First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc S-3, filed Sep 30, 2020
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (FGBI)
S-3
2020-09-30
View Original
Added on
October 17, 2026
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2020
Registration No. 333-________
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Louisiana
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
26-0513559
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
400 East Thomas Street, Hammond, Louisiana 70401, (985) 345-7685
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Alton B. Lewis, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
400 East Thomas Street
Hammond, Louisiana 70401
(985) 345-7685
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies of all communications to:
Benjamin M. Azoff, Esq.
Gregory M. Sobczak, Esq.
Luse Gorman, PC
5335 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 780
Washington, D.C. 20015
(202) 274-2000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement as determined by market conditions and other factors.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☒ | ||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ | ||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ☒ | ||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☒
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of each Class of Securities to be Registered | Amount to be Registered(1)(2)(3) | Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit(1) | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)(2)(3) | Amount of Registration Fee(4) | ||||||||||
| Debt Securities | ||||||||||||||
| Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share | ||||||||||||||
| Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value per share | ||||||||||||||
| Depository Shares | ||||||||||||||
| Warrants | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase Contracts | ||||||||||||||
Units(5) | ||||||||||||||
| Subscription Rights | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $50,000,000 | $3,377 (6) | ||||||||||||
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(1)Not specified as to each class of securities to be registered pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
(2)The Registrant is hereby registering an indeterminate principal amount and number of each identified class of its securities up to a proposed maximum aggregate offering price of $50,000,000, which may be offered from time to time in unspecified numbers at unspecified prices. The Registrant has estimated the proposed maximum aggregate offering price solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act. Securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
(3)The Registrant is hereby registering such indeterminate amount and number of each identified class of the identified securities as may be issued upon conversion, exchange, or exercise of any other securities that provide for such conversion, exchange or exercise.
(4)Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.
(5)Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement and will represent an interest in two or more other securities, which may or may not be separable from one another.
(6)In accordance with Rule 457(p), $3,113 has already been paid with respect to $25,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of securities that were previously registered pursuant to registration statement No. 333- 221335, initially filed by the Registrant on November 3, 2017 and declared effective on November 14, 2017 (the “Prior Registration Statement”), and not sold thereunder. Under the Prior Registration Statement, the Registrant registered an aggregate amount of $50,000,000 of securities and paid an aggregate filing fee of $6,225 for the securities registered under the Prior Registration Statement. Of the $50,000,000 aggregate amount of securities registered under the Prior Registration Statement, $25,000,000 remain unissued, which unissued securities are hereby deregistered. Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant is entitled to offset, against the filing fee due for this Registration Statement, $3,113 of the Prior Registration Statement filing fee paid with respect to the unissued securities under the Prior Registration Statement (calculated at the rate in effect at the time the Prior Registration Statement was filed).
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the 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. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has not yet been declared effective. The securities may not be sold until the registration statement has been declared effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
PROSPECTUS
FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.
$50,000,000
Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Purchase Contracts
Units
Subscription Rights
We may offer and sell, from time to time up to $50.0 million, in one or more series, our unsecured debt securities, which may consist of notes, debentures, or other evidences of indebtedness; shares of our common stock; shares of our preferred stock; depositary shares; purchase contracts; warrants to purchase other securities; units; or subscription rights consisting of any combination of the above securities. The debt securities and preferred stock may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities of ours. This prospectus provides you with a general description of these securities. Each time we offer any securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement, and, if necessary, a pricing supplement, that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. These supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To understand the terms of the securities offered, you should carefully read this prospectus with the applicable supplements, which together provide the specific terms of the securities we are offering.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “FGBI.”
This prospectus may be used to offer and sell securities only if accompanied by the prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing supplement for those securities.
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and, as a result, are subject to reduced public company disclosure standards. See “Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company.”
You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before you invest. Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” on page 3 of this prospectus, in any prospectus supplement and in the documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated in this prospectus by reference for a discussion of certain risks and uncertainties you should consider.
These securities are not deposits or obligations of a bank or savings association and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is ____, 2020.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
We may provide information to you about the securities we offer in three separate documents that progressively provide more detail:
•this prospectus, which provides general information about First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. and the securities being registered, some of which may not apply to your securities;
•a prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of a particular issuance of securities, some of which may not apply to your securities and which may not include information relating to the prices of the securities being offered; and
•if necessary, a pricing supplement that describes the pricing terms of your securities.
If the terms of your securities vary among the pricing supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus, you should rely on the information in the following order of priority:
•the pricing supplement, if any;
•the prospectus supplement; and
•this prospectus.
We include cross-references in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement to captions in these materials where you can find further related discussions. The following Table of Contents and the Table of Contents included in a prospectus supplement provide the pages on which these captions are located.
Unless indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we have not taken any action that would permit us to publicly sell these securities in any jurisdiction outside the United States. If you are an investor outside the United States, you should inform yourself about, and comply with, any restrictions as to the offering of the securities and the distribution of this prospectus.
IMPLICATIONS OF BEING AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY
As a company with less than $1.07 billion in annual gross revenues during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting requirements and is relieved of certain other significant requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to other public companies. As an emerging growth company:
•we are exempt from the requirement to provide an auditor attestation from our auditors on management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
•we may choose not to comply with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and our audited financial statements;
•we are permitted to provide less extensive disclosure regarding our executive compensation arrangements pursuant to the rules applicable to smaller reporting companies, which means we do not have to include a compensation discussion and analysis and certain other disclosure regarding our executive compensation in this prospectus; and
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•we are not required to hold nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements.
We may take advantage of these provisions until December 31, 2020, which is the last day of the fiscal year in which the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering in November 2015 occurs, unless we earlier cease to be an emerging growth company. We will cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.07 billion in annual gross revenues, have more than $700.0 million in market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates, or issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt in a three-year period. We have elected to adopt the reduced disclosure requirements described above regarding our executive compensation arrangements for purposes of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. In addition, we expect to take advantage of certain of the reduced reporting and other requirements of the JOBS Act with respect to the periodic reports we will file with the SEC and proxy statements that we use to solicit proxies from our shareholders.
The JOBS Act also permits us an extended transition period for complying with new or revised financial accounting standards affecting public companies until they would apply to private companies. However, we have elected not to take advantage of this extended transition period, which means that the financial statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as well as any financial statements that we file in the future, will be subject to all new or revised accounting standards generally applicable to public companies. Our election not to take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |||||
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell, from time to time, the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, purchase contracts, units or subscription rights consisting of a combination of any of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $50.0 million. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we offer these securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and, if necessary, a pricing supplement, that will contain specific information about the terms of the offer. The prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.
You should read this prospectus, the prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
The information contained in this document speaks only as of the date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies. We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, those contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have incorporated into this prospectus. If anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it.
If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you.
Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “First Guaranty Bancshares,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar references mean First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc., and references to the “Bank” mean First Guaranty Bank.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements may be identified by use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.
Forward-looking statements are based upon various assumptions and analyses made by First Guaranty Bancshares in light of management’s experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes appropriate under the circumstances. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations as reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved or realized. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual conditions or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, the following:
•changes in general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected;
•the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations and financial performance;
•the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may cause, among others, (i) collateral for our loans, especially real estate, to decline in value, which could cause loan losses to increase and (ii) our allowance
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for loan losses to be increased if borrowers experience financial difficulties beyond forbearance periods, which will adversely affect our net income;
•if the economy is slow to recover, and high levels of unemployment continue for an extended period of time, loan delinquencies, problem assets, and foreclosures may increase, resulting in increased charges and reduced income;
•competition among depository and other financial institutions;
•inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;
•adverse changes in the securities markets;
•changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements;
•our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;
•our ability to successfully integrate acquired entities;
•changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;
•changes in accounting policies 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;
•changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans;
•our cyber security risks are increased as the result of an increase in the number of employees working remotely;
•changes in our financial condition or results of operations that reduce capital available to pay dividends; and
•increases in our provision for loan losses and changes in the financial condition or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own.
In addition, we routinely evaluate opportunities to expand through acquisitions and periodically conduct due diligence activities in connection with such opportunities. As a result, acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations, may take place at any time, and acquisitions involving cash or our debt or equity securities may occur.
We assume no obligation for updating our forward-looking statements at any time. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risks and uncertainties, as well as the other cautionary statements made in this prospectus and the prospectus supplements. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date made. You should refer to our periodic and current reports filed with the SEC for specific risks that could cause actual results to be significantly different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Risk Factors” below.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.
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The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus and should be read with the same care. When we update the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference, by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in all cases, if you are considering whether to rely on information contained in this prospectus or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below (File No. 001-37621 except where stated), which are considered to be a part of this prospectus:
•our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020 (including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 10, 2020, incorporated by reference therein);
•our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 11, 2020 and August 10, 2020;
•our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 24, 2020, May 22, 2020, May 29, 2020 and August 24, 2020; and
•the description of our common stock contained in Exhibit 4.3 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020, as updated and amended from time to time.
All reports and other documents we subsequently file under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of this offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents. The most recent information that we file with the SEC automatically updates and supersedes older information. The information contained in any such filing will be deemed to be a part of this prospectus, commencing on the date on which the document is filed.
Any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are available without charge to you on the Internet at www.fgb.net or if you call or write to: Eric J. Dosch, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc., 400 East Thomas Street, Hammond, Louisiana 70401, telephone: (985) 375-0308. The reference to our website is not intended to be an active link and the information on our website is not, and you must not consider the information to be, a part of this prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. Neither we nor any underwriter or agent have authorized anyone else to provide you with additional or different information. We may only use this prospectus to sell securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. We are only offering these securities in jurisdictions where the offer is permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the dates of the applicable documents.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated into this prospectus by reference, as updated by Risk Factors in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, together with all of the other information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, the prospectus supplement or any applicable pricing supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. In addition to those risk factors, there may
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be additional risks and uncertainties of which management is not aware or focused on or that management deems immaterial. 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.
OUR COMPANY
First Guaranty Bancshares is a Louisiana corporation headquartered in Hammond, Louisiana and the parent of First Guaranty Bank. As of June 30, 2020, the Company had consolidated total assets of $2.4 billion, deposits of $2.1 billion and total shareholders’ equity of $179.9 million. The Company’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “FGBI.”
Our wholly owned subsidiary, First Guaranty Bank, a Louisiana-chartered commercial bank, provides personalized commercial banking services mainly to Louisiana and Texas customers through 34 banking facilities primarily located in the Market Services Areas of Hammond, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport-Bossier City, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, and Waco. Our principal business consists of attracting deposits from the general public and local municipalities in our market areas and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings in lending and in securities activities to serve the credit needs of our customer base, including commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans, one- to four-family residential real estate loans, construction and land development loans, agricultural and farmland loans, and to a lesser extent, consumer and multi-family loans. We also participate in certain syndicated loans, including shared national credits, with other financial institutions. We offer a variety of deposit accounts to consumers and small businesses, including personal and business checking and savings accounts, time deposits, money market accounts and demand accounts. We invest a portion of our assets in securities issued by the United States Government and its agencies, state and municipal obligations, corporate debt securities, mutual funds, and equity securities. We also invest in mortgage-backed securities primarily issued or guaranteed by United States Government agencies or enterprises. In addition, we offer a broad range of consumer services, including personal and commercial credit cards, remote deposit capture, safe deposit boxes, official checks, online and mobile banking, automated teller machines, and online bill pay. For our business customers we are pleased to offer additional solutions such as merchant services, remote deposit capture, and lockbox services.
Our executive offices are located at 400 East Thomas Street, Hammond, Louisiana 70401. Our telephone number at this address is (985) 345-7685. Our website address is www.fgb.net. The information contained on our website should not be considered part of this prospectus or part of any prospectus supplement, and the reference to our website does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on the website.
USE OF PROCEEDS
First Guaranty Bancshares intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered under this prospectus in the manner and for the purposes set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, which may include general corporate purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES
This prospectus contains a summary of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, purchase contracts, units and subscription rights that may be offered under this prospectus. The following summaries are not meant to be a complete description of each security. The prospectus supplement and the pricing supplement, if applicable, contain the material terms and conditions for each security. You should read all of these documents as well as the documents filed as exhibits to or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Capitalized terms used in this prospectus that are not defined will have the meanings given them in these documents.
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Description of Debt Securities
General
We may issue senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, either of which may be issued as convertible or exchangeable debt securities. This prospectus describes the general terms and conditions of the debt securities that we may offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the securities in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities. The terms and conditions of the debt securities of a series may be different in one or more respects from the terms and conditions described below. If so, those differences will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We will issue the debt securities in one or more series pursuant to either a senior indenture between us and a trustee as identified in the applicable prospectus supplement, or a subordinated indenture between us and a trustee as identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description of provisions of the indentures does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the indentures, each of which has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We urge you to read the indentures and any supplemental indenture or similar document that is filed, because they, and not this description, define your rights as holder of our debt securities. Except as otherwise noted, all capitalized terms have the meanings specified in the indentures.
Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities that we may issue under the indenture. We may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of any series, issue additional debt securities ranking equally with, and otherwise similar in all respects to, the debt securities of the series (except for any differences in the issue price and, if applicable, the initial interest accrual date and interest payment date) so that those additional debt securities will be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of the series previously offered and sold; provided that if necessary, the additional debt securities may have a separate CUSIP or other identifying number. As of the date of this prospectus, we had not issued any debt securities under either indenture.
Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indentures, the terms of the indentures do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of any debt securities protection with respect to our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us. Neither indenture contains provisions that would afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of a sudden and significant decline in our credit quality or a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction. Accordingly, we could in the future enter into transactions that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding or otherwise adversely affect our capital structure or credit rating.
The debt securities will be direct unsecured general obligations. Neither indenture requires our subsidiaries to guarantee the debt securities. As a result, the holders of debt securities will generally have a junior position to claims of all creditors and preferred shareholders of our subsidiaries.
Senior Debt Securities
Senior debt securities will be issued under the senior debt indenture. Payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured senior debt.
Subordinated Debt Securities
Subordinated debt securities will be issued under the subordinated debt indenture. Payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness, including senior debt securities and other debt to the extent described in a prospectus supplement.
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Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, it is currently intended that the subordinated debt securities will qualify as Tier 2 Capital under the guidelines established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) for bank holding companies. The guidelines set forth specific criteria for subordinated debt to qualify as Tier 2 Capital. Among other things, the subordinated debt must:
•be unsecured;
•have an average maturity of at least five years;
•be subordinated in right of payment;
•not contain provisions permitting the holders of the debt to accelerate payment of principal prior to maturity except in the event of bankruptcy of the issuer;
•not be credit sensitive;
•not contain provisions permitting the issuer of the debt to redeem the security prior to the maturity date without prior approval of the Federal Reserve; and
•not contain provisions that would adversely affect liquidity or unduly restrict management’s flexibility to operate the organization, particularly in times of financial difficulty, such as limitations on additional secured or senior borrowings, sales or dispositions of assets or changes in control.
Terms of Each Series of Debt Securities to be Provided Supplementally
A prospectus supplement and any supplemental indenture relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:
•the form and title of the debt securities;
•whether the debt securities are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and the terms of subordination;
•the principal amount of the debt securities;
•the price(s), expressed as a percentage of the principal amount, at which we will sell the debt securities;
•the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued;
•the date(s) when principal payments are due on the debt securities;
•the interest rate(s) on the debt securities, which may be fixed or variable, per annum or otherwise, and the method used to determine the rate(s), the dates on which interest will begin to accrue and be payable, and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
•the place(s) where principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable;
•the currency or currencies of payment of principal or interest;
•the portion of the principal of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the entire principal amount;
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•provisions governing redemption of the debt securities, including any redemption or purchase requirements pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities, and the redemption price and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;
•any right we may have to defer payments of interest by extending the dates payments are due and whether interest on those deferred amounts will be payable as well;
•the terms, if any, upon which the debt securities are convertible into other securities of ours and the terms and conditions upon which any conversion will be effected, including the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period and any other provisions in addition to or instead of those described in this prospectus;
•any additional or modified events of default from those described in this prospectus or in the indenture and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture;
•any additional or modified covenants from those described in this prospectus or in the applicable indenture; and
•any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities.
We may issue debt securities under the indentures as “discount securities,” which means they may be offered and sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be treated as if they were issued with “original issue discount,” because of interest payment and other characteristics. Special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with original issue discount will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will also set forth the securities exchange or quotation system on which debt securities are listed or quoted, if any.
Provisions Contained in the Indentures
Global Securities
We may issue the debt securities of a series in whole or in part in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that we will deposit with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of such depositary or nominee. In such case, we will issue one or more registered global securities denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the debt securities of the series to be issued and represented by such registered global security or securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such registered global security to its nominee; by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary; or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of such series represented by a registered global security.
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Conversion or Exchange Rights
Debt securities that we issue may be convertible into or exchangeable for our other securities or property. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:
•provisions regarding the ability of us or the holder to convert or exchange the debt securities;
•the conversion or exchange price, and any events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price;
•the conversion or exchange period; and
•provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the debt securities.
Information Concerning the Indenture Trustee
Under provisions of the indentures and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), if a trustee has or acquires a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee will either eliminate such interest or resign in the manner provided by the indentures. Any resignation will require the appointment of a successor trustee under the applicable indenture in accordance with its terms and conditions.
The trustee may resign with respect to one or more series of debt securities and a successor trustee may be appointed by us to act with respect to any such series. The trustee may be removed with respect to a series of debt securities by the Company in accordance with the terms of the indenture, or by the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of such series at any time.
Each indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, in the event that it becomes our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in some cases, or to realize on property received in respect of any such claim, as security or otherwise.
No Individual Liability of Officers, Directors, Employees or Shareholders
The indentures provide that none of our officers, directors, employees or shareholders will have any liability for any of our obligations under the indentures or the debt securities or for any claim based on, inspect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt securities, by accepting a debt security, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the debt securities.
Legal Defeasance
We may deposit with the trustee, in trust, cash or U.S. government securities in an amount that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, which is sufficient to make all payments of principal and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities of that series on the due dates for such payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities. If we make such a deposit, unless otherwise provided under the applicable series of debt securities, we will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of such series (except for obligations relating to the transfer or exchange of debt securities and the replacement of stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities and relating to maintaining paying agencies and the treatment of funds held by paying agents and certain rights of the trustee and our obligations with respect thereto). However, this discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee a legal opinion stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and, based thereon confirming that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit,
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defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.
Covenant Defeasance
Under the indentures (and unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities), upon making the deposit and delivering the legal opinion described above under “—Legal Defeasance,” we will not need to comply with certain covenants, including those described below under “—Consolidation, Merger or Asset Sale,” as well as any additional covenants that may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and any such noncompliance will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, or covenant defeasance.
If we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amounts on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. We will remain liable for those payments.
Satisfaction and Discharge
We may discharge our obligations under either indenture and the debt securities of a series (except for certain surviving rights of the trustee and our obligations in connection therewith) if: (a) all outstanding debt securities of that series and all other outstanding debt securities issued under such indenture (i) have been delivered for cancellation, or (ii) (1) have become due and payable, (2) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, (3) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice and redemption by the trustee or (4) are deemed paid and discharged in a legal defeasance described above (and in the case of clauses (1), (2) and (3), we have irrevocably deposited with the trustee an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest on all outstanding debt securities and any other sums due on the stated maturity date or redemption date, as the case may be); (b) we have paid all other sums payable by us under such indenture; and (c) we have delivered an officers’ certificate and opinion of counsel confirming.
Consolidation, Merger or Asset Sale
The indentures provide that we may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person, and we may not permit any other person to consolidate with or merge into us or to convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to us, unless the following conditions are satisfied:
•we are the surviving person or the successor person (if not us) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any United States domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture, our obligations on the debt securities and under such indenture;
•immediately after giving effect to such transaction, and treating any indebtedness that becomes an obligation of us or our subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by us or such subsidiary at the effective date of such transaction, no default or event of default under such indenture will have occurred and be continuing; and
•we have complied with our obligations to deliver certain documentation to the applicable trustee, including an officers’ certificate and opinion of counsel each stating that such proposed transaction and any supplemental indenture comply with such indenture.
The remaining or acquiring person, association or entity will be substituted for us in the indentures with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indentures. Thereafter, the successor may exercise our rights and
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powers under the indentures, in our name or in its own name. If we sell or transfer all or substantially all of our assets, we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under any indenture and under the debt securities. If we lease all or substantially all of our assets, we will not be released from our obligations under the indentures.
Events of Default and Remedies
For any series of debt securities, an event of default will include the following events:
•default in the payment when due of any interest on any debt securities of that series, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless we deposit the entire amount of such payment with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of such 30-day period);
•default in the payment when due of principal of any debt security of that series;
•default in the deposit when due of any sinking fund payment in respect of any debt security of that series;
•default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty in the indenture that applies to such series, which default continues (without such default or breach having been waived in accordance with the provisions of the indenture) for a period of 90 days after we have received written notice of the failure to perform in the manner specified in the indenture;
•certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving us; and
•any other event of default provided in the supplemental indenture under which we issue such series of debt securities.
An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indentures.
If an event of default with respect to any outstanding debt securities occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by written notice to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), accelerate the payment of the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. Such acceleration is automatic, without any notice required, in the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.
At any time after acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series, but before the trustee has obtained a court judgment or decree for payment of the amounts due, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities will contain particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.
The indentures provide that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any rights or powers under such indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities unless the trustee is indemnified to its satisfaction against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.
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No holder of any debt security may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:
•such holder has previously given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series;
•the holders of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request to the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default in its own name as trustee under the indenture;
•such holder or holders have offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses, and liabilities to be incurred in complying with such request;
•the trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request, and offer of security and indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
•no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.
Under the indentures we must furnish the trustee a statement as to compliance with such indenture within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal year ending immediately following the execution of such indenture). The indentures provide that, other than with respect to payment defaults, the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of a default or event of default if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders of those debt securities.
Modification of Indentures
Each indenture provides that we and the trustee may, without the consent of the holders of our debt securities, enter into supplemental indentures to:
•evidence the succession of another person to the Company as obligor under the indenture and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Company in the indenture and debt securities, or evidence the addition or release of any guarantor in accordance with the indenture or any supplemental indenture;
•add to the Company’s covenants such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions to protect the holders of the debt securities and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in the indenture, with such period of grace, if any, and subject to such conditions as such supplemental indenture may provide;
•add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide that bearer securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on bearer securities or to permit or facilitate the issuance of securities in uncertificated form; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect;
•surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;
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•add or change any of the provisions of the indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated or global form;
•provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or facilitate the administration of the trust under the indenture by more than one trustee;
•cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture;
•add any additional events of default (and if such events of default are to be for less than all series of debt securities, stating that such are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities;
•modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the indenture, if the change or elimination (i) becomes effective only when there are no debt securities outstanding of any series created prior to the change or elimination that are entitled to the benefit of the changed or eliminated provision or (ii) shall not apply to the any debt securities outstanding at the time of such change or elimination;
•establish the form of the debt securities of a series and to provide for the issuance of any other series of debt securities under the indenture;
•comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
•modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the indenture to such extent as is necessary to effect the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, or under any similar federal statute hereafter enacted, and to add to the indenture such other provisions as may be expressly permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, excluding certain provisions thereof; or
•make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities of any series issued under the indenture.
Each indenture also provides that we and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of all series of senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, as the case may be, then outstanding and affected thereby (voting as one class), add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities. We and the trustee may not, however, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:
•reduce the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required to amend or supplement the indenture or any supplemental indenture, waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults and the consequences thereof under the indenture, or any change to such defaults that require such consent;
•reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt securities or any additional amounts owed thereon;
•reduce the principal or change the stated maturity of any debt securities;
•waive a default or event of default in the payment of the principal of, interest or any Additional Amounts, if any, on any debt securities (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities by the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
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•make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, holders’ rights to receive payment of the principal of and interest on the debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and waivers of past defaults;
•make the principal of or interest, if any, on any debt securities or any Additional Amount with respect thereto payable in any currency other than that stated in the debt securities;
•waive or change any redemption payment with respect to any debt securities; or
•make any change to provisions of the indenture to remove any of the limitations in this paragraph upon us or the trustee.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Description of Common Stock
The following summary contains a description of the general terms of our common stock. Each share of common stock has the same relative rights as, and is identical in all respects to, each other share of common stock. The rights of the holders of our common stock are governed by the Company’s restated articles of incorporation and by the Louisiana Business Corporation Act.
General
We are authorized to issue up to 100,600,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of September 29, 2020, we had 9,741,253 shares of common stock outstanding. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “FGBI.”
Voting Rights
Holders of common stock of First Guaranty Bancshares have exclusive voting rights in First Guaranty Bancshares. They elect First Guaranty Bancshares’ board of directors and act on other matters that are required to be presented to them under Louisiana law or that are otherwise presented to them by the board of directors. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share and does not have any right to cumulate votes in the election of directors. If First Guaranty Bancshares issues shares of preferred stock, holders of the preferred stock may also possess voting rights.
Dividends
Holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive and share equally in such dividends as the board of directors of First Guaranty Bancshares may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. If First Guaranty Bancshares issues preferred stock, holders of such stock may have a priority over holders of common stock with respect to the payment of dividends. Louisiana law prohibits distributions to shareholders if, after giving effect to the distribution, the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business or the corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution. The payment of dividends by First Guaranty Bancshares is also subject to limitations that are imposed by federal law, regulation and policy.
The Federal Reserve has issued a policy statement providing that dividends should be paid only out of current earnings and only if the holding company’s prospective rate of earnings retention is consistent with its capital needs,
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asset quality and overall financial condition. Federal regulatory guidance also provides for prior regulatory consultation with respect to capital distributions in certain circumstances such as where the holding company’s net income for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid over that period, is insufficient to fully fund the dividend or the holding company’s overall rate or earnings retention is inconsistent with its capital needs and overall financial condition.
Liquidation
In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of First Guaranty Bancshares, holders of our common stock and any participating preferred stock will be entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of all of our debts and liabilities and the preferential rights of, and the payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding shares of preferred stock, all of our assets available for distribution. If we issue preferred stock in the future, holders of such stock may have a senior interest over holders of common stock in such a distribution.
Preemptive Rights
Holders of the common stock of First Guaranty Bancshares are not entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares that may be issued. Our common stock is not subject to redemption.
Restrictions on Acquisition of First Guaranty Bancshares
The following is a general summary of the material provisions of our restated articles of incorporation and bylaws and the Louisiana Business Corporation Act that may have an “anti-takeover effect.” Such provisions might discourage future takeover attempts by impeding efforts to acquire us or stock purchases in furtherance of such an acquisition.
Authorized Shares of Capital Stock. Our restated articles of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 100,600,000 shares of common stock and up to 100,000 shares of preferred stock. Shares of preferred stock with voting rights could be issued and would then represent an additional class of stock required to approve any proposed acquisition. This preferred stock, together with authorized but unissued shares of our common stock, could represent additional capital required to be purchased by an acquiror. Issuance of such additional shares may also dilute the voting interest of our shareholders.
Generally, the Louisiana Business Corporation Act does not require shareholder approval for an issuance of authorized shares. However, the Louisiana Business Corporation Act does require shareholder approval of non-cash share issuances in excess of 20% of a corporation’s total voting power on a pre-transaction basis. In addition, the listing requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market, which would apply so long as our common stock were listed on such market, require shareholder approval of certain issuances equal to or exceeding 20% of the then outstanding voting power or the then outstanding number of shares of common stock, but not a public offering of common stock for cash.
Directors. The board of directors has the power to fill board vacancies, whether occurring by reason of an increase in the number of directors or by resignation, death, removal or otherwise, although the shareholders may fill vacancies at a special meeting called for that purpose before the board takes action. Our bylaws provide that, in general, any shareholder desiring to make a nomination for the election of directors must submit written notice not less than 45 days or more than 90 days in advance of the meeting. The shareholders, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at an annual or special meeting of shareholders or by written consent of holders of a majority of shares outstanding, have the power to remove any and all directors at any time, with or without cause.
Actions by Shareholders. Our bylaws provide that special meetings of the shareholders may be called only by a majority of the board of directors, the President, Chairman, or Chief Executive Officer, or the President or Secretary at the written request of the holders of at least one-fifth of all shares entitled to vote. The bylaws provide that notice
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of shareholder proposals for new business to be considered at an annual meeting must be submitted, in general, not less than 30 or more than 90 days before the meeting.
Under the Louisiana Business Corporation Act, any amendment of our restated articles of incorporation and any merger or other business combination that requires shareholder approval or statutory share exchange to which we are a party requires the approval of a majority of the shares entitled to be cast at the meeting of shareholders. In addition, the Louisiana Business Corporation Act also provides that if any class or series of shares is entitled to vote as a separate group on a plan of merger or share exchange, the approval of a majority of such separate voting group is required.
The board of directors may amend the Company’s bylaws without shareholder approval.
Indemnification. Our restated articles of incorporation and bylaws provide generally that we will indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by Louisiana law, our directors and officers, as well as other persons who have served as directors, officers, fiduciaries or in other representative capacities, serving at our request in connection with any actual or threatened action, proceeding or investigation, subject to limited exceptions. To the extent that indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. Finally, our ability to provide indemnification to our directors and officers is limited by federal banking laws and regulations.
Limitation of liability. Our restated articles of incorporation limit the personal liability of our directors in actions brought on our behalf or on behalf of our shareholders for monetary damages as a result of a director’s acts or omissions while acting in a capacity as a director, with certain exceptions. Our restated articles of incorporation do not eliminate or limit our right or the right of our shareholders to seek injunctive or other equitable relief not involving monetary damages.
Transfer Agent
The co-transfer agents and registrars for our common stock are First Guaranty Bank, Hammond, Louisiana and ClearTrust, LLC, Lutz, Florida.
Description of Preferred Stock
The following summary contains a description of the general terms of the preferred stock that we may issue pursuant to this prospectus. The specific terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The terms of any series of preferred stock may differ from the terms described below. You should read the particular terms of any series of preferred stock we offer in any prospectus supplement relating to such series, together with the more detailed provisions of our restated articles of incorporation and any amendments thereto with respect to each particular series of preferred stock, which will be filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The prospectus supplement also will state whether any of the terms summarized below do not apply to the series of preferred stock being offered.
General
We are authorized to issue up to 100,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1,000.00 per share. As of September 29, 2020, we had no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
Our restated articles of incorporation permit our board of directors to authorize the issuance of preferred stock in one or more series, without additional approval of the holders of our common stock or preferred stock. The board of directors can establish the number of shares to be included in each such series, and fix the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the shares of each such series.
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Prior to the issuance of any series of preferred stock, the board will adopt resolutions creating and designating the series as a series of preferred stock and an amendment to the restated articles of incorporation setting forth the preferences, rights, limitations and other terms of such series will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Louisiana. The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable.
The preferred stock will have the dividend, liquidation, redemption and voting rights stated in this section unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise. You should read the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of the preferred stock being offered for specific terms, including:
•the title, stated value and liquidation preferences of the preferred stock and the number of shares offered;
•the initial public offering price at which the preferred stock will be issued;
•the dividend rate(s) (or method of calculation), the dividend periods, the dates on which dividends will be payable and whether these dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the dates at which the dividends will begin to cumulate;
•any redemption or sinking fund provisions; and
•any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.
In addition, unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, we will have the right to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of preferred stock by issuing additional preferred stock of such series.
We may, at our option, with respect to any series of the preferred stock, elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, which we call depositary shares. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Rank
With respect to the payment of dividends and the priority of payments upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of preferred stock generally will rank senior to all classes of common stock and equally with each other series of preferred stock. The rights of holders of shares of each series of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our general creditors.
Dividends
The holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive cash dividends out of funds legally available, when, as and if declared by the board of directors, at the rates and on the dates stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. These rates may be fixed or variable. If the dividend rate is variable, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the formula used to determine the dividend rate for each dividend period. We will pay dividends to the holders of record as they appear on our stock books on the applicable record dates. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, dividends on any series of preferred stock will be cumulative.
The board will not declare and pay a dividend on any of our stock ranking as to dividends, equal with or junior to the preferred stock unless full dividends on the preferred stock have been declared and paid (or declared and sufficient money set aside for payment).
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Until dividends are paid in full or declared and set aside for payment on any series of preferred stock ranking equal with the preferred stock as to dividends:
•we will declare all dividends pro rata among the preferred stock of each series, so that the amount of dividends declared per share on each series will have the same relationship to each other that accrued dividends per share on each series of preferred stock and other preferred stock bear to each other;
•other than the pro rata dividends, we will not declare or pay or set aside for payment dividends, or declare or make any other distribution on any security ranking junior to or equal with the preferred stock offered under this prospectus as to dividends or at liquidation (except dividends or distributions paid for in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe or purchase shares of securities ranking junior to or equal with the preferred stock as to dividends and at liquidation); and
•we will not redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for any consideration (or have any monies paid to or set aside in a sinking fund) any securities ranking junior to or equal with the preferred stock as to dividends or at liquidation (except by conversion into or exchange for our stock that ranks junior to the preferred stock as to dividends and at liquidation).
We will not pay interest, or money in lieu of interest, for any dividend payments on any series of the preferred stock that are in arrears.
Rights Upon Liquidation
If we voluntarily or involuntarily liquidate, dissolve or wind up our business, the holders of shares of each series of preferred stock and any other securities that have rights equal to that series of preferred stock under these circumstances, will be entitled to receive out of our assets that are available for distribution to shareholders:
•liquidation distributions in the amount stated in the applicable prospectus supplement; and
•all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared), before any distribution to holders of common stock or of any securities ranking junior to the series of preferred stock.
Neither the sale of all or any part of our property and business, nor our merger into or consolidation with any other corporation, nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation with or into us, will be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up.
If our assets are insufficient to pay all amounts to which holders of preferred stock are entitled, we will make no distribution on the preferred stock or on any other securities ranking equal to the preferred stock unless we make a pro rata distribution to those holders. After we pay the full amount of the liquidation distribution to which the holders are entitled, the holders will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.
Because we are a holding company, our rights, the rights of our creditors and of our shareholders, including the holders of the preferred stock offered by this prospectus, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization may be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.
Redemption
A series of the preferred stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part, at our option, and may be subject to mandatory redemption under a sinking fund or otherwise as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The preferred stock that we redeem will be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock that we may issue in the future.
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If a series of preferred stock is subject to mandatory redemption, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify the number of shares that we will redeem in each year and the redemption price per share together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends on those shares to the redemption date. The applicable prospectus supplement will state whether the redemption price can be paid in cash or other property. If the redemption price is to be paid only from the net proceeds of issuing our capital stock, the terms of the series of preferred stock may provide that, if the capital stock has not been issued or if the net proceeds are not sufficient to pay the full redemption price then due, the shares relating to series of the preferred stock will automatically and mandatorily be converted into shares of our capital stock under the conversion provisions of the applicable prospectus supplement.
If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of any series of the preferred stock are to be redeemed, the redemption will be made in a manner that the board of directors decides is equitable.
Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue after the redemption date on shares of preferred stock called for redemption and all rights of holders of such shares will terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.
Voting Rights
Holders of preferred stock generally will not have voting rights except in certain limited circumstances, although the board of directors may provide voting rights for any newly created series of preferred stock. The holders of shares of preferred stock will have no voting rights, except as otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement; as otherwise stated in the applicable amendment to the restated articles of incorporation establishing such series; or as required by applicable law.
Under Federal Reserve regulations, if the holders of any series of preferred stock become entitled to vote for the election of directors, that series may then be considered a class of voting securities. A holder of 25% or more of a series may then be subject to regulation as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act. In addition, at the time that the series are deemed a class of voting securities, any bank holding company may be required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve in order to acquire more than 5% of that series and any person other than a bank holding company may be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire 10% or more of that series.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
The terms on which shares of preferred stock of any series may be converted into or exchanged for another class or series of securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for shares of each series of preferred stock will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such series.
Description of Depositary Shares
General
We may, at our option, elect to offer depositary shares, which represent an interest in fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will issue to the public receipts, called depositary receipts, for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction, to be described in the prospectus supplement, of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.
The shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited with a depositary named in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in a share of preferred stock
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represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by those holders.
If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.
Withdrawal of Stock
Unless the related depositary shares have been previously called for redemption, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the office of the depositary, the holder of the depositary shares will be entitled to delivery, at the office of the depositary to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. In no event will the depositary deliver fractional shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, so long as we have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable on the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. 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 or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the depositary.
After the date fixed for redemption, depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the moneys payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.
Voting the Depositary Shares
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts relating to that preferred stock. The record date for the depositary receipts relating to the preferred stock will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote any shares of preferred stock except to the extent it
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receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that number of shares of preferred stock.
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 charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon our appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
Notices
The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and other communications, including proxy solicitation materials received from us, which are delivered to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.
Limitation of Liability
Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our and their duties thereunder. We and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
Description of Warrants
We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. We may offer warrants separately or together with one or more additional warrants, debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the appropriate prospectus supplement. If we issue warrants as part of a unit, the accompanying prospectus supplement will specify whether those warrants may be separated from the other securities in the unit prior to the warrants’ expiration date. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer. Further terms of the warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:
•the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the warrants;
•the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;
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•the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants;
•any applicable anti-dilution provisions;
•any applicable redemption or call provisions;
•the circumstances under which the warrant exercise price may be adjusted;
•whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered form or bearer form, in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit;
•any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences;
•the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;
•the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;
•the designation and terms of the debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;
•the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency and terms of the debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;
•if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security;
•if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock will be separately transferable;
•the principal amount of debt securities, the number of shares of preferred stock, the number of depositary shares or the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which those shares may be purchased;
•if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
•information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
•whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units; and
•any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.
Description of Purchase Contracts
We may issue purchase contracts, including purchase contracts issued as part of a unit with one or more other securities, for the purchase or sale of our debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. The price of our debt securities or price per share of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, as applicable, may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula
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contained in the purchase contracts. We may issue purchase contracts in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish.
The applicable prospectus supplement may contain, where applicable, the following information about the purchase contracts issued under it:
•whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder to purchase or sell, or both, our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, as applicable, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or method of determining those amounts;
•whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not;
•whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of our common stock or preferred stock;
•any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts;
•U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to the purchase contracts; and
•whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered global form.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts. The preceding description and any description of purchase contracts in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the purchase contract agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such purchase contracts.
Description of Units
We may issue units comprised of two 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 may describe:
•the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;
•any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units;
•the terms of the unit agreement governing the units;
•U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to the units; and
•whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.
The preceding description and any description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of unit agreement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such units, and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units.
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Description of Subscription Rights
The following briefly summarizes the general provisions of subscription rights to purchase additional shares of our common stock, any series of preferred stock or debt securities, which we may issue. The specific terms of any subscription rights, including the period during which the subscriptions rights may be exercised, the manner of exercising such subscription rights, and the transferability of subscription rights, will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
General
We may distribute subscription rights, which may or may not be transferable, to the holders of our common stock, holders of any series of our preferred stock or holders of our debt securities as of a record date set by our board of directors, at no cost to such holders. Each holder will be given the right to purchase a specified number of whole shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities for every share of our common stock, share of a series of preferred stock, or our debt securities that the holder thereof owned on such record date, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The subscription rights will be evidenced by subscription rights certificates, which may be in definitive or book-entry form. Each right will entitle the holder to purchase shares of our common stock, a series of preferred stock or our debt securities at a rate and price to be established by our board of directors, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If holders of rights wish to exercise their subscription rights, they must do so before the expiration date of the subscription rights offering, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon the expiration date, the subscription rights will expire and will no longer be exercisable, unless, in our sole discretion prior to the expiration date, we extend the subscription rights offering.
Exercise Price
Our board of directors will determine the exercise price or prices for the subscription rights based upon a number of factors, including, without limitation, our business prospects; our capital requirements; the price or prices at which an underwriter or standby purchasers may be willing to purchase securities that remain unsold in the subscription rights offering; and general conditions in the securities markets, especially for securities of financial institutions.
The subscription price may or may not reflect the actual or long-term fair value of the common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered in the subscription rights offering. We provide no assurances as to the market values or liquidity of any subscription rights issued, or as to whether or not the market prices of the common stock, preferred stock or debt securities subject to the subscription rights will be more or less than the subscription rights’ exercise price during the term of the rights or after the rights expire.
Exercising Rights; Fees and Expenses
The manner of exercising subscription rights will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any subscription agent or escrow agent will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will pay all fees charged by any subscription agent and escrow agent in connection with the distribution and exercise of subscription rights. Subscription rights holders will be responsible for paying all other commissions, fees, taxes or other expenses incurred in connection with their transfer of subscription rights that are transferable. Neither we nor the subscription agent will pay such expenses.
Expiration of Rights
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the expiration date and time (“Expiration Date”) for exercising subscription rights. If holders of subscription rights do not exercise their subscription rights prior to such time, their subscription rights will expire and will no longer be exercisable and will have no value.
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We will extend the Expiration Date as required by applicable law and may, in our sole discretion, extend the Expiration Date. If we elect to extend the Expiration Date, we will issue a press release announcing such extension prior to the scheduled Expiration Date.
Withdrawal and Termination
We may withdraw the subscription rights offering at any time prior to the Expiration Date for any reason. We may terminate the subscription rights offering, in whole or in part, at any time before completion of the subscription rights offering if there is any judgment, order, decree, injunction, statute, law or regulation entered, enacted, amended or held to be applicable to the subscription rights offering that in the sole judgment of our board of directors would or might make the subscription rights offering or its completion, whether in whole or in part, illegal or otherwise restrict or prohibit completion of the subscription rights offering. We may waive any of these conditions and choose to proceed with the subscription rights offering even if one or more of these events occur. If we terminate the subscription rights offering, in whole or in part, all affected rights will expire without value, and all subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned promptly without interest.
Rights of Subscribers
Holders of subscription rights will have no rights as holders with respect to our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities for which the rights may be exercised until they have exercised their rights by payment in full of the exercise price and in the manner provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, and such common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, as applicable, have been issued to such persons. Holders of subscription rights will have no right to revoke their subscriptions or receive their monies back after they have completed and delivered the materials required to exercise their subscription rights and have paid the exercise price to the subscription agent. All exercises of rights will be final and cannot be revoked by the holder of rights.
Regulatory Limitations
We will not be required to issue any person or group of persons shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities pursuant to the subscription rights offering if, in our sole opinion, such person would be required to give prior notice to or obtain prior approval from, any state or federal governmental authority to own or control such securities if, at the time the rights offering is scheduled to expire, such person has not obtained such clearance or approval in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to us.
Standby Agreements
We may enter into one or more separate agreements with one or more standby underwriters or other persons to purchase, for their own account or on our behalf, our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities not subscribed for in the subscription rights offering. The terms of any such agreements will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell our securities through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers, through agents, or through any combination thereof.
Each time that we use this prospectus to sell our securities, we will also provide a prospectus supplement that contains the specific terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of such stock, including:
•the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the type and amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them;
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•the public offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and
•any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities on a firm commitment basis, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities.
To the extent that we make sales to or through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement between us and the underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales pursuant to a distribution agreement, we will issue and sell shares of our common stock to or through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell shares on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The distribution agreement will provide that any shares of our common stock sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for our common stock. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time and will be described in a prospectus supplement. Pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement, we also may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of our common stock or other securities. The terms of each such distribution agreement will be set forth in more detail in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. If any underwriter or agent acts as principal, or broker dealer acts as underwriter, it may engage in certain transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our securities. We will describe any such activities in the prospectus supplement relating to the transaction.
We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase our securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions or discounts we pay for solicitation of these contracts.
Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).
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LEGAL OPINION
The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Luse Gorman, PC, Washington, D.C.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, have been audited by Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following is an itemized statement of the estimated fees and expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby:
| Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee | $ 3,377 | ||||
| Listing fees | * | ||||
| Accounting fees and expenses | * | ||||
| Legal fees and expenses | * | ||||
| Blue Sky expenses | * | ||||
| Printing | * | ||||
| Trustee's expenses | * | ||||
| Transfer agent fees and expenses | * | ||||
| Miscellaneous expenses | * | ||||
| Total | $ * | ||||
__________________________
* Estimated expenses are not presently known.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation provide as follows:
ARTICLE 10. Indemnification, etc. of Directors and Officers.
Subpart E (Sections 1-850 through 1-859) of the Louisiana Business Corporation Act governs indemnification of directors and officers of a corporation. In general, the Louisiana Business Corporation Act provides that a corporation must indemnify a director or officer who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the director or officer is made a party because he or she was a director or officer of the corporation, against expenses incurred by the director or officer in connection with the proceeding. Additionally, a corporation may indemnify a director or officer who is made party to a proceeding because the individual is a director or officer of the corporation, but only after a determination that the director or officer has met certain standards of conduct. A corporation may also, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance or reimburse expenses incurred by a director or officer in connection with a proceeding, if the individual follows certain procedures and the advancement or reimbursement is authorized by the board of directors. A corporation may not indemnify a director or officer if he or she has been adjudged liable to the corporation on the basis of receiving a financial benefit to which he or she was not entitled. The Louisiana Business Corporation Act permits a director or officer of a corporation to apply to the courts to enforce their rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses, or to order indemnification or the advancement of expenses in circumstances that would ordinarily preclude a corporation from providing indemnification or the advancement of expenses.
First Guaranty’s articles of incorporation and bylaws generally require that First Guaranty indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by Louisiana law, a director or officer with regards to actions taken in their capacity as such. Pursuant to the articles of incorporation, indemnification is mandatory if a director or officer is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which they are made a party because of their capacity as a director or officer of the corporation, or where the director or officer (i) acted in good faith, (ii) reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in his or her official capacity, that the conduct was in the corporation’s best interests, or, in all other cases, that the conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation’s best interests, and (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. However, the corporation may not indemnify a director or officer until a determination is made that the applicable
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standard of conduct has been met. Additionally, First Guaranty’s articles of incorporation also require reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred by a director or officer who is party to a proceeding in advance of final disposition of the proceeding, so long as the director or officer follows certain procedures.
Section 1-857 of the Louisiana Business Corporation Act provides that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a director or officer of the corporation against liability asserted against or incurred by the individual in that capacity or arising from the individual’s status as a director or officer, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the individual against the same liability under the Louisiana Business Corporation Act. First Guaranty’s articles of incorporation also permit it to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its directors and officers, and First Guaranty has obtained such liability insurance. Such insurance may protect a director or officer against liability asserted against or incurred by the individual, even if the corporation would not have the power to indemnify the individual under the circumstances.
The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of Louisiana law and the First Guaranty articles of incorporation and bylaws dealing with indemnification of directors and officers, and does not purport to be complete. It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of those sections of the Louisiana Business Corporation Act referenced above and the First Guaranty articles of incorporation and bylaws.
Item 16. Exhibits.
The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of the Registration Statement:
| 1.1 | Form of Underwriting Agreement for any Offering of Securities* | ||||
| 3.1 | |||||
| 3.2 | |||||
| 3.3 | |||||
| 4.1 | |||||
| 4.2 | |||||
| 4.3 | Form of Preferred Stock Certificate* | ||||
| 4.4 | |||||
| 4.5 | Form of Note for Senior Debt Securities* | ||||
| 4.6 | |||||
| 4.7 | Form of Note for Subordinated Debt Securities* | ||||
| 4.8 | Form of Articles Supplementary for a Series of Preferred Stock* | ||||
| 4.9 | Form of Deposit Agreement for Depositary Shares (including Form of Depositary Share Certificate)* | ||||
| 4.10 | Form of Warrant Agreement (including Form of Warrant Certificate)* | ||||
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| 4.11 | Form of Purchase Contract Agreement* | ||||
| 4.12 | Form of Unit Agreement* | ||||
| 4.13 | Form of Subscription Rights Agreement (including form of rights certificate)* | ||||
| 5.1 | |||||
| 8.1 | Opinion of Counsel as to Certain Federal Income Tax Matters* | ||||
| 23.1 | |||||
| 23.2 | |||||
| 24.1 | |||||
| 25.1 | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of the trustee under the Indenture for Senior Debt Securities** | ||||
| 25.2 | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of the trustee under the Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities** | ||||
_______________________
* To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
** To be filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
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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;
(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 Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii)To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2)That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)That, for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 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 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
II-4
any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5)That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the 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 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 registrant to the purchaser.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in 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.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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 on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Hammond, State of Louisiana, on September 30, 2020.
| FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC. | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Alton B. Lewis, Jr. | |||||||
| Alton B. Lewis, Jr. | ||||||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer (Duly Authorized Representative) | ||||||||
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned directors and officers of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby severally constitute and appoint Alton B. Lewis, Jr. as our true and lawful attorney and agent, to do any and all things in our names in the capacities indicated below which said Alton B. Lewis, Jr. may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the offering of the Company’s securities, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for us in our names in the capacities indicated below the registration statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto; and we hereby approve, ratify and confirm all that said Alton B. Lewis, Jr. shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
| Signatures | Title | Date | ||||||||||||
/s/ Alton B. Lewis, Jr. | President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer) | September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Alton B. Lewis, Jr. | ||||||||||||||
/s/ Eric J. Dosch | Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Eric J. Dosch | ||||||||||||||
/s/ Marshall T. Reynolds | Chairman of the Board | September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Marshall T. Reynolds | ||||||||||||||
/s/ Jack Rossi | Director | September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Jack Rossi | ||||||||||||||
/s/ William K. Hood | Director | September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| William K. Hood | ||||||||||||||
/s/ Edgar R. Smith III | Director | September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Edgar R. Smith III | ||||||||||||||
Exhibit 4.4
FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.
Issuer
and
____________________________________________
Trustee
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
INDENTURE
Dated as of _________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page Number | ||||||||||||||
| Article I | DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Section 1.1 | Definitions | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Section 1.2 | Other Definitions | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Section 1.3 | Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Section 1.4 | Rules of Construction | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Article II | THE SECURITIES | 5 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.1 | Issuable in Series | 5 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.2 | Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities | 5 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.3 | Execution and Authentication | 6 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.4 | Registrar and Paying Agent | 7 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.5 | Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 7 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.6 | Securityholder Lists | 7 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.7 | Transfer and Exchange | 7 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.8 | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 8 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.9 | Outstanding Securities | 8 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.10 | Treasury Securities | 8 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.11 | Temporary Securities | 8 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.12 | Cancellation | 8 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.13 | Defaulted Interest | 9 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.14 | Global Securities | 9 | ||||||||||||
| Section 2.15 | CUSIP Numbers | 10 | ||||||||||||
| Article III | REDEMPTION | 10 | ||||||||||||
| Section 3.1 | Notice to Trustee | 10 | ||||||||||||
| Section 3.2 | Selection of Securities to be Redeemed | 10 | ||||||||||||
| Section 3.3 | Notice of Redemption | 10 | ||||||||||||
| Section 3.4 | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 11 | ||||||||||||
| Section 3.5 | Deposit of Redemption Price | 11 | ||||||||||||
| Section 3.6 | Securities Redeemed in Part | 11 | ||||||||||||
| Article IV | COVENANTS | 11 | ||||||||||||
| Section 4.1 | Payment of Principal and Interest | 11 | ||||||||||||
| Section 4.2 | SEC Reports | 11 | ||||||||||||
| Section 4.3 | Compliance Certificate | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Section 4.4 | Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Section 4.5 | Corporate Existence | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Section 4.6 | Taxes | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Article V | SUCCESSORS | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Section 5.1 | When Company May Merge, Etc. | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Section 5.2 | Successor Corporation Substituted | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Article VI | DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | 13 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.1 | Events of Default | 13 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.2 | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 13 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.3 | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 14 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.4 | Trustee may File Proofs of Claim | 14 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.5 | Trustee may Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities | 14 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.6 | Application of Money Collected | 15 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.7 | Limitation on Suits | 15 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.8 | Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest | 15 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.9 | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 15 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.10 | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 15 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.11 | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 15 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.12 | Control by Holders | 16 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.13 | Waiver of Past Defaults | 16 | ||||||||||||
| Section 6.14 | Undertaking for Costs | 16 | ||||||||||||
| Article VII | TRUSTEE | 16 | ||||||||||||
| Section 7.1 | Duties of Trustee | 16 | ||||||||||||
| Section 7.2 | Rights of Trustee | 17 | ||||||||||||
| Section 7.3 | Individual Rights of Trustee | 18 | ||||||||||||
| Section 7.4 | Trustee’s Disclaimer | 18 | ||||||||||||
| Section 7.5 | Notice of Defaults | 18 | ||||||||||||
| Section 7.6 | Reports by Trustee to Holders | 19 | ||||||||||||
| Section 7.7 | Compensation and Indemnity | 19 | ||||||||||||
| Section 7.8 | Replacement of Trustee | 19 | ||||||||||||
| Section 7.9 | Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. | 20 | ||||||||||||
| Section 7.10 | Eligibility; Disqualification | 20 | ||||||||||||
| Section 7.11 | Referential Collection of Claims Against Company | 20 | ||||||||||||
| Article VIII | SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE | 20 | ||||||||||||
| Section 8.1 | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 20 | ||||||||||||
| Section 8.2 | Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification | 21 | ||||||||||||
| Section 8.3 | Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series | 21 | ||||||||||||
| Section 8.4 | Covenant Defeasance | 22 | ||||||||||||
| Section 8.5 | Repayment to Company | 23 | ||||||||||||
| Article IX | AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS | 23 | ||||||||||||
| Section 9.1 | Without Consent of Holders | 23 | ||||||||||||
| Section 9.2 | With Consent of Holders | 24 | ||||||||||||
| Section 9.3 | Limitations | 24 | ||||||||||||
| Section 9.4 | Compliance with Trust Indenture Act | 25 | ||||||||||||
| Section 9.5 | Revocation and Effect of Consents | 25 | ||||||||||||
| Section 9.6 | Notation on or Exchange of Securities | 25 | ||||||||||||
| Section 9.7 | Trustee Protected | 25 | ||||||||||||
| Article X | MISCELLANEOUS | 25 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.1 | Trust Indenture Act Controls | 25 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.2 | Notices | 25 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.3 | Communication by Holders with Other Holders | 26 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.4 | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 26 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.5 | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 26 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.6 | Rules by Trustee and Agents | 26 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.7 | Legal Holidays | 26 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.8 | No Recourse Against Others | 26 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.9 | Counterparts | 26 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.10 | Governing Laws | 26 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.11 | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.12 | Successors | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.13 | Severability | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.14 | Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Section 10.15 | Waiver of Trial by Jury | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Article XI | SINKING FUNDS | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Section 11.1 | Applicability of Article | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Section 11.2 | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Section 11.3 | Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 27 | ||||||||||||
ii
CROSS REFERENCE TABLE
| Trust Indenture Act Section | Indenture Section | ||||||||||
| Section 310 | (a)(1) | 7.10 | |||||||||
| (a)(2) | 7.10 | ||||||||||
| (a)(3) | N/A | ||||||||||
| (a)(4) | N/A | ||||||||||
| (a)(5) | 7.10 | ||||||||||
| (b) | 7.10 | ||||||||||
| Section 311 | (a) | 7.11 | |||||||||
| (b) | 7.11 | ||||||||||
| (c) | N/A | ||||||||||
| Section 312 | (a) | 2.6 | |||||||||
| (b) | 10.3 | ||||||||||
| (c) | 10.3 | ||||||||||
| Section 313 | (a) | 7.6 | |||||||||
| (b)(1) | 7.6 | ||||||||||
| (b)(2) | 7.6 | ||||||||||
| (c)(1) | 7.6 | ||||||||||
| (d) | 7.6 | ||||||||||
| Section 314 | (a) | 4.2, 10.5 | |||||||||
| (b) | N/A | ||||||||||
| (c)(1) | 10.4 | ||||||||||
| (c)(2) | 10.4 | ||||||||||
| (c)(3) | N/A | ||||||||||
| (d) | N/A | ||||||||||
| (e) | 10.5 | ||||||||||
| (f) | N/A | ||||||||||
| Section 315 | (a) | 7.1 | |||||||||
| (b) | 7.5 | ||||||||||
| (c) | 7.1 | ||||||||||
| (d) | 7.1 | ||||||||||
| (e) | 6.14 | ||||||||||
| Section 316 | (a) | 2.10 | |||||||||
| (a)(1)(A) | 6.12 | ||||||||||
| (a)(1)(B) | 6.13 | ||||||||||
| (b) | 6.8 | ||||||||||
| Section 317 | (a)(1) | 6.3 | |||||||||
| (a)(2) | 6.4 | ||||||||||
| (b) | 2.5 | ||||||||||
| Section 318 | (a) | 10.1 | |||||||||
*This Cross Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.
iii
This INDENTURE, dated as of , is made by and between FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC., a Louisiana corporation (the “Company”), and________________________, a ________________________, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee (the “Trustee”).
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.1Definitions.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts that are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified herein or therein and which are owing to such Holders.
“Affiliate” of any specified person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent.
“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper in an official language of the country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in the place in connection with which the term is used. If it shall be impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof that is made or given by the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means, unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, any day except a Saturday, Sunday, a legal holiday or any other day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York or any Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.
“Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock.
“Company” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.
“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
“Company Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Company by two Officers and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business relating to this Indenture shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at______________________________, Attention: First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. Administrator, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Depository” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Depository” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depository with respect to the Securities of such Series.
“Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Stated Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.
“Dollars” and “$” means the currency of the United States of America.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect as of the date of determination, unless a different time shall be specified with respect to such series of Securities as provided for in Section 2.2.
“Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee.
“Holder” or “Securityholder” means a person in whose name a Security is registered or the holder of a Bearer Security.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any person, and without duplication, (a) all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such person for borrowed money (including obligations of the Company in respect of overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency exchange agreements, interest rate protection agreements, and any loans or advances from banks, whether or not evidenced by notes or similar instruments) or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such person or to only a portion thereof) (other than any account payable or other accrued current liability or obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services), (b) all reimbursement obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such person with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances, (c) all obligations and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) in respect of leases of such person required, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, to be accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on the balance sheet of such person and all obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement) in connection with the lease of real property which provides that such person is contractually obligated to purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property and thereby guarantee a minimum residual value of the leased property to the lessor and the obligations of such person under such lease or related document to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such leased property, (d) all obligations of such person (contingent or otherwise) with respect to an interest rate or other swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar instrument or agreement or foreign currency hedge, exchange, purchase or similar instrument or agreement, (e) all direct or indirect guarantees or similar agreements by such person in respect of, and obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such person to purchase or otherwise acquire or otherwise assure a creditor against loss in respect of indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of another person of the kind described in clauses (a) through (d), (f) any indebtedness or other obligations described in clauses (a) through (e) secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on property which is owned or held by such person, regardless of whether the indebtedness or other obligation secured thereby shall have been assumed by such person and (g) any and all refinancings, replacements, deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation or liability of the kind described in clauses (a) through (f).
“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.
“Interest” with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise.
“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.
2
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Place of Payment”, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any Series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable as specified and as contemplated by Section 2.1.
“Principal” or “principal amount” of a Security means the principal amount of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.
“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject, in each case, who has direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2.
“Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” of any specified person means any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that person or a combination thereof.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.
“Trustee” means the person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and which in the case of clauses (a) and (b) 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 U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. 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 U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
3
Section 1.2Other Definitions.
| Term | Defined in Section | |||||||
| “Bankruptcy Law” | 6.1 | |||||||
| “Custodian” | 6.1 | |||||||
| “Event of Default” | 6.1 | |||||||
| “Legal Holiday” | 10.7 | |||||||
| “Mandatory sinking fund payment” | 11.1 | |||||||
| “Optional sinking fund payment” | 11.1 | |||||||
| “Paying Agent” | 2.4 | |||||||
| “Registrar” | 2.4 | |||||||
| “Service Agent” | 2.4 | |||||||
| “Successor person” | 5.1 | |||||||
Section 1.3Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“Commission” means the SEC.
“Indenture securities” means the Securities.
“Indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.
“Indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“Indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“Obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.
Section 1.4Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a)a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b)an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c)references to “generally accepted accounting principles” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles of the United States, consistently applied, in effect as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;
(d)“or” is not exclusive;
(e)words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(f)the words “include,” “including” and other words of similar import mean “include, without limitation” or “including, without limitation,” regardless of whether any reference to “without limitation” or words of similar import is made; and the included items do not limit the scope of the more general terms; and the listed included items are covered whether or not they are within the scope of the more general terms;
(g)provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(h)references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.
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ARTICLE II
THE SECURITIES
Section 2.1Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters; provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
Section 2.2Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities. At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Section 2.2(a) and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally, in the case of Sections 2.2(b) through 2.2(t)) by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate:
(a)the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);
(b)the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;
(c)any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6);
(d)the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;
(e)the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
(f)if other than Dollars, the foreign currency or foreign currencies in which the Securities of the Series are denominated;
(g)if other than the coin, currency or currencies in which the Securities of the Series are denominated, the coin, currency or currencies in which payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, including composite currencies or currency units;
(h)if the principal of or interest on the Securities of the Series are to be payable, at the election of the Issuer or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the Series are denominated, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;
(i)the Place of Payment where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;
(j)if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(k)the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(l)the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;
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(m)if other than minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple in excess thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
(n)the forms of the Securities of the Series in bearer or fully registered form (and, if in fully registered form, whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities);
(o)if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;
(p)the provisions, if any, relating to any lien, security or encumbrance provided for the Securities of the Series;
(q)any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;
(r)any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;
(s)any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series); and
(t)any depositories, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein.
All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, and the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 2.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
Section 2.3Execution and Authentication.
One Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall 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.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. Such a signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.
Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not be taken lawfully; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.
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The Trustee or Company may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company or Trustee, respectively, to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
Section 2.4Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the Place of Payment specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (the “ Registrar ”) and where notices and demands (other than service of process) to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served (the “ Service Agent ”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands (other than any service of process).
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional paying agents or additional service agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional paying agent or additional service agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “Service Agent” includes any additional service agent.
The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.
Section 2.5Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any Event of Default under Section 6.1(e) or (f), the Trustee shall automatically become the Paying Agent.
Section 2.6Securityholder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities, which list may be conclusively relied upon by the Trustee.
Section 2.7Transfer and Exchange. Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).
Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business 15 days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.
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Section 2.8Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or satisfactory indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become, or will become within one year, due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 2.9Outstanding Securities. The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue (to the extent of the Maturity of such Security if less than the entire principal amount is due and payable on such date of Maturity).
A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.
In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a 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 6.2.
Section 2.10 Treasury Securities. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Company shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
Section 2.11 Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon request shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and Stated Maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary Securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.
Section 2.12 Cancellation. All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other
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than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and coupons and Securities and coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be retained by the Trustee in accordance with its procedures and the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act. The Company by Company Order may direct the Trustee to deliver a certificate of such cancellation to the Company.
Section 2.13 Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 10 days before the record date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.
Section 2.14 Global Securities.
(a)Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities.
(b)Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depository shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.
Except as provided in this Section 2.14(b), a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.
(c)Legend. Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.”
(d)Acts of Holders. The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.
(e)Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.
(f)Consents, Declaration and Directions. Except as provided in Section 2.14(e), the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a
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Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depository with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its agent members, the operation of customary practices of such persons governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Security.
Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION
Section 3.1Notice to Trustee. The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 15 days before the redemption date (or such shorter notice to the Trustee as may be acceptable to the Trustee).
Section 3.2Selection of Securities to be Redeemed. Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if less than all the Securities of any Series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such Series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, and, in the case of global Securities, in accordance with the procedures of the depositary; provided that such method complies with the rules of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Securities are listed, and may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that Series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such Series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that Series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such Series.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any 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.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security to be redeemed is a Global Security then any partial redemption of that Series of Securities will be made in accordance with the Depository’s applicable procedures among all Holders of such Series of Securities.
Section 3.3Notice of Redemption. Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail (or in the case of Global Securities, deliver electronically) to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed and, if such redemption relates to outstanding Bearer Securities, publish on one occasion a notice in an Authorized Newspaper.
The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:
(a)the redemption date;
(b)the redemption price and accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date payable as provided;
(c)the name and address of the Paying Agent;
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(d)that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(e)that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(f)the CUSIP number, if any;
(g)any conditions precedent that must be satisfied prior to the redemption; and
(h)any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.
At the Company’s request given at least five Business Days prior to the date such notice is to be delivered to Holders (or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee), the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense. In connection with any redemption of a Series of Securities, any such redemption may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent.
Section 3.4Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price, subject to, with respect to any redemption that is conditioned upon the satisfaction of any conditions precedent, (i) the delay of such redemption date until such time as any or all of such conditions precedent have been satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion) or (ii) the revocation of such redemption if the Company determines that such conditions precedent will not be satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion). Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to, but excluding, the redemption date; provided that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the redemption date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities (or one or more predecessor Securities) registered at the close of business on the relevant record date therefor according to their terms and the terms of this Indenture.
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, nothing in this Indenture shall otherwise prohibit or prevent, the Company or its Affiliates from, at any time, and from time to time, acquiring any Series of Securities, whether through open market or privately negotiated transactions with third parties or pursuant to one or more tender or exchange offers or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as well as with such consideration as the Company or any such affiliates may determine.
Section 3.5Deposit of Redemption Price. On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.
Section 3.6Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS
Section 4.1Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
Section 4.2SEC Reports. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a). The availability of the foregoing materials on the SEC’s EDGAR service (or any successor thereto) shall be deemed to satisfy the Company’s obligations to furnish such materials to the Trustee. 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 an Officers’ Certificate). The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor whether any such filings on EDGAR have been made.
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Section 4.3Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (beginning with the fiscal year ending immediately following the execution of this Indenture), an Officers’ Certificate (which need not comply with Section 10.5) from the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such officers signing such certificate, that to the best of his/her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he may have knowledge).
The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.4Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
Section 4.5Corporate Existence. Subject to Article V, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise if it determines that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
Section 4.6Taxes. The Company shall pay prior to delinquency all material taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except as contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.1When Company May Merge, Etc. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”), nor shall the Company permit any other person to consolidate with or merge into it or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to it, in either case unless:
(a)the Company is the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than the Company) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture, the Company’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture; and
(b)immediately after giving effect to the transaction, and treating any indebtedness that becomes the obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as having been incurred at the effective date of such transaction no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction, and any such assumption, complies with this Article V.
Section 5.2Successor Corporation Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person has been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company in the case of a sale, conveyance or other disposition (other than a lease) shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
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ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.1Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:
(a)default in the payment of any interest on, or any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Securities of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days);
(b)default in the payment of principal (or premium, if any) of any Security of that Series at its Maturity;
(c)default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series;
(d)default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture, and the continuance of such default or breach (without such default or breach having been waived in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture) for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company, by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of not less than 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” under this Indenture.
(e)the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
i.commences a voluntary case,
ii.consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
iii.consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
iv.makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
v.generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or
(f)a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
i.is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,
ii.appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or
iii.orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
Section 6.2Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. Except to the extent provided otherwise in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate for such Series, if an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.1(e) or 6.1(f)), then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or portion thereof) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or 6.1(f) shall occur, the principal amount (or portion thereof) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any Series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul
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such declaration and its consequences if all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that Series, other than the non-payment of the principal and interest, if any, of Securities of that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.3Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. The Company covenants that if:
(a)default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days,
(b)default is made in the payment of principal of any Security at the Maturity thereof, or
(c)default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security,
then, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or deemed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 6.4Trustee may File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and (b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.5Trustee may Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and outside counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
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Section 6.6Application of Money Collected. Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or property on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7; and
Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
Third: To the Company.
Section 6.7Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a)such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;
(b)the Holders of not less than 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee under this Indenture;
(c)such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses, and liabilities to be incurred in complying with such request;
(d)the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request, and offer of security and indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(e)no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series.
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner provided in this Indenture and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
Section 6.8Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.9Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.8, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
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Section 6.12 Control by Holders. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series; provided that:
(a)such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;
(b)the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction;
(c)subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability; and
(d)Holders have offered, and if requested, provided, to the Trustee indemnification satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expenses that may be incurred in connection with such direction.
Section 6.13 Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default (a) in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or (b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of such Series affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).
ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE
Section 7.1Duties of Trustee.
(a)The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the TIA. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of their own affairs.
(b)Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
i.The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers. The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture. The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.
ii.In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to
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the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c)The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, its own bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:
i.This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.
ii.The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
iii.The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.
(d)Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (g) of this Section.
(e)The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power at the request or direction of any Holder unless it receives security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f)The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g)No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or satisfactory indemnity against such risk is not assured to it.
(h)The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care as are set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section with respect to the Trustee.
Section 7.2Rights of Trustee.
(a)The Trustee may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b)Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel, or both, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate and/or Opinion of Counsel.
(c)The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care. No Depository shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depository.
(d)The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or willful misconduct.
(e)The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(f)The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder without negligence and in good faith and in reliance thereon.
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(g)The Trustee may conclusively rely upon and shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.
(h)The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities generally or the Securities of a particular Series and this Indenture.
(i)Delivery of reports, information and documents (including, without limitation, reports contemplated in this Section) to the Trustee is for information purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipts thereof shall not constitute actual or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with covenants under the Indenture, Securities, and guarantees (if any), as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates.
(j)The Trustee shall have no responsibility for monitoring the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture.
(k)Anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, 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 actions.
(l)Any permissive right of the Trustee to take or refrain from taking actions enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty.
(m)The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.
(n)The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.
(o)Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it reasonably necessary that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate.
(p)The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder.
(q)Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate, or Opinion of Counsel, or both (unless other evidence is specifically prescribed herein). The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate, or Opinion of Counsel, or both.
Section 7.3Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
Section 7.4Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities or the recitals contained herein other than its authentication.
Section 7.5Notice of Defaults. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall send to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event
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of Default. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.
Section 7.6Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after [_________] in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish in an Authorized Newspaper, a brief report dated as of such [_________], in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA Section 313.
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange, if any, on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.7Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable documented compensation and out-of-pocket expenses of the Trustee’s agents and outside counsel.
The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (including the cost of defending itself) against any loss, liability, claim (including any between the parties to this Indenture), suit or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.
The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee to the extent of its or their negligence or willful misconduct.
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of that Series. Such lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation, removal or replacement of the Trustee.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or 6.1(f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination of this Indenture.
Section 7.8Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.
The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by this Section 7.8 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:
(a)the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(b)the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c)a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d)the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
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If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish such notice on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to such replacement.
The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor. Notwithstanding the registration or removal of the Trustee hereunder, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 shall survive for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.9Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another person, the successor person without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b).
Section 7.11 Referential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.
ARTICLE VIII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
Section 8.1Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute such instruments reasonably requested by the Company acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(a)either:
i.all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
ii.all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(1)have become due and payable, or
(2)will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(3)are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company; or
(4)are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 8.3, as applicable;
and the Company, in the case of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to
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the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;
(b)the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(c)the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.7, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.5 shall survive.
Section 8.2Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.
(a)Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (other than the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Section 8.3 or 8.4.
(b)The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.
(c)The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any U.S. Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Section 8.3 or 8.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations held under this Indenture.
Section 8.3Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series. Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.2(s), to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of any Series on the 90th day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (c) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, at Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:
(a)the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (c) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;
(b)the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.5; and
(c)the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder; provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
i.the Company shall have deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund
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payments in respect of all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;
ii.such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture or any agreement or instrument governing any other Indebtedness which is being defeased or discharged or repaid) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
iii.no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from transactions occurring contemporaneously with the borrowing of funds, or the borrowing of funds, to be applied to such deposit or other Indebtedness which is being defeased or discharged, and, in each case, the granting of liens in connection therewith);
iv.the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;
v.the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company;
vi.the discharge does not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the TIA and may not result in the Company becoming an investment company in violation of the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
vii.the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the legal defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
Section 8.4Covenant Defeasance. Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.2(s) to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after the 90th day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof, the Company may omit to comply with respect to the Securities of any Series with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, and 5.1 as well as any additional covenants specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(s) (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series under Section 6.1) and the occurrence of any event specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(q) and designated as an Event of Default shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series; provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(a)with reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;
(b)such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture or any agreement or instrument governing any other Indebtedness which is being defeased or discharged or repaid) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
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(c)no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from transactions occurring contemporaneously with the borrowing of funds, or the borrowing of funds, to be applied to such deposit or other Indebtedness which is being defeased or discharged, and, in each case, the granting of liens in connection therewith);
(d)the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred;
(e)the discharge does not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the TIA and may not result in the Company becoming an investment company in violation of the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
(f)the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the covenant defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
Section 8.5Repayment to Company. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for six months. After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 9.1Without Consent of Holders. The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder by indentures supplemental hereto:
(a)to evidence the succession of another person to the Company as obligor under this Indenture, pursuant to Article V, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Company in the Indenture and in the Securities or evidence the addition or release of any guarantor in accordance with this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;
(b)to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions shall be for the protection of the Holders and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture, with such period of grace, if any, and subject to such conditions as such supplemental indenture may provide;
(c)to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Securities of any Series or any related coupons in any material respect;
(d)to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;
(e)to add or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities of any Series in uncertificated or global form;
(f)to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee or facilitate the administration of the trust under this Indenture by more than one Trustee;
(g)to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture;
(h)to add any additional Events of Default (and if such Events of Default are to be for less than all Series of Securities, stating that such are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such Series of Securities) for the benefit of the Holders;
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(i)to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture, if the change or elimination (i) becomes effective only when there are no debt securities outstanding of any series created prior to the change or elimination that are entitled to the benefit of the changed or eliminated provision or (ii) shall not apply to the any debt securities outstanding at the time of such change or elimination;
(j)to establish the form of Securities of any Series and to provide for the issuance of any other series of notes under this Indenture;
(k)to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(l)to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, or under any similar federal statute hereafter enacted, and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly permitted by the TIA, excluding certain provisions thereof; or
(m)to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder.
Section 9.2With Consent of Holders. The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), 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 Securityholders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby and, if any Bearer Securities affected thereby are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.
Section 9.3Limitations. Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:
(a)reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities, the consent of whose Holders is required to amend or supplement this Indenture or any supplemental indenture, waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults and the consequences thereof under this Indenture, or any change to such defaults which require such consent;
(b)reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security or any Additional Amounts owed thereon;
(c)reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
(d)reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof
(e)waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, interest or any Additional Amounts, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(f)make any change to certain provisions of the Indenture relating to, among other things, holders’ rights to receive payment of the principal of and interest on any Security and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and waivers of past defaults;
(g)make the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security or any Additional Amount with respect thereto payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;
(h)make any change in Section 6.8, 6.13, or 9.3; or
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(i)waive or change any redemption payment with respect to any Security.
Section 9.4Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.5Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment is set forth in a supplemental indenture or a waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date of the supplemental indenture or the date the waiver becomes effective.
Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.3. In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.
Section 9.6Notation on or Exchange of Securities. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.
Section 9.7Trustee Protected. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent have been satisfied, the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects it.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.1 Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.
Section 10.2 Notices. Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other, or by a Holder to the Company or the Trustee, is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:
if to the Company:
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
400 East Thomas Street
Hammond, Louisiana 70401
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Telephone: (985) 375-0308
if to the Trustee:
Attention: First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. Administrator
Telephone:
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to the address shown on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, published in an Authorized Newspaper. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.
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If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture or any Security, where the Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event or any other communication (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a Securityholder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to Depository (or its designee) pursuant to the applicable procedures from Depository or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices at Depository.
Section 10.3 Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
Section 10.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a)an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(b)an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
Section 10.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:
(a)a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b)a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c)a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d)a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 10.6 Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by, or a meeting of, Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 10.7 Legal Holidays. Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
Section 10.8 No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
Section 10.9 Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or electronic format (e.g., a “.pdf”) transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or electronic format (e.g., a “.pdf”) shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 10.10 Governing Laws. THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE,
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INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW AND NEW YORK CIVIL PRACTICE LAWS AND RULES 327(B).
Section 10.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 10.12 Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
Section 10.13 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 10.14 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 10.15 Waiver of Trial by Jury. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE HOLDERS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.
ARTICLE XI
SINKING FUNDS
Section 11.1 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.
Section 11.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (a) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (b) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been repurchased by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.2, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.
Section 11.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of
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that Series pursuant to Section 11.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.3. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.
28
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
| FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC. | |||||||||||||||||
| By: | |||||||||||||||||
| Name: | |||||||||||||||||
| Title: | |||||||||||||||||
, as Trustee | |||||||||||||||||
| By: | |||||||||||||||||
| Name: | |||||||||||||||||
| Title: | |||||||||||||||||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
Exhibit 4.6
FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.
Issuer
and
______________________________________
Trustee
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
INDENTURE
Dated as of _________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page Number | |||||||||||
| Article I | DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | 1 | |||||||||
| Section 1.1 | Definitions | 1 | |||||||||
| Section 1.2 | Other Definitions | 5 | |||||||||
| Section 1.3 | Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 5 | |||||||||
| Section 1.4 | Rules of Construction | 5 | |||||||||
| Article II | THE SECURITIES | 6 | |||||||||
| Section 2.1 | Issuable in Series | 6 | |||||||||
| Section 2.2 | Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities | 6 | |||||||||
| Section 2.3 | Execution and Authentication | 7 | |||||||||
| Section 2.4 | Registrar and Paying Agent | 8 | |||||||||
| Section 2.5 | Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 8 | |||||||||
| Section 2.6 | Securityholder Lists | 8 | |||||||||
| Section 2.7 | Transfer and Exchange | 8 | |||||||||
| Section 2.8 | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 9 | |||||||||
| Section 2.9 | Outstanding Securities | 9 | |||||||||
| Section 2.10 | Treasury Securities | 9 | |||||||||
| Section 2.11 | Temporary Securities | 9 | |||||||||
| Section 2.12 | Cancellation | 10 | |||||||||
| Section 2.13 | Defaulted Interest | 10 | |||||||||
| Section 2.14 | Global Securities | 10 | |||||||||
| Section 2.15 | CUSIP Numbers | 11 | |||||||||
| Article III | REDEMPTION | 11 | |||||||||
| Section 3.1 | Notice to Trustee | 11 | |||||||||
| Section 3.2 | Selection of Securities to be Redeemed | 11 | |||||||||
| Section 3.3 | Notice of Redemption | 11 | |||||||||
| Section 3.4 | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 12 | |||||||||
| Section 3.5 | Deposit of Redemption Price | 12 | |||||||||
| Section 3.6 | Securities Redeemed in Part | 12 | |||||||||
| Article IV | COVENANTS | 12 | |||||||||
| Section 4.1 | Payment of Principal and Interest | 12 | |||||||||
| Section 4.2 | SEC Reports | 12 | |||||||||
| Section 4.3 | Compliance Certificate | 13 | |||||||||
| Section 4.4 | Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 13 | |||||||||
| Section 4.5 | Corporate Existence | 13 | |||||||||
| Section 4.6 | Taxes | 13 | |||||||||
| Article V | SUCCESSORS | 13 | |||||||||
| Section 5.1 | When Company May Merge, Etc. | 13 | |||||||||
| Section 5.2 | Successor Corporation Substituted | 14 | |||||||||
| Article VI | DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | 14 | |||||||||
| Section 6.1 | Events of Default | 14 | |||||||||
| Section 6.2 | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 14 | |||||||||
| Section 6.3 | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 15 | |||||||||
| Section 6.4 | Trustee may File Proofs of Claim | 15 | |||||||||
| Section 6.5 | Trustee may Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities | 16 | |||||||||
| Section 6.6 | Application of Money Collected | 16 | |||||||||
| Section 6.7 | Limitation on Suits | 16 | |||||||||
| Section 6.8 | Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest | 16 | |||||||||
| Section 6.9 | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 16 | |||||||||
| Section 6.10 | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 17 | |||||||||
| Section 6.11 | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 17 | |||||||||
| Section 6.12 | Control by Holders | 17 | |||||||||
| Section 6.13 | Waiver of Past Defaults | 17 | |||||||||
| Section 6.14 | Undertaking for Costs | 17 | |||||||||
Article VII | TRUSTEE | 17 | |||||||||
| Section 7.1 | Duties of Trustee | 17 | |||||||||
| Section 7.2 | Rights of Trustee | 18 | |||||||||
| Section 7.3 | Individual Rights of Trustee | 20 | |||||||||
| Section 7.4 | Trustee’s Disclaimer | 20 | |||||||||
| Section 7.5 | Notice of Defaults | 20 | |||||||||
| Section 7.6 | Reports by Trustee to Holders | 20 | |||||||||
| Section 7.7 | Compensation and Indemnity | 20 | |||||||||
| Section 7.8 | Replacement of Trustee | 20 | |||||||||
| Section 7.9 | Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. | 21 | |||||||||
| Section 7.10 | Eligibility; Disqualification | 21 | |||||||||
| Section 7.11 | Referential Collection of Claims Against Company | 21 | |||||||||
| Article VIII | SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE | 21 | |||||||||
| Section 8.1 | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 21 | |||||||||
| Section 8.2 | Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification | 22 | |||||||||
| Section 8.3 | Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series | 22 | |||||||||
| Section 8.4 | Covenant Defeasance | 23 | |||||||||
| Section 8.5 | Repayment to Company | 24 | |||||||||
| Article IX | AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS | 24 | |||||||||
| Section 9.1 | Without Consent of Holders | 24 | |||||||||
| Section 9.2 | With Consent of Holders | 25 | |||||||||
| Section 9.3 | Limitations | 25 | |||||||||
| Section 9.4 | Compliance with Trust Indenture Act | 26 | |||||||||
| Section 9.5 | Revocation and Effect of Consents | 26 | |||||||||
| Section 9.6 | Notation on or Exchange of Securities | 26 | |||||||||
| Section 9.7 | Trustee Protected | 26 | |||||||||
| Article X | MISCELLANEOUS | 26 | |||||||||
| Section 10.1 | Trust Indenture Act Controls | 26 | |||||||||
| Section 10.2 | Notices | 26 | |||||||||
| Section 10.3 | Communication by Holders with Other Holders | 27 | |||||||||
| Section 10.4 | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 27 | |||||||||
| Section 10.5 | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 27 | |||||||||
ii
| Section 10.6 | Rules by Trustee and Agents | 27 | |||||||||
| Section 10.7 | Legal Holidays | 27 | |||||||||
| Section 10.8 | No Recourse Against Others | 27 | |||||||||
| Section 10.9 | Counterparts | 27 | |||||||||
| Section 10.10 | Governing Laws | 27 | |||||||||
| Section 10.11 | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 28 | |||||||||
| Section 10.12 | Successors | 28 | |||||||||
| Section 10.13 | Severability | 28 | |||||||||
| Section 10.14 | Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. | 28 | |||||||||
| Section 10.15 | Waiver of Trial by Jury | 28 | |||||||||
| Article XI | SINKING FUNDS | 28 | |||||||||
| Section 11.1 | Applicability of Article | 28 | |||||||||
| Section 11.2 | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 28 | |||||||||
| Section 11.3 | Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 28 | |||||||||
| Article XII | SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES | 29 | |||||||||
| Section 12.1 | Agreement of Subordination | 29 | |||||||||
| Section 12.2 | Payments to Holders | 29 | |||||||||
| Section 12.3 | Subrogation of Securities | 30 | |||||||||
| Section 12.4 | Authorization to Effect Subordination | 31 | |||||||||
| Section 12.5 | Notice to Trustee | 31 | |||||||||
| Section 12.6 | Trustee’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness | 32 | |||||||||
| Section 12.7 | No Impairment of Subordination | 32 | |||||||||
| Section 12.8 | Article Applicable to Paying Agents | 32 | |||||||||
| Section 12.9 | Senior Indebtedness Entitled to Rely | 32 | |||||||||
iii
CROSS REFERENCE TABLE
Trust Indenture Act Section | Indenture Section | ||||||||||
| Section 310 | (a)(1) | 7.10 | |||||||||
| (a)(2) | 7.10 | ||||||||||
| (a)(3) | N/A | ||||||||||
| (a)(4) | N/A | ||||||||||
| (a)(5) | 7.10 | ||||||||||
| (b) | 7.10 | ||||||||||
| Section 311 | (a) | 7.11 | |||||||||
| (b) | 7.11 | ||||||||||
| (c) | N/A | ||||||||||
| Section 312 | (a) | 2.6 | |||||||||
| (b) | 10.3 | ||||||||||
| (c) | 10.3 | ||||||||||
| Section 313 | (a) | 7.6 | |||||||||
| (b)(1) | 7.6 | ||||||||||
| (b)(2) | 7.6 | ||||||||||
| (c)(1) | 7.6 | ||||||||||
| (d) | 7.6 | ||||||||||
| Section 314 | (a) | 4.2, 10.5 | |||||||||
| (b) | N/A | ||||||||||
| (c)(1) | 10.4 | ||||||||||
| (c)(2) | 10.4 | ||||||||||
| (c)(3) | N/A | ||||||||||
| (d) | N/A | ||||||||||
| (e) | 10.5 | ||||||||||
| (f) | N/A | ||||||||||
| Section 315 | (a) | 7.1 | |||||||||
| (b) | 7.5 | ||||||||||
| (c) | 7.1 | ||||||||||
| (d) | 7.1 | ||||||||||
| (e) | 6.14 | ||||||||||
| Section 316 | (a) | 2.10 | |||||||||
| (a)(1)(A) | 6.12 | ||||||||||
| (a)(1)(B) | 6.13 | ||||||||||
| (b) | 6.8 | ||||||||||
| Section 317 | (a)(1) | 6.3 | |||||||||
| (a)(2) | 6.4 | ||||||||||
| (b) | 2.5 | ||||||||||
| Section 318 | (a) | 10.1 | |||||||||
*This Cross Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.
iv
This INDENTURE, dated as of , is made by and between FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and_______________________________, a ______________________, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee (the “Trustee”).
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.1Definitions.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts that are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified herein or therein and which are owing to such Holders.
“Affiliate” of any specified person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent.
“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper in an official language of the country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in the place in connection with which the term is used. If it shall be impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof that is made or given by the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means, unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, any day except a Saturday, Sunday, a legal holiday or any other day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York or any Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.
“Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock.
“Company” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.
“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
“Company Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Company by two Officers and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business relating to this Indenture shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at______________________________________, Attention: First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. Administrator, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Depository” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Depository” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depository with respect to the Securities of such Series.
“Designated Senior Indebtedness” means any of the Company’s senior indebtedness that expressly provides that it is “designated senior indebtedness” for purposes of this Indenture (provided that the instrument, agreement or other document creating or evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may place limitations and conditions on the right of such Senior Indebtedness to exercise the rights of Designated Senior Indebtedness).
“Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Stated Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.
“Dollars” and “$” means the currency of the United States of America.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect as of the date of determination, unless a different time shall be specified with respect to such series of Securities as provided for in Section 2.2.
“Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee.
“Holder” or “Securityholder” means a person in whose name a Security is registered or the holder of a Bearer Security.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any person, and without duplication, (a) all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such person for borrowed money (including obligations of the Company in respect of overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency exchange agreements, interest rate protection agreements, and any loans or advances from banks, whether or not evidenced by notes or similar instruments) or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such person or to only a portion thereof) (other than any account payable or other accrued current liability or obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services), (b) all reimbursement obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such person with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances, (c) all obligations and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) in respect of leases of such person required, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, to be accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on the balance sheet of such person and all obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement) in connection with the lease of real property which provides that such person is contractually obligated to purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property and thereby guarantee a minimum residual value of the leased property to the lessor and the obligations of such person under such lease or related document to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such leased property, (d) all obligations of such person (contingent or otherwise) with respect to an interest rate or other swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar instrument or agreement or foreign currency hedge, exchange, purchase or similar instrument or agreement, (e) all direct or indirect guarantees or similar agreements by such person in respect of, and obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such person to purchase or otherwise acquire or otherwise assure a creditor against loss in respect of indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of another person of the kind described in clauses (a) through (d), (f) any indebtedness or other obligations described in clauses (a) through (e) secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on property which is owned or held by such person, regardless of whether the indebtedness or other obligation secured thereby shall have been assumed by such person and (g) any and all refinancings, replacements, deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation or liability of the kind described in clauses (a) through (f).
“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.
“Interest” with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
2
“Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise.
“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Place of Payment”, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any Series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable as specified and as contemplated by Section 2.1.
“Principal” or “principal amount” of a Security means the principal amount of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.
“Representative” means the (a) indenture trustee or other trustee, agent or representative for any Senior Indebtedness or (b) with respect to any Senior Indebtedness that does not have any such trustee, agent or other representative, (i) in the case of such Senior Indebtedness issued pursuant to an agreement providing for voting arrangements as among the holders or owners of such Senior Indebtedness, any holder or owner of such Senior Indebtedness acting with the consent of the required persons necessary to bind such holders or owners of such Senior Indebtedness and (ii) in the case of all other such Senior Indebtedness, the holder or owner of such Senior Indebtedness.
“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject, in each case, who has direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Senior Indebtedness” means the principal, premium, if any, unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement and indemnification obligations, and all other amounts payable under or in respect of the following indebtedness of the Company:
•any obligation (a) for money borrowed or purchased by the Company; (b) for the payment of the purchase price of any business, property or assets evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument or agreement (including purchase money obligations), whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise; or (c) which is a direct or indirect obligation which arises as a result of banker’s acceptances or bank letters of credit issued to secure obligations of the Company, or to secure the payment of revenue bonds issued for the benefit of the Company whether contingent or otherwise;
•any obligation of the Company as lessee under any lease of property which is reflected on the Company’s balance sheet as a capitalized lease;
•any obligation to general creditors, which shall not include trade creditors;
•any obligation arising from direct credit substitutes;
•any obligation associated with derivative products such as interest rate and currency exchange contracts, foreign exchange contracts, commodity contracts or any similar arrangements; and
3
•all obligations of the type referred to in the first five bullet points above of other persons or entities for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, whether or not classified as a liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP,
in each case, whether now outstanding, or created, assumed, incurred or guaranteed in the future. With respect to any Series of Securities, Senior Indebtedness excludes any indebtedness that:
•expressly states that it is junior to, or ranks equally in right of payment with, such Series of Securities; or
•is identified as junior to, or equal in right of payment with, such Series of Securities in any board resolution establishing such series of subordinated indebtedness or in any supplemental indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, if the Federal Reserve (or other competent regulatory agency or authority) promulgates any rule or issues any interpretation that defines general creditor(s), the main purpose of which is to establish criteria for determining whether the subordinated debt of a savings and loan holding company is to be included in its capital, then the term “general creditors” as used in this definition of “Senior Indebtedness” will have the meaning as described in that rule or interpretation.
“Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2.
“Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” of any specified person means any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that person or a combination thereof.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.
“Trustee” means the person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and which in the case of clauses (a) and (b) 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 U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. 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 U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
4
Section 1.2Other Definitions.
| Term | Defined in Section | |||||||
| “Bankruptcy Law” | 6.1 | |||||||
| “Custodian” | 6.1 | |||||||
| “Event of Default” | 6.1 | |||||||
| “Legal Holiday” | 10.7 | |||||||
| “Mandatory sinking fund payment” | 11.1 | |||||||
| “Optional sinking fund payment” | 11.1 | |||||||
| “Paying Agent” | 2.4 | |||||||
| “Payment Blockage Notice” | 12.2 | |||||||
| “Registrar” | 2.4 | |||||||
| “Service Agent” | 2.4 | |||||||
| “Successor person” | 5.1 | |||||||
Section 1.3Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“Commission” means the SEC.
“Indenture securities” means the Securities.
“Indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.
“Indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“Indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“Obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.
Section 1.4Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a)a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b)an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c)references to “generally accepted accounting principles” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles of the United States, consistently applied, in effect as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;
(d)“or” is not exclusive;
(e)words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(f)the words “include,” “including” and other words of similar import mean “include, without limitation” or “including, without limitation,” regardless of whether any reference to “without limitation” or words of similar import is made; and the included items do not limit the scope of the more general terms; and the listed included items are covered whether or not they are within the scope of the more general terms;
(g)provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(h)references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.
5
ARTICLE II
THE SECURITIES
Section 2.1Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters; provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, but all Securities issued hereunder shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in Article XII, to all Senior Indebtedness of the Company.
Section 2.2Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities. At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Section 2.2(a) and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally, in the case of Sections 2.2(b) through 2.2(t)) by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate:
(a)the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);
(b)the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;
(c)any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6);
(d)the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;
(e)the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
(f)if other than Dollars, the foreign currency or foreign currencies in which the Securities of the Series are denominated;
(g)if other than the coin, currency or currencies in which the Securities of the Series are denominated, the coin, currency or currencies in which payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, including composite currencies or currency units;
(h)if the principal of or interest on the Securities of the Series are to be payable, at the election of the Issuer or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the Series are denominated, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;
(i)the Place of Payment where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;
(j)if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(k)the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
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(l)the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;
(m)if other than minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple in excess thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
(n)the forms of the Securities of the Series in bearer or fully registered form (and, if in fully registered form, whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities);
(o)if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;
(p)the provisions, if any, relating to any lien, security or encumbrance provided for the Securities of the Series;
(q)any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;
(r)any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;
(s)any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series); and
(t)any depositories, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein.
All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, and the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 2.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
Section 2.3Execution and Authentication.
One Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall 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.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. Such a signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers ’Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.
Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.
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The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not be taken lawfully; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.
The Trustee or Company may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company or Trustee, respectively, to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
Section 2.4Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the Place of Payment specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (the “ Registrar ”) and where notices and demands (other than service of process) to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served (the “ Service Agent ”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands (other than any service of process).
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional paying agents or additional service agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional paying agent or additional service agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “Service Agent” includes any additional service agent.
The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.
Section 2.5Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any Event of Default under Section 6.1(e) or (f), the Trustee shall automatically become the Paying Agent.
Section 2.6Securityholder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities, which list may be conclusively relied upon by the Trustee.
Section 2.7Transfer and Exchange. Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).
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Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business 15 days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.
Section 2.8Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or satisfactory indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become, or will become within one year, due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 2.9Outstanding Securities. The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue (to the extent of the Maturity of such Security if less than the entire principal amount is due and payable on such date of Maturity).
A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.
In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a 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 6.2.
Section 2.10 Treasury Securities. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Company shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
Section 2.11 Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the
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Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon request shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and Stated Maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary Securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.
Section 2.12 Cancellation. All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and coupons and Securities and coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be retained by the Trustee in accordance with its procedures and the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act. The Company by Company Order may direct the Trustee to deliver a certificate of such cancellation to the Company.
Section 2.13 Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 10 days before the record date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.
Section 2.14 Global Securities.
(a)Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities.
(b)Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depository shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.
Except as provided in this Section 2.14(b), a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.
(c)Legend. Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.”
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(d)Acts of Holders. The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.
(e)Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.
(f)Consents, Declaration and Directions. Except as provided in Section 2.14(e), the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depository with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its agent members, the operation of customary practices of such persons governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Security.
Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION
Section 3.1Notice to Trustee. The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 15 days before the redemption date (or such shorter notice to the Trustee as may be acceptable to the Trustee).
Section 3.2Selection of Securities to be Redeemed. Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if less than all the Securities of any Series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such Series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, and, in the case of global Securities, in accordance with the procedures of the depositary; provided that such method complies with the rules of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Securities are listed, and may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that Series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such Series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that Series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such Series.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any 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.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security to be redeemed is a Global Security then any partial redemption of that Series of Securities will be made in accordance with the Depository’s applicable procedures among all Holders of such Series of Securities.
Section 3.3Notice of Redemption. Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail (or in the case of Global Securities, deliver electronically) to each Holder whose
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Securities are to be redeemed and, if such redemption relates to outstanding Bearer Securities, publish on one occasion a notice in an Authorized Newspaper.
The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:
(a)the redemption date;
(b)the redemption price and accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date payable as provided;
(c)the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(d)that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(e)that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;\
(f)the CUSIP number, if any;
(g)any conditions precedent that must be satisfied prior to the redemption; and
(h)any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.
At the Company’s request given at least five Business Days prior to the date such notice is to be delivered to Holders (or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee), the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense. In connection with any redemption of a Series of Securities, any such redemption may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent.
Section 3.4Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price, subject to, with respect to any redemption that is conditioned upon the satisfaction of any conditions precedent, (i) the delay of such redemption date until such time as any or all of such conditions precedent have been satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion) or (ii) the revocation of such redemption if the Company determines that such conditions precedent will not be satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion). Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to, but excluding, the redemption date; provided that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the redemption date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities (or one or more predecessor Securities) registered at the close of business on the relevant record date therefor according to their terms and the terms of this Indenture.
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, nothing in this Indenture shall otherwise prohibit or prevent, the Company or its Affiliates from, at any time, and from time to time, acquiring any Series of Securities, whether through open market or privately negotiated transactions with third parties or pursuant to one or more tender or exchange offers or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as well as with such consideration as the Company or any such affiliates may determine.
Section 3.5Deposit of Redemption Price. On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.
Section 3.6Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS
Section 4.1Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
Section 4.2SEC Reports. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a). The availability of the foregoing
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materials on the SEC’s EDGAR service (or any successor thereto) shall be deemed to satisfy the Company’s obligations to furnish such materials to the Trustee. 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 an Officers’ Certificate). The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor whether any such filings on EDGAR have been made.
Section 4.3Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (beginning with the fiscal year ending immediately following the execution of this Indenture), an Officers’ Certificate (which need not comply with Section 10.5) from the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such officers signing such certificate, that to the best of his/her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he may have knowledge).
The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.4Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
Section 4.5Corporate Existence. Subject to Article V, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise if it determines that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
Section 4.6Taxes. The Company shall pay prior to delinquency all material taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except as contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.1When Company May Merge, Etc. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”), nor shall the Company permit any other person to consolidate with or merge into it or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to it, in either case unless:
(a)the Company is the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than the Company) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture, the Company’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture; and
(b)immediately after giving effect to the transaction, and treating any indebtedness that becomes the obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as having been incurred at the effective date of such transaction no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction, and any such assumption, complies with this Article V.
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Section 5.2Successor Corporation Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person has been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company in the case of a sale, conveyance or other disposition (other than a lease) shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.1Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:
(a)default in the payment of any interest on, or any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Securities of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days);
(b)default in the payment of principal (or premium, if any) of any Security of that Series at its Maturity;
(c)default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series;
(d)default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture, and the continuance of such default or breach (without such default or breach having been waived in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture) for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company, by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of not less than 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” under this Indenture.
(e)the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
i.commences a voluntary case,
ii.consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
iii.consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
iv.makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
v.generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or
(f)a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
i.is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,
ii.appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or
iii.orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or
(g)any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2(q).
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
Section 6.2Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. Except to the extent provided otherwise in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate for such Series, if an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.1(e) or 6.1(f)), then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal
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amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or portion thereof) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or 6.1(f) shall occur, the principal amount (or portion thereof) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any Series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that Series, other than the non-payment of the principal and interest, if any, of Securities of that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.3Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. The Company covenants that if:
(a)default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days,
(b)default is made in the payment of principal of any Security at the Maturity thereof, or
(c)default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security,
then, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or deemed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 6.4Trustee may File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and (b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.
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Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.5Trustee may Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and outside counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 6.6Application of Money Collected. Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or property on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7; and
Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
Third: To the Company.
Section 6.7Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a)such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;
(b)the Holders of not less than 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee under this Indenture;
(c)such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses, and liabilities to be incurred in complying with such request;
(d)the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request, and offer of security and indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(e)no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series.
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner provided in this Indenture and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
Section 6.8Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.9Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
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Section 6. 10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.8, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 6.12 Control by Holders. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series; provided that:
(a)such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;
(b)the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction;
(c)subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability; and
(d)Holders have offered, and if requested, provided, to the Trustee indemnification satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expenses that may be incurred in connection with such direction.
Section 6.13 Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default (a) in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or (b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of such Series affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).
ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE
Section 7.1Duties of Trustee.
(a)The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the TIA. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of their own affairs.
(b)Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
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i.The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers. The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture. The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.
ii.In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c)The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, its own bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:
i.This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.
ii.The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
iii.The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.
(d)Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (g) of this Section.
(e)The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power at the request or direction of any Holder unless it receives security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f)The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g)No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or satisfactory indemnity against such risk is not assured to it.
(h)The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care as are set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section with respect to the Trustee.
Section 7.2Rights of Trustee.
(a)The Trustee may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b)Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel, or both, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate and/or Opinion of Counsel.
(c)The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care. No Depository shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depository.
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(d)The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or willful misconduct.
(e)The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(f)The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder without negligence and in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(g)The Trustee may conclusively rely upon and shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.
(h)The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities generally or the Securities of a particular Series and this Indenture.
(i)Delivery of reports, information and documents (including, without limitation, reports contemplated in this Section) to the Trustee is for information purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipts thereof shall not constitute actual or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with covenants under the Indenture, Securities, and guarantees (if any), as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates.
(j)The Trustee shall have no responsibility for monitoring the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture.
(k)Anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, 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 actions.
(l)Any permissive right of the Trustee to take or refrain from taking actions enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty.
(m)The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.
(n)The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.
(o)Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it reasonably necessary that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate.
(p)The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder.
(q)Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate, or Opinion of Counsel, or both (unless other evidence is specifically prescribed herein). The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate, or Opinion of Counsel, or both.
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Section 7.3Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
Section 7.4 Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities or the recitals contained herein other than its authentication.
Section 7.5Notice of Defaults. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall send to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.
Section 7.6Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after [_________] in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish in an Authorized Newspaper, a brief report dated as of such [_________], in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA Section 313.
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange, if any, on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.7Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable documented compensation and out-of-pocket expenses of the Trustee’s agents and outside counsel.
The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (including the cost of defending itself) against any loss, liability, claim (including any between the parties to this Indenture), suit or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.
The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee to the extent of its or their negligence or willful misconduct.
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of that Series. Such lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation, removal or replacement of the Trustee.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or 6.1(f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination of this Indenture.
Section 7.8Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.
The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by this Section 7.8 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. The Holders of a majority in
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principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:
(a)the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(b)the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c)a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d)the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish such notice on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to such replacement.
The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor. Notwithstanding the registration or removal of the Trustee hereunder, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 shall survive for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.9Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another person, the successor person without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b).
Section 7.11 Referential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.
ARTICLE VIII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
Section 8.1Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute such instruments reasonably requested by the Company acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(a)either:
i.all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
ii.all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(1)have become due and payable, or
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(2)will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(3)are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company; or
(4)are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 8.3, as applicable;
and the Company, in the case of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;
(b)the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(c)the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.7, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.5 shall survive.
Section 8.2Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.
(a)Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (other than the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Section 8.3 or 8.4.
(b)The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.
(c)The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any U.S. Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Section 8.3 or 8.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations held under this Indenture.
Section 8.3Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series. Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.2(s), to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of any Series on the 90th day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (c) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, at Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:
(a)the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (c) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;
(b)the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.5; and
(c)the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder; provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
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i.the Company shall have deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;
ii.such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture or any agreement or instrument governing any other Indebtedness which is being defeased or discharged or repaid) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
iii.no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from transactions occurring contemporaneously with the borrowing of funds, or the borrowing of funds, to be applied to such deposit or other Indebtedness which is being defeased or discharged, and, in each case, the granting of liens in connection therewith);
iv.the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;
v.the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company;
vi.the discharge does not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the TIA and may not result in the Company becoming an investment company in violation of the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
vii.the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the legal defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
Section 8.4Covenant Defeasance. Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.2(s) to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after the 90th day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof, the Company may omit to comply with respect to the Securities of any Series with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, and 5.1 as well as any additional covenants specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(s) (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series under Section 6.1) and the occurrence of any event specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(q) and designated as an Event of Default shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series; provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(a)with reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;
(b)such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture or any agreement or instrument governing any other Indebtedness which is being defeased or discharged or repaid) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
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(c)no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from transactions occurring contemporaneously with the borrowing of funds, or the borrowing of funds, to be applied to such deposit or other Indebtedness which is being defeased or discharged, and, in each case, the granting of liens in connection therewith);
(d)the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred;
(e)the discharge does not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the TIA and may not result in the Company becoming an investment company in violation of the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
(f)the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the covenant defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
Section 8.5Repayment to Company. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for six months. After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 9.1Without Consent of Holders. The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder by indentures supplemental hereto:
(a)to evidence the succession of another person to the Company as obligor under this Indenture, pursuant to Article V, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Company in the Indenture and in the Securities or evidence the addition or release of any guarantor in accordance with this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;
(b)to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions shall be for the protection of the Holders and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture, with such period of grace, if any, and subject to such conditions as such supplemental indenture may provide;
(c)to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Securities of any Series or any related coupons in any material respect;
(d)to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;
(e)to add or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities of any Series in uncertificated or global form;
(f)to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee or facilitate the administration of the trust under this Indenture by more than one Trustee;
(g)to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture;
(h)to add any additional Events of Default (and if such Events of Default are to be for less than all Series of Securities, stating that such are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such Series of Securities) for the benefit of the Holders;
(i)to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture, if the change or elimination (i) becomes effective only when there are no debt securities outstanding of any series created prior to the change or elimination that are entitled to the benefit of
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the changed or eliminated provision or (ii) shall not apply to the any debt securities outstanding at the time of such change or elimination;
(j)to establish the form of Securities of any Series and to provide for the issuance of any other series of notes under this Indenture;
(k)to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(l)to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, or under any similar federal statute hereafter enacted, and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly permitted by the TIA, excluding certain provisions thereof; or
(m)to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder.
Section 9.2With Consent of Holders. The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), 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 Securityholders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby and, if any Bearer Securities affected thereby are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.
Section 9.3Limitations. Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:
(a)reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities, the consent of whose Holders is required to amend or supplement this Indenture or any supplemental indenture, waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults and the consequences thereof under this Indenture, or any change to such defaults which require such consent;
(b)reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security or any Additional Amounts owed thereon;
(c)reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
(d)reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof
(e)waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, interest or any Additional Amounts, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(f)make any change to certain provisions of the Indenture relating to, among other things, holders’ rights to receive payment of the principal of and interest on any Security and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and waivers of past defaults;
(g)make the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security or any Additional Amount with respect thereto payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;
(h)make any change in Section 6.8, 6.13, or 9.3; or
(i)waive or change any redemption payment with respect to any Security.
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Section 9.4Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.5Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment is set forth in a supplemental indenture or a waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date of the supplemental indenture or the date the waiver becomes effective.
Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.3. In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.
Section 9.6Notation on or Exchange of Securities. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.
Section 9.7Trustee Protected. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent have been satisfied, the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects it.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.1 Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.
Section 10.2 Notices. Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other, or by a Holder to the Company or the Trustee, is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:
if to the Company:
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
400 East Thomas Street
Hammond, Louisiana 70401
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Telephone: (985) 375-0308
if to the Trustee:
Attention: First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. Administrator
Telephone:
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to the address shown on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, published in an Authorized Newspaper. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.
If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.
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If the Company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture or any Security, where the Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event or any other communication (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a Securityholder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to Depository (or its designee) pursuant to the applicable procedures from Depository or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices at Depository.
Section 10.3 Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
Section 10.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a)an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(b)an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
Section 10.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:
(a)a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b)a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c)a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d)a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 10.6 Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by, or a meeting of, Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 10.7 Legal Holidays. Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
Section 10.8 No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
Section 10.9 Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or electronic format (e.g., a “.pdf”) transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or electronic format (e.g., a “.pdf”) shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 10.10 Governing Laws. THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW AND NEW YORK CIVIL PRACTICE LAWS AND RULES 327(B).
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Section 10.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 10.12 Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
Section 10.13 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 10.14 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 10.15 Waiver of Trial by Jury. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE HOLDERS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.
ARTICLE XI
SINKING FUNDS
Section 11.1 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.
Section 11.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (a) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (b) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been repurchased by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.2, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.
Section 11.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before
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each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.3. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.
ARTICLE XII
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
Section 12.1 Agreement of Subordination. The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued hereunder by accepting a Security likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article XII; and each Person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.
The payment of the principal of and interest on all Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with respect to the Securities called for redemption in accordance with Article III as provided in the Indenture) issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.
No provision of this Article XII shall prevent the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder.
Section 12.2 Payments to Holders. Except as otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture, no payment shall be made with respect to the principal of or interest on the Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with respect to the Securities to be called for redemption in accordance with Article III as provided in the Indenture), except payments and distributions made by the Trustee as permitted by the first or second paragraph of Section 12.5, if:
(a)a default in the payment of principal, premium, interest, rent or other obligations due on any Senior Indebtedness occurs and is continuing (or, in the case of Senior Indebtedness for which there is a period of grace, in the event of such a default that continues beyond the period of grace, if any, specified in the instrument or lease evidencing such Senior Indebtedness), unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist; or
(b)an event of default or a default, in each case, other than a payment default, on a Designated Senior Indebtedness occurs and is continuing that then permits holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee or other authorized party on their behalf) to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a notice of the default (a “Payment Blockage Notice”) from a Representative or the Company.
If the Trustee receives any Payment Blockage Notice pursuant to clause (b) above, no subsequent Payment Blockage Notice shall be effective for purposes of this Section unless and until (A) at least 365 days shall have elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice, and (B) all scheduled payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities that have come due have been paid in full in cash. No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice.
The Company may and shall resume payments on and distributions in respect of the Securities upon the earlier of:
(1)the date upon which the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, or
(2)in the case of a default referred to in clause (b) above, 179 days pass after notice is received if the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness has not been accelerated, unless this Article XII otherwise prohibits the payment or distribution at the time of such payment or distribution.
Upon any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Indebtedness shall first be paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, or payment thereof in accordance with its terms provided for in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment is made on account of the principal of or interest on the Securities (except payments made pursuant to Article VI from monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant thereto prior to commencement of proceedings for such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization); and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company or bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceeding, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled, except for the provision of this Article XII, shall (except as aforesaid) be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in
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bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders of the Securities or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, or as otherwise required by law or a court order) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full, in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution or provision therefor is made to the Holders of the Securities or to the Trustee.
For purposes of this Article XII, the words, “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other person provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XII with respect to the Securities to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be outstanding; provided that (i) the Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new person, if any, resulting from any reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness (other than leases which are not assumed by the Company or the new person, as the case may be) are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another person upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article V shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 12.2 if such other person shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article V.
In the event of the acceleration of the Securities because of an Event of Default, no payment or distribution shall be made to the Trustee or any Holder of Securities in respect of the principal of or interest on the Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with respect to the Securities called for redemption in accordance with Article III as provided in the Indenture), except payments and distributions made by the Trustee as permitted by the first or second paragraph of Section 12.5, until all Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or such acceleration is rescinded in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. If payment of the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company shall promptly notify holders of Senior Indebtedness of the acceleration at the address set forth in the notice from the Agent (or successor agent) to the Trustee as being the address to which the Trustee should send its notice pursuant to this Section 12.2, unless there are no payment obligations of the Company thereunder and all obligations thereunder to extend credit have been terminated or expired.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (including, without limitation, by way of setoff or otherwise), prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, or provision is made for such payment thereof in accordance with its terms in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
Nothing in this Section 12.2 or elsewhere in this Article XII shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.7. This Section 12.2 shall be subject to the further provisions of Section 12.5.
Section 12.3 Subrogation of Securities. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the rights of the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII (equally and ratably with the holders of all indebtedness of the Company which by its express terms is subordinated to other indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as the Securities are subordinated and is entitled to like rights of subrogation) to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XII, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII, to or for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior
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Indebtedness; and no payments or distributions of cash, property or securities to or for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the subrogation provisions of this Article XII, which would otherwise have been paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or for the account of the Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XII are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.
Nothing contained in this Article XII or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XII of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XII, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such bankruptcy, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XII.
Section 12.4 Authorization to Effect Subordination. Each Holder of a Security by the holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on the holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article XII and appoints the Trustee to act as the holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. If the Trustee does not file a proper proof of claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to in Section 6.3 hereof at least 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim, the holders of any Senior Indebtedness or their representatives are hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders of the Securities.
Section 12.5 Notice to Trustee. The Company shall give prompt written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and to any paying agent of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee or any paying agent in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XII or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof at the Corporate Trust Office from the Company (in the form of an Officers’ Certificate) or a Representative or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee thereof; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided that if on a date not fewer than two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such monies may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Security) the Trustee shall not have received, with respect to such monies, the notice provided for in this Section 12.5, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such monies and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such prior date.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article XII to the contrary, nothing shall prevent any payment by the Trustee to the Holders of monies deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.1, and any such payment shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 12.1 or 12.2.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Representative or a person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XII, the Trustee may request such person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such person, the extent to which such person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such person under this Article XII, and if such evidence is not furnished the Trustee may defer any payment to such person pending judicial determination as to the right of such person to receive such payment.
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Section 12.6 Trustee’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XII in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in Section 7.11 or elsewhere in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article XII shall apply to the Company’s obligations to the Trustee under Section 7.7.
With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XII, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of Securities, the Company or any other person money or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XII or otherwise.
Section 12.7 No Impairment of Subordination. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.
Section 12.8 Article Applicable to Paying Agents. If at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article shall (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that the first paragraph of Section 12.5 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.
Section 12.9 Senior Indebtedness Entitled to Rely. The holders of Senior Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Designated Senior Indebtedness) shall have the right to rely upon this Article XII, and no amendment or modification of the provisions contained herein shall diminish the rights of such holders unless such holders shall have agreed in writing thereto.
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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 GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC. | |||||||||||||||||
| By: | |||||||||||||||||
| Name: | |||||||||||||||||
| Title: | |||||||||||||||||
, as Trustee | |||||||||||||||||
| By: | |||||||||||||||||
| Name: | |||||||||||||||||
| Title: | |||||||||||||||||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
Exhibit 5.1
LUSE GORMAN, PC
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
5335 WISCONSIN AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 780
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20015
______________
TELEPHONE (202) 274-2000
FACSIMILE (202) 362-2902
www.luselaw.com
September 30, 2020
The Board of Directors
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
400 East Thomas Street
Hammond, Louisiana 70401
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc., a Louisiana corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), with respect to the registration and public offering by the Company, from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act, of up to $50.0 million in aggregate offering amount of securities, consisting of one or more of the following:
(i) senior debt securities of the Company (“Senior Debt Securities”) and subordinated debt securities of the Company (“Subordinated Debt Securities” and together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”);
(ii) shares of common stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company (“Common Stock”);
(iii) shares of preferred stock, $1,000 par value, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), which may be issued in the form of depositary shares (“Depositary Shares”);
(iv) warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company (“Warrants”);
(v) stock purchase contracts of the Company (“Purchase Contracts”);
(vi) subscription rights to purchase Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares of the Company (“Subscription Rights”); and
LUSE GORMAN, PC
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
September 30, 2020
Page 2
(vii) units comprised of one or more of the securities described above in any combination (“Units”).
The Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Subscription Rights and Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”
The Senior Debt Securities are to be issued pursuant to a Senior Debt Indenture (the “Senior Indenture”), and the Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issued pursuant to a Subordinated Debt Indenture (the “Subordinated Indenture”), the respective forms of which have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement (collectively, the “Indentures”), and are to be entered into, in each case, between the Company and a trustee (the “Trustee”).
We have examined: (i) the Registration Statement, including all exhibits thereto; (ii) the respective forms of Indentures filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement; (iii) the Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, each in effect as of the date hereof; (iv) corporate proceedings of the Company relating to the registration of the Securities, and related matters; and (v) such other agreements, proceedings, documents and records and such matters of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to enable us to render this opinion.
As to certain facts material to our opinion, we have relied, to the extent we deem such reliance proper, upon certificates of public officials and officers of the Company. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents and instruments submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents and instruments submitted to us as certified or conformed copies. In addition, we have assumed the accuracy and completeness of all records, documents, instruments and materials made available to us by the Company.
Our opinion is limited to the matters set forth herein, and we express no opinion other than as expressly set forth herein. In rendering the opinions set forth below, we do not express any opinion concerning laws other than the securities laws of the United States and the laws of the State of Louisiana and the State of New York (as they relate to the enforceability of documents, agreements and instruments referred to herein) and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction or the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction. Our opinion is expressed as of the date hereof and is based on laws currently in effect. Accordingly, the conclusions set forth in this opinion are subject to change if any laws should change or be enacted in the future. We are under no obligation to update this opinion or to otherwise communicate with you in the event of any such change.
In addition, we have assumed that (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), will have become effective under the Act, (ii) a prospectus supplement and/or any required pricing supplement will have been filed with the
LUSE GORMAN, PC
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
September 30, 2020
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Commission describing the Securities offered thereby, (iii) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement, the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing supplement, (iv) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other party or parties thereto, (v) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any Securities being offered will have been duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange, redemption, or exercise, (vi) with respect to shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock offered, there will be sufficient shares of unissued Common Stock or Preferred Stock authorized under the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation and not otherwise reserved for issuance at the time of issuance thereof, (vii) in the case of an Indenture, Preferred Share Designation (as defined below), Deposit Agreement, Warrant Agreement, Purchase Contract, Subscription Rights Agreement, Unit Agreement or other agreement pursuant to which any Securities are to be issued, there shall be no terms or provisions contained therein that would affect the opinions rendered herein, and (viii) all actions are taken by the Company so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.
Our opinions set forth below are subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, avoidable transfer or other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory and other laws regarding fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent transfers and preferential transfers), (ii) the exercise of judicial discretion and the application of principles of equity, good faith, fair dealing, reasonableness, conscionability and materiality (regardless of whether the enforceability of the Securities, to the extent applicable, is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity), (iii) the possible unenforceability of indemnity and contribution provisions, (iv) the effect and possible unenforceability of choice of law provisions, (v) the possible unenforceability of provisions purporting to waive rights or defenses where such waiver is against public policy, (vi) the possible unenforceability of provisions purporting to exonerate any party for negligence or malfeasance, or to negate any remedy of any party for fraud, (vii) the possible unenforceability of forum selection clauses, (viii) the possible unenforceability of provisions permitting modification of an agreement only in writing, and (ix) the possible unenforceability of provisions purporting to allow action without regard to mitigation of damages.
On the basis of the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, we hereby are of the opinion that:
(1) Debt Securities. With respect to any series of Debt Securities to be issued under either the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, when (a) the Trustee is qualified to act as Trustee under the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as applicable, (b) the Trustee has duly executed and delivered the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as applicable,
LUSE GORMAN, PC
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
September 30, 2020
Page 4
(c) the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as applicable, has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee, (d) the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as applicable, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (e) the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof (such Board of Directors or committee being hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, and (f) such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as applicable, and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement has been approved by the Board, or upon the conversion or exercise of Warrants or other Securities to purchase Debt Securities, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, then such Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(2) Preferred Stock. With respect to any particular series of shares of Preferred Stock, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the shares of Preferred Stock, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, including the adoption of an amendment to the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation to note the powers, preferences and rights of the series of Preferred Stock (referred to herein as a “Preferred Share Designation”) and the filing of the Preferred Share Designation with the Louisiana Secretary of State, and (b) the shares of Preferred Stock have been issued, sold and delivered in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement, either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, or upon the conversion or exercise of Warrants or other Securities to purchase Preferred Stock, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of Warrants or other Securities, in accordance with the terms of such Securities or the instrument governing such Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board, then such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(3) Depositary Shares. With respect to any Depositary Shares, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such Depositary Shares, the terms, execution and delivery of the deposit agreement relating to the Depositary Shares (“Deposit Agreement”), the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (b) the Deposit Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered, (c) the shares of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and deposited with the depositary in accordance with the applicable Deposit Agreement, and (d) depositary receipts for such Depositary Shares have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Deposit Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, or upon the conversion or exercise of Warrants or other Securities to purchase Depositary Shares, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, or upon conversion or exercise of Warrants or other Securities, in accordance with
LUSE GORMAN, PC
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
September 30, 2020
Page 5
the terms of such Securities or the instrument governing such Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board, such Depositary Shares will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, will be validly issued and will entitle their holders to the rights specified in the Deposit Agreement and the depositary receipts.
(4) Common Stock. With respect to shares of Common Stock, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance of and the terms of the offering of the shares of Common Stock and related matters and (b) the shares of Common Stock have been issued, sold and delivered in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, or upon the conversion or exercise of Warrants or other Securities to purchase Common Stock, upon payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Common Stock) provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of Warrants or other Securities, in accordance with the terms of such Securities or the instrument governing such Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board, then such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(5) Warrants. With respect to any Warrants, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such Warrants, the terms, execution and delivery of the warrant agreement relating to the Warrants (“Warrant Agreement”), the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (b) the Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered, and (c) such Warrants have been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Warrant Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, or upon the conversion or exercise of other Securities in accordance with the terms of such Securities or the instrument governing such Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, then such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(6) Units. With respect to any Units, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such Units, the terms, execution and delivery of the unit agreement relating to the Units (“Unit Agreement”), the terms of the offering
thereof and related matters, (b) the Unit Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered, and (c) such Units have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Unit Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, or upon the exercise of Warrants or Subscription Rights to purchase Units, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, then such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
LUSE GORMAN, PC
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
September 30, 2020
Page 6
(7) Purchase Contracts. With respect to any Purchase Contracts, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance, terms, execution and delivery of the Purchase Contracts and the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (b) the Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto, and (c) the Purchase Contracts have been issued and sold upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, then such Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(8) Subscription Rights. With respect to any Subscription Rights, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such Subscription Rights, the terms, execution and delivery of the subscription agreement relating to the Subscription Rights (“Subscription Agreement”), the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (b) the Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered, and (c) such Subscription Rights have been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Subscription Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, then such Subscription Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the heading “Legal Opinions” in the Prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. By giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| /s/ Luse Gorman, PC | ||
LUSE GORMAN, PC | ||
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 Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. of our report dated March 16, 2020, relating to the consolidated financial statements of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiary appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2019.
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in such registration statement.
/s/ Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC
New Iberia, Louisiana
September 30, 2020