · | changes in political conditions or the legislative or regulatory environment, including governmental initiatives affecting the financial services industry, including as a result of the presidential administration and congressional elections; |
| · | general economic conditions resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality; |
| · | changes occurring in business conditions and inflation, including the impact of inflation on us, including a decrease in demand for new mortgage loan and commercial real estate loan originations and refinancings, an increase in competition for deposits, and an increase in non-interest expense, which may have an adverse impact on our financial performance; |
| · | changes in access to funding or increased regulatory requirements with regard to funding, which could impair our liquidity; |
| · | FDIC assessment which has increased, and may continue to increase, our cost of doing business; |
| · | cybersecurity risk related to our dependence on internal computer systems and the technology of outside service providers, as well as the potential impacts of third party security breaches, which subject us to potential business disruptions or financial losses resulting from deliberate attacks or unintentional events; |
| · | changes in deposit flows, which may be negatively affected by a number of factors, including rates paid by competitors, general interest rate levels, regulatory capital requirements, and returns available to customers on alternative investments; |
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| · | changes in technology, including the increasing use of artificial intelligence; |
| · | our current and future products, services, applications and functionality and plans to promote them; |
| · | changes in monetary and tax policies, including potential changes in tax laws and regulations; |
| · | changes in accounting standards, policies, estimates and practices as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; |
| · | our assumptions and estimates used in applying critical accounting policies, which may prove unreliable, inaccurate or not predictive of actual results; |
| · | the rate of delinquencies and amounts of loans charged-off; |
| · | the rate of loan growth in recent years and the lack of seasoning of a portion of our loan portfolio; |
| · | our ability to maintain appropriate levels of capital, including levels of capital required under the capital rules implementing Basel III; |
| · | our ability to successfully execute our business strategy; |
| · | our ability to attract and retain key personnel; |
| · | our ability to retain our existing customers, including our deposit relationships; |
| · | any use of brokered deposits which may be an unstable and/or an expensive deposit source to fund earning asset growth; |
| · | our ability to obtain brokered deposits as an additional funding source could be limited; |
| · | adverse changes in asset quality and resulting credit risk-related losses and expenses; |
| · | the potential effects of events beyond our control that may have a destabilizing effect on financial markets and the economy, such as epidemics and pandemics (including COVID-19), war or terrorist activities, disruptions in our customers’ supply chains, disruptions in transportation, essential utility outages or trade disputes and related tariffs; |
| · | disruptions due to flooding, severe weather or other natural disasters; and |
| · | additional factors that may be disclosed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and under the caption “Risk Factors” or any similar caption in the other documents that we have filed or subsequently file with the SEC that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus as described below under “Incorporation by Reference” and in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus that is provided to you in connection with an offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus. |
All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by these and other cautionary statements that we make from time to time in our other SEC filings and public communications. You should evaluate forward-looking statements in the context of these risks and uncertainties and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Please keep this cautionary note in mind as you read this prospectus, the documents incorporated and deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and any prospectus supplement and free writing prospectus that we may provide to you in connection with an offering.
We caution you that the important factors referenced above may not contain all of the factors that are important to you. We cannot assure you that we will realize the results, performance or developments we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our operations in the way we expect. Forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation, and specifically disclaim any duty, to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
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First Community Corporation, a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, was incorporated under the laws of South Carolina in November 1994 primarily to own and control all of the capital stock of First Community Bank, which commenced operations in August 1995. The Bank’s primary federal regulator is the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). The Bank is also regulated and examined by the South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions (the “S.C. Board”).
We engage in a commercial banking business from our main office in Lexington, South Carolina and our 21 full-service offices located in: the Midlands of South Carolina, which includes Lexington County (6 offices), Richland County (4 offices), Newberry County (2 offices) and Kershaw County (1 office); the Upstate of South Carolina, which includes Greenville County (2 offices), Anderson County (1 office) and Pickens County (1 office); the Piedmont Region of South Carolina, which includes York County, South Carolina (1 office); the Central Savannah River Area, which includes Aiken County, South Carolina (1 office); and in Augusta, Georgia, which includes Richmond County (1 office) and Columbia County (1 office).
At September 30, 2024, we had approximately $1.9 billion in assets, $1.2 billion in loans, $1.6 billion in deposits, and $143.3 million in shareholders’ equity.
We offer a wide range of traditional banking products and services for professionals and small-to medium-sized businesses, including consumer and commercial, mortgage, brokerage and investment, and insurance services. We also offer online banking to our customers. We have grown organically and through acquisitions.
Our principal executive office is located at 5455 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, South Carolina 29072 and our telephone number is (803) 951-2265. Our website is www.firstcommunitysc.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus by reference and is not a part hereof.
For a complete description of our business, financial condition, results of operations and other important information, we refer you to our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. For instructions on how to find copies of these documents, see “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information.”
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An investment in our securities involves certain risks. Before you invest in any of our securities, in addition to the risks and uncertainties discussed above under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” you should carefully read and consider the risks and uncertainties and the risk factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K that we have filed or will file with the SEC, and which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as well as the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information.” Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we currently consider to be material. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. Please also carefully read the section above entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, we will use the net proceeds we receive from any sale of these securities for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, investments in or advances to our bank subsidiary, working capital, capital expenditures, stock repurchases, debt repayment, organic growth, the financing of possible acquisitions, and making investments at the holding company level.
Description of Securities We May Offer
This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, depositary shares, subscription rights, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and units that we may offer and sell from time to time. When one or more of these securities are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement will explain the particular terms of the securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. These summary descriptions and any summary descriptions in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete descriptions of the terms and conditions of each security and are qualified in their entirety by reference to Our Articles of Incorporation, as amended (our “Articles of Incorporation”), our Bylaws, as amended (our “Bylaws”), the South Carolina Business Corporation Act of 1988, as amended (the “SCBCA”) and any other documents referenced in such summary descriptions and from which such summary descriptions are derived. If any particular terms of a security described in the applicable prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described in this prospectus, then the terms described in this prospectus will be deemed superseded by the terms set forth in that prospectus supplement.
We may issue securities in book-entry form through one or more depositaries, such as The Depository Trust Company, Euroclear or Clearstream, named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each sale of a security in book-entry form will settle in immediately available funds through the applicable depositary, unless otherwise stated. We will issue the securities in registered form, without coupons, although we may issue the securities in bearer form if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any securities are to be listed or quoted on a securities exchange or quotation system, the applicable prospectus supplement will say so.
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The following description of our capital stock is a summary only and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, applicable provisions of the SCBCA, Our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws. Although we believe this summary covers the material terms and provisions of our capital stock set forth in Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, it may not contain all of the information that is important to you.
In this section “Description of Capital Stock,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer only to First Community Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.
Authorized Shares of Capital Stock
The authorized capital stock of First Community Corporation consists of 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, the rights and preferences of which may be designated as the board of directors may determine. The following summary describes the material terms of our capital stock.
Common Stock
General. As of the date of this prospectus, Our Articles of Incorporation provide that we may issue up to 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of September 30, 2024, we had 7,640,648 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, which includes 1,352 shares of unvested restricted common stock reserved for officers and 13,464 shares of unvested restricted common stock reserved for directors but does not include 39,395 shares of common stock reserved for the vesting of time-based restricted stock units, and 97,228 shares of common stock reserved at the maximum level for the vesting of performance-based restricted stock units. In addition, as of September 30, 2024, we had the ability to issue 80,174 shares of common stock pursuant to options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other equity awards that may be granted in the future under our existing equity compensation plan. Furthermore, we had 110,392.821 deferred stock units under the First Community Corporation Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), which are not included in our common stock issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024. Deferred stock units under the Plan receive dividend equivalents in the form of additional deferred stock units, and shares of our common stock will be issued on a one-for-one basis in respect of deferred stock units upon a distribution from the Plan.
Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FCCO.”
Dividend Rights. Holders of shares of the common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may from time to time be declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available for distribution. Our ability to pay dividends will be dependent on our earnings and financial condition and subject to certain restrictions imposed by state and federal laws.
Voting Rights. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters on which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote and do not have any cumulative voting rights. Except in regard to the election of directors, when a quorum is present at a meeting, action on a matter is approved if the votes cast favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action, unless the SCBCA, our Articles of Incorporation or our Bylaws require a higher vote. The shareholders present at a duly constituted meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, despite the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.
Directors shall be elected by a plurality vote of the shareholders.
In general, except as otherwise provided in our Articles of Incorporation, pursuant to the SCBCA (i) amendments to our Articles of Incorporation must be approved by two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast, regardless of voting group, and in addition by two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast within each voting group entitled to vote separately thereon; and (ii) the dissolution of the Company must be approved by two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast thereon.
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Our Articles of Incorporation provide that a merger, consolidation, or sale of the Company or any substantial part of the Company’s assets must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of our outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote.
Our Articles of Incorporation also provide that our board of directors may alter, amend, or repeal any of our bylaws or adopt new bylaws, subject to our shareholders’ concurrent right to alter, amend, or repeal any of our bylaws or adopt new bylaws. The shareholders may amend the such bylaws of the Company only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the votes entitled to be cast.
Liquidation Rights. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Company, holders of common stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in the assets of the Company, if any, remaining after the payment of all debts and liabilities of the company and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock. The merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or other entity, including a merger or consolidation in which the holders of preferred stock receive cash, securities or other property for their shares, or the sale, lease or exchange (for cash, securities or other property) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, shall not constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
Other Rights. Holders of our common stock do not have preemptive, conversion, redemption, or sinking fund rights.
Preferred Stock
General. We may issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share, from time to time in one or more series. Our Articles of Incorporation provide that the board of directors is authorized, without further action by the holders of the common stock, to provide for the issuance of shares of the preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the designations, preferences, and other rights and restrictions thereof, including the dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption price, and liquidation preference, and to fix the number of shares to be included in any such classes or series. Any preferred stock so issued may rank senior to the common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up. In addition, any such shares of preferred stock may have class or series voting rights. Issuances of preferred stock, while providing us with flexibility in connection with general corporate purposes, may, among other things, have an adverse effect on the rights of holders of common stock, and in certain circumstances such issuances could have the effect of decreasing the market price of the common stock.
The authorization of preferred stock could have the effect of impeding the acquisition of control of the Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy fight, open-market purchases or otherwise in a transaction not approved by our board of directors. See “—Anti-Takeover Provisions.”
As of September 30, 2024, we had no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.
We will describe the particular terms of any series of preferred stock being offered in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The following description and any description of preferred stock in a prospectus supplement is only a summary and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the certificate of amendment to our Articles of Incorporation relating to the particular series of preferred stock, a copy of which we will file with the SEC in connection with the sale of any series of preferred stock.
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock will contain a description of the specific terms of that series of preferred stock. Those terms may include:
| · | the number of shares being offered; |
| · | the title, designation and liquidation preference per share; |
| · | the purchase price; |
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| · | any voting rights; |
| · | the dividend rate or method for determining that rate; |
| · | the dates on which dividends will be paid; |
| · | whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will begin to accumulate; |
| · | any applicable redemption or sinking fund provisions; |
| · | any applicable conversion provisions; |
| · | whether we have elected to offer depositary shares with respect to that series of preferred stock; |
| · | the exchange or market, if any, where the preferred stock will be listed or traded; and |
| · | any additional dividend, liquidation and other rights and restrictions applicable to that series of preferred stock. |
The shares of preferred stock will, when issued against full payment of their purchase price, be fully paid and nonassessable. Except as otherwise may be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, holders of preferred stock will not have any preemptive or subscription rights to acquire any class or series of our capital stock.
Dividend Rights. If you purchase preferred stock being offered by use of this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement, you will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, dividends at the rates and on the dates set forth in the prospectus supplement. Dividend rates may be fixed, variable or both. The nature, amount, rates, timing and other details of dividend rights for a series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and will be payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of our stock, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We are subject to various regulatory policies and requirements relating to the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain adequate capital above regulatory minimums.
Voting Rights. The voting rights, if any, of preferred stock of any series being offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Liquidation Rights. In the event that we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up our affairs, either voluntarily or involuntarily, holders of our preferred stock will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions in the amount set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, before we make any distribution of assets to the holders of our common stock or any junior preferred stock. If we fail to pay in full all amounts payable with respect to preferred stock being offered by us and any stock having the same rank as that series of preferred stock, the holders of the preferred stock and of that other stock will share in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After the holders of each series of preferred stock and any stock having the same rank as the preferred stock are paid in full, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. For any series of preferred stock being offered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement, neither the sale of all or substantially all of our property or business nor a merger or consolidation by us with any other corporation will be considered a dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of our business or affairs.
Redemption. The terms, if any, on which shares of a series of preferred stock being offered may be redeemed will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The preferred stock of a series may be redeemed in such amount or amounts, and at such time or times, if any, as may be provided in respect of that particular series of preferred stock. Preferred stock may be redeemed by the Company only to the extent legally permissible.
Conversion Rights. The applicable prospectus supplement will state the terms, if any, on which shares of a series of preferred stock being offered are convertible into shares of our common stock or another series of our preferred stock.
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Anti-Takeover Provisions
General. Certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation, our Bylaws and the SCBCA may have the effect of impeding the acquisition of control of the Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy fight, open-market purchases or otherwise in a transaction not approved by our board of directors. These provisions may have the effect of discouraging a future takeover attempt which is not approved by our board of directors, but which individual shareholders may deem to be in their best interests or in which our shareholders may receive a substantial premium for their shares over then-current market prices. As a result, shareholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have an opportunity to do so. Such provisions will also render the removal of our current board of directors or management more difficult.
Authorized but Unissued Stock. The authorized but unissued shares of common stock will be available for future issuance without shareholder approval. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions, and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved shares of common stock and preferred stock may enable the board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which could render more difficult or discourage any attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of the company’s management.
Supermajority Voting Requirements. Our Articles of Incorporation require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote to approve any merger, consolidation, or sale of the company or any substantial part of the Company’s assets.
Number of Directors. Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution by at least a majority of the directors then in office, but may not consist of fewer than nine nor more than 25 members.
Classified Board of Directors. Our board of directors is divided into three classes so that each director serves for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting following the annual meeting at which such director was elected. In the event of any increase in the authorized number of directors, the newly created directorships resulting from such increase shall be apportioned among the three classes of directors so as to maintain such classes as nearly equal as possible, and the terms of any newly created directorships filled by the board from such increase in the number of directors shall expire at the next election of directors by the shareholders. Approximately one-third of the board of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of shareholders. The classification of directors, together with the provisions in the articles and bylaws described below that limit the ability of shareholders to remove directors and that permit the remaining directors to fill any vacancies on the board of directors, will have the effect of making it more difficult for shareholders to change the composition of the board of directors. As a result, at least two annual meetings of shareholders may be required for the shareholders to change a majority of the directors, whether or not a change in the board of directors would be beneficial and whether or not a majority of shareholders believe that such a change would be desirable, and three meetings, rather than one, would be required to replace the entire board.
Number, Term, and Removal of Directors. We currently have 12 directors, but our Bylaws authorize this number to be increased or decreased by our board of directors. Our directors are elected to three year terms by a plurality vote of our shareholders. Our Bylaws provide that shareholders may remove a director without cause upon the approval of the holders of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote in an election of directors. Our Bylaws provide that all vacancies on our board may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors for the unexpired term.
Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations. The Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to shareholder proposals and the nomination, other than by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee thereof, of candidates for election as directors. These procedures provide that the notice of shareholder proposals and shareholder nominations for the election of directors at any meeting of shareholders must be made in writing and delivered to the secretary of the Company no later than 90 days prior to the meeting. We may reject a shareholder proposal or nomination that is not made in accordance with such procedures.
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Nomination Requirements. Pursuant to our Bylaws, we have established certain nomination requirements for an individual to be elected as a director of the Company at any annual or special meeting of the shareholders, including that the nominating party provide us within a specified time prior to the meeting (i) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (ii) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the shareholder; (iv) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such shareholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC, had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the board of directors; and (v) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so elected. The chairman of any shareholders’ meeting may, for good cause shown, waive the operation of these provisions. These provisions could reduce the likelihood that a third party would nominate and elect individuals to serve on our board of directors.
Business Combinations with Interested Shareholders. We are subject to the South Carolina business combination statute, which restricts mergers and other similar business combinations between public companies headquartered in South Carolina and any 10% shareholder of the Company. The statute prohibits such a business combination for two years following the date the person acquires shares to become a 10% shareholder unless the business combination or such purchase of shares is approved by a majority of the company’s outside directors. The statute also prohibits such a business combination with a 10% shareholder at any time unless the transaction complies with our Articles of Incorporation and either (i) the business combination or the shareholder’s purchase of shares is approved by a majority of the Company’s outside directors, (ii) the business combination is approved by a majority of the shares held by the Company’s other shareholders at a meeting called no earlier than two years after the shareholder acquired the shares to become a 10% shareholder; or (iii) the business combination meets specified fair price and form of consideration requirements.
Banking Laws. The ability of a third party to acquire the Company is also subject to applicable banking laws and regulations. The Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the regulations thereunder require any “bank holding company” (as defined therein) to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve prior to acquiring more than 5% of the outstanding shares of a class of our voting stock. Any person other than a bank holding company is required to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire 10% or more of the outstanding shares of a class of our voting stock under the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978. Federal law also prohibits any person or company from acquiring “control” of an FDIC-insured depository institution or its holding company without prior notice to the appropriate federal bank regulator. On January 30, 2020, the Federal Reserve issued a final rule (which became effective September 30, 2020) that clarified and codified the Federal Reserve’s standards for determining whether one company has control over another. The final rule established four categories of tiered presumptions of control that are based on the percentage of voting shares held by the investor (less than 5%, 5-9.9%, 10-14.9% and 15-24.9%) and the presence of other indicia of control. As the percentage of ownership increases, fewer indicia of control are permitted without falling outside the presumption of noncontrol. These indicia of control include nonvoting equity ownership, director representation, management interlocks, business relationship and restrictive contractual covenants. Under the final rule, investors can hold up to 24.9% of the voting securities and up to 33% of the total equity of a company without necessarily having a controlling influence. For purposes of calculating ownership thresholds under these banking regulations, bank regulators would likely at least take the position that the minimum number of shares, and could take the position that the maximum number of shares, of a company’s common stock that a holder is entitled to receive pursuant to securities convertible into or settled in such company’s common stock, including pursuant to warrants to purchase such company’s common stock held by such holder, must be taken into account in calculating a shareholder’s aggregate holdings of such company’s common stock.
Effect of Anti-Takeover Provisions. The foregoing provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, as well as South Carolina laws and banking laws and regulations could have the effect of discouraging an acquisition or stock purchases in furtherance of an acquisition, and could accordingly, under certain circumstances, discourage transactions that might otherwise have a favorable effect on the price of our common stock. In addition, such provisions may make us less attractive to a potential acquirer and/or might result in shareholders receiving a lesser amount of consideration for their shares of common stock than otherwise could have been available.
Our board of directors believes that the provisions described above are prudent and will reduce our vulnerability to takeover attempts and certain other transactions that are not negotiated with and approved by our board of directors. Our board of directors believe that these provisions are in our best interests and the best interests of our shareholders. In the board of directors’ judgment, the board of directors is in the best position to determine our true value and to negotiate more effectively for what may be in the best interests of our shareholders. Accordingly, the board of directors believes that it is in our best interests and in the best interests of our shareholders to encourage potential acquirers to negotiate directly with the board of directors and that these provisions will encourage such negotiations and discourage hostile takeover attempts.
Despite the board of directors’ belief as to the benefits of the foregoing provisions, these provisions also may have the effect of discouraging a future takeover attempt in which shareholders might receive a substantial premium for their shares over then current market prices and may tend to perpetuate existing management. As a result, shareholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have an opportunity to do so. Our board of directors, however, believes that the potential benefits of these provisions outweigh their possible disadvantages.
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Description of Debt Securities
In this section “Description of Debt Securities,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer only to First Community Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.
General
The debt securities that we may offer using this prospectus consist of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness. Any debt securities that we offer and sell will be our direct obligations. Debt securities may be issued in one or more series. All debt securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time, and unless otherwise provided, a series of debt securities may be reopened, without the consent of the holders of outstanding debt securities, for issuance of additional debt securities of that series or to establish additional terms of that series of debt securities (with such additional terms applicable only to unissued or additional debt securities of that series).
As required by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), for all debt securities that are publicly offered, our debt securities will be governed by a document called an indenture to be entered into by and between us and such bank or trust company that we select to act as trustee (the “trustee”). The form of indenture is subject to any amendments or supplements that we may enter into with the trustee(s). The indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The following description and any description in a prospectus supplement is a summary only and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the indentures and any supplemental indentures that we file with the SEC in connection with an issuance of any series of debt securities. You should read all of the provisions of the indentures, including the definitions of certain terms, as well as any supplemental indentures that we file with the SEC in connection with the issuance of any series of debt securities. These summaries set forth certain general terms and provisions of the securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The specific terms and provisions of a series of debt securities and the extent to which the general terms and provisions may also apply to a particular series of debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Each prospectus supplement will specify the particular terms of the securities offered. These provisions may include, among other things and to the extent applicable, the following:
| · | the title of the debt securities, including, as applicable, whether the debt securities will be issued as senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities, subordinated debt securities or junior subordinated debt securities, and any subordination provisions particular to the series of debt securities; |
| · | any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
| · | if other than 100% of the aggregate principal amount, the percentage of the aggregate principal amount at which we will sell the debt securities (i.e., original issuance discount); |
| · | the date or dates, whether fixed or extendable, on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable; |
| · | the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which we will pay any such interest, the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and, in the case of registered securities, the record dates for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable; |
| · | any provisions relating to the issuance of the debt securities of the series at an original issue discount; |
| · | the place or places where the principal of, and any premium or interest on, the debt securities will be payable and, if applicable, where the debt securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange; |
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| · | whether we may, at our option, redeem, repurchase or repay the debt securities, and if so, the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, we may redeem, repurchase or repay the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise; |
| · | if other than 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date thereof or provable in bankruptcy, or, if applicable, which is convertible or exchangeable; |
| · | any obligation we may have to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities, and the price or prices at which, the currency in which and the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, the debt securities will be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to any such obligation, and any provision for the remarketing of the debt securities; |
| · | whether the debt securities will be registered securities or unregistered securities or both, and the rights of the holders of the debt securities to exchange unregistered securities for registered securities, or vice-versa, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges, if permitted, may be made; |
| · | the denominations, which may be in U.S. dollars or in any foreign currency, in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; |
| · | whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities, and if so, the form of the debt securities (or forms thereof if unregistered and registered securities are issuable in that series), including the legends required by law or as we deem necessary or appropriate, the form of any coupons or temporary global security which may be issued and the forms of any other certificates which may be required under the indenture or which we may require in connection with the offering, sale, delivery or exchange of the debt securities; |
| · | if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which payments of principal, interest and other amounts payable with respect to the debt securities will be denominated, payable, redeemable or repurchasable, as the case may be; |
| · | whether the debt securities may be issuable in tranches; |
| · | the obligations, if any, we may have to permit the conversion or exchange of the debt securities into common stock, preferred stock or other capital stock or property, or a combination thereof, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange will be effected (including the conversion price or exchange ratio), and any limitations on the ownership or transferability of the securities or property into which the debt securities may be converted or exchanged; |
| · | any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the debt securities; |
| · | if the debt securities do not bear interest, the applicable dates required under the indenture for furnishing information to the trustee regarding the holders of the debt securities; |
| · | any deletions from, modifications of or additions to (a) the events of default with respect to the debt securities or (b) the rights of the trustee or the holders of the debt securities in connection with events of default; |
| · | any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the covenants with respect to the debt securities; |
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| · | if the amount of payments of principal of, and make-whole amount, if any, and interest on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amount will be determined; |
| · | whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the global form of one or more debt securities and, if so, the depositary for such debt securities, the circumstances under which any such debt security may be exchanged for debt securities registered in the name of, and under which any transfer of debt securities may be registered in the name of, any person other than such depositary or its nominee, and any other provisions regarding such debt securities; |
| · | whether, under what circumstances and the currency in which, we will pay additional amounts on the debt securities to any holder of the debt securities who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem such debt securities rather than pay such additional amounts (and the terms of any such option); |
| · | whether the debt securities, in whole or specified parts, will be defeasible, and, if the securities may be defeased, in whole or in specified part, any provisions to permit a pledge of obligations other than certain government obligations to satisfy the requirements of the indenture regarding defeasance of securities and, if other than by resolution of our board of directors, the manner in which any election to defease the debt securities will be evidenced; |
| · | whether the debt securities will be secured by any property, assets or other collateral and, if so, a general description of the collateral and the terms of any related security, pledge or other agreements; |
| · | the persons to whom any interest on the debt securities will be payable, if other than the registered holders thereof on the regular record date therefor; |
| · | the dates on which interest, if any, will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates; |
| · | any restrictions, conditions or requirements for transfer of the debt securities; and |
| · | any other material terms or conditions upon which the debt securities will be issued. |
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue debt securities in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $1,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000, and interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date or the maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, then the payment will be made on the next business day without additional interest and with the same effect as if it were made on the originally scheduled date.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trustee will act as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities under the indenture. We may also act as paying agent under the indenture.
The applicable prospectus supplement will contain a description of U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the debt securities, to the extent applicable.
Covenants
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any covenants, such as restrictive covenants restricting us or any of our subsidiaries from incurring, issuing, assuming or guarantying any indebtedness or restricting us or any of our subsidiaries from paying dividends or acquiring any of our or its capital stock.
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Consolidation, Merger and Transfer of Assets
Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture will permit a consolidation or merger between us and another entity and/or the sale, conveyance or lease by us of all or substantially all of our property and assets; provided, however, that:
| · | we are the surviving or continuing entity, or the resulting or acquiring entity, if other than us, is organized and existing under the laws of a U.S. jurisdiction and assumes, pursuant to a supplemental indenture, all of our responsibilities and liabilities under the indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities and performance of the covenants in the indenture; |
| · | immediately after the transaction, and giving effect to the transaction, no event of default under the indenture exists; and |
| · | we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the transaction and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with the transaction, the supplemental indenture, comply with the indenture and that all conditions precedent to the transaction contained in the indenture have been satisfied. |
If we consolidate or merge with or into any other entity, or sell or lease all or substantially all of our assets in compliance with the terms and conditions of the indenture, the resulting or acquiring entity will be substituted for us in the indenture and the debt securities with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture and the debt securities. As a result, such successor entity may exercise our rights and powers under the indenture and the debt securities, in our name, and, except in the case of a lease, we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under the indenture and under the debt securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may transfer all of our property and assets to another entity if, immediately after giving effect to the transfer, such entity is our wholly-owned subsidiary. The term “wholly-owned subsidiary” means any subsidiary in which we and/or our other wholly-owned subsidiaries own all of the outstanding capital stock.
Modification and Waiver
Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, under the indenture, some of our rights and obligations and some of the rights of the holders of the debt securities may be modified or amended with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities affected by the modification or amendment. However, the following modifications and amendments will not be effective against any holder without its consent:
| · | a change in the stated maturity date of any payment of principal or interest; |
| · | a reduction in the principal amount of, or interest on, any debt securities; |
| · | an alteration or impairment of any right to convert at the rate or upon the terms provided in the indenture; |
| · | a change in the currency in which any payment on the debt securities is payable; |
| · | an impairment of a holder’s right to sue us for the enforcement of payments due on the debt securities; or |
| · | a reduction in the percentage of outstanding debt securities required to consent to a modification or amendment of the indenture or required to consent to a waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults under the indenture. |
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Under the indenture, the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities may, on behalf of all holders of the debt securities:
| · | waive compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture; and |
| · | waive any past default under the indenture in accordance with the applicable provisions of the indenture, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or interest on, any series of debt securities. |
Events of Default
Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, “event of default” under the indenture will mean, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:
| · | default in the payment of any interest upon any security of such series as and when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; |
| · | default in the payment of the principal of the securities of such series as and when it becomes due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption (for any sinking fund payment or otherwise), by declaration or otherwise; |
| · | our failure to observe or perform any of our other covenants or agreements in the securities of such series, or in the indenture relating to such series, for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice specifying such failure and requiring us to remedy the failure and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” shall have been given to us in accordance with the indenture by the trustee for the securities of such series, or to us and the trustee by the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the securities of such series then outstanding; |
| · | if we make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or file a petition in bankruptcy; or we are adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt; or petition or apply to any court having jurisdiction for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator or sequestrator of, or for, us or any substantial portion of our property; or we commence any proceeding relating to us or any substantial portion of our property under any insolvency, reorganization, arrangement or readjustment of debt, dissolution, winding-up, adjustment, composition or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, which we refer to as a “proceeding”; or if there is commenced against us any proceeding and an order approving the petition is entered, or such proceeding remains undischarged or unstayed for a period of 90 days; or a receiver, trustee, liquidator or sequestrator of, or for, us or any substantial portion of our property is appointed and is not discharged within a period of 90 days; or we by any act indicate consent to or approval of or acquiescence in any proceeding for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator or sequestrator of, or for, us or any substantial portion of our property; provided that a resolution or order for our winding-up with a view to our consolidation, amalgamation or merger with another entity or the transfer of our assets as a whole, or substantially as a whole, to such other entity as permitted by the indenture does not make these rights and remedies enforceable if such entity, as a part of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer, and within 90 days from the passing of the resolution or the date of the order, complies with the conditions described under “Consolidation, Merger and Transfer of Assets;” or |
| · | any other event of default provided in the supplemental indenture or board resolution under which such series of securities is issued or in the form of security for such series. |
Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, if an event of default occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities to be due and payable immediately, except that, if the event of default described in the fourth bullet point above occurs, the entire principal of all of the debt securities of such series will become due and payable immediately without any act on the part of the trustee or holders of the debt securities. If such a declaration occurs, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series can, subject to conditions, rescind the declaration.
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The indenture requires us to furnish to the trustee, not less often than annually, a certificate from our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer, as the case may be, as to such officer’s knowledge of our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except defaults in the payment of principal of, or interest on, any debt securities if the trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of notice is in the interests of the holders. For purposes of this paragraph, “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an event of default under the indenture.
The trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders of debt securities, unless the holders offer the trustee satisfactory security or indemnity. If satisfactory security or indemnity is provided, then, subject to other rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities may direct 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. |
The holder of a debt security will have the right to begin any proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy only if:
| · | the holder has previously given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default; |
| · | the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities have made a written request of, and offered the required security or indemnity to, the trustee to begin such proceeding; |
| · | the trustee has not started such proceeding within 60 days after receiving the request and offer of security or indemnity; and |
| · | no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the trustee under the indenture. |
However, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute right to receive payment of principal of, and interest on, the debt security when due and to institute suit to enforce payment.
Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, if at any time,
| · | we have paid the principal of and interest on all the debt securities of any series, except for debt securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid in accordance with the indenture, as and when the same has become due and payable; |
| · | we have delivered to the trustee for cancellation all debt securities of any series theretofore authenticated, except for debt securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in the indenture; or |
| · | all the debt securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, or are by their terms are to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and we have irrevocably deposited with the trustee, in trust, sufficient money or government obligations, or a combination thereof, to pay the principal, any interest and any other sums due on the debt securities, on the dates the payments are due or become due under the indenture and the terms of the debt securities; |
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then the indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the debt securities of such series, except for (a) rights of registration of transfer and exchange, and our right of optional redemption, (b) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen debt 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, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee under the indenture and our obligations in connection therewith, and (e) the rights of the holders of such series of debt securities as beneficiaries thereof with respect to the property so deposited with the trustee payable to all or any of them.
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect with respect to any debt securities of any series either:
| · | to defease and be discharged from all of our obligations with respect to such debt securities (“defeasance”), with certain exceptions described below; or |
| · | to be released from our obligations with respect to such debt securities under such covenants as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, and any omission to comply with those obligations will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to such debt securities (“covenant defeasance”). |
We must comply with the following conditions before the defeasance or covenant defeasance can be effected:
| · | we must irrevocably deposit with the indenture trustee or other qualifying trustee, trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders of such debt securities, sufficient money or government obligations, or a combination thereof, to pay the principal, any interest and any other sums on the due dates for those payments; |
| · | we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, to be effected with respect to such debt securities and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, had not occurred; and |
| · | we must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent relating to such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with. |
In connection with defeasance, any irrevocable trust agreement contemplated by the indenture must include, among other things, provision for (a) payment of the principal of and interest on such debt securities, if any, appertaining thereto when due (by redemption, sinking fund payments or otherwise), (b) the payment of the expenses of the trustee incurred or to be incurred in connection with carrying out such trust provisions, (c) rights of registration, transfer, substitution and exchange of such debt securities in accordance with the terms stated in the indenture, and (d) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee under the indenture and our obligations in connection therewith as stated in the indenture.
The accompanying prospectus supplement may further describe any provisions permitting or restricting defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of a particular series.
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Global Securities
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each debt security offered by this prospectus will be issued in the form of one or more global debt securities representing all or part of that series of debt securities. This means that we will not issue certificates for that series of debt securities to the holders. Instead, a global debt security representing that series will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a securities depositary and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary. Any such depositary must be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities to be represented by a global security in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Notices
We will give notices to holders of the debt securities by mail at the addresses listed in the security register or, with respect to global securities, in accordance with the rules, policies and procedures of the applicable securities depositary.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
Regarding the Trustee
General. From time to time, we may maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions with the trustee to be appointed under the indenture or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Resignation or Removal of Trustee. If the trustee has or acquires a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee must either eliminate its conflicting interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and the indenture. Any resignation will require the appointment of a successor trustee under the indenture in accordance with the terms and conditions of the indenture.
The trustee may resign or be removed by us with respect to one or more series of debt securities and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to any such series. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series may remove the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series.
Annual Trustee Report to Holders of Debt Securities. The trustee will be required to submit certain reports to the holders of the debt securities regarding, among other things, the trustee’s eligibility to serve as such, the priority of the trustee’s claims regarding advances made by it, and any action taken by the trustee materially affecting the debt securities.
Certificates and Opinions to Be Furnished to Trustee. The indenture provides that, in addition to other certificates or opinions specifically required by other provisions of the indenture, every application by us for action by the trustee must be accompanied by a certificate from one or more of our officers and an opinion of counsel (who may be our counsel) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent to such action have been complied with by us.
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In this section “Description of Warrants,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer only to First Community Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.
We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, other securities of the Company or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued alone or together with securities offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to, or separate from, those securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement and/or warrant certificate. The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions of the warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement and/or warrant certificate will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and any description of the warrants in a prospectus supplement are not complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the warrant agreement and/or warrant certificate, which we will file with the SEC in connection with an issuance of any warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement will include some or all of the following information:
| · | the title and specific designation of the warrants; |
| · | the aggregate number of warrants offered; |
| · | the amount of warrants outstanding, if any; |
| · | the designation, number and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, and procedures that will result in the adjustment of those numbers; |
| · | the exercise price or prices of the warrants; |
| · | the dates or periods during which the warrants are exercisable; |
| · | the designation and terms of any securities with which the warrants are issued; |
| · | provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price of the warrants; |
| · | if the warrants are issued as a unit with another security, the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the other security will be separately transferable; |
| · | if the exercise price is not payable in U.S. dollars, the foreign currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the exercise price is denominated; |
| · | any minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| · | the anti-dilution, redemption or call provisions of the warrants, if any; |
| · | if applicable, the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents; |
| · | any terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange or exercise of the warrants; and |
| · | any other material terms of the warrants. |
Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to exercise voting rights, if any.
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Description of Depositary Shares
In this section “Description of Depositary Shares,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer only to First Community Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.
The following is a summary of the general terms of the deposit agreement to govern any depositary shares we may offer representing fractional interests in shares of our preferred stock, the depositary shares themselves and the related depositary receipts. A copy of the deposit agreement and form of depositary receipt relating to any depositary shares we issue will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as an exhibit to a filing incorporated by reference in the registration statement. The specific terms of any depositary shares we may offer will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of that series of depositary shares may differ from the general description of terms presented below. The following description and any description in a prospectus supplement is a summary only and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the deposit agreement(s), and form of depositary receipt, which we will file with the SEC in connection with an issuance of depositary shares.
General
We may offer fractional interests in shares of our preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock, most likely in the event that the number our then authorized but yet undesignated shares of preferred stock is not sufficient to offer full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will provide for the issuance by a depositary to the public of receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of a particular series of preferred stock.
The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company having its principal office in the U.S. and having a combined capital and surplus of such amount as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, which we refer to in this section as the depositary. We will name the depositary in the applicable prospectus supplement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will have a fractional interest in all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying the depositary share. Those rights include any dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement. If you purchase fractional interests in shares of the related series of preferred stock, you will receive depositary receipts as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, you will not be entitled to receive the whole shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares.
Dividend Rights
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions in respect of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to each record holder of depositary shares based on the number of depositary shares owned by that holder on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only that amount which can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary shares.
If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property to the entitled record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make that distribution. In that case the depositary may, with our approval, adopt the method it deems equitable and practicable for making that distribution, including any sale of property and distribution of the net proceeds from this sale to the applicable holders.
The deposit agreement will also contain provisions relating to how any subscription or similar rights offered by us to holders of the preferred stock will be made available to the holders of depositary shares.
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Voting Rights
When the depositary receives notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock may vote, the depositary will mail information about the meeting contained in the notice, and any accompanying proxy materials, to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the preferred stock. Each record holder of such depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to how the preferred stock underlying the holder’s depositary shares should be voted.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to conversion or exchange, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the rights or obligations of each record holder of depositary receipts to convert or exchange the depositary shares.
Redemption
If the series of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, all or a part of the depositary shares will be redeemed from the redemption proceeds of that series of the preferred stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will bear the same relationship to the redemption price per share of preferred stock that the depositary share bears to the underlying preferred stock. Whenever we redeem preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock redeemed. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as determined by the depositary.
After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be outstanding. When the depositary shares are no longer outstanding, all rights of the holders will cease, except the right to receive money or other property that the holders of the depositary shares were entitled to receive upon the redemption. Payments will be made when holders surrender their depositary receipts to the depositary.
Taxation
Owners of depositary shares will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if they were owners of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares. If necessary, the applicable prospectus supplement will provide a description of U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase and ownership of the depositary shares and the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between us and the depositary at any time. However, certain amendments as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement will not be effective unless approved by the record holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then-outstanding. A deposit agreement may be terminated by us or the depositary only if:
| · | all outstanding depositary shares relating to the deposit agreement have been redeemed; or |
| · | there has been a final distribution on the preferred stock of the relevant series in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our business and the distribution has been distributed to the holders of the related depositary shares. |
Charges of Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay associated charges of the depositary for the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges that are stated to be their responsibility in the deposit agreement.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering notice to us. We may also remove the depositary at any time. Resignations or removals will take effect when a successor depositary is appointed, and it accepts the appointment.
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Description of Subscription Rights
In this section “Description of Subscription Rights,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer only to First Community Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.
The following is a summary of the general terms of the subscription rights to purchase common stock or other securities that we may offer to shareholders using this prospectus.
Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security and may or may not be transferable. As part of any subscription rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement under which the underwriters or any other person would purchase any securities that are not purchased in such subscription rights offering. If we issue subscription rights, they will be governed by a separate subscription agent agreement that we will sign with a bank or trust company, as rights agent, that will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation to any holders of subscription rights certificates or beneficial owners of subscription rights.
The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights we offer will describe the specific terms of the offering and the subscription rights, including the record date for shareholders entitled to the subscription rights distribution, the number of subscription rights issued and the number of shares of common stock or other securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the subscription rights, the exercise price of the subscription rights, the date on which the subscription rights will become effective and the date on which the subscription rights will expire, and any material U.S. federal income tax considerations. The following description and any description in a prospectus supplement is a summary only and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the subscription rights, which we will file with the SEC in connection with an issuance of subscription rights.
In general, a subscription right entitles the holder to purchase for cash a specific number of shares of common stock or other securities at a specified exercise price. The rights are normally issued to shareholders as of a specific record date, may be exercised only for a limited period of time and become void following the expiration of such period. If we determine to issue subscription rights, we will accompany this prospectus with a prospectus supplement that will describe, among other things:
| · | the record date for shareholders entitled to receive the subscription rights; |
| · | the number of shares of common stock or other securities that may be purchased upon exercise of each subscription right; |
| · | the exercise price of the subscription rights; |
| · | whether the subscription rights are transferable; |
| · | the period during which the subscription rights may be exercised and when they will expire; |
| · | the steps required to exercise the subscription rights; |
| · | whether the subscription rights include “oversubscription rights” so that the holder may purchase more securities if other holders do not purchase their full allotments; and |
| · | whether we intend to sell the shares of common stock or other securities that are not purchased in the rights offering to an underwriter or other purchaser under a contractual “standby” commitment or other arrangement. |
If fewer than all of the subscription rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date of a subscription rights offering, all unexercised subscription rights will become void.
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Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units
In this section “Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer only to First Community Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.
We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to the holders, a fixed or varying number of shares of our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as “Stock Purchase Contracts.” The price per share, and number of shares, of our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities may be fixed at the time the Stock Purchase Contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the Stock Purchase Contracts. The Stock Purchase Contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units consisting of a Stock Purchase Contract and our debt securities or debt obligations of third parties, including Treasury securities, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the shares of our common stock under the Stock Purchase Contracts, which we refer to in this prospectus as “Stock Purchase Units.” The Stock Purchase Contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner. The Stock Purchase Contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the Stock Purchase Units or vice-versa and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the Stock Purchase Units and the Stock Purchase Contracts will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any description in a prospectus supplement is a summary only and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the Stock Purchase Contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements, relating to the Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units, which we will file with the SEC in connection with an issuance of the Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units.
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In this section “Description of Units,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer only to First Community Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.
We may issue units consisting of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
The applicable prospectus supplement and any other offering materials relating to any units issued under the registration statement containing this prospectus will describe:
| · | the terms of the units and of any of the other securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately; |
| · | the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and |
| · | a description of the provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or the securities comprising the units; |
| · | the U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to the units; and |
| · | whether the units will be issued in fully registered global form. |
This summary
of certain general terms of units and any summary description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement do not
purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all provisions of the applicable unit agreement and,
if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units. The forms of the unit agreements
and other documents relating to a particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part or a document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
prospectus each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.
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We may sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at negotiated prices or at fixed prices, which may change from time to time. We may sell the securities directly to one or more purchasers, through agents, to dealers, through underwriters, brokers or dealers, in privately negotiated transactions, or through a combination of any of these sales methods or through any other method permitted by law (including in “at the market” equity offerings as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act”). We reserve the right to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of securities, whether the purchase is to be made directly or through agents.
Each time that we use this prospectus to sell our securities, we will also provide a prospectus supplement, if required, that contains the specific terms of the offering, including:
| · | the name or names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, and the types and amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them; |
| · | the public offering price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale; |
| · | any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; |
| · | any agency fees or underwriting discounts or other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation; |
| · | any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
| · | any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed. |
Only underwriters that we have named in a prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement.
If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement, other than securities covered by any over-allotment option. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.
We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us 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. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
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All securities we may offer, other than common stock or other outstanding securities, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.
Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.
Under the securities laws of some states, to the extent applicable, the securities may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, if our common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange, in some states the securities may not be sold unless such securities have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
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Certain legal matters in connection with any offering of securities made by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Greenville, South Carolina. If the securities are being distributed in an underwritten offering, certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by counsel identified in the related prospectus supplement.
The consolidated financial statements of First Community Corporation and its subsidiary as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of Elliott Davis, LLC, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and given the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
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Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below and any documents filed with the SEC after the date of this prospectus pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (except, in each case, to the extent that information or documents are deemed to be “furnished” rather than “filed” with the SEC in accordance with its rules:
| · | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 21, 2024; |
| · | our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 13, 2024, for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on August 12, 2024, and for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on November 12, 2024; |
| · | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 24, 2024, April 8, 2024, April 17, 2024, May 14, 2024, May 15, 2024, May 23, 2024, July 1, 2024, July 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, September 3, 2024, October 16, 2024, November 5, 2024 and December 18, 2024; |
| · | the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 9, 2024; and |
| · | the description of our common stock, which is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on April 26, 1996, including any subsequently filed amendments and reports updating such description, including Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. |
We will provide to each person to whom a prospectus or prospectus supplement is delivered, without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus (excluding certain exhibits to the documents). Requests should be directed to:
First Community Corporation
Attn: Shareholder Information
5455 Sunset Blvd.
Lexington, SC 29072
Telephone: (803) 951-2265 (between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern time)
We maintain a
website at www.firstcommunitysc.com where the incorporated documents listed above can be accessed through the About
section, under the Investors link. Neither our website nor the information on our website is included or incorporated in, or is
a part of, this prospectus.
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Where You Can Find More Information
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and file with the SEC Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Our SEC filings, including the filings that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, are available to the public from the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov or on our website at www.firstcommunitysc.com. Please note that our website address is provided in this prospectus as an inactive textual reference only. The information found on, or accessible through, our website is not a part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, and therefore is not incorporated by reference unless such information is otherwise specifically referenced elsewhere in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by us with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules, portions of which have been omitted as permitted by the SEC’s rules and regulations. For more complete information about us, or a more complete understanding any offering of securities that we might make, you should refer to the complete registration statement, including exhibits, on Form S-3 that may be obtained as described above. Statements contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete. If we have filed any contract or other document as an exhibit to the registration statement or any other document incorporated by reference in the registration statement, you should read the exhibit for a more complete understanding of the contract or other document or matter involved. Each statement regarding a contract or other document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual contract or other document.
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PROSPECTUS
$75,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Depositary Shares
Subscription Rights
Stock Purchase Contracts
Stock Purchase Units, Units
December 18, 2024
PART
II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth our estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the amounts shown are estimated, except the SEC registration fee.
| SEC Registration Fee | $ | 11,482.50 | ||
| Trustee and Transfer Agent Fees and Expenses | * | |||
| Printing Expenses | * | |||
| Warrant Agent Fees and Expenses | * | |||
| Exchange Listing Fees | * | |||
| Rating Agency Fees | * | |||
| Legal Fees and Expenses | * | |||
| Accounting Fees and Expenses | * | |||
| Miscellaneous | * | |||
| Total | * |
| * | These fees are not presently known and cannot be estimated at this time, as they will be based upon, among other things, the amount and type of security being offered as well as the number of offerings. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our Articles of Incorporation contain a conditional provision which, subject to certain exceptions described below, eliminates the liability of a director to the company or its shareholders for monetary damages for a breach of a fiduciary duty. This provision does not eliminate such liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty, (ii) for acts and omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, and (iii) for any transaction from which the director derives any improper personal benefits.
Our Bylaws require the company to indemnify any person who was, is, or is threatened to be made a party in any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason of service by such person as a director of the company or its subsidiary bank or any other corporation which he served as such at the request of the company. Except as noted in the next paragraph, directors are entitled to be indemnified against judgments, fines, settlements, and reasonable expenses actually incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding. Directors are also entitled to have the company advance any such expenses prior to final disposition of the proceeding, upon delivery of a written affirmation by the director of his good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification has been met and a written undertaking to repay the amounts advanced if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct has not been met.
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Under our Bylaws, First Community Corporation shall indemnify an individual made a party to a proceeding because he is or was a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if: (i) he conducted himself in good faith; (ii) he reasonably believed: (A) in the case of conduct in his official capacity with First Community, that his conduct was in its best interest; and (B) in all other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to its best interest; and (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent is not, of itself, determinative that the director did not meet the standard of conduct described in the preceding sentence. The determination of whether the director met the standard of conduct described herein shall be made in accordance with Section 33-8-550 of the South Carolina Business Corporation Act of 1988, or SCBCA, or any successor provision or provisions. In addition to the bylaws, Section 33-8-520 of the SCBCA requires that a corporation “indemnify a director who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he was a party because he is or was a director of the corporation against reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the proceeding.” The SCBCA also provides that upon application of a director a court may order indemnification if it determines that the director is entitled to such indemnification under the applicable standard of the SCBCA. However, under the articles of incorporation, indemnification will be disallowed if it is established that the director (i) breached his duty of loyalty to First Community, (ii) engaged in intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (iii) derived an improper personal benefit.
The board of directors also has the authority to extend to officers, employees and agents the same indemnification rights held by directors, subject to all of the accompanying conditions and obligations. The board of directors has extended or intends to extend indemnification rights to all of its executive officers.
We have obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. The policy provides for coverage including prior acts and liabilities under the Securities Act, within the limits and subject to the limitations of such insurance.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling First Community Corporation pursuant to the provisions discussed above, First Community Corporation has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Item 16. Exhibits
Please see the Exhibit Index included herewith immediately preceding the signature pages hereto, which is incorporated by reference.
Item 17. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
| (1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; |
| (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 SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and |
| (iii) | to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement; |
| II-2 |
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) of the above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
| (4) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser: |
| (i) | each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
| (ii) | each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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. |
| II-3 |
| (5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 the 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) | That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be 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. |
| (7) | 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 of 1939 in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. |
| (8) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the indemnification provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
| II-4 |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
Description of Exhibits |
| 1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement. |
| 1.2* | Form of Placement Agent Agreement. |
| 3.1 | Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2011). |
| 3.2 | Articles of Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 23, 2019). |
| 3.3 | Amended and Restated Bylaws dated May 16, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2023). |
| 4.1 | See Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 for provisions of the Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended and Bylaws, which define the rights of the shareholders. |
| 4.2 | First Community Corporation is a party to long-term debt instruments under which the total amount does not exceed 10% of the total assets of First Community Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(4)(iii)(A) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, First Community Corporation agrees to furnish a copy of such instruments to the SEC upon request. |
| 4.3* | Form of Certificate of Designations of Preferred Stock. |
| 4.4* | Form of Preferred Stock Certificate. |
| 4.5* | Form of Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate. |
| 4.6 | Form of Indenture. |
| 4.7* | Form of Debt Security. |
| 4.8* | Form of Purchase Contract Agreement. |
| 4.9* | Form of Deposit Agreement and Depositary Receipt. |
| 4.10* | Form of Subscription Certificate. |
| 4.11* | Form of Subscription Agent Agreement. |
| 4.12* | Form of Unit Agreement and Unit Certificate. |
| 5.1 | Opinion of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. |
| 23.1 | Consent of Elliott Davis, LLC. |
| 23.2 | Consent of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
| 24.1 | Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to the registration statement). |
| 25.1*** | Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 for the Senior Indenture and Subordinated Indenture. |
| 107 | Filing Fee Table |
| * | To be filed either by amendment or as an exhibit to a report filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| ** | Annexes, schedules, and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. First Community Corporation agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted attachment to the SEC on a confidential basis upon request. |
| *** | To be filed separately pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. |
| II-5 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Lexington, State of South Carolina, on December 18, 2024.
| FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael C. Crapps | |
| Michael C. Crapps | ||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of Michael C. Crapps and D. Shawn Jordan his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign on his or her behalf, individually and in each capacity stated below, all amendments and post-effective amendments to this registration statement on Form S-3 (including any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and all amendments thereto) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and any other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC under the Securities Act, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as each might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming each act that said attorneys-in-fact and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on December 18, 2024.
| Signature | Title; Capacity | |
| /s/ Michael C. Crapps | President and Chief Executive Officer and Director | |
| Michael C. Crapps | (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| /s/ D. Shawn Jordan | Chief Financial Officer | |
| D. Shawn Jordan | (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
| /s/ Chimin J. Chao | Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
| Chimin J. Chao | ||
| /s/ Thomas C. Brown | Director | |
| Thomas C. Brown | ||
| /s/ Jan H. Hollar | Director | |
| Jan H. Hollar | ||
| /s/ Ray E. Jones | Director | |
| Ray E. Jones | ||
| /s/ W. James Kitchens, Jr. | Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
| W. James Kitchens, Jr. | ||
| /s/ Mickey E. Layden | Director | |
| Mickey E. Layden | ||
| /s/ J. Ted Nissen | Director | |
| J. Ted Nissen | ||
| /s/ E. Leland Reynolds | Director | |
| E. Leland Reynolds | ||
| /s/ Alexander Snipe, Jr. | Director | |
| Alexander Snipe, Jr. | ||
| /s/ Jane S. Sosebee | Director | |
| Jane S. Sosebee | ||
| /s/ Roderick M. Todd, Jr. | Director | |
| Roderick M. Todd, Jr. |
Exhibit 4.6
FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION,
as Issuer
and
[ ],
as Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of , 20
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET*
Provisions of Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and Indenture to be dated as of , 20 by and between First Community Corporation and [ ], as Trustee:
| Section of the Trust Indenture Act | Section of Indenture | |
| 310(a)(1), (2) and (5) | 6.09 | |
| 310(a)(3) and (4) | Inapplicable | |
| 310(b) | 6.08 and 6.10(a), (b) and (d) | |
| 311(a) | 6.13 | |
| 311(b) | 6.13 | |
| 312(a) | 4.01 and 4.02(a) | |
| 312(b) | 4.02(a) and (b) | |
| 312(c) | 4.02(c) | |
| 313(a) | 4.04(a) | |
| 313(b)(1) | Inapplicable | |
| 313(b)(2) | 4.04(a) | |
| 313(c) | 4.04(a) | |
| 313(d) | 4.04(b) | |
| 314(a) | 4.03 | |
| 314(b) | Inapplicable | |
| 314(c)(1) and (2) | 14.05 | |
| 314(c)(3) | Inapplicable | |
| 314(d) | Inapplicable | |
| 314(e) | 14.05 | |
| 314(f) | Inapplicable | |
| 315(a), (c) and (d) | 6.01 | |
| 315(b) | 5.11 | |
| 315(e) | 5.12 | |
| 316(a)(1) | 5.09 and 5.10 | |
| 316(a)(2) | Not required | |
| 316(a) (last sentence) | 7.04 | |
| 316(b) | 5.07 | |
| 316(c) | 7.06 | |
| 317(a) | 5.02 | |
| 317(b) | 3.04(a) and (b) | |
| 318(a) | 14.07 |
| * | This Cross Reference Sheet is not part of the Indenture. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| i |
| ii |
| iii |
THIS INDENTURE, dated as of , 20 , is by and between First Community Corporation, a South Carolina corporation, and [ ], as Trustee.
RECITALS
A. The Company (as defined herein) has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture (as defined herein) in order to issue from time to time its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness in one or more Series (as defined herein) in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
B. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company according to its terms have been done.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the recitals and the purchases of the Securities (as defined herein) by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, the Company and the Trustee (as defined herein) mutually covenant and agree for the benefit of each other and for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Securities as follows:
The following terms (except as herein 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 1. Certain terms used principally in certain Articles or Sections hereof are defined in those Articles or Sections, as the case may be. All terms used but not defined in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein) or the definitions of which in the Securities Act (as defined herein) are referred to in the Trust Indenture Act, including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities Act. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires: (a) 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 in the United States of America (as defined herein) at the time of any computation; (b) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole, as supplemented and amended from time to time, and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; (c) all references to Articles, Sections or other subdivisions are to Articles, Sections or other subdivisions of this Indenture; (d) words in the singular include the plural and vice versa; (e) the pronoun “his” refers to the masculine, feminine and neuter; (f) the word “including” or any variation thereof shall be deemed to be followed by “but not limited to” and (g) the word “principal,” whenever used with reference to the Securities or any Security or any portion thereof, shall be deemed to be followed by “and premium, if any.”
| 1 |
“Additional Amounts” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent, or Depositary Custodian.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any matter at any time relating to a Global Security, the rules, policies and procedures of the Depositary Custodian applicable to such matter.
“Business Day” means any calendar day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in New York, New York, and on which the Trustee and commercial banks are open for business.
“Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated and whether or not voting) of corporate stock, including each class of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, and all options, warrants or other rights to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act or, if at any time after the execution 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” includes any stock of any class of the Company that has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and which is not subject to redemption by the Company.
“Company” means First Community Corporation, a South Carolina corporation, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” will mean such successor Person.
“Company Board of Directors” means either the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee of such Board of Directors duly authorized to act hereunder, as the case may be.
“Company Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions certified by the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Company Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. Where any provision of this Indenture refers to action to be taken pursuant to a Company Board Resolution (including the establishment of any Series of the Securities and the forms and terms thereof), such action may be taken by any officer of the Company authorized to take such action by the Company Board of Directors as evidenced by a Company Board Resolution.
“Company Order” means a written order, direction, instruction or request of the Company signed by both (a) the chief executive officer, the president or any vice president of the Company and (b) the treasurer or any assistant treasurer or the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Company.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be administered with respect to this Indenture, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated, located at [ ], Attn: [ ], and for Agent services such office shall also mean the office or agency of the Trustee located at the date hereof is located at [ ].
| 2 |
“Depositary Custodian” means the Trustee as custodian with respect to the global Securities or any successor entity thereto.
“Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.01.
“Dollar” means the coin or currency of the United States of America which as of the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
“Event of Default” means any event or condition specified as such in Section 5.01.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Government Obligations” means securities which are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by, or acting as an agency or instrumentality of, the United States of America, the full and timely payment of which obligations is unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America, and which, in either case, are full faith and credit obligations of the United States of America, and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
“Holder,” “Holder of Securities,” “Securityholder” or other similar terms mean the Registered Holder of a Security.
“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,” when used with respect to non-interest-bearing Securities, means interest payable at maturity and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 3.05 or otherwise, includes such Additional Amounts.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by both (a) the chief executive officer, the president or any vice president of the Company and (b) the treasurer or any assistant treasurer or the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.05 to the extent applicable.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, which may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.05 to the extent applicable.
“Original Issue Discount” with respect to any Security, including any Security that is issued at a price below face value, has the same meaning set forth in Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as in effect on the date hereof, or any successor provision, and the applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder.
| 3 |
“Outstanding,” when used with reference to Securities, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:
(a) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Securities, or portions thereof, as to which moneys in the amount required for the repayment or redemption thereof shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Company for the Holders of such Securities (if the Company 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 satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice;
(c) Securities for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered in substitution, 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 satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company is presented that such Security is held by a Person in whose hands such Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company); and
(d) Securities discharged pursuant to Section 10.01 or with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Section 10.02, to the extent such Securities are not reinstated pursuant to Section 10.06.
“Paying Agent” means any Person (which may include the Company) authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security on behalf of the Company.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other legal entity.
“Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any Series, means the place or places where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series are payable as specified pursuant to Section 3.02, and initially shall mean the Corporate Trust Office with respect to Agent services.
“Preferred Stock” includes any stock of any class of the Company that has a preference over Common Stock in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
“Registered Holder,” when used with respect to a Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security register.
“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department (or any successor group) of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president or assistant secretary, or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, or any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Securities” means debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that have been authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Series” or “Series of Securities” means a series of Securities and, except in Sections 2.03 and 7.04 and Articles 1 (“Outstanding”), 5 and 6, a Tranche in the event that the applicable Series may be issued in separate Tranches.
“Subsidiary” means any Person which is consolidated in the Company’s accounts and any Person of which at least a majority of the outstanding stock having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors (or Persons performing similar functions) of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes of such Person shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the Company, or by one or more Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more Subsidiaries.
| 4 |
“Tranche” means all Securities of the same Series which have the same issue date, maturity date, interest rate or method of determining interest, and, in the case of Discount Securities, which have the same issue price.
“Treasury Regulation” means a final or temporary regulation issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
“Trust Indenture Act of 1939” or “Trust Indenture Act,” except as otherwise provided in Sections 8.01 and 8.02, means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
“Trustee” means the Person identified as “Trustee” in the first paragraph hereof until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving 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 only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.
“United States” means the United States of America (together with the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
“United States of America” means the fifty states constituting the United States of America as of the date hereof.
“United States Person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source.
“vice president,” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title of “vice president.”
“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary in which the Company and/or its other wholly owned Subsidiaries own all of the outstanding capital stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares).
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 Company Board Resolution and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate and/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 or any indenture supplemental hereto (the provisions of which shall be appropriate to reflect the terms of each Series of Securities, including the denomination) and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, 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 market 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.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
| 5 |
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:
[FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]
This is one of the Securities of the Series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
[ ], as Trustee |
|
| By: | |
| Authorized Signatory | |
| OR | |
as Authentication Agent |
|
| Authorized Signatory |
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 one or more Company Board Resolutions and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate and/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 title shall distinguish the Securities of the Series from all other Securities issued by the Company), including, as applicable, whether the Securities of the Series shall be issued as senior Securities, senior subordinated Securities or subordinated Securities; any subordination provisions particular to the Securities of the Series; and whether the Securities of the Series are convertible or exchangeable for 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 or 11.02);
(c) if other than 100% of its aggregate principal amount, the percentage of the aggregate principal amount at which the Securities of the Series will be offered;
(d) the date or dates (whether fixed or extendable) on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;
(e) the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable, the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and, in the case of Securities, the record dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable;
(f) any provisions relating to the issuance of the Securities of the Series at an Original Issue Discount;
(g) the place or places where the principal of and interest on Securities of the Series shall be payable and where Securities of the Series may be surrendered for conversion or exchange (if other than as provided in Section 3.02);
(h) whether any of such Securities of the Series are to be redeemable at the option of the Company, and if so, 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 so redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;
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(i) if other than 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date thereof pursuant to Section 5.01 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.02, or, if applicable, which is convertible or exchangeable;
(j) the obligation, if any, of the Company 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 (including the terms or method of payment thereof if other than cash), and any provision for the remarketing of the Securities;
(k) reserved;
(l) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations, in which Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
(m) whether the Securities of the Series will be certificated and, if so, the form of the Securities, including such legends as required by law or as the Company deems necessary or appropriate, and the forms of any other certificates which may be required hereunder or which the Company may require in connection with the offering, sale, delivery or exchange of the Securities;
(n) reserved;
(o) whether Securities of the Series are issuable in Tranches;
(p) the obligations, if any, of the Company to permit the conversion or exchange of the Securities of such Series into Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other Capital Stock or property (including securities), or a combination thereof, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion shall be effected (including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period, the provisions for conversion or exchange price or rate adjustments and any other provisions relative to such obligation) and any limitations on the ownership or transferability of the securities or property into which the Securities may be converted or exchanged;
(q) if other than the Trustee, any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, depositary custodian, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the Securities of such Series;
(r) if the Securities of the Series do not bear interest, the applicable dates for purposes of Section 4.01;
(s) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to (a) the Events of Default with respect to Securities of the Series or (b) the right of the Trustee or the Holders of such Securities pursuant to Section 5.01;
(t) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the covenants set forth in Article 3 with respect to Securities of the Series;
(u) if the amount of payments of principal of, and make-whole amount, if any, and interest on, the Securities of the Series may be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amount shall be determined, or computed if other than on a basis of a 360 day year consisting of twelve 30 day months;
(v) whether the Securities of the Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the global form of one or more Securities and in such case, (i) the depositary for such Securities, which depositary must be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the circumstances under which any such Securities may be exchanged for Securities registered in the name of, and under which any transfer of such Securities may be registered in the name of, any Person other than such depositary or its nominee, if other than as set forth in Section 2.15, and (iii) any other provisions regarding such Securities which provisions may be in addition to or in lieu of, in whole or in part, the provisions of Section 2.15;
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(w) whether, and under what circumstances, the Company will pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by Section 3.05 on the Securities of the Series to any Holder who is not a United States Person (including any modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);
(x) whether the Securities of the Series, in whole or in specified part, will not be defeasible pursuant to Section 10.02(b) or Section 10.02(c), or both such Sections, and, if the Securities may be defeased, in whole or in specified part, pursuant to either or both such Sections, any provisions to permit a pledge of obligations other than Government Obligations (or the establishment of other arrangements) to satisfy the requirements of Section 10.02(d)(i) for defeasance of the Securities and, if other than by a Company Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease the Securities will be evidenced;
(y) whether the Securities of such Series are to be secured by any property, assets or other collateral and, if so, the applicable collateral, any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the provisions of Article 13;
(z) the Person to whom any interest on the Securities of such Series will be payable, if other than the Securityholder thereof, on the regular record date therefor;
(aa) the dates on which interest, if any, will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates;
(bb) any restrictions, conditions or requirements for transfer of the Securities of such Series; and
(cc) any other terms or conditions upon which the Securities of the Series are to be issued.
All Securities of any one Series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination, except as contemplated by the immediately succeeding paragraph, and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Company Board Resolution or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time, and unless otherwise provided, a Series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such Series or to establish additional terms of such Series of Securities (which additional terms shall only be applicable to unissued or additional Securities of such Series). No Company Board Resolutions or Officers’ Certificate may affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise without its written consent.
Each Series may be issued in one or more Tranches. All Securities of a Tranche shall have the same issue date, maturity date, interest rate or method of determining interest, and, in the case of Discount Securities, the same issue price.
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 Company may deliver Securities of any Series, executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities to or upon a Company Order without any further action by the Company. In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:
(a) a Company Board Resolution relating to such Series;
(b) an executed supplemental indenture, if any;
(c) an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the form and terms of the Securities of such Series as required pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03, respectively, and prepared in accordance with Section 14.05;
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(d) at the option of the Company, either an Opinion of Counsel, prepared in accordance with Section 14.05, or a letter addressed to the Trustee allowing the Trustee to rely on an Opinion of Counsel, substantially to the effect that:
(i) the form or forms and terms of such Securities, if any, have been established in or pursuant to a Company Board Resolution or in a supplemental indenture as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.03, respectively, in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and
(ii) this Indenture, any supplemental indenture, and such Securities have been duly authorized, and, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and by general equitable principles, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law;
provided, however, that in the case of any Series issuable in Tranches, if the Trustee has previously received the applicable documents referred to in clause (a) through (d) above with respect to such Series, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities of such Tranches executed by the Company for original issuance upon receipt by the Trustee of a notice, executed by an officer of the Company transmitted electronically by facsimile or otherwise and confirmed in writing to the Trustee, of the terms of the issuance of such Securities.
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities under this Section 2.04 if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such Securities may not lawfully be issued by the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.10, together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 14.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 2.05. Execution of Securities. The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by the chief executive officer, president or any vice president of the Company and need not be attested or sealed. Such signature may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such officers. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such reproduction of any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
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 signatories, 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 Company 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.
Section 2.07. Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest. The Securities shall be issuable 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 denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof, and interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Securities shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the officers of the Company executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.
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Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, shall bear interest from the date, and shall be payable on the dates, in each case, which shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.03.
Interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any interest payment date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the payment of such interest.
The term “record date,” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except for a date for payment of defaulted interest), means 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 close of business on the fifteenth day of the next preceding calendar month or, if such interest payment date is the fifteenth day of a calendar month, the close of business on the first day of such calendar month, whether or not such record date is a Business Day.
Any interest on any Security of any Series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any interest payment date (called “defaulted interest” for the purpose of this Section 2.07) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Registered Holder on the relevant record date by virtue of his having been such Holder; and such defaulted interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:
(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any defaulted interest to the Persons in whose names any such Securities (or their respective predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such Series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment; such money, when so deposited, will be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest. Thereupon the Company shall fix a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest in respect of Securities of such Series which shall be not more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, the Trustee shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such defaulted interest and the special record date thereof to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Registered Holder at his address as it appears in the Security register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such defaulted interest and the special record date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such defaulted interest in respect of Securities of such Series shall be paid to the Person in whose names such Securities (or their respective predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date and such defaulted interest shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
(b) The Company may make payment of any defaulted interest on the Securities of any Series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or market on which the Securities of that Series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or market, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Any defaulted interest payable in respect of any Security of any Series which is not a Security shall be payable pursuant to such procedures as may be satisfactory to the Trustee in such manner that there is no discrimination as between the Holders of Securities and other Securities of the same Series, and notice of the payment date therefor shall be given by the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company, by first class mail, postage prepaid, or as to Global Securities, pursuant to Applicable Procedures.
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Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.07, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue interest, that were carried by such other Security.
In the case of any Security which is converted into Common Stock or Preferred Stock after any regular record date and on or prior to the next succeeding interest payment date (other than any Security whose maturity is prior to such interest payment date), interest whose stated maturity is on such interest payment date shall be payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding such conversion, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on such regular record date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Security which is converted, interest whose stated maturity is after the date of conversion of such Security shall not be payable.
Section 2.08. Registration, Transfer and Exchange. The Company will keep or will cause to be kept at the office or agency of the Trustee 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, the Company will provide for the registration and transfer of Securities as is provided in this Article 2. 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 Company 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.
All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee, duly executed by the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 2.11, 8.05 or 11.02 not involving any transfer.
The Company shall not be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities for redemption under Article 11 or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not redeemed.
Each Holder that is a transferor of a Security shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
Section 2.09. Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated or defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company at its own discretion may execute, and upon receipt of a Company Order, 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 Company, to the Trustee and to any agent of the Company 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, evidence to their 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 Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
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 Company 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).
Every substitute Security of any Series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.09 by virtue of the fact that any such Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (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 the law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced, 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. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, conversion or exchange, or for credit against any payment in respect of a sinking or analogous fund, shall, if surrendered to the Company or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled promptly 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 cancelled Securities in accordance with its customary procedures. If the Company 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.
Section 2.11. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities for any Series, the Company 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 satisfactory to the Trustee). Temporary Securities of any Series may be 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 Company 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 Company 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 Company 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 Company 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 2.13. Calculations. The Company shall be responsible for making calculations called for under the Securities and this Indenture, including but not limited to determination of interest, additional interest, redemption price, premium, make whole amount, and any additional amounts or other amounts payable on the Securities. The Company will make the calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on the Holders. The Company will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee when requested by the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee shall forward the Company’s calculations to any Holder of the Securities upon the written request of such Holder.
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Section 2.14. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall indicate the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers of the Securities in notices as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such notice shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.
Section 2.15. Securities in Global Form. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, the Securities shall be issuable in temporary or permanent global form. If Securities of or within a Series are issuable in whole or in part in global form, any such Security may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such Series (or such lesser amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby, shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.04. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.04 and, if applicable, Section 2.11, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order, if any. Any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 14.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.
The provisions of the last paragraph of Section 2.04 shall apply to any Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 14.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last paragraph of Section 2.04.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.04, payment of principal of and interest on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified in such Security.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility or obligation to any Person claiming a beneficial ownership interest in the Securities under or through any clearing agency or any other Person which is not shown on the Security register as being a Registered Holder with respect to either the Securities, the accuracy of any records maintained by any such clearing agency, the payment by any such clearing agency or its participants of any amount in respect of the principal of or interest on the Securities, any notice which is permitted or required to be given under the Indenture, any consent given or other action taken by such clearing agency as Registered Holder, or any selection by such clearing agency of any Person to receive payment of principal, interest or other amounts payable on the Securities. The Trustee and each Agent are hereby authorized to act in accordance with Applicable Procedures.
In connection with any proposed transfer of Securities in definitive form in exchange for global Securities, the Company or the clearing agency acting as depositary shall be required to provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
Section 2.16. Form of Conversion Notice. The form of any conversion notice for the conversion of Securities into shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other securities of the Company shall be in substantially the form included with the applicable form of Securities as shall be established pursuant to Section 2.01.
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ARTICLE 3
COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER
Section 3.01. Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company 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 in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, holds as of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.
Section 3.02. Offices for Payment, etc. So long as any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Company will maintain 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, and (c) where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities or of this Indenture may be served. The Company will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. In case the Company 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 at the Place of Payment and notices may be served at the Corporate Trust Office. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03, the Trustee is appointed Paying Agent and Registrar.
Section 3.03. Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.10, 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 Company 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 Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.04:
(a) that it will hold all sums received by it as such Paying 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 Company or other obligor on the Securities of such Series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such Series or of the Trustee and, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and upon the written request of the Trustee, pay over all such sums received by it to the Trustee;
(b) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (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 give the Trustee notice of any change of address of any Holder of which it is aware.
The Company 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 Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.
If the Company 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 Holders of the Securities of such Series a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.
Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company 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 Company or any Paying Agent hereunder, as required by this Section 3.04, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.
Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.04 is subject to the provisions of Sections 10.04 and 10.05.
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Section 3.05. Additional Amounts. If Securities of a Series provide for the payment of additional amounts to any Holder who is not a United States Person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge (“Additional Amounts”), the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such Series such Additional Amounts as may be so provided by Section 2.03. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of a Series or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of a Security of a Series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for by the terms of such Series established pursuant to Section 2.03 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions where such express mention is not made.
Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03, if the Securities of a Series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal or interest on which any Additional Amount shall be payable, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of or interest on the Securities of that Series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that Series who are not United States Persons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that Series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that Series and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 3.05 or in the event the Trustee shall not withhold or deduct any sums as a result of not receiving an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to this Section 3.05. The Trustee may provide a copy of such Officers’ Certificate or other notice received from the Company relating to Additional Amounts to any Holder upon written request. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives at the Corporate Trust Office such a certificate, the Trustee may assume without inquiry that no such Additional Amounts are payable. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine whether any Additional Amounts are payable, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of any Additional Amounts owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of any Additional Amounts. If the Company has paid Additional Amounts directly to the Persons entitled to it, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the particulars of such payment.
Section 3.06. Calculation of Original Issue Discount. If any Security bears Original Issue Discount, the Company shall promptly, at the end of each calendar year, calculate the Original Issue Discount accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and shall determine whether the amount of Original Issue Discount qualifies for the de minimis exception rule as set forth in Section 1273(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. If such calculated amount does not qualify for the de minimis exception rule, then the Company shall subsequently file with the Trustee no later than January 15th of each calendar year (a) a written notice specifying the amount of Original Issue Discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (b) such other specific information relating to such Original Issue Discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
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ARTICLE 4
SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE
Section 4.01. Company to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Securityholders. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee for the Securities of each Series a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Securities of each Series:
(a) semiannually and 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 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request, and such list shall be as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such information is furnished;
provided that, if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security registrar for such Series, such list shall not be required to be furnished.
Section 4.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Securityholders’ Lists.
(a) The Trustee for the Securities of each Series shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of each Series of Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.01 or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Security registrar for such Series, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) In case three or more Holders of Securities of any Series (hereinafter referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders of Securities of a particular Series (in which case the applicants must all hold Securities of such Series) or with Holders of all Securities with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Securities and such application is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:
(i) afford to such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02, or
(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders of Securities of such Series or all Securities, as the case may be, whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.
If the Trustee shall elect not to afford to such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Securityholder of such Series or all Securities, as the case may be, whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02, a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the Holders of Securities of such Series or all Securities, as the case may be, or could be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of such order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise, the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.
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(c) Each and every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.02, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, shall not be deemed to be a violation of any existing law or any law enacted after the date hereof which does not specifically refer to Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under such subsection (b).
Section 4.03. Reports by the Company.
(a) The Company covenants to:
(i) file with the Trustee for the Securities of each Series, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission (giving effect to any extensions thereof), copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, or in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange, as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;
(ii) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations, including, in the case of annual reports, if required by such rules and regulations, certificates or opinions of independent public accountants, conforming to the requirements of Section 14.05 hereof, as to compliance with conditions or covenants, compliance with which is subject to verification by accountants, but no such certificate or opinion shall be required if it is not required pursuant to Section 314(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act;
(iii) transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities in the manner and to the extent required by Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to subsections 4.03(a)(i) and 4.03(a)(ii) of this Section 4.03 as may be required to be transmitted to such Holders by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission; provided that any such information, documents or reports filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (including any successor thereto, “EDGAR”) system shall be deemed to be filed with the Trustee for purposes of clause (ii) above and transmitted to the Holders as of the time such information, documents or reports are filed or furnished to the Commission by the Company via EDGAR;
(iv) furnish to the Trustee, not less often than annually on or before a date not more than four months after the end of each of its fiscal years ending after the date hereof, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this subsection 4.03(a)(iv), such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture; and
(v) deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying any default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
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(b) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates). The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Company’s compliance with the covenants or with respect to any reports or other documents filed on EDGAR or with the SEC under this Indenture, or participate in any investor conference calls.
Section 4.04. Reports by the Trustee.
(a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each November 15 following the first issuance of Securities under this Indenture, deliver to Holders in the manner required by Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act a brief report, dated as of such November 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a). The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent applicable.
(b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when the Securities are listed on any stock exchange or market and of any delisting thereof.
ARTICLE 5
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
Section 5.01. Event of Default Defined; Acceleration of Maturity; Waiver of Default. In case one or more of the following Events of Default (unless it is either inapplicable to a particular Series or it is specifically deleted from or modified in the indenture supplement, the Company Board Resolution or other instrument establishing such Series and the form of Security for such Series) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to any Series of Securities:
(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any Security 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 the principal of the Securities of such Series as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption (for any sinking fund payment or otherwise), by declaration or otherwise; or
(c) failure on the part of the Company duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Company in the Securities of such Series, or in this Indenture contained and relating to such Series, for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice specifying such failure and requiring the Company to remedy the same and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder shall have been given by registered or certified mail, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the Company by the Trustee for the Securities of such Series, or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Securities of such Series then Outstanding; or
(d) the Company shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall file a petition in bankruptcy; or the Company shall be adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt, or shall petition or shall apply to any court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator or sequestrator of, or for, the Company or any substantial portion of the property of the Company; or the Company shall commence any proceeding relating to the Company or any substantial portion of the property of the Company under any insolvency, reorganization, arrangement or readjustment of debt, dissolution, winding-up, adjustment, composition or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect (hereinafter in this clause (d) called “Proceeding”); or if there shall be commenced against the Company any Proceeding and an order approving the petition shall be entered, or such Proceeding shall remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of 90 days; or a receiver, trustee, liquidator or sequestrator of, or for, the Company or any substantial portion of the property of the Company shall be appointed and shall not be discharged within a period of 90 days; or the Company by any act shall indicate consent to or approval of or acquiescence in any Proceeding or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator or sequestrator of, or for, the Company or any substantial portion of the property of the Company; provided that a resolution or order for winding-up the Company with a view to its consolidation, amalgamation or merger with another entity or the transfer of its assets as a whole, or substantially as a whole, to such other entity as provided in Section 9.01 shall not make the rights and remedies herein enforceable under this clause (d) if such last-mentioned entity shall, as a part of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer, and within 90 days from the passing of the resolution or the date of the order, comply with the conditions to that end stated in Section 9.01; or
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(e) any other Event of Default provided in the supplemental indenture or Company Board Resolution under which such Series of Securities is issued or in the form of Security for such Series;
then and in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default under clause (d) above), so long as such Event of Default with respect to such Series shall not have been remedied or waived, unless the principal of all Securities of such Series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee for such Series or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Securities of such Series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Holders), may declare the principal (or, in the case of Discount Securities, such principal amount as may be determined in accordance with the terms thereof) of all the Securities of such Series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Securities of such Series contained to the contrary notwithstanding. With respect to an Event of Default described under clause (d) above, the principal of all Securities of such Series shall become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act by the Trustee or the Holders. This provision, however, is subject to the condition that if at any time after the principal of the Securities of such Series (or, in the case of Discount Securities, such principal amount as may be determined in accordance with the terms thereof) 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, (x) the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest, if any, 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 such acceleration (with interest upon such principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate borne by the Securities of such Series (or, in the case of Discount Securities, at the yield to maturity) to the date of such payment or deposit) and in Dollars 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, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and (y) any and all defaults under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of the principal of Securities of such Series which shall have become due by such acceleration, shall have been remedied, then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Securities of such Series then Outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee for the Securities of such Series, may waive all defaults 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.
Section 5.02. Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Debt. The Company covenants that (a) 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 (b) 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 for the Securities of such Series, the Company will pay to the Trustee for the Securities of such Series, 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 of 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 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.
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Until such demand is made by the Trustee, the Company may pay the principal of and interest on the Securities of any Series to the Persons entitled thereto, whether or not the principal of and interest on the Securities of such Series are overdue.
In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee for the Securities of such Series, 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 Company or other obligor upon such Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated, the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.
In case there shall be any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or other obligor upon such Securities, if any, or to the creditors or property of the Company or 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 5.02, 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 (or, if the Securities of such Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be due and payable with respect to the Securities of such Series pursuant to a declaration in accordance with Section 5.01) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities of such 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) and of the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or other obligor upon all Securities of such Series, or to the creditors or property of the Company or other obligor; and
(b) 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 Holders to make payments to the Trustee for the Securities of such Series, and, in the event that such Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to such Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to such Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by such Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and all other amounts due to such Trustee or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.06 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be unpaid for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of 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 and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.
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All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Securities of any Series, may be enforced by the Trustee for the Securities of such Series without the possession of any of the Securities of such Series or the production thereof at 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, 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 of such Series in respect of which such action was taken.
In any proceedings brought by the Trustee for the Securities of any Series (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 of such Series 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.
Section 5.03. Application of Proceeds. Any moneys or property collected by the Trustee for the Securities of any Series pursuant to this Article, and after an Event of Default any money or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture, shall be applied in the following order at the date or dates fixed by such Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of such Series in respect of which moneys 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 moneys 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, including the costs and expenses of collection incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and all other amounts due to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06;
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 is permissible by law and that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest 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 payment of such interest is permissible by law and that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest 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 without preference or priority of principal over interest or of interest 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; and
FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders.
Section 5.04. 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.
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Section 5.05. Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceedings. In case the Trustee for the Securities of any Series 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 Company and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.
Section 5.06. 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 (a) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as provided in Section 5.01, (b) the Holders of not less than a majority 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, (c) such Holder or Holders shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, (d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action or proceeding, and (e) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.09; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Security with every other taker and Holder of a Security 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 5.06, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
Section 5.07. Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Institute Certain Suits. Notwithstanding any 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 at the respective rates and in the respective amount therein prescribed on or after the respective due dates expressed 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.
Section 5.08. Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of Default. Except as provided in Section 5.06, 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 5.06, every power and remedy given by this Indenture or by law to the Trustee, to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee, the Securityholders.
Section 5.09. Control by Securityholders. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each Series affected (with each Series treated 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 6.01) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, shall determine that the actions or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or that the actions or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or if a trust committee of Responsible Officers in good faith shall 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 6.01) 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.
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Section 5.10. Waiver of Past Defaults. Prior to the declaration of the acceleration of the maturity of the Securities of any Series as provided in Section 5.01, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such Series at the time Outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past default hereunder or its consequences, except a default in the payment of principal or interest on any of the Securities of such Series. In the case of any such waiver, the Company, the Trustee, the Holders of the Securities of such Series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
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 5.11. Trustee to Give Notice of Default, But May Withhold in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall transmit to the Securityholders of any Series notice, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, of all defaults which have occurred with respect to such Series, such notice to be transmitted within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “default” or “defaults” for the purposes of this Section 5.11 and Section 6.02(h) 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 any default in the payment of any sinking fund installment or analogous obligation in respect of any of the Securities of such Series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, executive committee or a trust committee of 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. In the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.01(c) with respect to Securities of such Series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof.
Section 5.12. Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, 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 5.12 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 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 6
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.01. 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) of which a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent individual would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such individual’s own affairs.
No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(a) 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 any Series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee need only perform 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 bad faith 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 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);
(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders pursuant to Section 5.09 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.
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, if there shall be reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not reasonably assured to it. The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers or duties hereunder. The permissive rights or powers of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty of the Trustee.
Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the conditions of this Section 6.01.
Section 6.02. Certain Rights of the Trustee. Subject to Section 6.01:
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected with respect to any actions or omissions conducted in reliance upon any Company Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate, Exchange Rate Officers’ Certificate, Company Order, certificate pursuant to Section 4.03(a)(iv) or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) 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 Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Order, Company Board Resolution, or Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed).
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(c) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel.
(d) 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 to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred therein or thereby.
(e) 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.
(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any Company Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate, Exchange Rate Officers’ Certificate, certificate pursuant to Section 4.03(a)(iv), Company Order or any other 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 to do so by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all Series affected then Outstanding.
(g) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys not regularly in its employ, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
(h) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any default or Event of Default (other than any Event of Default under Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b)) unless a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of such default or Event of Default by the Company or by the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.
(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be compensated, reimbursed, and indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, each Agent, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(j) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.
(k) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit), irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
Section 6.03. 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 certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee makes no representation as to and assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representation as to and shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of any Securities. The Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture and perform its obligations hereunder. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any of the Securities or of the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall not be responsible for any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, or for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance, observance, or breach of any covenants, conditions, representations, warranties or agreements on the part of the Company, but the Trustee may require full information and advice as to the performance of the aforementioned covenants. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities. The Trustee shall not be responsible for any prospectus or other document in connection with the sale of the Securities. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to any act or omission of any rating agency or any rating with respect to the Securities.
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Section 6.04. Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, etc. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Security registrar or any agent of the Company 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 serving in such capacity and, subject to Sections 6.08 and 6.13, if operative, may otherwise deal with the Company and receive, collect, hold and retain collections from the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not serving in such capacity.
Section 6.05. Moneys Held by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.04, 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 Company or the Trustee shall be under any liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder.
Section 6.06. Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim. The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee in Dollars (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) and the Company covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee upon its request in Dollars for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances actually 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) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or willful misconduct, as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims and expenses, including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee), actually incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on its part as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or the trusts hereunder and its duties hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim (whether asserted by the Company, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs incurred in connection with any action, claim or suit brought to enforce the Trustee’s right to compensation, reimbursement or indemnification. The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.06 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for reasonable 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 secured by a lien prior 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 lien. All indemnifications and releases from liability granted hereunder to the Trustee shall extend to its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, custodians, successors and assigns.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in clause (d) of Section 5.01, the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law. “Trustee” for the purposes of this Section 6.06 shall include any predecessor Trustee and the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder; provided, however, that the negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.
Section 6.07. Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers’ Certificate, etc. Subject to Sections 6.01 and 6.02, 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 bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel delivered to the Trustee, and such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it or under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
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Section 6.08. Disqualification of Trustee; Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee for the Securities of any Series has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, as defined in the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such conflicting interest, and if the default (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act) to which such conflicting interest relates has not been cured or waived or otherwise eliminated before the end of such 90-day period, either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign in the manner and with the effect specified in the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. If the Trustee does not eliminate such conflicting interest or resign, then, within 10 days of the expiration of such 90-day period, the Trustee shall transmit notice of its failure to do so to each Holder in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Further, if the Trustee does not so resign, each holder of the Securities of any Series for which such Trustee acts as trustee shall have the rights provided under, and subject to the limitations set forth in, Section 310(b)(iii) of the Trust Indenture Act. To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one Series.
Section 6.09. Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee. The Trustee for each Series of Securities hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state or the District of Columbia having (or, in the case of a Trustee included in a bank holding company system, the related bank holding company having) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal, state or District of Columbia authority and which has a Corporate Trust Office in any state of the United States of America. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.09, 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. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.09, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10. Neither the Company nor any other obligor upon the Securities shall serve as the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until acceptance of such appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with Section 6.11.
(b) 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 30 days’ written notice of resignation to the Company and by mailing notice thereof to the Holders in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 14.04. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees with respect to the applicable Series by written instrument in duplicate, authorized by a Company Board Resolution and executed by the Company, 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 mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, 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 5.12, 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.
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(c) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 6.08 with respect to any Series of Securities after written request therefor by the Company pursuant to a Company Order or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such Series for at least six months unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act; or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.09 and shall fail to resign upon written request by the Company pursuant to a Company Order or by any Securityholder; or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any Series of the 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 Company may remove the Trustee with respect to the applicable Series of Securities and appoint a successor trustee for such Series by written instrument upon 30 day’s written notice, in duplicate, authorized by a Company Board Resolution and executed by the Company, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 5.12, 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.
(d) 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 Company the evidence provided for in Section 7.01 of the action in that regard taken by the Securityholders.
If no successor trustee shall have been appointed with respect to such Series within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of such Series.
(e) 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 6.10 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 6.11.
Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.10 shall execute and deliver to the Company 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 Company pursuant to a Company Order or of the successor trustee, upon payment of its charges then unpaid, the trustee ceasing to act shall 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 Company 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 prior claim upon all property or funds held or collected by such trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.06.
If a successor trustee is appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) Series, the Company, 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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No successor trustee with respect to any Series of Securities shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 6.11 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 6.08 and eligible under the provisions of Section 6.09.
Upon acceptance of appointment by any successor trustee as provided in this Section 6.11, the Company shall give notice in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 14.04 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 any notice called for by Section 6.10. If the Company 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 Company.
Section 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee. Any entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall become the successor trustee hereunder; provided that such entity shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 6.08 and eligible under the provisions of Section 6.09, 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 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 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 trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor Trustee hereunder or in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates 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 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company. If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor, directly or indirectly, secured or unsecured, of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
ARTICLE 7
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 7.01. Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders.
(a) 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 Sections 6.01 and 6.02) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Article.
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(b) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security register.
Section 7.02. Proof of Execution of Instruments. Subject to Sections 6.01 and 6.02, 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 satisfactory to the Trustee.
Section 7.03. Holders to Be Treated as Owners. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company 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 interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any such Person, or upon such Person’s 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 7.04. Securities Owned by Company 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 or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of Securities, Securities that are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made 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, and for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum, only Securities which a Responsible Officer actually 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 satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or other obligor on such Securities or any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any other obligor on such 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 Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers’ Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described Persons; and, subject to Sections 6.01 and 6.02, 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 7.05. Right of Revocation of Action Taken. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.01, 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 it 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, 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 Company, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Securities affected by such action.
Section 7.06. Record Date for Determination of Holders Entitled to Vote. The Company may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a record date for the purpose of determining the Securityholders entitled to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, or to vote on any action authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Securityholders. If not set by the Company prior to the first solicitation of a Securityholder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or, in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, the record date for any such action or vote shall be the 30th day (or, if later, the date of the most recent list of Holders required to be provided pursuant to Section 4.01) prior to such first solicitation or vote, as the case may be. With regard to any record date, only the Holders on such date (or their duly appointed proxies) shall be entitled to give or take, or vote on, the relevant action.
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ARTICLE 8
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 8.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders. The Company, when authorized by a Company Board Resolution, and the Trustee for the Securities of any or all Series may, from time to time and at any time, enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as in force at the date of the execution thereof), in form satisfactory to such Trustee, for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to evidence the succession of another entity to the Company or successive successions, and the assumption by such entity of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company herein and in the Securities;
(b) to add to the Events of Default such further Events of Default for the protection of the Holders of Securities of any or all Series (and, if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all the Series of Securities stating that such Events of Default are being added solely for the benefit of one or more particular Series); provided, that, in respect of any such additional Events of Default, 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 rights of the Holders of the applicable Securities upon such an Event of Default;
(c) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants for the protection of the Holders of Securities of any or all Series (and, if such additional covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all the Series of Securities stating that such covenants are being added solely for the benefit of one or more particular Series), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company with regard to all or any Securities of any or all Series (and, if such surrender is to be for the benefit of less than all the Series of Securities stating that such surrender is being added solely for the benefit of one or more particular Series);
(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 Company Board of Directors may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not materially and adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities;
(e) to establish the form, terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.03;
(f) 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 the one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11;
(g) to delete, modify or add provisions of this Indenture; provided that, except as otherwise contemplated by Section 2.03, such deletion, modification or addition does not apply to any Outstanding Security created prior to the date of such supplemental indenture;
(h) to add guarantors, or to secure, or, if applicable, provide additional security for, any Securities and to provide for matters relating thereto, and to provide for the release of any collateral as security for any Securities; or
(i) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein, which was required to be contained herein in order for this Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, if the Trust Indenture Act or regulations thereunder change what is so required to be included in qualified indentures, in any manner not inconsistent with what then may be required for such qualification.
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The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept collateral 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 8.01 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 8.02.
Section 8.02. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 7) 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 (treated as one class), the Company, when authorized by a Company Board Resolution, and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as in force at the date of execution thereof) 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 the following modifications and amendments will not be effective against any Holder without such Holder’s consent: (a) a change in the stated maturity date of any payment of principal or interest; (b) a reduction in the principal amount of, or interest on, any Security; (c) an alteration or impairment of the right to convert at the rate or upon the terms provided in the Indenture; (d) an impairment of a Holder’s right to sue the Company for the enforcement of payments due on the Securities; or (e) a reduction in the percentage of Outstanding Securities required to consent to a modification or amendment of the Indenture or required to consent to a waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults under the Indenture.
Upon request by the Company pursuant to a Company Order, accompanied by a copy of a Company Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee for such Series of Securities of evidence of the consent of Securityholders as aforesaid and other documents, if any, required by Section 7.01, the Trustee for such Series of Securities shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects such Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case such 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 8.02 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 Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 8.02, the Company shall give notice in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 14.04 to the Holders of Securities of each Series affected thereby at their addresses as they shall appear on the Securities register of the Company, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
For the purposes of this Section 8.02 only, if the Securities of any Series are issuable upon the exercise of warrants, each holder of an unexercised and unexpired warrant with respect to such Series shall be deemed to be a Holder of Outstanding Securities of such Series in the amount issuable upon the exercise of such warrant. For such purposes, the ownership of any such warrant shall be determined by the Company in a manner consistent with customary commercial practices. The Trustee for such Series shall be entitled to rely on an Officers’ Certificate as to the principal amount of Securities of such Series in respect of which consents shall have been executed by holders of such warrants.
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Section 8.03. 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 Company 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 8.04. Documents to Be Given to Trustee. Upon request by the Company pursuant to a Company Order, accompanied by a copy of a Company Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee for such Series of Securities of evidence of the consent of Securityholders (if the supplemental indenture is executed pursuant to Section 8.02), an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that all conditions precedent thereto have been met or waived, and that it will be valid and binding upon the Company and enforceable in accordance with its terms as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article 8 complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee for such Series of Securities shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects such Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case such Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.
Section 8.05. 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, upon the direction of the Company, a notation in form satisfactory to the Trustee for the Securities of such Series as to any matter provided for by such supplemental indenture or as to any waiver granted by the Holders that does not require a supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities of any Series, so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of such Series then Outstanding. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Security will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
ARTICLE 9
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
Section 9.01. Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.
(a) Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other entity or entities (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance or lease of all or substantially all the property of the Company to any other entity (whether or not affiliated with the Company) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, that in any such case: (i) either the Company shall be the surviving or continuing entity or the resulting or acquiring entity, if other than the Company, is organized and existing under the laws of a United States jurisdiction and assumes pursuant to a supplemental indenture all of the Company’s responsibilities and liabilities under the Indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the Securities and performance of the covenants in the Indenture; (ii) immediately after the transaction, and giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default under the Indenture exists; and (iii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the transaction and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with the transaction, the supplemental indenture comply with the Indenture and that all conditions precedent to the transaction contained in the Indenture have been satisfied.
(b) If the Company consolidates or merges with or into any other entity or sells or leases all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in compliance with the terms and conditions of this Indenture, the resulting or acquiring entity will be substituted for the Company in this Indenture and the Securities with the same effect as if such entity had been an original party to this Indenture and the Securities. As a result, such successor entity may exercise the Company’s rights and powers under the Indenture and the Securities, in the Company’s name and, except in the case of a lease, the Company will be released from all its liabilities and obligations under the Indenture and under the Securities.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Company may transfer all of its property and assets to another entity if, immediately after giving effect to the transfer, such entity is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary.
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Section 9.02. Successor Corporation Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, and following such an assumption by the successor entity, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein. Such successor entity may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company prior to such succession any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor entity instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor entity 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) by the Company or any successor entity which shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in this Article 9, the Company or such successor entity, as applicable, shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may be liquidated and dissolved.
Section 9.03. Opinion of Counsel to Trustee. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 14.05, and the Trustee may receive such Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence, stating that any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, any such assumption, any such supplemental indenture, or any such liquidation or dissolution, complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
ARTICLE 10
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
Section 10.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. If at any time (a) the Company 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 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 Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of any Series theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities of such Series which 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 satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption and (ii) the Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount and/or the required Government Obligations maturing as to principal and interest in such amounts and at such times as will, in aggregate, ensure the availability of cash sufficient, in the opinion of a firm of independent certified public accountants delivered to the Trustee if Government Obligations are delivered, 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 to such date of maturity as the case may be, and if, in any such case, the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company 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 the Company’s right of optional redemption, (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, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith, and (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, subject to Section 10.06, the Trustee, upon request by the Company pursuant to a Company Order accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging such satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of such Series.
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Section 10.02. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.
(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03, the Securities of any Series shall be subject to defeasance pursuant to Section 10.02(b) or covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 10.02(c), in accordance with any applicable requirements specified pursuant to Section 2.03 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in Section 10.02(d). The Company may elect, at its option, at any time, to have Section 10.02(b) or Section 10.02(c) applied to any Securities of any Series so subject to defeasance or covenant defeasance. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Company Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for such Securities.
(b) Upon the Company’s exercise of its option, if any, to have this Section 10.02(b) applied to any Securities of any Series, on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 10.02(d) are satisfied, the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied and discharged all of its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture, insofar as such Securities are concerned (“Defeasance”).
Subject to compliance with this Section 10.02, the Company may exercise its option, if any, to have this Section 10.02(b) applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option, if any, to have Section 10.02(c) applied to such Securities.
In connection with Defeasance with respect to any Securities of any Series, the irrevocable trust agreement contemplated by Section 10.02(d) shall include, among other things, provision for (i) payment of the principal of and interest on such Securities when due (by redemption, sinking fund payments or otherwise), (ii) the payment of the expenses of the Trustee incurred or to be incurred in connection with carrying out such trust provisions, (iii) rights of registration, transfer, substitution and exchange of such Securities in accordance with the terms stated in this Indenture, and (iv) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith as stated in this Indenture.
Subject to Section 10.06, the Trustee, upon request of the Company pursuant to a Company Order accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging any satisfaction and discharge pursuant to this Section 10.02(b).
(c) Upon the Company’s exercise of its option, if any, to have this Section 10.02(c) applied to any Securities of any Series, on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 10.02(d) are satisfied (i) the Company shall be released from such of its obligations and covenants established pursuant to Section 2.03 for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities as are specified in the Company Board Resolutions or supplemental indenture establishing such obligations and covenants, and (ii) the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 5.01(c) with respect to such of its obligations and covenants established pursuant to Section 2.03 for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities as are specified in the Company Board Resolutions or supplemental indenture establishing such obligations and covenants or by Section 5.01(e) to the extent specified in the Company Board Resolutions or supplemental indenture establishing such event as an Event of Default shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities (“Covenant Defeasance”). Upon the effectiveness of Covenant Defeasance with respect to any Securities of any Series, with respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any of the Company’s obligations and covenants established pursuant to Section 2.03 for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities as are specified in the Company Board Resolutions or supplemental indenture establishing such obligations and covenants, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such obligation or covenant or by reason of any reference in any such obligation or covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document, but, except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities of such Series shall be unaffected thereby.
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(d) The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 10.02(b) or Section 10.02(c) to any Securities of any Series:
(i) The Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office or such other office as the Trustee may designate, as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such Series, (A) immediately available funds and/or (B) the required Government Obligations maturing as to principal and interest in such amounts and at such times as are sufficient, in the opinion of a firm of independent certified public accountants, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal or interest, to pay the principal of and interest on the Outstanding Securities of such Series to maturity or redemption, as the case may be; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such Government Obligations to the payment of said principal of and interest on the Outstanding Securities of such Series.
(ii) In the event of an election to have Section 10.02(b) apply to any Securities of any Series, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such Defeasance had not occurred.
(iii) In the event of an election to have Section 10.02(c) apply to any Securities of any Series, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred.
(iv) The Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Section 10.03. Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities. Subject to Section 10.05, all moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to this Article 10 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company 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. The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 10.02 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.
Section 10.04. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture 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 a Company Order, 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 10.05. Return of Unclaimed Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent. Anything in this Article 10 to the contrary notwithstanding, 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 direction by the Company pursuant to a Company Order unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Company 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 Company 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.
Section 10.06. Reinstatement of Obligations. If the Trustee is unable to apply any funds or Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 10 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 obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities for which such application is prohibited shall be revived and reinstated as if no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 10 until such time as the Trustee is permitted to apply all such funds or Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 10 or is able to convert all such funds or Government Obligations; provided, however, that, if the Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any of such Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the funds or Government Obligations held by the Trustee.
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ARTICLE 11
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.01. 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 Company shall be given by giving notice of such redemption as provided in Section 14.04, 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. Failure to give notice by mail to the Holder of any Security of a Series designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in such notice, 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 identify the Securities to be redeemed (including “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers, if any and that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN numbers, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities), the paragraph of the Securities and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Securities called for redemption are being redeemed, specify the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price (or manner of calculation if not then known), each Place 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 unless the Company defaults on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue, the conversion rate or price, the date on which the right to convert the Securities to be redeemed will terminate and each place where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion, if applicable, and that, if less than all of the Outstanding Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the identification and principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed. If less than all of the Securities of any Series are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption shall specify the numbers of the Securities of such Series to be redeemed. In case any Security of a Series is to be redeemed in part, 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 shall be given by the Company or, upon direction by the Company pursuant to a Company Order, delivered to the Trustee at least 45 days prior to the redemption date (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), requesting that the Trustee give such notice together with the notice to be given setting forth the information to be stated therein as provided in this Section 11.01 in the name and at the expense of the Company. If the redemption price is not known at the time redemption notice is to be given, the actual redemption price calculated as described in the terms of the Securities will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the redemption date.
Not later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section 11.01, the Company will have on deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Company 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 any Security to be redeemed is converted into Common Stock or Preferred Stock, any money deposited with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security shall (subject to any right of the Holder of such Security or any predecessor Security to receive interest as provided in the last paragraph of Section 2.07) be paid to the Company upon direction by the Company pursuant to a Company Order or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust. If less than all the Outstanding Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Company will deliver to the Trustee at least 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be redeemed, unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee.
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If less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, and the Securities are not held in global form pursuant to Section 2.15, 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. If less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, and the Securities are held in global form pursuant to Section 2.15, the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected pursuant to Applicable Procedures. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company 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. If any Security to be redeemed in part is converted in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities (or portions thereof) which have been converted during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection. In any case where more than one Security is registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Security.
Section 11.02. 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 Company 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 6.05 and 10.04, 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 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, such Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided that any semiannual payment of interest on Securities becoming due on 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 2.03.
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 borne by the Security.
Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (or transfer by book entry) to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.
Section 11.03. Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption. Securities other than global 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 Company 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 Company 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 Company.
Section 11.04. Repayment at the Option of the Holders. Securities of any Series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their stated maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such Series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their stated maturity, for purposes of Section 10.01, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a directive that such Securities be cancelled.
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Section 12.01. Purposes of Meetings. A meeting of Holders of Securities of any or all Series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article 12 for any of the following purposes:
(a) to give any notice to the Company or the Trustee for the Securities of such Series, or to give any directions to the Trustee for such Series, or to consent to the waiving of any default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Holders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article 5;
(b) to remove the Trustee for such Series and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article 6;
(c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.02; or
(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any one or more or all Series, as the case may be, under any provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.
Section 12.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee for the Securities of any Series may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of such Series to take any action specified in Section 12.01, to be held at such time and at such place in Aurora, Illinois, or such other city within the United States of America in which there is a Place of Payment as the Trustee for such Series shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Holders of Securities of any Series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given to Holders of Securities of such Series in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 14.04. Such notice shall be given not less than 20 nor more than 90 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
Section 12.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Holders. In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Company Board Resolution or the Holders of not less than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any or all Series, as the case may be, shall have requested the Trustee for such Series to call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any or all Series, as the case may be, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee for such Series shall not have given the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Holders may determine the time and the place in Aurora, Illinois, or such other city within the United States of America in which there is a Place of Payment for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 12.01, by giving notice thereof as provided in Section 12.02.
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Section 12.04. Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more Securities with respect to which such meeting is being held or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by such Holder. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee for the Securities of the Series with respect to which such meeting is being held and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
Section 12.05. Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee for the Securities of any Series may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of the Securities of such Series, in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such Series and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.
The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of the Securities of such Series as provided in Section 12.03, in which case the Company or the Holders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.
Subject to Section 7.04, at any meeting each Holder of Securities with respect to which such meeting is being held or proxy therefore shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount (in the case of the Discount Securities, such principal amount to be determined as provided in Section 14.11) of Securities held or represented by such Holder. However, no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any such Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of the Securities of such Series held by him or instruments in writing aforesaid duly designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Holders of such Series. At any meeting of Holders, the presence of Persons holding or representing Securities with respect to which such meeting is being held in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to take action on the business for the transaction of which such meeting was called shall constitute a quorum, but, if less than a quorum is present, the Persons holding or representing a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Securities represented at the meeting may adjourn such meeting with the same effect, for all intents and purposes, as though a quorum had been present. Any meeting of Holders of Securities with respect to which a meeting was duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.02 or Section 12.03 may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of such Holders present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
Section 12.06. Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities with respect to which such meeting is being held shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such Holders or of their representatives by proxy and the identifying number or numbers of the Securities held or represented by them. The chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to such record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that such notice was given in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 14.04. The record shall show the identifying numbers of the Securities voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee.
Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
Section 12.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting. Nothing in this Article 12 shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Holders or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities of any Series.
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If so provided pursuant to Section 2.03 with respect to the Securities of any Series, the Securities of such Series may be secured by such property, assets or other collateral as may be specified in or pursuant to Section 2.03. Any and all terms and provisions applicable to the security for the Securities of such Series shall also be provided in or pursuant to Section 2.03, which may include provisions for the execution and delivery of such security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral agreements and other similar or related agreements as the Company may elect and which may provide for the Trustee to act as collateral agent or in a similar or other capacity. The Trustee shall comply with Sections 313(a)(5) and (6) and 313(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act, and the Company shall comply with Sections 314(b), 314(c) and 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act, in each case in respect of any secured Securities that may be Outstanding hereunder from time to time.
ARTICLE 14
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 14.01. Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Company Exempt from Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, 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 Company or of any predecessor or successor to the Company, either directly or through the Company or any such predecessor or 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, it being expressly understood that, without limitation to the foregoing, this Indenture and the Securities and the obligations created hereunder and thereunder are solely corporate, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership or entity obligations, as the case may be, of the Company and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, any past, present or future stockholder, incorporator, employee, officer or director, as such, of the Company or any of its respective predecessors or successors, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied herefrom or therefrom and that any and all such personal liability of every type and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such past, present or future stockholder, incorporator, employee, officer or director, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied herefrom or therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of the Securities. As used in this Section 14.01, all references to “stockholders” shall be deemed to mean, with respect to any Person, any past, present or future holder or owner of an equity interest in such Person, including owners or holders of capital stock, limited or general partnership interests and limited liability company interests.
Section 14.02. Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Securityholders. Nothing in this Indenture or in any Security, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of the Securities any legal or equitable rights, remedies or claims 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 14.03. Successors and Assigns of Company Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
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Section 14.04. Notices and Demands on Company, 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, by the Holders of Securities to or on the Company may be given or served by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed (until another address of the Company is filed by the Company with the Trustee) to the Company at 37 South River Street, Aurora, Illinois 60507, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Any Company Order or notice by the Company, or any notice, direction, request or demand by Securityholders to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made at the Corporate Trust Office. Notice to the Trustee shall be effective only if such receipt is acknowledged. The Trustee shall have the right, but shall not be required, to rely upon and comply with instructions and directions sent by e-mail, facsimile and other similar unsecured electronic methods by persons believed by the Trustee to be authorized to give instructions and directions on behalf of the Company or any Person. The Trustee shall have no duty or obligation to verify or confirm that the Person who sent such instructions or directions is, in fact, a Person authorized to give instructions or directions on behalf of the Company; and the Trustee shall have no liability for any losses, liabilities, costs or expenses incurred or sustained by the Company as a result of such reliance upon or compliance with such instructions or directions. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, (a) if any of the Securities affected by such event are Securities, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid to such Registered Holders as their names and addresses appear in the Security register within the time prescribed. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. In 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, and any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a Holder of a global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with Applicable Procedures.
In the event that the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service makes it impracticable to mail notice to the Company and the Securityholders when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.
Section 14.05. Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company 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 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, such Person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with, and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
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Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows 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 Company, upon the certificate, statement or opinion of or representations by an officer or officers of the Company, 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.
Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company 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 Company, 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 14.06. 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, and no interest shall accrue on amounts payable on such date for the period from and after such date to the next succeeding Business Day.
Section 14.07. Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included herein by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.
Section 14.08. New York Law to Govern. 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.
Section 14.09. 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 and signature pages for all purposes.
Section 14.10. Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 14.11. Determination of Principal Amount. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any Series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, whether a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of Securities or whether sufficient funds are available for redemption or for any other purpose, the principal amount of an 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 5.01.
Section 14.12. Waiver. With respect to the Outstanding Securities of any Series, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such Series at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series (a) waive compliance by the Company with any restrictive provisions in this Indenture, and (b) waive any past default under this Indenture as provided in Section 5.10.
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Section 14.13. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable, nor shall the Company be responsible or liable to the Trustee, 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 strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, or interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, it being understood that the Trustee or the Company, as the case may be, shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 14.14. Waiver of Jury Trial. THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, 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 14.15. USA Patriot Act. The Company acknowledges that, in accordance with Section 326 of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001 (the “USA PATRIOT ACT”), the Trustee, like all other financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The Company agrees that it will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the applicable requirements of the USA PATRIOT ACT.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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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 above written.
FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION |
||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| [ ], as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Exhibit 5.1
 |
NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH LLP ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW | |
2 W. Washington Street Greenville, SC 29601 T:(864) 373-2300 F:(864) 373-2925 nelsonmullins.com |
December 18, 2024
First Community Corporation
5455 Sunset Boulevard
Lexington, South Carolina 29072
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by First Community Corporation
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to First Community Corporation, a South Carolina corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on December 18, 2024 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement, including the Prospectus (the “Prospectus”) as supplemented by various Prospectus Supplements (“Prospectus Supplements”), relates to the registration of certain classes of securities (the “Securities”) consisting of:
| (a) | shares of common stock of the Company, $1.00 par value per share (the “Common Stock”); |
| (b) | shares of preferred stock of the Company, $1.00 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), to be issued in one or more series, and fractional shares of Preferred Stock (the “Depositary Shares”), which may be evidenced by depositary receipts (“Depositary Receipts”) to be issued under a form of Deposit Agreement in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein; |
| (c) | debt securities issued by the Company, whether senior or subordinated (the “Debt Securities”) consisting of secured or unsecured debentures, notes and/or other evidences of indebtedness, in one or more series, to be issued from time to time under a form of Indenture filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (as supplemented or amended, the “Indenture”), proposed to be entered into between the Company and a trustee to be chosen by the Company; |
| (d) | warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other securities, or any combination of these securities registered under the Registration Statement (the “Warrants”), to be issued under a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein; |
California | Colorado | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Maryland | Massachusetts | Minnesota
New York | North Carolina | Ohio | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas | Virginia | West Virginia
December 18, 2024
Page 2
| (e) | rights offered to shareholders of the Company to purchase additional shares of Common Stock or other securities (the “Subscription Rights”); |
| (f) | purchase contracts to be issued in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein (“Purchase Contracts”) obligating holders to purchase from the Company and the Company to sell to holders a fixed or varying number of shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities that may be fixed at the time of issuance or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the Purchase Contracts; |
| (g) | purchase units to be issued in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein (“Purchase Units”) consisting of Purchase Contracts and the Company’s Debt Securities or debt obligations of third parties; and |
| (h) | two or more Securities described in the Prospectus offered in the form of a unit (collectively, “Units”) to be issued under a unit agreement (the “Unit Agreement”) in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein. |
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, we have examined such documents, records and matters of law as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of such opinions. We have examined, among other documents, originals or copies of the following:
| (a) | The Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended from time to time, certified as of December 10, 2024 by the South Carolina Secretary of State (the “Articles of Incorporation”); |
| (b) | The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (“Bylaws”), as amended and restated through May 16, 2023 filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 18, 2023; |
| (c) | The Registration Statement, including the Prospectus; and |
| (d) | The form of Indenture, filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement. |
In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. We have also assumed the genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the parties thereto other than the Company, and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by parties thereto other than the Company. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein, we have not undertaken to independently establish or verify any such factual information, but rather we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others. We have also assumed that (1) any applicable indenture and trustee will have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (2) appropriate corporate actions will be taken by the Company to authorize the forms, terms, execution and delivery of any supplemental indentures, the terms of any series of Debt Securities, and any other agreements or instruments pursuant to which any Securities will be issued and any certificates that will evidence any Securities, (3) any required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities or third parties will be obtained in connection with the issuance of any Securities, (4) at the time of issuance and sale of any Common Stock or Preferred Stock, and of any Securities convertible into or exercisable for or representing an interest in shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, is authorized and reserved or otherwise available for issuance, and (5) the Registration Statement shall have become effective pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act and all applicable Prospectus Supplements required by applicable law have been delivered and filed as required by such laws.
December 18, 2024
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Based on the foregoing and subject to such legal considerations as we have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that:
(1) When, as and if (i) the terms of the issuance and sale of the Common Stock have been duly authorized by the Company, and (ii) the Common Stock has been duly issued and sold against payment of the purchase price therefor in an amount not less than the par value per share of Common Stock and as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, and certificates representing such shares of Common Stock have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with applicable law and, if appropriate, by the Company’s transfer agent and delivered in accordance with the terms thereof and in accordance with the terms of the Registration Statement and the related Prospectus Supplement, the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.
(2) When, as and if (i) the terms of the Preferred Stock of a particular series and of its issuance and sale have been duly authorized by the Company and duly established in conformity with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and applicable law, (ii) Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation with respect to the Preferred Stock of such series have been duly filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State, and (iii) the Preferred Stock of such series has been duly issued and sold against payment of the purchase price therefor in an amount not less than the par value per share of Preferred Stock and as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, and certificates representing such shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with applicable law and, if appropriate, by the Company’s transfer agent and delivered in accordance with the terms thereof and in accordance with the terms of the Registration Statement and the related Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred Stock of such series will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.
(3) When, as and if (i) the deposit agreement relating to the Depositary Shares has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, (ii) the terms of the Preferred Stock of a particular series and of its issuance and sale, and the issuance and sale of the Depositary Shares of such series, have been duly authorized by the Company and duly established in conformity with the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, applicable law, and the related deposit agreement, (iii) the Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation with respect to the Preferred Stock of such series have been duly filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State, (iv) the Preferred Stock of such series has been duly issued and sold against payment of the purchase price therefor in an amount not less than the par value per share of Preferred Stock and as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and the related Prospectus Supplement and certificates representing such shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with applicable law and delivered to the depositary, and (v) the Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares have been executed and countersigned in accordance with the related deposit agreement and issued against deposit of the Preferred Stock and against payment therefor as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the related Prospectus Supplement, and the related deposit agreement, the Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares of such series of Preferred Stock will be validly issued and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the Depositary Shares and the related deposit agreement.
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(4) When, as and if (i) the terms of the Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly authorized by the Company, as applicable, and duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture, and (ii) the Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the applicable Indenture against payment of the purchase price therefor (in an amount not less than the par value per share of any Common Stock into which such Debt Securities may be converted), and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, as applicable.
(5) When, as and if (i) the terms of the Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly authorized by the Company and duly established in conformity with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and applicable law, (ii) the applicable Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and (iii) such Warrants have been duly executed and delivered in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement (including by being countersigned by the applicable warrant agent in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement, if required by the applicable Warrant Agreement ) and issued and sold against payment of the purchase price therefor and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(6) When, as and if (i) the terms of the Subscription Rights and of their issuance have been duly authorized by the Company and duly established in conformity with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and applicable law, (ii) the agreements, instruments or certificates creating, affecting or evidencing the Subscription Rights have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and (iii) such Subscription Rights have been issued as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, such Subscription Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(7) When, as and if (i) the terms of the Purchase Contracts or Purchase Units and of their issuance and sale have been duly authorized by the Company and duly established in conformity with Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and applicable law, (ii) the Purchase Contracts or Purchase Units have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and (iii) such Purchase Contracts or Purchase Units have been duly executed and delivered (including by being countersigned by the applicable purchase contract agent in accordance with the applicable Purchase Contract Agreement or Purchase Unit Agreement, if required by the applicable Purchase Contract Agreement or Purchase Unit Agreement) and issued and sold against payment of the purchase price therefor and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, such Purchase Contracts or Purchase Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
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(8) When, as and if (i) the terms of the Units and of their issuance and sale have been duly authorized by the Company and duly established in conformity with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and applicable law, (ii) the applicable Units have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and (iii) such Units have been duly executed and delivered (including by being countersigned by the applicable Unit Agent in accordance with the applicable Unit Agreement, if required by the applicable Unit Agreement) and issued and sold against payment of the purchase price therefor and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
The opinions expressed above are subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of (i) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar law or judicially developed doctrine in this area (such as substantive consolidation or equitable subordination) affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (iii) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain certain remedies and (iv) any laws except the South Carolina Business Corporation Act of 1988 (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the South Carolina Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting those laws) and, to the extent set forth as the governing law in an agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement under which Securities are to be issued as described in this opinion, the laws of the State of New York, in each case, that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Registration Statement. We advise you that issues addressed by this letter may be governed in whole or in part by other laws, but we express no opinion as to whether any relevant difference exists between the laws upon which our opinions are based and any other laws which may actually govern. We express no opinion with respect to the federal laws of the United States of America or the securities or “blue sky” laws of any state, including the securities laws of the State of South Carolina. The opinions expressed above are qualified to the extent that the enforcement of any Securities denominated in a currency other than United States dollars may be limited by requirements that a claim (or a foreign currency judgment in respect of such claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law.
Without limiting the preceding paragraph, we express no opinion as to: (i) waivers of defenses, subrogation and related rights, rights to trial by jury, rights to object to venue, or other rights or benefits bestowed by operation of law; (ii) releases or waivers of unmatured claims or rights; (iii) indemnification, contribution, exculpation, or arbitration provisions, or provisions for the non-survival of representations, to the extent they purport to indemnify any party against, or release or limit any party’s liability for, its own breach or failure to comply with statutory obligations, or to the extent such provisions are contrary to public policy; or (iv) provisions for liquidated damages and penalties, penalty interest and interest on interest.
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The Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, but this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations thereunder, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect. We disclaim any obligations to advise you of any change in any of these sources of law or subsequent legal or factual developments which might affect any matters or opinions set forth herein.
For purposes of each of our opinions, appropriate corporate action with respect to any issuance of Securities involving Common Stock or Preferred Stock (including any Purchase Contracts, Units, Rights, Warrants or convertible Debt Securities involving Common Stock or Preferred Stock) would include, without limitation, the requirement that the Company not approve any issuance of Common Stock or Preferred Stock in excess of the number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, authorized and properly available for such issuance.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us as counsel for the Company under the caption “Experts” in the prospectus comprising a part of such Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion for events occurring or coming to our attention after the date hereof.
This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purposes.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
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 First Community Corporation of our report dated March 21, 2024, relating to the consolidated financial statements of First Community Corporation appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the registration statement.
/s/ Elliott Davis, LLC
Elliott Davis, LLC
Columbia, South Carolina
December 18, 2024