As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2023.
Registration No. 333-
FTAI Aviation Ltd S-3ASR, filed Feb 27, 2023
FTAI Aviation Ltd. (FTAI)
S-3ASR
2023-02-27
View Original
Added on
October 23, 2026
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FTAI AVIATION LTD.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Cayman Islands | | | 98-1420784 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(212) 798-6100
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Kevin Krieger, Esq.
BoHee Yoon, Esq.
c/o Fortress Investment Group LLC
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor
New York, New York 10105
(212) 798-6100
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Joseph A. Coco, Esq.
Michael J. Schwartz, Esq,
Blair T. Thetford, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
One Manhattan West
New York, New York 10001
(212) 735-3000
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 the Registrant.
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 Securities Act. ☐
PROSPECTUS
FTAI AVIATION LTD.
ORDINARY SHARES
PREFERRED SHARES
DEPOSITARY SHARES
DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANTS
SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
PURCHASE CONTRACTS
AND
PURCHASE UNITS
We may offer, issue and sell from time to time, together or separately, our ordinary shares; our preferred shares, which we may issue in one or more series; depositary shares representing our preferred shares; our debt securities, which may be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated debt securities; warrants to purchase debt or equity securities; subscription rights to purchase our ordinary shares, our preferred shares or our debt securities; purchase contracts to purchase our ordinary shares, our preferred shares or our debt securities; or purchase units, each representing ownership of a purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities or debt obligations of third-parties, including U.S. treasury securities, or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holder’s obligation to purchase our ordinary shares or other securities under the purchase contracts.
We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. We may describe the terms of these securities in a term sheet that will precede the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO SELL SECURITIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
We may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, through agents or directly to purchasers. These securities also may be resold by selling shareholders, whether owned on the date hereof or hereafter. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering and the identities of any selling shareholders. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.
The Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) lists our ordinary shares under the trading symbol “FTAI,” our 8.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “Series A Preferred Shares”) under the trading symbol “FTAIP,” our 8.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “Series B Preferred Shares”) under the trading symbol “FTAIO” and our 8.25% Fixed-Rate Reset Series C Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Share of the Company (the “Series C Preferred Shares”) under trading symbol “FTAIN.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, in the event that we offer equity securities to the public, we intend to simultaneously grant to our manager, FIG LLC (our “Manager”), or to an affiliate of our Manager, an option with respect to a number of our ordinary shares equal to up to 10% of (i) the aggregate number of our ordinary shares being issued in such offering at an exercise price per share equal to the offering price per share, as determined by a committee of our board of directors, or (ii) if such equity issuance relates to equity securities other than our ordinary shares, the number of our ordinary shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share) equal to (x) the gross capital raised in an equity issuance of equity securities other than our ordinary shares (as determined by a committee of our board of directors), divided by (y) the fair market value of a common share as of the date of such equity issuance.
INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. BEFORE BUYING OUR SECURITIES, YOU SHOULD REFER TO THE RISK FACTORS INCLUDED IN OUR PERIODIC REPORTS, IN PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENTS RELATING TO SPECIFIC OFFERINGS OF OUR SECURITIES AND IN OTHER INFORMATION THAT WE FILE WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. SEE “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 7.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is February 27, 2023.
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we or the selling shareholders may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, in one or more offerings at an unspecified aggregate initial offering price.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or the selling shareholders may offer. Each time we offer to sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”
You should rely on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Neither we nor any selling shareholder have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor any selling shareholder are making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale thereof is not permitted.
You should assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of the date of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the ordinary shares, preferred shares, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and purchase units that we or selling shareholders may sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the related prospectus supplement.
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We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission. Our Commission filings are available on the Internet at the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our Commission filings are also available free of charge at our website (www.ftaiaviation.com). We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference. The information on or otherwise accessible through our website does not constitute a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. Nasdaq lists our ordinary shares under the trading symbol “FTAI,” our Series A Preferred Shares under the trading symbol “FTAIP,” our Series B Preferred Shares under the trading symbol “FTAIO” and our Series C Preferred Share under the trading symbol “FTAIN.”
We have filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is part of the registration statement and does not contain all the information in the registration statement. You will find additional information about us in the registration statement. Any statement made in this prospectus concerning a contract or other document of ours is not necessarily complete, and you should read the documents that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the Commission for a more complete understanding of the document or matter. Each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You may inspect without charge a copy of the registration statement through the Commission’s website.
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The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus information that we file with the Commission. This permits us to disclose important information to you by referring to these filed documents. Any information referenced this way is considered to be a part of this prospectus and any such information filed by us with the Commission subsequent to the date of this prospectus will automatically be deemed to update and supersede this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement the following documents that we have already filed with the Commission except that any information which is furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K (including financial statements or exhibits relating thereto furnished pursuant to Item 9.01) and not filed shall not be deemed incorporated by referenced herein:
• | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Commission on February 27, 2023 (the “Form 10-K”); |
• | the sections of the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Special Meeting of Shareholders filed with the Commission on October 11, 2022 titled “Management of the Company Following the Merger,” “Executive Compensation,” “Beneficial Ownership of Securities” and “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions”; |
• | the description of our ordinary shares set forth in Exhibit 4.14 of the Form 10-K; |
• | the description of our Series A Preferred Shares set forth in Exhibit 4.14 of the Form 10-K; |
• | the description of our Series B Preferred Shares set forth in Exhibit 4.14 of the Form 10-K; and |
• | the description of our Series C Preferred Shares set forth in Exhibit 4.14 of the Form 10-K. |
Whenever after the date of this prospectus we file reports or documents under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), those reports and documents will be deemed to be a part of this prospectus from the time they are filed (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with Commission rules). Any statement made in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Requests should be directed to FTAI Aviation Ltd., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor, New York, New York, 10105, Attention: Investor Relations (telephone number (646) 734-9414 and email address IR@FTAIAviation.com). Our Commission filings are also available free of charge at our website (www.ftaiaviation.com). We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference. The information on or otherwise accessible through our website does not constitute a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
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This prospectus contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the operating performance of our investments, the stability of our earnings, our financing needs and the size and attractiveness of market opportunities. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue” or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe future plans and strategies, contain projections of results of operations, cash flows or financial condition or state other forward-looking information. Our ability to predict results or the actual outcome of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. As set forth more fully under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in Part I, Item 1A in our Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein, factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to:
• | changes in economic conditions generally and specifically in our industry sectors, and other risks relating to the global economy, including, but not limited to, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and any related responses or actions by businesses and governments; |
• | reductions in cash flows received from our assets, as well as contractual limitations on the use of our aviation assets to secure debt for borrowed money; |
• | our ability to take advantage of acquisition opportunities at favorable prices; |
• | a lack of liquidity surrounding our assets, which could impede our ability to vary our portfolio in an appropriate manner; |
• | the relative spreads between the yield on the assets we acquire and the cost of financing; |
• | adverse changes in the financing markets we access affecting our ability to finance our acquisitions; |
• | customer defaults on their obligations; |
• | our ability to renew existing contracts and enter into new contracts with existing or potential customers; |
• | the availability and cost of capital for future acquisitions; |
• | concentration of a particular type of asset or in a particular sector; |
• | competition within the aviation sector; |
• | the competitive market for acquisition opportunities; |
• | risks related to operating through joint ventures, partnerships, consortium arrangements or other collaborations with third parties; |
• | our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses; |
• | obsolescence of our assets or our ability to sell, re-lease or re-charter our assets; |
• | exposure to uninsurable losses and force majeure events; |
• | the legislative/regulatory environment and exposure to increased economic regulation; |
• | exposure to the oil and gas industry’s volatile oil and gas prices; |
• | difficulties in obtaining effective legal redress in jurisdictions in which we operate with less developed legal systems; |
• | our ability to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the fact that maintaining such exemption imposes limits on our operations; |
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• | our ability to successfully utilize leverage in connection with our investments; |
• | foreign currency risk and risk management activities; |
• | effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; |
• | exposure to environmental risks, including natural disasters, increasing environmental legislation and the broader impacts of climate change; |
• | changes in interest rates and/or credit spreads, as well as the success of any hedging strategy we may undertake in relation to such changes; |
• | actions taken by national, state, or provincial governments, including nationalization, or the imposition of new taxes, could materially impact the financial performance or value of our assets; |
• | our dependence on our Manager and its professionals and actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest in our relationship with our Manager; |
• | effects of the merger of Fortress Investment Group LLC with affiliates of SoftBank Group Corp.; |
• | volatility in the market price of our shares; |
• | the inability to pay dividends to our shareholders in the future; and |
• | other risks described in the “Risk Factors” section of this registration statement and the Form 10-K. |
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements, which reflect our management’s views as of the date of this prospectus. The factors noted above could cause our actual results to differ significantly from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results.
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Our Company
FTAI Aviation Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, was formed on December 8, 2017 and is the surviving parent company upon completion of the transactions completed in that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger”) on November 10, 2022 between Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC and FTAI Aviation Ltd. and certain other parties thereto. Except as otherwise specified, “we”, “us”, “our”, “FTAI”, “FTAI Aviation” or “the Company” refer to us and our consolidated subsidiaries. Our business has been, and will continue to be, conducted through FTAI Aviation Holdco Ltd. (“Holdco”) for the purpose of acquiring, managing and disposing of transportation and transportation-related equipment assets.
We are externally managed by FIG LLC (the “Manager”), an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC (“Fortress”), which has a dedicated team of experienced professionals focused on the acquisition of transportation and infrastructure assets since 2002. On December 27, 2017, SoftBank Group Corp. (“SoftBank”) acquired Fortress (the “SoftBank Merger”). In connection with the SoftBank Merger, Fortress operates within SoftBank as an independent business headquartered in New York.
We own and acquire high quality aviation equipment that is essential for the transportation of goods and people globally. Additionally, we own and lease offshore energy equipment. We target assets that, on a combined basis, generate strong cash flows with potential for earnings growth. We believe that there are a large number of acquisition opportunities in our markets and that our Manager’s expertise and business and financing relationships, together with our access to capital, will allow us to take advantage of these opportunities. As of December 31, 2022, we had total consolidated assets of $2.4 billion and total equity of $19.4 million.
As of December 31, 2022, our operations consisted of Aviation Leasing and Aerospace Products. Our Aviation Leasing business acquires assets that are designed to carry cargo or people. Aviation equipment assets are typically long-lived, moveable and leased by us on either operating leases or finance leases to companies that provide transportation services. Our leases generally provide for long-term contractual cash flow with high cash-on-cash yields and include structural protections to mitigate credit risk. Our Aerospace Products business develops and manufactures through a joint venture, and repairs and sells through exclusivity arrangements, aftermarket components for aircraft engines.
Management Agreement and Services and Profit Sharing Agreement
On July 31, 2022, in connection with our spin-off, we entered into a new management agreement with the Manager (the “Management Agreement”), an affiliate of Fortress, pursuant to which the Manager is paid annual fees in exchange for advising us on various aspects of our business, formulating our investment strategies, arranging for the acquisition and disposition of assets, arranging for financing, monitoring performance, and managing our day-to-day operations, inclusive of all costs incidental thereto. On November 10, 2022, in connection with the closing of the Merger, we entered into a Services and Profit Sharing Agreement, pursuant to which the Master GP is entitled to receive incentive payments on substantially similar terms as it was entitled to receive such payments prior to the Merger.
General
Nasdaq lists our ordinary shares under the trading symbol “FTAI,” our Series A Preferred Shares under the trading symbol “FTAIP,” our Series B Preferred Shares under the trading symbol “FTAIO” and our Series C Preferred Shares under the trading symbol “FTAIN.”
We are formed in the Cayman Islands and our principal executive offices are located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor, New York, New York, 10105. Our telephone number is (212) 798-6100. Our web address is www.ftaiaviation.com. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference. The information on or otherwise accessible through our website does not constitute a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
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Before you invest in any of our securities, in addition to the other information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or other offering materials, you should carefully consider the risk factors under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the Form 10-K, as the same may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by our filings under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results, cash flows and financial condition and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. See “Incorporation of Certain Documents By Reference” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material, we will use the net proceeds from any sale of securities for general corporate purposes, which may include funding one or more acquisitions in whole or in part. We may provide additional information on the use of the net proceeds from any sale of securities in an applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials relating to the securities.
Unless set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds in the event that securities are sold by a selling shareholder. We may pay certain expenses in connection with sales by selling shareholders.
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We may offer unsecured debt securities in one or more series which may be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated, and which may be convertible into another security. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities will be issued in one or more series under an indenture to be entered into between us and U.S. Bank, National Association. Holders of our indebtedness will be structurally subordinated to holders of any indebtedness (including trade payables) of any of our subsidiaries.
The following description briefly sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to the debt securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. A form of the indenture is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the applicable indenture and those made a part of the global indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (“TIA”). You should read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and provisions of the applicable indenture and indenture supplement, if any, in their entirety before investing in our debt securities.
The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture is unlimited. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the debt securities. These terms may include the following:
• | the title and aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and any limit on the aggregate principal amount; |
• | whether the debt securities will be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated; |
• | any applicable subordination provisions for any subordinated debt securities; |
• | the maturity date(s) or method for determining same; |
• | the interest rate(s) or the method for determining same; |
• | the dates on which interest will accrue or the method for determining dates on which interest will accrue and dates on which interest will be payable and whether interest shall be payable in cash or additional securities; |
• | whether the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into other securities and any related terms and conditions; |
• | redemption or early repayment provisions; |
• | authorized denominations; |
• | if other than the principal amount, the principal amount of debt securities payable upon acceleration; |
• | place(s) where payment of principal and interest may be made, where debt securities may be presented and where notices or demands upon the company may be made; |
• | whether such debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and the date as which the securities are dated if other than the date of original issuance; |
• | amount of discount or premium, if any, with which such debt securities will be issued; |
• | any covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued; |
• | any additions or changes in the defaults and events of default applicable to the particular debt securities being issued; |
• | the guarantors of each series, if any, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination and release of the guarantees), if any; |
• | the currency, currencies or currency units in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, such debt securities will be payable; |
• | the time period within which, the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon which the holders of the debt securities or the company can select the payment currency; |
• | our obligation or right to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities under a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision; |
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• | any restriction or conditions on the transferability of the debt securities; |
• | provisions granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon occurrence of specified events; |
• | additions or changes relating to compensation or reimbursement of the trustee of the series of debt securities; |
• | additions or changes to the provisions for the defeasance of the debt securities or to provisions related to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture; |
• | provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture and the execution of supplemental indentures for such series; and |
• | any other terms of the debt securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the TIA, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of the indenture with respect to such debt securities). |
General
We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at par or at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series or any other series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars. In addition, debt securities may be issued where the amount of principal and/or interest payable is determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. Holders of such securities may receive a principal amount or a payment of interest that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending upon the value of the applicable currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest, if any, payable on any date, and the currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the amount payable on such date would be linked, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the designated corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Global Securities
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or to another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or to a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.
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The following description of our ordinary shares, preferred shares and provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (as amended from time to time, the “Articles”) do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of our Articles, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Prospective investors are urged to read the exhibits for a complete understanding of our operating agreement.
Authorized Shares
Under the Articles, our authorized share capital consists of:
• | 2,000,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share (“ordinary shares”); and |
• | 200,000,000 preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share (“preferred shares”), 4,180,000 of which are designated as Series A Preferred Shares, 4,940,000 of which are designated as Series B Preferred Shares and 4,200,000 of which are designated as Series C Preferred Shares. |
All of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares and our Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares are fully paid and non-assessable.
Ordinary shares
No holder of ordinary shares is entitled to preemptive, preferential or similar rights or redemption or conversion rights. Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of ordinary shares. Unless a different majority is required by law or by our Articles, resolutions to be approved by holders of ordinary shares require approval by a simple majority of votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
Each holder of ordinary shares is entitled to one vote for each ordinary share held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of shares, the holders of our ordinary shares will possess the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes. Our Articles do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares can elect all of the directors standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares are not able to elect any directors.
Although we currently intend to pay regular quarterly dividends to holders of our ordinary shares, we may change our dividend policy at any time. Our net cash provided by operating activities has been less than the amount of distributions to our shareholders. The declaration and payment of dividends to holders of our ordinary shares will be at the discretion of our board of directors in accordance with applicable law after taking into account various factors, including actual results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, net cash provided by operating activities, restrictions imposed by applicable law, our taxable income, our operating expenses and other factors our board of directors deem relevant. In addition, while any Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares or Series C Preferred Shares remain outstanding, unless the full cumulative distributions on past distribution periods for such shares have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions set aside, we are generally prohibited from declaring and paying or setting aside any dividends on our ordinary shares. See “Series A Preferred Shares—Priority Regarding Distributions,” “Series B Preferred Shares—Priority Regarding Distributions” and “Series C Preferred Shares—Priority Regarding Distributions.” Any rights of holders of our ordinary shares to receive dividends, if any, declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds will also be subject to any preferred rights of holders of any additional preferred shares that we may issue in the future.
There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends in amounts or on a basis consistent with prior distributions to our investors, if at all. Because we are a holding company and have no direct operations, we will only be able to pay dividends from our available cash on hand and any funds we receive from our subsidiaries and our ability to receive distributions from our subsidiaries may be limited by the financing agreements to which they are subject, including the indentures governing our senior notes and the amended and restated revolving credit facility. In addition, pursuant to the Services and Profit Sharing Agreement with our subsidiary FTAI Aviation Holdco Ltd. and Fortress Worldwide Transportation and Infrastructure Master GP LLC
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(the “Master GP”), Master GP will be entitled to receive incentive payments before any amounts are distributed by the Company based both on our consolidated net income and capital gains income in each fiscal quarter and for each fiscal year, respectively.
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after the payment of liabilities, subject to any rights of holders of our preferred shares prior to distribution.
Our ordinary shares trade on Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “FTAI”.
Series A Preferred Shares
General
The Articles authorize the Company to issue up to 200,000,000 preferred shares in one or more series, and the Company’s board of directors is authorized to fix the number of shares of each series and determine the rights, designations, preferences, powers and duties of any such series. The “8.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares” are designated as one series of our authorized preferred shares, consisting of 4,180,000 Series A Preferred Shares.
The Series A Preferred Shares represent perpetual equity interests in us and, unlike our indebtedness, do not give rise to a claim for payment of a principal amount at a particular date. As such, the Series A Preferred Shares rank junior to all of our current and future indebtedness and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us. The Series A Preferred Shares have a fixed liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series A Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of payment, whether or not declared; provided that the rights of the holders of Series A Preferred Shares to receive the liquidation preference will be subject to the proportional rights of holders of Parity Securities (as defined below) and to the other matters described under “—Liquidation Rights”.
Our Series A Preferred Shares trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “FTAIP”.
Ranking
With respect to the payment of distributions and rights (including redemption rights) upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the Series A Preferred Shares rank (i) senior and prior to our ordinary shares and any class or series of preferred shares that by its terms is designated as ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares, (ii) pari passu with any class or series of preferred shares that by its terms is designated as ranking equal to the Series A Preferred Shares or does not state it is junior or senior to the Series A Preferred Shares (including our Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares), (iii) junior to any class or series of preferred shares that is expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Shares (subject to receipt of any requisite consents prior to issuance) and (iv) effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible into our ordinary shares or preferred shares) and other liabilities and to all liabilities and any preferred equity of our existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries.
The Series A Preferred Shares are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of our share capital or other securities and are not subject to any sinking fund or other obligation to redeem or repurchase the Series A Preferred Shares. The Series A Preferred Shares are not secured, are not guaranteed by us or any of our affiliates and are not subject to any other arrangement that legally or economically enhances the ranking of the Series A Preferred Shares.
Distributions
Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, only when, as, and if declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally available for such purpose, cumulative cash distributions based on the stated liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series A Preferred Share at a rate equal to (i) from, and including, the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Shares, being the date of the completion of the merger, to, but excluding, September 15, 2024 (the “Series A Fixed Rate Period”), 8.25% per annum, and (ii) beginning September 15, 2024 (the “Series A Floating Rate Period”), Three-Month LIBOR (as defined below) plus a spread of 688.6 basis points per annum and that sum will be the distribution rate for the applicable Distribution Period. A “Distribution Period” means the period from, and including, each Distribution Payment Date (as
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defined below) to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date, except for the initial Distribution Period, which is the period from, and including, the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Shares, being the date of the completion of the merger, to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date.
When, as, and if declared by our board of directors, we pay cash distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares quarterly, in arrears, on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year (each such date, a “Distribution Payment Date”), which payments began on December 15, 2022. We pay cash distributions to the holders of record of Series A Preferred Shares as they appear on our share register on the applicable record date, which for any Distribution Payment Date shall be the 1st calendar day of the month of such Distribution Payment Date or such other record date fixed by our board of directors as the record date for such Distribution Payment Date that is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to such Distribution Payment Date.
Distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares are not mandatory. However, distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares accrue from and including, the most recent Distribution Payment Date on which all accrued distributions have been paid, whether or not we have earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of those distributions and whether or not those distributions are declared. No interest, or sum in lieu of interest, is payable in respect of any distribution payment or payments on the Series A Preferred Shares which may be in arrears, and holders of the Series A Preferred Shares are not entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property, or shares, in excess of full cumulative distributions described above.
If in the future we issue additional shares of the Series A Preferred Shares, distributions on those additional shares will accrue from the most recent Distribution Payment Date at the then-applicable distribution rate.
The distribution rate for each Distribution Period in the Series A Floating Rate Period will be determined by the calculation agent using Three-Month LIBOR as in effect on the second London banking day prior to the beginning of the Distribution Period, which date is referred to as the “distribution determination date” for the relevant Distribution Period. The calculation agent then will add Three-Month LIBOR as determined on the distribution determination date and the spread of 688.6 basis points per annum. Once the distribution rate for the Series A Preferred Shares is determined, the calculation agent will deliver that information to us and the transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Shares. Absent manifest error, the calculation agent’s determination of the distribution rate for a Distribution Period for the Series A Preferred Shares will be final. A “London banking day” is any day on which commercial banks are open for dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars in the London interbank market.
As used in this description of Series A Preferred Shares, the term “Three-Month LIBOR” means the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for a three month period (the “three-month LIBOR rate”), as that rate is displayed on Bloomberg on page BBAM1 (or any successor or replacement page) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the relevant distribution determination date, provided that:
(i) | If no offered rate is displayed on Bloomberg on page BBAM1 (or any successor or replacement page) on the relevant distribution determination date at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, then the calculation agent, in consultation with us, will select four major banks in the London interbank market and will request each of their principal London offices to provide a quotation of the rate at which three-month deposits in U.S. dollars in amounts of at least $1,000,000 are offered by it to prime banks in the London interbank market, on that date and at that time. If at least two quotations are provided, Three-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of the quotations provided. |
(ii) | Otherwise, the calculation agent in consultation with us will select three major banks in New York City and will request each of them to provide a quotation of the rate offered by it at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the distribution determination date for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a three month period for the applicable Distribution Period in an amount of at least $1,000,000. If three quotations are provided, Three-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of the quotations provided. |
(iii) | Otherwise, Three-Month LIBOR for the next Distribution Period will be equal to Three-Month LIBOR in effect for the then-current Distribution Period or, in the case of the first Distribution |
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Period in the Series A Floating Rate Period, the most recent three-month LIBOR rate on which Three-Month LIBOR could have been determined in accordance with the first sentence of this paragraph had the distribution rate been a floating rate during the Series A Fixed Rate Period.
In the event that Three-Month LIBOR is less than zero, Three-Month LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.
Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii):
(a) | If the calculation agent determines on the relevant distribution determination date that LIBOR has been discontinued or is no longer viewed as an acceptable benchmark for securities like the Series A Preferred Shares (a “Series A LIBOR Event”), then the calculation agent will use a substitute or successor base rate that it has determined, in consultation with us, is the most comparable to LIBOR; provided that if the calculation agent determines there is an industry accepted substitute or successor base rate, then the calculation agent shall use such substitute or successor base rate. |
(b) | If the calculation agent has determined a substitute or successor base rate in accordance with the foregoing, the calculation agent, in consultation with us, may determine what business day convention to use, the definition of business day, the distribution determination date to be used and any other relevant methodology for calculating such substitute or successor base rate, including any adjustment factor needed to make such substitute or successor base rate comparable to LIBOR, or any adjustment to the applicable spread thereon, in a manner that is consistent with industry-accepted practices for such substitute or successor base rate. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the calculation agent determines in its sole discretion that there is no alternative rate that is a substitute or successor base rate for LIBOR, the calculation agent may, in its sole discretion, or if the calculation agent fails to do so, the Company may, appoint an independent financial advisor (“IFA”) to determine an appropriate alternative rate and any adjustments, and the decision of the IFA will be binding on the Company, the calculation agent and the holders of Series A Preferred Shares. If a Series A LIBOR Event has occurred, but for any reason an alternative rate has not been determined, an IFA has not determined an appropriate alternative rate and adjustments or an IFA has not been appointed, Three-Month LIBOR for the next Distribution Period to which the determination date relates shall be Three-Month LIBOR as in effect for the then-current Distribution Period; provided, that if this sentence is applicable with respect to the first Distribution Period in the Series A Floating Rate Period, the interest rate, business day convention and manner of calculating interest applicable during the Series A Fixed Rate Period will remain in effect during the Series A Floating Rate Period.
Priority Regarding Distributions
While any Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding, unless the full cumulative distributions for all past Distribution Periods on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions has been set aside:
(1) | no distribution will be declared and paid or set aside for payment on any Junior Securities (as defined below) (other than a distribution payable solely in shares of Junior Securities); |
(2) | no shares of Junior Securities will be repurchased, redeemed, or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly (other than as a result of a reclassification of Junior Securities for or into other Junior Securities, or the exchange for or conversion into Junior Securities, through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Securities or pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy Junior Securities pursuant to a binding agreement existing prior to the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Shares), nor will any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and |
(3) | no shares of Parity Securities will be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase or exchange all, or a pro rata portion of Series A Preferred Shares and such Parity Securities or as a result of a reclassification of Parity Securities for or into other Parity Securities, or by conversion into or exchange for other Parity Securities or Junior Securities). |
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The foregoing limitations do not apply to (i) purchases or acquisitions of, or cash settlement in respect of, Junior Securities pursuant to any employee or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement (including any of our employment, severance, or consulting agreements) of ours or of any of our subsidiaries and (ii) any distribution in connection with the implementation of a shareholder rights plan or the redemption or repurchase of any rights under such a plan, including with respect to any successor shareholder rights plan.
Accumulated distributions in arrears for any past Distribution Period may be declared by the board of directors and paid on any date fixed by the board of directors, whether or not a Distribution Payment Date, to holders of the Series A Preferred Shares on the record date for such payment, which may not be less than 10 days before such distribution. To the extent a distribution period applicable to a class of Junior Securities or Parity Securities is shorter than the Distribution Period applicable to the Series A Preferred Shares (e.g., monthly rather than quarterly), the board of directors may declare and pay regular distributions with respect to such Junior Securities or Parity Securities so long as, at the time of declaration of such distribution, the board of directors expects to have sufficient funds to pay the full cumulative distributions in respect of the Series A Preferred Shares on the next Distribution Payment Date.
Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated distributions in arrears on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities have not been declared and paid, or sufficient funds for the payment thereof have not been set apart, payment of accumulated distributions in arrears will be made in order of their respective distribution payment dates, commencing with the earliest distribution payment date. If less than all distributions payable with respect to all Series A Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities are paid, any partial payment will be made pro rata with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities entitled to a distribution payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate amounts remaining due in respect of such Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Securities at such time.
As used in this description of Series A Preferred Shares, (i) “Junior Securities” means our ordinary shares and any other class or series of our share capital over which the Series A Preferred Shares has preference or priority in the payment of distributions or in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (ii) “Parity Securities” means any other class or series of our share capital that ranks equally with the Series A Preferred Shares in the payment of distributions and in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up (including our Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares) and (iii) “Senior Securities” means any other class or series of our share capital that has preference or priority over the Series A Preferred Shares in the payment of distributions or in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Subject to the conditions described above, and not otherwise, distributions (payable in cash, shares, or otherwise), as may be determined by our board of directors, may be declared and paid on our ordinary shares and any Junior Securities from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares will not be entitled to participate in those distributions.
Liquidation Rights
Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up (“Liquidation”), the holders of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of ordinary shares or any other Junior Securities, a liquidating distribution in the amount of a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of such liquidation distribution, whether or not declared, plus the sum of any declared and unpaid distributions for Distribution Periods prior to the Distribution Period in which the liquidation distribution is made and any declared and unpaid distributions for the then current Distribution Period in which the liquidation distribution is made to the date of such liquidation distribution. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.
Conversion; Exchange and Preemptive Rights
The Series A Preferred Shares are not entitled to any preemptive rights or other rights to purchase or subscribe for our ordinary shares or any other security, and are not convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares or any other security or property at the option of the holder.
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Redemption
The Series A Preferred Shares are not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions.
Holders of Series A Preferred Shares do not have the right to require the redemption or repurchase of the Series A Preferred Shares.
Optional Redemption on or after September 15, 2024
We may redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, at our option, at any time or from time to time on or after September 15, 2024 (“Series A Optional Redemption”), at the redemption price equal to $25.00 per Series A Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. We may undertake multiple Series A Optional Redemptions. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Optional Redemption upon a Rating Event
At any time within 120 days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by us following the occurrence of a Series A Rating Event (as defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Shares in whole, but not in part, prior to September 15, 2024, at a redemption price per Series A Preferred Share equal to $25.50 (102% of the liquidation preference of $25.00), plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose, and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
“Series A Rating Event” means a change by any rating agency to the criteria employed by such rating agency as of September 12, 2019 for purposes of assigning ratings to securities with features similar to the Series A Preferred Shares, which change results in (i) any shortening of the length of time for which the criteria in effect as of September 12, 2019 are scheduled to be in effect with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares, or (ii) a lower equity credit being given to the Series A Preferred Shares than the equity credit that would have been assigned to the Series A Preferred Shares by such rating agency pursuant to the criteria in effect as of September 12, 2019.
Optional Redemption upon a Change of Control
If a Change of Control (as defined in the Series A Share Designation) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole but not in part, prior to September 15, 2024 and within 60 days after the occurrence of such Change of Control, at a price of $25.25 per Series A Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
If (i) a Change of Control occurs (whether before, on or after September 15, 2024) and (ii) we do not give notice prior to the 31st day following the Change of Control to redeem all the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, the distribution rate per annum on the Series A Preferred Shares will increase by 5.00%, beginning on the 31st day following such Change of Control.
Optional Redemption upon a Tax Redemption Event
If a Series A Tax Redemption Event (as defined in the Series A Share Designation) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole but not in part, prior to September 15, 2024 and within 60 days after the occurrence of such Series A Tax Redemption Event, at a price of $25.25 per Series A Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
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Voting Rights
Owners of Series A Preferred Shares do not have any voting rights, except as set forth below or as otherwise required by applicable law. To the extent that owners of Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to vote, each holder of Series A Preferred Shares will have one vote per share, except that when shares of any class or series of Parity Securities have the right to vote with the Series A Preferred Shares as a single class on any matter, the Series A Preferred Shares and the shares of each such Parity Securities will have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding accumulated distributions).
Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series A Preferred Shares are in arrears for six or more quarterly Distribution Periods, whether or not consecutive, the upper limit of the number of directors then constituting our board of directors will be automatically increased by two (if not already increased by two by reason of the election of directors by the holders of any Other Voting Preferred Shares (as defined below) and the holders of Series A Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class). The holders of the Series A Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class with the holders of any series of Parity Securities then outstanding upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (any such series, the “Other Voting Preferred Shares”), will be entitled to vote, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast, for the appointment of two additional directors at a special meeting of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and such Other Voting Preferred Shares and at each subsequent annual meeting of the holders of our ordinary shares at which such directors are up for re-appointment; provided that when all distributions accumulated on the Series A Preferred Shares for all past Distribution Periods and the then current Distribution Period shall have been fully paid, the right of holders of the Series A Preferred Shares to appoint any directors will cease and, unless there are any Other Voting Preferred Shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, the term of office of those two directors will forthwith terminate, the office of any directors appointed by holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall automatically be vacated and the upper limit of the number of directors constituting the board of directors shall be automatically reduced by two. However, the right of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and any Other Voting Preferred Shares to appoint two additional directors will again vest if and whenever six additional quarterly distributions have not been declared and paid, as described above. In no event shall the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares be entitled pursuant to these voting rights to elect a director that would cause us to fail to satisfy a requirement relating to director independence of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which any class or series of our share capital is listed or quoted. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the total number of directors elected by holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and any Other Voting Preferred Shares exceed two.
While any Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the following actions will be deemed a variation of the rights of the Series A Preferred Shares and all Other Voting Preferred Shares, acting as a single class, (i) authorize, create or issue any Senior Securities or reclassify any authorized share capital into any Senior Securities or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any Senior Securities or (ii) amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Articles, including by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred Shares, and shall in each case of clause (i) and (ii) require the approval of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of the Series A Preferred Shares and all Other Voting Preferred Shares; provided that in the case of the foregoing clause (ii), if such amendment affects materially and adversely the rights, designations, preferences, powers and duties of one or more but not all of the Other Voting Preferred Shares (including the Series A Preferred Shares for this purpose), the holders of the outstanding shares of the classes or series so affected, voting as a class, is required in lieu of (or, if such consent is required by law, in addition to) the consent of the holders of 66 2/3% of the Other Voting Preferred Shares (including the Series A Preferred Shares for this purpose) as a class. However, we may create additional series or classes of Parity Securities and Junior Securities and issue additional classes or series of Parity Securities and Junior Securities without notice to or the consent of any holder of the Series A Preferred Shares; provided, however, that, in the case of Parity Securities, the full cumulative distributions for all past Distribution Periods on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions has been set aside.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following will be deemed to affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred Shares:
• | any increase in the amount of authorized ordinary shares or authorized preferred shares, or any increase or decrease in the number of shares of any series of preferred shares, or the authorization, creation and issuance of other classes or series of share capital, in each case ranking on parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to distributions or distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; |
• | a merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity in which the Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding with identical terms as existing immediately prior to such merger or consolidation; and |
• | a merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity in which the Series A Preferred Shares are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving entity or any entity, directly or indirectly, controlling such surviving entity and such new preference securities have terms identical (other than the identity of the issuer) to the terms of the Series A Preferred Shares. |
The foregoing voting rights of the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which the vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and we shall have set aside sufficient funds for the benefit of holders of Series A Preferred Shares to effect the redemption.
Forum Selection
The Articles provide for submission to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands in connection with any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with the constitutional documents of the Company or otherwise related in any way to each Company shareholder’s shareholding in the Company, other than any action or suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Exchange Act, or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are, as a matter of the laws of the United States, the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such a claim.
Series B Preferred Shares
General
The Articles authorize the Company to issue up to 200,000,000 preferred shares in one or more series, and the Company’s board of directors is authorized to fix the number of shares of each series and determine the rights, designations, preferences, powers and duties of any such series. The “8.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares” are designated as one series of our authorized preferred shares, consisting of 4,940,000 Series B Preferred Shares.
The Series B Preferred Shares represent perpetual equity interests in us and, unlike our indebtedness, do not give rise to a claim for payment of a principal amount at a particular date. As such, the Series B Preferred Shares rank junior to all of our current and future indebtedness and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us. The Series B Preferred Shares have a fixed liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series B Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of payment, whether or not declared; provided that the rights of the holders of Series B Preferred Shares to receive the liquidation preference will be subject to the proportional rights of holders of Parity Securities (as defined below) and to the other matters described under “—Liquidation Rights.”
Our Series B Preferred Shares trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “FTAIO”.
Ranking
With respect to the payment of distributions and rights (including redemption rights) upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the Series B Preferred Shares rank (i) senior and prior to our ordinary shares and any class or series of preferred shares that by its terms is designated as ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Shares, (ii) pari passu with any class or series of preferred shares that by its terms is designated as ranking equal to the Series B Preferred Shares or does not state it is junior or senior to the Series B Preferred Shares (including
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our Series A Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares), (iii) junior to any class or series of preferred shares that is expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Shares (subject to receipt of any requisite consents prior to issuance) and (iv) effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible into our ordinary shares or preferred shares) and other liabilities and to all liabilities and any preferred equity of our existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries.
The Series B Preferred Shares are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of our share capital or other securities and are not subject to any sinking fund or other obligation to redeem or repurchase the Series B Preferred Shares. The Series B Preferred Shares are not secured, are not guaranteed by us or any of our affiliates and are not subject to any other arrangement that legally or economically enhances the ranking of the Series B Preferred Shares.
Distributions
Holders of the Series B Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, only when, as, and if declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally available for such purpose, cumulative cash distributions based on the stated liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series B Preferred Share at a rate equal to (i) from, and including, the original issue date of the Series B Preferred Shares, being the date of the completion of the merger, to, but excluding, December 15, 2024 (the “Series B Fixed Rate Period”), 8.00% per annum, and (ii) beginning December 15, 2024 (the “Series B Floating Rate Period”), Three-Month LIBOR (as defined in the Series B Share Designation) plus a spread of 644.7 basis points per annum. A “Distribution Period” means the period from, and including, each Distribution Payment Date to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date, except for the initial Distribution Period, which is the period from, and including, the original issue date of the Series B Preferred Shares, being the date of the completion of the merger, to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date.
When, as, and if declared by our board of directors, we pay cash distributions on the Series B Preferred Shares quarterly, in arrears, on each Distribution Payment Date, which payments began on December 15, 2022. We pay cash distributions to the holders of record of Series B Preferred Shares as they appear on our share register on the applicable record date, which for any Distribution Payment Date shall be the 1st calendar day of the month of such Distribution Payment Date or such other record date fixed by our board of directors as the record date for such Distribution Payment Date that is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to such Distribution Payment Date.
Distributions on the Series B Preferred Shares are not mandatory. However, distributions on the Series B Preferred Shares accrue from and including, the most recent Distribution Payment Date on which all accrued distributions have been paid, whether or not we have earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of those distributions and whether or not those distributions are declared. No interest, or sum in lieu of interest, is payable in respect of any distribution payment or payments on the Series B Preferred Shares which may be in arrears, and holders of the Series B Preferred Shares are not entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property, or shares, in excess of full cumulative distributions described above.
If in the future we issue additional shares of the Series B Preferred Shares, distributions on those additional shares will accrue from the most recent Distribution Payment Date at the then-applicable distribution rate.
The distribution rate for each Distribution Period in the Series B Floating Rate Period will be determined by the calculation agent using Three-Month LIBOR as in effect on the second London banking day prior to the beginning of the Distribution Period, which date is referred to as the “distribution determination date” for the relevant Distribution Period. The calculation agent then will add Three-Month LIBOR as determined on the distribution determination date and the spread of 644.7 basis points per annum, and that sum will be the distribution rate for the applicable Distribution Period. Once the distribution rate for the Series B Preferred Shares is determined, the calculation agent will deliver that information to us and the transfer agent for the Series B Preferred Shares. Absent manifest error, the calculation agent’s determination of the distribution rate for a Distribution Period for the Series B Preferred Shares will be final. A “London banking day” is any day on which commercial banks are open for dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars in the London interbank market.
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As used in this description of Series B Preferred Shares, the term “Three-Month LIBOR” means the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for a three month period (the “three-month LIBOR rate”), as that rate is displayed on Bloomberg on page BBAM1 (or any successor or replacement page) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the relevant distribution determination date, provided that:
(i) | If no offered rate is displayed on Bloomberg on page BBAM1 (or any successor or replacement page) on the relevant distribution determination date at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, then the calculation agent, in consultation with us, will select four major banks in the London interbank market and will request each of their principal London offices to provide a quotation of the rate at which three-month deposits in U.S. dollars in amounts of at least $1,000,000 are offered by it to prime banks in the London interbank market, on that date and at that time. If at least two quotations are provided, Three-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of the quotations provided. |
(ii) | Otherwise, the calculation agent in consultation with us will select three major banks in New York City and will request each of them to provide a quotation of the rate offered by it at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the distribution determination date for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a three month period for the applicable Distribution Period in an amount of at least $1,000,000. If three quotations are provided, Three-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of the quotations provided. |
(iii) | Otherwise, Three-Month LIBOR for the next Distribution Period will be equal to Three-Month LIBOR in effect for the then-current Distribution Period or, in the case of the first Distribution Period in the Series B Floating Rate Period, the most recent three-month LIBOR rate on which Three-Month LIBOR could have been determined in accordance with the first sentence of this paragraph had the distribution rate been a floating rate during the Series B Fixed Rate Period. |
In the event that Three-Month LIBOR is less than zero, Three-Month LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.
Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii):
(a) | If the calculation agent determines on the relevant distribution determination date that LIBOR has been discontinued or is no longer viewed as an acceptable benchmark for securities like the Series B Preferred Shares (a “Series B LIBOR Event”), then the calculation agent will use a substitute or successor base rate that it has determined, in consultation with us, is the most comparable to LIBOR; provided that if the calculation agent determines there is an industry-accepted substitute or successor base rate, then the calculation agent shall use such substitute or successor base rate. |
(b) | If the calculation agent has determined a substitute or successor base rate in accordance with the foregoing, the calculation agent, in consultation with us, may determine what business day convention to use, the definition of business day, the distribution determination date to be used and any other relevant methodology for calculating such substitute or successor base rate, including any adjustment factor needed to make such substitute or successor base rate comparable to LIBOR, or any adjustment to the applicable spread thereon, in a manner that is consistent with industry-accepted practices for such substitute or successor base rate. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the calculation agent determines in its sole discretion that there is no alternative rate that is a substitute or successor base rate for LIBOR, the calculation agent may, in its sole discretion, or if the calculation agent fails to do so, the Company may, appoint an IFA to determine an appropriate alternative rate and any adjustments, and the decision of the IFA will be binding on the Company, the calculation agent and the holders of Series B Preferred Shares. If a Series B LIBOR Event has occurred, but for any reason an alternative rate has not been determined, an IFA has not determined an appropriate alternative rate and adjustments or an IFA has not been appointed, Three-Month LIBOR for the next Distribution Period to which the determination date relates shall be Three-Month LIBOR as in effect for the then-current Distribution Period; provided, that if this sentence is applicable with respect to the first Distribution Period in the Series B Floating Rate Period, the interest rate, business day convention and manner of calculating interest applicable during the Series B Fixed Rate Period will remain in effect during the Series B Floating Rate Period.
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Priority Regarding Distributions
While any Series B Preferred Shares remain outstanding, unless the full cumulative distributions for all past Distribution Periods on all outstanding Series B Preferred Shares have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions has been set aside:
(1) | no distribution will be declared and paid or set aside for payment on any Junior Securities (as defined below) (other than a distribution payable solely in shares of Junior Securities); |
(2) | no shares of Junior Securities will be repurchased, redeemed, or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly (other than as a result of a reclassification of Junior Securities for or into other Junior Securities, or the exchange for or conversion into Junior Securities, through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Securities or pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy Junior Securities pursuant to a binding agreement existing prior to the original issue date of the Series B Preferred Shares), nor will any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and |
(3) | no shares of Parity Securities will be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase or exchange all, or a pro rata portion of Series B Preferred Shares and such Parity Securities or as a result of a reclassification of Parity Securities for or into other Parity Securities, or by conversion into or exchange for other Parity Securities or Junior Securities). |
The foregoing limitations do not apply to (i) purchases or acquisitions of, or cash settlement in respect of, Junior Securities pursuant to any employee or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement (including any of our employment, severance, or consulting agreements) of ours or of any of our subsidiaries and (ii) any distribution in connection with the implementation of a shareholder rights plan or the redemption or repurchase of any rights under such a plan, including with respect to any successor shareholder rights plan.
Accumulated distributions in arrears for any past Distribution Period may be declared by the board of directors and paid on any date fixed by the board of directors, whether or not a Distribution Payment Date, to holders of the Series B Preferred Shares on the record date for such payment, which may not be less than 10 days before such distribution. To the extent a distribution period applicable to a class of Junior Securities or Parity Securities is shorter than the Distribution Period applicable to the Series B Preferred Shares (e.g., monthly rather than quarterly), the board of directors may declare and pay regular distributions with respect to such Junior Securities or Parity Securities so long as, at the time of declaration of such distribution, the board of directors expects to have sufficient funds to pay the full cumulative distributions in respect of the Series B Preferred Shares on the next Distribution Payment Date.
Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated distributions in arrears on all outstanding Series B Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities have not been declared and paid, or sufficient funds for the payment thereof have not been set apart, payment of accumulated distributions in arrears will be made in order of their respective distribution payment dates, commencing with the earliest distribution payment date. If less than all distributions payable with respect to all Series B Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities are paid, any partial payment will be made pro rata with respect to the Series B Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities entitled to a distribution payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate amounts remaining due in respect of such Series B Preferred Shares and Parity Securities at such time.
As used in this description of Series B Preferred Shares, (i) “Junior Securities” means our ordinary shares and any other class or series of our share capital over which the Series B Preferred Shares has preference or priority in the payment of distributions or in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (ii) “Parity Securities” means any other class or series of our share capital that ranks equally with the Series B Preferred Shares in the payment of distributions and in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up (including our Series A Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares) and (iii) “Senior Securities” means any other class or series of our share capital that has preference or priority over the Series B Preferred Shares in the payment of distributions or in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
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Subject to the conditions described above, and not otherwise, distributions (payable in cash, shares, or otherwise), as may be determined by our board of directors, may be declared and paid on our ordinary shares and any Junior Securities from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares will not be entitled to participate in those distributions.
Liquidation Rights
Upon our voluntary or involuntary Liquidation, the holders of the outstanding Series B Preferred Shares are entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of ordinary shares or any other Junior Securities, a liquidating distribution in the amount of a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of such liquidation distribution, whether or not declared, plus the sum of any declared and unpaid distributions for Distribution Periods prior to the Distribution Period in which the liquidation distribution is made and any declared and unpaid distributions for the then current Distribution Period in which the liquidation distribution is made to the date of such liquidation distribution. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series B Preferred Shares will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.
Conversion; Exchange and Preemptive Rights
The Series B Preferred Shares are not entitled to any preemptive rights or other rights to purchase or subscribe for our ordinary shares or any other security, and are not convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares or any other security or property at the option of the holder.
Redemption
The Series B Preferred Shares are not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions.
Holders of Series B Preferred Shares do not have the right to require the redemption or repurchase of the Series B Preferred Shares.
Optional Redemption on or after December 15, 2024
We may redeem the Series B Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, at our option, at any time or from time to time on or after December 15, 2024 (“Series B Optional Redemption”), at the redemption price equal to $25.00 per Series B Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. We may undertake multiple Series B Optional Redemptions. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Optional Redemption upon a Rating Event
At any time within 120 days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by us following the occurrence of a Series B Rating Event (as defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Shares in whole, but not in part, prior to December 15, 2024, at a redemption price per Series B Preferred Share equal to $25.50 (102% of the liquidation preference of $25.00), plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
“Series B Rating Event” means a change by any rating agency to the criteria employed by such rating agency as of November 27, 2019 for purposes of assigning ratings to securities with features similar to the Series B Preferred Shares, which change results in (i) any shortening of the length of time for which the criteria in effect as of November 27, 2019 are scheduled to be in effect with respect to the Series B Preferred Shares, or (ii) a lower equity credit being given to the Series B Preferred Shares than the equity credit that would have been assigned to the Series B Preferred Shares by such rating agency pursuant to the criteria in effect as of November 27, 2019.
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Optional Redemption upon a Change of Control
If a Change of Control (as defined in the Series B Share Designation) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Shares, in whole but not in part, prior to December 15, 2024 and within 60 days after the occurrence of such Change of Control, at a price of $25.25 per Series B Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
If (i) a Change of Control occurs (whether before, on or after December 15, 2024) and (ii) we do not give notice prior to the 31st day following the Change of Control to redeem all the outstanding Series B Preferred Shares, the distribution rate per annum on the Series B Preferred Shares will increase by 5.00%, beginning on the 31st day following such Change of Control.
The Change of Control redemption feature of the Series B Preferred Shares may, in certain circumstances, make more difficult or discourage a sale or takeover of our limited liability company or a member of the Company and, thus, the removal of incumbent management. We have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that we could decide to do so in the future.
Optional Redemption upon a Tax Redemption Event
If a Series B Tax Redemption Event (as defined in the Series B Share Designation) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Shares, in whole but not in part, prior to December 15, 2024, and within 60 days after the occurrence of such Series B Tax Redemption Event, at a price of $25.25 per Series B Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Voting Rights
Owners of Series B Preferred Shares do not have any voting rights, except as set forth below or as otherwise required by applicable law. To the extent that owners of Series B Preferred Shares are entitled to vote, each holder of Series B Preferred Shares will have one vote per share, except that when shares of any class or series of Parity Securities have the right to vote with the Series B Preferred Shares as a single class on any matter, the Series B Preferred Shares and the shares of each such Parity Securities will have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding accumulated distributions).
Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series B Preferred Shares are in arrears for six or more quarterly Distribution Periods, whether or not consecutive, the upper limit of the number of directors then constituting our board of directors will be automatically increased by two (if not already increased by two by reason of the election of directors by the holders of any Other Voting Preferred Shares (as defined below) and the holders of Series B Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class). The holders of the Series B Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class with the holders of any series of Parity Securities then outstanding upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (any such series, the “Other Voting Preferred Shares”), will be entitled to vote, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast, for the appointment of two additional directors at a special meeting of the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares and such Other Voting Preferred Shares and at each subsequent annual meeting of the holders of our ordinary shares at which such directors are up for re-appointment; provided that when all distributions accumulated on the Series B Preferred Shares for all past Distribution Periods and the then current Distribution Period shall have been fully paid, the right of holders of the Series B Preferred Shares to appoint any directors will cease and, unless there are any Other Voting Preferred Shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, the term of office of those two directors will forthwith terminate, the office of any directors appointed by holders of the Series B Preferred Shares shall automatically be vacated and the upper limit of the number of directors constituting the board of directors shall be automatically reduced by two. However, the right of the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares and any Other Voting Preferred Shares to appoint two additional directors will again vest if and whenever six additional quarterly distributions have not been declared and paid, as described above. In no event shall the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares be entitled pursuant to these voting rights to elect a director that would
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cause us to fail to satisfy a requirement relating to director independence of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which any class or series of our share capital is listed or quoted. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the total number of directors elected by holders of the Series B Preferred Shares and any Other Voting Preferred Shares exceed two.
While any Series B Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the following actions will be deemed a variation of the rights of the Series B Preferred Shares and all Other Voting Preferred Shares, acting as a single class, (i) authorize, create or issue any Senior Securities or reclassify any authorized share capital into any Senior Securities or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any Senior Securities or (ii) amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Articles, including by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series B Preferred Shares, and shall in each case of clause (i) and (ii) require the approval of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of the Series B Preferred Shares and all Other Voting Preferred Shares; provided that in the case of the foregoing clause (ii), if such amendment affects materially and adversely the rights, designations, preferences, powers and duties of one or more but not all of the Other Voting Preferred Shares (including the Series B Preferred Shares for this purpose), the holders of the outstanding shares of the classes or series so affected, voting as a class, is required in lieu of (or, if such consent is required by law, in addition to) the consent of the holders of 66 2/3% of the Other Voting Preferred Shares (including the Series B Preferred Shares for this purpose) as a class. However, we may create additional series or classes of Parity Securities and Junior Securities and issue additional classes or series of Parity Securities and Junior Securities without notice to or the consent of any holder of the Series B Preferred Shares; provided, however, that, in the case of Parity Securities, the full cumulative distributions for all past Distribution Periods on all outstanding Series B Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions has been set aside.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following will be deemed to affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series B Preferred Shares:
• | any increase in the amount of authorized ordinary shares or authorized preferred shares, or any increase or decrease in the number of shares of any series of preferred shares, or the authorization, creation and issuance of other classes or series of share capital, in each case ranking on parity with or junior to the Series B Preferred Shares as to distributions or distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; |
• | a merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity in which the Series B Preferred Shares remain outstanding with identical terms as existing immediately prior to such merger or consolidation; and |
• | a merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity in which the Series B Preferred Shares are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving entity or any entity, directly or indirectly, controlling such surviving entity and such new preference securities have terms identical (other than the identity of the issuer) to the terms of the Series B Preferred Shares. |
The foregoing voting rights of the holders of Series B Preferred Shares shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which the vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Series B Preferred Shares shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and we shall have set aside sufficient funds for the benefit of holders of Series B Preferred Shares to effect the redemption.
Forum Selection
The Articles provide for submission to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands in connection with any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with the constitutional documents of the Company or otherwise related in any way to each Company shareholder’s shareholding in the Company, other than any action or suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are, as a matter of the laws of the United States, the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such a claim.
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Series C Preferred Shares
General
The Articles authorize the Company to issue up to 200,000,000 preferred shares in one or more series, and the Company’s board of directors is authorized to fix the number of shares of each series and determine the rights, designations, preferences, powers and duties of any such series. The “8.25% Fixed-Rate Reset Series C Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares” are designated as one series of our authorized preferred shares, consisting of 4,200,000 Series C Preferred Shares.
The Series C Preferred Shares represent perpetual equity interests in us and, unlike our indebtedness, do not give rise to a claim for payment of a principal amount at a particular date. As such, the Series C Preferred Shares rank junior to all of our current and future indebtedness and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us. The Series C Preferred Shares have a fixed liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series C Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of payment, whether or not declared; provided that the rights of the holders of Series C Preferred Shares to receive the liquidation preference will be subject to the proportional rights of holders of Parity Securities (as defined below) and to the other matters described under “—Liquidation Rights.”
Our Series C Preferred Shares trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “FTAIN”.
Ranking
With respect to the payment of distributions and rights (including redemption rights) upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the Series C Preferred Shares rank (i) senior and prior to our ordinary shares and any class or series of preferred shares that by its terms is designated as ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Shares, (ii) pari passu with any class or series of preferred shares that by its terms is designated as ranking equal to the Series C Preferred Shares or does not state it is junior or senior to the Series C Preferred Shares (including our Series A Preferred Shares and Series B Preferred Shares), (iii) junior to any class or series of preferred shares that is expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Shares (subject to receipt of any requisite consents prior to issuance) and (iv) effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible into our ordinary shares or preferred shares) and other liabilities and to all liabilities and any preferred equity of our existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries.
The Series C Preferred Shares are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of our share capital or other securities and are not subject to any sinking fund or other obligation to redeem or repurchase the Series C Preferred Shares. The Series C Preferred Shares are not secured, are not guaranteed by us or any of our affiliates and are not subject to any other arrangement that legally or economically enhances the ranking of the Series C Preferred Shares.
Distributions
Holders of the Series C Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, only when, as, and if declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally available for such purpose, cumulative cash distributions based on the stated liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series C Preferred Share at a rate equal to (i) from, and including, the original issue date of the Series C Preferred Shares, being the date of the completion of the merger, to, but excluding, June 15, 2026 (the “Series C Reset Rate Period”), 8.25% per annum, and (ii) beginning June 15, 2026 (the “Series C Fixed Rate Period”), the Five-Year Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus a spread of 737.8 basis points per annum; provided that if the Five-Year Treasury Rate for any Distribution Period (as defined below) described in this clause (ii) cannot be determined pursuant to the definition of “Five-Year Treasury Rate,” the distribution rate for such Distribution Period will be the same as the distribution rate determined for the immediately preceding Distribution Period. A “Distribution Period” means the period from, and including, each Distribution Payment Date to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date, except for the initial Distribution Period, which is the period from, and including, the original issue date of the Series C Preferred Shares, being the date of the completion of the merger, to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date.
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For purposes of calculating the distribution rate for a given Series C Fixed Rate Period, the calculation agent shall determine the “Five-Year Treasury Rate” (for any Reset Period (as defined below) commencing on or after the First Reset Date), based on the rate on the Reset Distribution Determination Date (as defined below) and equal to:
(i) | The average of the yields to maturity on actively traded U.S. treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity, for five-year maturities, for the five Business Days appearing under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities” in the most recently published statistical release designated H.15 Daily Update or any successor publication which is published by the Federal Reserve Board, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion; or |
(ii) | If no calculation is provided as described in clause (i), then the calculation agent, after consulting such sources as it deems comparable to any of the foregoing calculations, or any such source as it deems reasonable from which to estimate the Five-Year Treasury Rate, shall determine the Five-Year Treasury Rate in its sole discretion, provided that if the calculation agent determines there is an industry-accepted successor Five-Year Treasury Rate, then the Calculation Agent shall use such successor rate. If the calculation agent has determined a substitute or successor rate in accordance with the foregoing, the calculation agent, in its sole discretion, may determine the “business day” convention, the definition of “business day” and the Reset Distribution Determination Date to be used and any other relevant methodology for calculating such substitute or successor rate, including any adjustment factor needed to make such substitute or successor rate comparable to the rate described in clause (i), in a manner that is consistent with industry-accepted practices for such substitute or successor rate. |
As used herein, “Reset Period” means the period from, and including, June 15, 2026 to, but excluding, the fifth-year anniversary of said date, and thereafter from, and including, the fifth-year anniversary of June 15, 2026 but excluding the following fifth-year anniversary of said date (each five-year period, commencing with June 15, 2026, a “Reset Period”).
As used herein, “Reset Distribution Determination Date” means, in respect of any Reset Period, the day falling three business days prior to the beginning of such Reset Period.
When, as, and if declared by our board of directors, we pay cash distributions on the Series C Preferred Shares quarterly, in arrears, on each Distribution Payment Date, which payments began on December 15, 2022. We pay cash distributions to the holders of record of Series C Preferred Shares as they appear on our share register on the applicable record date, which for any Distribution Payment Date shall be the 1st calendar day of the month of such Distribution Payment Date or such other record date fixed by our board of directors as the record date for such Distribution Payment Date that is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to such Distribution Payment Date.
Distributions on the Series C Preferred Shares are not mandatory. However, distributions on the Series C Preferred Shares accrue from and including, the most recent Distribution Payment Date on which all accrued distributions have been paid, as applicable, whether or not we have earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of those distributions and whether or not those distributions are declared. No interest, or sum in lieu of interest, is payable in respect of any distribution payment or payments on the Series C Preferred Shares which may be in arrears, and holders of the Series C Preferred Shares are not entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property, or shares, in excess of full cumulative distributions described above.
If in the future we issue additional shares of the Series C Preferred Shares, distributions on those additional shares will accrue from the most recent Distribution Payment Date at the then-applicable distribution rate.
Priority Regarding Distributions
While any Series C Preferred Shares remain outstanding, unless the full cumulative distributions for all past Distribution Periods on all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions has been set aside:
(1) | no distribution will be declared and paid or set aside for payment on any Junior Securities (as defined below) (other than a distribution payable solely in shares of Junior Securities); |
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(2) | no shares of Junior Securities will be repurchased, redeemed, or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly (other than as a result of a reclassification of Junior Securities for or into other Junior Securities, or the exchange for or conversion into Junior Securities, through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Securities or pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy Junior Securities pursuant to a binding agreement existing prior to the original issue date of the Series C Preferred Shares), nor will any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and |
(3) | no shares of Parity Securities will be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase or exchange all, or a pro rata portion of Series C Preferred Shares and such Parity Securities or as a result of a reclassification of Parity Securities for or into other Parity Securities, or by conversion into or exchange for other Parity Securities or Junior Securities). |
The foregoing limitations do not apply to (i) purchases or acquisitions of, or cash settlement in respect of, Junior Securities pursuant to any employee or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement (including any of our employment, severance, or consulting agreements) of ours or of any of our subsidiaries and (ii) any distribution in connection with the implementation of a shareholder rights plan or the redemption or repurchase of any rights under such a plan, including with respect to any successor shareholder rights plan.
Accumulated distributions in arrears for any past Distribution Period may be declared by the board of directors and paid on any date fixed by the board of directors, whether or not a Distribution Payment Date, to holders of the Series C Preferred Shares on the record date for such payment, which may not be less than 10 days before such distribution. To the extent a distribution period applicable to a class of Junior Securities or Parity Securities is shorter than the Distribution Period applicable to the Series C Preferred Shares (e.g., monthly rather than quarterly), the board of directors may declare and pay regular distributions with respect to such Junior Securities or Parity Securities so long as, at the time of declaration of such distribution, the board of directors expects to have sufficient funds to pay the full cumulative distributions in respect of the Series C Preferred Shares on the next Distribution Payment Date.
Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated distributions in arrears on all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities have not been declared and paid, or sufficient funds for the payment thereof have not been set apart, payment of accumulated distributions in arrears will be made in order of their respective distribution payment dates, commencing with the earliest distribution payment date. If less than all distributions payable with respect to all Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities are paid, any partial payment will be made pro rata with respect to the Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities entitled to a distribution payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate amounts remaining due in respect of such Series C Preferred Shares and Parity Securities at such time.
As used in this description of Series C Preferred Shares, (i) “Junior Securities” means our ordinary shares and any other class or series of our share capital over which the Series C Preferred Shares has preference or priority in the payment of distributions or in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (ii) “Parity Securities” means any other class or series of our share capital that ranks equally with the Series C Preferred Shares in the payment of distributions and in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up (including our Series A Preferred Shares and Series B Preferred Shares) and (iii) “Senior Securities” means any other class or series of our share capital that has preference or priority over the Series C Preferred Shares in the payment of distributions or in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Subject to the conditions described above, and not otherwise, distributions (payable in cash, shares, or otherwise), as may be determined by our board of directors, may be declared and paid on our ordinary shares and any Junior Securities from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares will not be entitled to participate in those distributions.
Liquidation Rights
Upon our voluntary or involuntary Liquidation, the holders of the outstanding Series C Preferred Shares are entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of ordinary shares or any other Junior Securities, a liquidating distribution in the
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amount of a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of such liquidating distribution, whether or not declared, plus the sum of any declared and unpaid distributions for Distribution Periods prior to the Distribution Period in which the liquidating distribution is made and any declared and unpaid distributions for the then current Distribution Period in which the liquidating distribution is made to the date of such liquidating distribution. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series C Preferred Shares will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.
Conversion; Exchange and Preemptive Rights
The Series C Preferred Shares are not entitled to any preemptive rights or other rights to purchase or subscribe for our ordinary shares or any other security, and are not convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares or any other security or property at the option of the holder.
Redemption
The Series C Preferred Shares are not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions.
Holders of Series C Preferred Shares do not have the right to require the redemption or repurchase of the Series C Preferred Shares.
Optional Redemption on or after June 15, 2026
We may redeem the Series C Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, at our option, at any time or from time to time on or after June 15, 2026 (“Series C Optional Redemption”), at the redemption price equal to $25.00 per Series C Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. We may undertake multiple Series C Optional Redemptions. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Optional Redemption upon a Rating Event
At any time within 120 days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by us following the occurrence of a Series C Rating Event (as defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series C Preferred Shares in whole, but not in part, prior to June 15, 2026, at a redemption price per Series C Preferred Share equal to $25.50 (102% of the liquidation preference of $25.00), plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
“Series C Rating Event” means a change by any rating agency to the criteria employed by such rating agency as of March 25, 2021 for purposes of assigning ratings to securities with features similar to the Series C Preferred Shares, which change results in (i) any shortening of the length of time for which the criteria in effect as of March 25, 2021 are scheduled to be in effect with respect to the Series C Preferred Shares, or (ii) a lower equity credit being given to the Series C Preferred Shares than the equity credit that would have been assigned to the Series C Preferred Shares by such rating agency pursuant to the criteria in effect as of March 25, 2021.
Optional Redemption upon a Change of Control
If a Change of Control (as defined in the Series C Share Designation) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series C Preferred Shares, in whole but not in part, prior to June 15, 2026 and within 60 days after the occurrence of such Change of Control, at a price of $25.25 per Series C Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
If (i) a Change of Control occurs (whether before, on or after June 15, 2026) and (ii) we do not give notice prior to the 31st day following the Change of Control to redeem all the outstanding Series C Preferred Shares, the distribution rate per annum on the Series C Preferred Shares will increase by 500 basis points, beginning on the 31st day following such Change of Control.
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Optional Redemption upon a Tax Redemption Event
If a Series C Tax Redemption Event (as defined in the Series C Share Designation) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series C Preferred Shares, in whole but not in part, prior to June 15, 2026, and within 60 days after the occurrence of such Series C Tax Redemption Event, at a price of $25.25 per Series C Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Voting Rights
Owners of Series C Preferred Shares do not have any voting rights, except as set forth below or as otherwise required by applicable law. To the extent that owners of Series C Preferred Shares are entitled to vote, each holder of Series C Preferred Shares will have one vote per share, except that when shares of any class or series of Parity Securities have the right to vote with the Series C Preferred Shares as a single class on any matter, the Series C Preferred Shares and the shares of each such Parity Securities will have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding accumulated distributions).
Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series C Preferred Shares are in arrears for six or more quarterly Distribution Periods, whether or not consecutive, the upper limit of the number of directors then constituting our board of directors will be automatically increased by two (if not already increased by two by reason of the election of directors by the holders of any Other Voting Preferred Shares (as defined below) and the holders of Series C Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class). The holders of the Series C Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class with the holders of any series of Parity Securities then outstanding upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (any such series, the “Other Voting Preferred Shares”), will be entitled to vote, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast, for the appointment of two additional directors at a special meeting of the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares and such Other Voting Preferred Shares and at each subsequent annual meeting of the holders of our ordinary shares at which such directors are up for re-appointment; provided that when all distributions accumulated on the Series C Preferred Shares for all past Distribution Periods and the then current Distribution Period shall have been fully paid, the right of holders of the Series C Preferred Shares to appoint any directors will cease and, unless there are any Other Voting Preferred Shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, the term of office of those two directors will forthwith terminate, the office of any directors appointed by holders of the Series C Preferred Shares shall automatically be vacated and the upper limit of the number of directors constituting the board of directors shall be automatically reduced by two. However, the right of the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares and any Other Voting Preferred Shares to appoint two additional directors will again vest if and whenever six additional quarterly distributions have not been declared and paid, as described above. In no event shall the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares be entitled pursuant to these voting rights to elect a director that would cause us to fail to satisfy a requirement relating to director independence of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which any class or series of our share capital is listed or quoted. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the total number of directors elected by holders of the Series C Preferred Shares and any Other Voting Preferred Shares exceed two.
While any Series C Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the following actions will be deemed a variation of the rights of the Series C Preferred Shares and all Other Voting Preferred Shares, acting as a single class, (i) authorize, create or issue any Senior Securities or reclassify any authorized share capital into any Senior Securities or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any Senior Securities or (ii) amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Articles, including by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series C Preferred Shares, and shall in each case of clause (i) and (ii) require the approval of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of the Series C Preferred Shares and all Other Voting Preferred Shares; provided that in the case of the foregoing clause (ii), if such amendment affects materially and adversely the rights, designations, preferences, powers and duties of one or more but not all of the Other Voting Preferred Shares (including the Series C Preferred Shares for this purpose), the holders of the outstanding shares of the classes or series so affected, voting as a class, is required in lieu of (or, if such consent is required by law, in addition to) the consent of the holders of 66 2/3% of the Other Voting Preferred Shares (including the Series C Preferred Shares for this purpose) as a class. However, we may create additional series or classes of Parity Securities and Junior Securities
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and issue additional classes or series of Parity Securities and Junior Securities without notice to or the consent of any holder of the Series C Preferred Shares; provided, however, that, in the case of Parity Securities, the full cumulative distributions for all past Distribution Periods on all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions has been set aside.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following will be deemed to affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series C Preferred Shares:
• | any increase in the amount of authorized ordinary shares or authorized preferred shares, or any increase or decrease in the number of shares of any series of preferred shares, or the authorization, creation and issuance of other classes or series of share capital, in each case ranking on parity with or junior to the Series C Preferred Shares as to distributions or distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; |
• | a merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity in which the Series C Preferred Shares remain outstanding with identical terms as existing immediately prior to such merger or consolidation; and |
• | a merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity in which the Series C Preferred Shares are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving entity or any entity, directly or indirectly, controlling such surviving entity and such new preference securities have terms identical (other than the identity of the issuer) to the terms of the Series C Preferred Shares. |
The foregoing voting rights of the holders of Series C Preferred Shares shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which the vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and we shall have set aside sufficient funds for the benefit of holders of Series C Preferred Shares to effect the redemption.
Forum Selection
The Articles provide for submission to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands in connection with any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with the constitutional documents of the Company or otherwise related in any way to each Company shareholder’s shareholding in the Company, other than any action or suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are, as a matter of the laws of the United States, the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such a claim.
Dividends
Dividends are recorded if and when declared by the board of directors. The then board of directors of FTAI declared cash dividends of $1.26, $1.32 and $1.32 per ordinary share during each of the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Additionally, the then board of directors of FTAI declared cash dividends on the FTAI Series A Preferred Shares of $2.06, $2.06 and $2.06 per share for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, the Series B Preferred Shares of $2.00, $2.00 and $2.10 per share for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and the Series C Preferred Shares of $2.06 and $1.49 per share for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Exempted Company
The Company is an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands. The Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “Cayman Companies Act”) distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:
• | an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands; |
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• | an exempted company’s register of members is not open to inspection; |
• | an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting; |
• | an exempted company may issue no par value shares; |
• | an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance); |
• | an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands; |
• | an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and |
• | an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company. |
Anti-Takeover Effects of Cayman Islands Law and Our Articles
The following is a summary of certain provisions of our Articles that may function to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider to be in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by shareholders.
Authorized but Unissued Shares
Our authorized but unissued ordinary shares and preferred shares will be available for future issuance without obtaining shareholder approval. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital and corporate acquisitions. The existence of authorized but unissued ordinary shares and preferred shares could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control over us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Other Provisions of Our Articles
Our Articles provides that our board shall consist of not fewer than three and not more than nine directors as the board of directors may from time to time determine. Our board of directors consists of seven directors and is divided into three classes that are, as nearly as possible, of equal size. Each class of directors is elected for a three-year term of office, but the terms are staggered so that the term of only one class of directors expires at each annual general meeting. We believe that classification of our board of directors helps to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors. Additionally, there is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. This classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of shareholders, instead of one, are generally required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors.
The classified board provision could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. The staggered terms of directors may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or an attempt to change control of us, even though a tender offer or change in control might be believed by our shareholders to be in their best interest.
In addition, our Articles provides that a director may be removed, only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the then issued and outstanding ordinary shares entitled to vote in the election of directors.
In addition, our board of directors has the power to appoint a person as a director to fill a vacancy on our board occurring as a result of the death, disability, disqualification removal or resignation of a director, or as a result of an increase in the size of our board of directors.
Pursuant to our Articles, preferred shares may be issued from time to time, and the board of directors is authorized to determine and alter all designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties without limitation. Our Articles do not provide our shareholders with the ability to call general meetings of the shareholders.
See also, “Series A Preferred Shares-Optional Redemption upon a Change of Control,” “Series B Preferred Shares-Optional Redemption upon a Change of Control” and “Series C Preferred Shares-Optional Redemption upon a Change of Control.”
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Ability of Our Shareholders to Act
Our Articles do not permit our shareholders to call general meetings. General meetings of shareholders may be called by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairperson or a committee of the Board of Directors that has been duly designated by the Board of Directors and whose powers include the authority to call such meetings. Written notice of any general meeting so called shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise required by law.
Our Articles do not permit our shareholders to pass resolutions in writing.
Our Articles provide that nominations of persons for election to our board of directors at any annual general meeting, or at any extraordinary meeting of our shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors, may be made (a) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (b) by certain shareholders. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual general meeting by a shareholder, such shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our registered office (i) in the case of an annual general meeting, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual general meeting; and (ii) in the case of an extraordinary meeting, not later than the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the extraordinary meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the extraordinary meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our Articles provides that our directors shall not, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be liable to us for any loss or damage incurred by us as a result (whether direct or indirect) of the carrying out of their functions unless that liability arises through the actual fraud, willful neglect or willful default of such director, and provided further that such director acted in good faith and in a manner such director reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests and had no reasonable cause to believe such director’s conduct was unlawful.
Our Articles provide that we indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. We are also expressly authorized to advance certain expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements and court costs) to our directors and officers and carry directors’ and officers’ insurance providing indemnification for our directors and officers for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and officers.
We have entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement provides, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law and our Articles against (i) any and all expenses and liabilities, including judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of any claim with our approval and counsel fees and disbursements, (ii) any liability pursuant to a loan guarantee, or otherwise, for any of our indebtedness, and (iii) any liabilities incurred as a result of acting on our behalf (as a fiduciary or otherwise) in connection with an employee benefit plan. The indemnification agreements provide for the advancement or payment of all expenses to the indemnitee and for reimbursement to us if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law and our Articles.
Corporate Opportunity
Under our Articles, to the extent permitted by law:
• | Fortress and its respective affiliates, including the Manager and Master GP, have the right to, and have no duty to abstain from, exercising such right to, engage or invest in the same or similar business as us, do business with any of our clients, customers or vendors or employ or otherwise engage any of our officers, directors or employees; |
• | if Fortress and its respective affiliates, including the Manager and Master GP, or any of their officers, directors or employees acquire knowledge of a potential transaction that could be a corporate opportunity, it has no duty to offer such corporate opportunity to us, our shareholders or affiliates; |
• | we have renounced any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, such corporate opportunities; and |
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• | in the event that any of our directors and officers who is also a director, officer or employee of Fortress and their respective affiliates, including the Manager and Master GP, acquire knowledge of a corporate opportunity or is offered a corporate opportunity, provided that this knowledge was not acquired solely in such person’s capacity as our director or officer and such person acted in good faith, then such person is deemed to have fully satisfied such person’s fiduciary duty and is not liable to us if Fortress and their respective affiliates, including the Manager and Master GP, pursues or acquires the corporate opportunity or if such person did not present the corporate opportunity to us. |
The Company’s Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for the Company’s shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.
We may issue depositary receipts representing interests in shares of particular series of preferred shares which are called depositary shares. We will deposit the preferred shares of a series which is the subject of depositary shares with a depositary, which will hold that preferred shares for the benefit of the holders of the depositary shares, in accordance with a deposit agreement between the depositary and us. The holders of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred shares to which the depositary shares relate, including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights, to the extent of their interests in that preferred shares.
While the deposit agreement relating to a particular series of preferred shares may have provisions applicable solely to that series of preferred shares, all deposit agreements relating to preferred shares we issue will include the following provisions:
Dividends and Other Distributions
Each time we pay a cash dividend or make any other type of cash distribution with regard to preferred shares of a series, the depositary will distribute to the holder of record of each depositary share relating to that series of preferred shares an amount equal to the dividend or other distribution per depositary share the depositary receives. If there is a distribution of property other than cash, the depositary either will distribute the property to the holders of depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by each of them, or the depositary will, if we approve, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by them.
Withdrawal of Preferred Shares
A holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive, upon surrender of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the applicable series of preferred shares, and any money or other property, to which the depositary shares relate.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem shares of preferred shares held by a depositary, the depositary will be required to redeem, on the same redemption date, depositary shares constituting, in total, the number of shares of preferred shares held by the depositary which we redeem, subject to the depositary’s receiving the redemption price of those shares of preferred shares. If fewer than all the depositary shares relating to a series are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or by another method we determine to be equitable.
Voting
Any time we send a notice of meeting or other materials relating to a meeting to the holders of a series of preferred shares to which depositary shares relate, we will provide the depositary with sufficient copies of those materials so they can be sent to all holders of record of the applicable depositary shares, and the depositary will send those materials to the holders of record of the depositary shares on the record date for the meeting. The depositary will solicit voting instructions from holders of depositary shares and will vote or not vote the preferred shares to which the depositary shares relate in accordance with those instructions.
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Liquidation Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holder of each depositary share will be entitled to what the holder of the depositary share would have received if the holder had owned the number of shares (or fraction of a share) of preferred shares which is represented by the depositary share.
Conversion
If shares of a series of preferred shares are convertible into ordinary shares or other of our securities or property, holders of depositary shares relating to that series of preferred shares will, if they surrender depositary receipts representing depositary shares and appropriate instructions to convert them, receive the ordinary shares or other securities or property into which the number of shares (or fractions of shares) of preferred shares to which the depositary shares relate could at the time be converted.
Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement
We and the depositary may amend a deposit agreement, except that an amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of depositary shares, or would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the preferred shares to which they relate, must be approved by holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding depositary shares. No amendment will impair the right of a holder of depositary shares to surrender the depositary receipts evidencing those depositary shares and receive the preferred shares to which they relate, except as required to comply with law. We may terminate a deposit agreement with the consent of holders of a majority of the depositary shares to which it relates. Upon termination of a deposit agreement, the depositary will make the whole or fractional shares of preferred shares to which the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement relate available to the holders of those depositary shares. A deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:
• | All outstanding depositary shares to which it relates have been redeemed or converted. |
• | The depositary has made a final distribution to the holders of the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. |
Miscellaneous
There will be provisions: (1) requiring the depositary to forward to holders of record of depositary shares any reports or communications from us which the depositary receives with respect to the preferred shares to which the depositary shares relate; (2) regarding compensation of the depositary; (3) regarding resignation of the depositary; (4) limiting our liability and the liability of the depositary under the deposit agreement (usually to failure to act in good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct); and (5) indemnifying the depositary against certain possible liabilities.
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We may issue warrants to purchase debt or equity securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with any offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. We will issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include the following:
• | the title of the warrants; |
• | the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable; |
• | the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security; |
• | the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; |
• | the aggregate number of warrants; |
• | any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants; |
• | the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased; |
• | if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable; |
• | if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants; |
• | any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; |
• | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire; |
• | the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time; and |
• | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any. |
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase for cash the amount of debt or equity securities, at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. When the warrant holder makes the payment and properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as possible, forward the debt or equity securities that the warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises the warrant for less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.
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We may issue subscription rights to purchase our ordinary shares, our preferred shares or our debt securities. We may issue subscription rights independently or together with any other offered security, which may or may not be transferable by the shareholder. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights we may offer will contain the specific terms of the subscription rights. These terms may include the following:
• | the price, if any, for the subscription rights; |
• | the number and terms of each ordinary share or preferred share or debt securities which may be purchased per each subscription right; |
• | the exercise price payable for each ordinary share or preferred share or debt securities upon the exercise of the subscription rights; |
• | the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable; |
• | any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the subscription rights or the exercise price of the subscription rights; |
• | any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights; |
• | the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire; |
• | the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and |
• | if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights. |
The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate or subscription rights agreement, which will be filed with the Commission if we offer subscription rights. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any subscription rights certificate or subscription rights agreement if we offer subscription rights, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” We urge you to read the applicable subscription rights certificate, the applicable subscription rights agreement and any accompanying prospectus supplement in their entirety.
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We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number of our ordinary shares, our preferred shares or our debt securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as purchase contracts. The price of the securities and the number of securities may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts, and may be subject to adjustment under anti-dilution formulas. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the securities under the purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as purchase units. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the purchase contracts in a specified manner. The purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts or the purchase units, as the case may be, or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or pre-funded in whole or in part.
The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any purchase contract or purchase unit we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable purchase contract or purchase unit, which will be filed with the Commission if we offer purchase contracts or purchase units. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any purchase contract or purchase unit we may offer, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” We urge you to read the applicable purchase contract or applicable purchase unit and any accompanying prospectus supplement in their entirety.
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The following summary contains a description of certain Cayman Islands tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase ordinary shares. The summary is based upon the tax laws of Cayman Islands and regulations thereunder as of the date hereof, which are subject to change.
Cayman Islands Tax Considerations
Prospective investors should consult their professional advisers on the possible tax consequences of buying, holding or selling any ordinary shares under the laws of their country of citizenship, residence or domicile.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The following is a discussion on certain Cayman Islands income tax consequences of an investment in ordinary shares. The discussion is a general summary of present law, which is subject to prospective and retroactive change. It is not intended as tax advice, does not consider any investor’s particular circumstances, and does not consider tax consequences other than those arising under Cayman Islands law.
Under Existing Cayman Islands Laws:
Payments of dividends and capital in respect of ordinary shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of interest and principal or a dividend or capital to any holder of ordinary shares, as the case may be, nor will gains derived from the disposal of ordinary shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax. The Cayman Islands currently have no income, corporation or capital gains tax and no estate duty, inheritance tax or gift tax.
No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of ordinary shares or on an instrument of transfer in respect of an ordinary share.
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The following discussion is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to an investment in Company shares. The information in this summary is based on the Code; current regulations promulgated by the Treasury Regulations; the legislative history of the Code; current administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”); and court decisions; all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax considerations described below. The summary is also based upon the assumption that the Company and its respective subsidiaries and affiliated entities will operate in accordance with their applicable organizational documents or partnership agreements. This summary is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Moreover, this summary does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances, or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:
• | financial institutions; |
• | insurance companies; |
• | broker-dealers; |
• | regulated investment companies; |
• | partnerships and trusts; |
• | expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; |
• | persons who receive Company shares through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation; |
• | persons holding Company shares as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment; |
• | persons who hold (actually or constructively) 10% or more of the vote or value of the Company; |
• | tax-exempt organizations; and |
• | foreign investors. |
This summary assumes that investors hold their Company shares as capital assets, which generally means property held for investment.
For purposes of this discussion under this heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” a “U.S. Holder” is a Company shareholder that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
• | a citizen or resident of the United States; |
• | a corporation (or other entity that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; |
• | an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or |
• | a trust if (i) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) the trust has a valid election in effect to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds Company shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax considerations of holding Company shares.
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Taxation of the Company
Under current U.S. federal income tax law, a corporation is generally considered a tax resident in the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation. Thus, as a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is expected to be treated as a foreign corporation (and therefore as a non-U.S. tax resident) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In certain circumstances, however, an entity organized outside the United States will be treated as a U.S. corporation (and, therefore, as a U.S. tax resident) under Section 7874 of the Code. Based on the rules in effect at the time of the merger of FTAI into a subsidiary of FTAI Aviation, the Company does not expect to be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes by virtue of Section 7874 of the Code. Nevertheless, because the Section 7874 rules and exceptions are complex and subject to factual and legal uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the Company will not be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Company is not treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If the Company is treated as engaged in a trade or business in the United States, then, unless exempted by an applicable income tax treaty or Section 883 or Section 887 of the Code (as described below), the portion of its net income, if any, that was “effectively connected” with such trade or business would be subject to U.S. federal income taxation at maximum corporate rates, currently 21%. In addition, the Company may be subject to an additional U.S. federal branch profits tax on its effectively connected earnings and profits at a rate of 30%. Although the Company (or one or more of its non-U.S. corporate subsidiaries) is expected to be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business, it is currently expected that only a small portion of the Company's taxable income will be treated as effectively connected with such U.S. trade or business. However, no assurance can be given that the amount of effectively connected income will not be greater than currently expected, whether due to a change in the Company's operations or otherwise. In addition, the Company expects to earn certain income through subsidiaries treated as U.S. corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which subsidiaries would be subject to regular corporate U.S. federal income tax.
Section 883 of the Code provides an exemption from U.S. federal income taxation with respect to rental income derived from aircraft or ships used in international traffic by certain foreign corporations. The Company believes that it and its subsidiaries have been and currently remain currently eligible for this exemption with respect to aircraft and ships used in international traffic. No assurances can be given that the Company or its subsidiaries will continue to be eligible for this exemption as changes in its ownership or the amount of Company shares that are traded could cause the Company and its subsidiaries to cease to be eligible for such exemption. To qualify for this exemption in respect of rental income, the lessor of the aircraft or ships must be organized in a country that grants a comparable exemption to U.S. lessors (including the Cayman Islands and the Marshall Islands), and certain other requirements must be satisfied. The Company and its subsidiaries can satisfy these requirements if the shares of the Company are primarily and regularly traded on a recognized exchange and, for more than half the days of such year, certain shareholders, each of whom owns 5% or more of its shares (applying certain attribution rules), do not collectively own more than 50% of its shares. Company's shares will be considered to be primarily and regularly traded on a recognized exchange in any year if: (i) the number of trades in its shares effected on such recognized stock exchange exceed the number of Company shares (or direct interests in Company shares) that are traded during the year on all securities markets; (ii) trades in its shares are effected on such stock exchanges in more than de minimis quantities on at least 60 days during the year; and (iii) the aggregate number of its shares traded on such stock exchanges during the taxable year is at least 10% of the average number of Company shares issued and outstanding in that class during that year. Although we expect Company shares to be considered to be primarily and regularly traded on a recognized exchange, there can be no assurance in this regard. If Company shares cease to satisfy these requirements, then the Company and its subsidiaries may no longer be eligible for the Section 883 exemption with respect to income earned by aircraft or ships used in international traffic.
Under these rules and based on current practices, we expect that the Company and such subsidiaries will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation with respect to aircraft or ships used in international traffic. No assurances can be given, however, that the Company and its subsidiaries will continue to be eligible for the exemption under Section 883 of the Code. If the Company or its subsidiaries were not eligible for the exemption under Section 883 of the Code, we expect that the U.S. source rental income of the Company and its subsidiaries would generally be subject to U.S. federal taxation, on a gross income basis, at a rate of not in excess of 4% as provided in Section 887 of the Code. If, contrary to expectations, either the Company or one of its subsidiaries did not comply with certain administrative guidelines of the IRS, such that 90% or more of the
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U.S. source rental income of the Company or one of its subsidiaries were attributable to the activities of personnel based in the United States (in the case of bareboat leases) or from “regularly scheduled transportation” as defined in such administrative guidelines (in the case of time-charter leases), Section 887 would not apply and such U.S. source rental income would instead be treated as income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, taxed as described above.
Considerations for U.S. Holders
Dividends
Distributions of cash or property that the Company pays in respect of its shares will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of the Company's current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and, subject to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules discussed below, will be includible in a U.S. Holder's gross income as ordinary income upon receipt. Subject to the PFIC rules, distributions to a U.S. Holder in excess of the Company's earnings and profits will be treated first as a return of capital (with a corresponding reduction in such U.S. Holder's tax basis in the shares) to the extent of such U.S. Holder's tax basis in the shares on which the distribution was made (determined separately for each share), and then as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. Because the Company is expected to be treated as a PFIC, the Company's distributions are not expected to be eligible for any dividends-received deduction generally allowed for corporate U.S. Holders or for the reduced rate applicable to “qualified dividend income” (which is taxable at the rates generally applicable to long-term capital gains) for non-corporate U.S. Holders.
Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Shares
Upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of shares, a U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized on such sale, exchange or taxable disposition of Company shares and such U.S. Holder's tax basis in the shares sold. Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, such gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if such U.S. Holder's holding period with respect to such shares is more than one year at the time of its disposition. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
PFIC Status and Related Tax Considerations
Under the Code, the Company will be a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) for any taxable year in which either (i) 75% or more of the Company’s gross income consists of “passive income,” or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of the Company’s assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, “passive income.” For purposes of the above calculations, the Company will be treated as if it holds its proportionate share of the assets of, and receives directly its proportionate share of the income of, any other corporation in which it directly or indirectly owns at least 25%, by value, of the shares of such corporation. Passive income includes, among other things, dividends, interest, certain non-active rents and royalties, net gains from the sale or exchange of property producing such income and net foreign currency gains. For this purpose, cash and assets readily convertible into cash are categorized as passive assets. As noted above, the Company is expected to be a PFIC for its 2023 taxable year and may continue to be a PFIC in the future, although there can be no assurances in this regard. If the Company is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds the Company shares (assuming such U.S. Holder has not made a timely QEF election or mark-to-market election, as described below), gain recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition (including certain pledges) of the Company shares would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Company shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before the Company became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an additional tax based on the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax would be imposed on the amount allocated to that taxable year. Further, to the extent that any distribution received by a U.S. Holder on its Company shares exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions on the Company shares received during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, that distribution would be subject to taxation in the same manner as gain, described immediately above.
If the Company is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds its shares and any of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries are also PFICs, the holder will be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by
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value) of the shares of each such non-U.S. subsidiary classified as a PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules and thus would be subject to the rules described above on income or gain recognized indirectly by the holder with respect to such subsidiaries. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to the Company and any of its subsidiaries.
A U.S. Holder can avoid certain of the adverse rules described above by making a qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election with respect to such PFIC, if the PFIC provides the information necessary for such election to be made. If a U.S. person makes a QEF election with respect to a PFIC, the U.S. person will be currently taxable on its pro rata share of the PFIC’s ordinary earnings and net capital gain (at ordinary income and capital gain rates, respectively) for each taxable year that the entity is classified as a PFIC and will not be required to include such amounts in income when actually distributed by the PFIC. For each year that the Company is a PFIC, we expect to provide information necessary for U.S. Holders to make a QEF election with respect to the Company by annually posting a “PFIC Annual Information Statement” on the Company’s website. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to provide such information for each taxable year, and we do not expect to provide information necessary for U.S. Holders to make a QEF election for any subsidiaries of the Company which are PFICs.
If a U.S. Holder owns Company shares during any year in which the Company is a PFIC, the U.S. Holder must file annual reports, containing such information as the U.S. Treasury may require on IRS Form 8621 (or any successor form) with respect to the Company, with the U.S. Holder’s federal income tax return for that year, unless otherwise specified in the instructions with respect to such form.
In lieu of making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder can avoid certain of the adverse rules described above by making a mark-to-market election with respect to its Company shares; provided that Company shares are “marketable.” Company shares will be marketable if they are traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a “qualified exchange” or other market within the meaning of applicable Treasury Regulations. We expect that Company shares will be listed on Nasdaq, which is a qualified exchange for these purposes, but no assurances may be given in this regard. Consequently, assuming that Company shares are regularly traded, if a U.S. Holder holds Company shares, it is expected that the mark-to-market election would be available to such holder. However, because a mark-to-market election cannot technically be made for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, a U.S. Holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to such holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by the Company that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, it will recognize as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of the Company shares at the end of each taxable year over their adjusted tax basis, and will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of any excess of the adjusted tax basis of the Company shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes the election, the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Company shares will be adjusted to reflect the income or loss amounts recognized. Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of Company shares in a year when the Company is a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as an ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes such a mark-to-market election, tax rules that apply to distributions by corporations which are not PFICs would apply to distributions by the Company (except that the lower applicable capital gains rate for qualified dividend income would not apply). If a U.S. Holder makes a valid mark-to-market election, and the Company subsequently ceases to be classified as a PFIC, such U.S. Holder will not be required to take into account the mark-to-market income or loss described above during any period that the Company is not classified as a PFIC.
U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the Company's PFIC status and the application of the PFIC rules to their Company shares and the Company's subsidiaries.
Redemption of Preferred Stock
Subject to the PFIC rules described above, the treatment of a redemption of the Company’s preferred shares will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale of shares under Section 302 of the Code. If the redemption so qualifies, a U.S. Holder of the Company’s preferred shares would be treated as described above under the section titled “Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Shares.” If the redemption does not so qualify, such U.S. Holder would be treated as described above under the section titled “Dividends.” Whether a
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redemption of the Company’s preferred shares qualifies for sale treatment under Section 302 will depend on a number of factors, as determined at the time of such redemption. Each holder of the Company’s preferred shares is urged to consult with its tax advisors as to the tax considerations of any redemption of the Company’s preferred shares.
THE FOREGOING SUMMARY DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE DISCUSSION OF THE POTENTIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF COMPANY SHARES. THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO A HOLDER DEPENDING UPON THE HOLDER’S PARTICULAR SITUATION. EACH HOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE HOLDER OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF COMPANY SHARES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, ESTATE, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND TAX TREATIES AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN U.S. OR OTHER TAX LAWS. NOTHING IN THIS SUMMARY IS INTENDED TO BE, OR SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS, TAX ADVICE.
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A plan fiduciary considering an investment in the securities should consider, among other things, whether such an investment might constitute or give rise to a prohibited transaction under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), Section 4975 of the Code or any substantially similar federal, state, local or non-U.S. law. ERISA and the Code impose restrictions on:
• | employee benefit plans as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA that are subject to Title I of ERISA, |
• | plans described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code that are subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, including individual retirement accounts and Keogh Plans, |
• | entities whose underlying assets include “plan assets” by reason of a plan’s investment in such entities including, without limitation, insurance company general accounts (each of the foregoing plans and entities, a “Plan”), and |
• | persons who have certain specified relationships to a Plan described as “parties in interest” under ERISA and “disqualified persons” under the Internal Revenue Code, including fiduciaries to a Plan. |
Prohibited Transactions
ERISA imposes certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA. Under ERISA, any person who exercises any authority or control over the management or disposition of a Plan’s assets is considered to be a fiduciary of that Plan. Both ERISA and the Code prohibit certain transactions involving “plan assets” between a Plan and parties in interest or disqualified persons. Violations of these rules may result in the imposition of an excise tax or penalty. Neither we nor any of our affiliates, officers, employees or agents is undertaking to provide investment advice or any recommendation in a fiduciary capacity in connection with any Plan (including any IRA) fiduciary’s decision acquire or hold any security issued pursuant hereto.
The direct or indirect purchase of the securities from FTAI Aviation, and the acquisition and holding of securities that constitute debt of FTAI Aviation, by a Plan with respect to which we are party in interest or a disqualified person could be treated as or give rise to a prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code. There are, however, a number of statutory and administrative exemptions that could be applicable to a Plan’s investment in the securities, depending upon various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the statutory exemption under Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code for certain transactions with non-fiduciary service providers; (ii) Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption (“PTCE”) 84-14 for certain transactions determined by independent “qualified professional asset managers”; (iii) PTCE 90-1 for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts; (iv) PTCE 91-38 for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds; (v) PTCE 96-23 for certain transactions determined by “in-house asset managers”; and (vi) PTCE 95-60 for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts. Each of the above-described exemptions has various requirements and limitations. There can be no assurance that any of the above-described exemptions or any other exemption would apply to any particular prohibited transaction that might arise in connection with any particular Plan’s acquisition and holding of any security issued hereunder.
The Plan Assets Regulation
Under 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA (the “Plan Assets Regulation”), a Plan’s assets may be deemed to include an interest in the underlying assets of an entity if the Plan acquires an “equity interest” in such an entity and no exception under the Plan Asset Regulation is applicable. In that event, the operations of such an entity would be subject to, and may could result in prohibited transactions and other violations under ERISA and the Code.
Under the Plan Assets Regulation, if a Plan acquires a “publicly-offered security,” the issuer of the security is not deemed to hold plan assets of the investing Plan as a result of such acquisition. A publicly-offered security is a security that:
• | is freely transferable, |
• | is part of a class of securities that is owned by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and of one another, and |
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• | is either: |
(i) | part of a class of securities registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, or |
(ii) | sold to the Plan as part of an offering of securities to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and the class of securities of which such security is part is registered under the Exchange Act within the requisite time. |
Treatment of our Shares as “Publicly-Offered Securities”
We believe our ordinary shares, Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares will meet the above criteria when issued, and it is anticipated that such shares will continue to meet the criteria of publicly-offered securities.
The applicability of the “publicly-offered securities” exception or another exception under the Plan Assets Regulation to other securities registered on the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Governmental, Foreign and Church Plans
Governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), foreign plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) and certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) are not subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA or the provisions of Section 4975 of the Code. Such plans may, however, be subject to other federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws that are substantially similar to the foregoing provisions of ERISA and the Code (“Similar Law”). In addition, any such plan that is qualified and exempt from taxation under the Code may be subject to the prohibited transaction rules set forth in Section 503 of the Code. Fiduciaries of such plans should consult with their counsel before purchasing any of the securities.
General Investment Considerations
Fiduciaries of a Plan (including, without limitation, an entity whose assets include plan assets, including, to the extent applicable, an insurance company general account, insurance company separate account or collective investment fund) considering the purchase of the securities should consult with their legal advisors concerning the impact of ERISA and the Code and the potential consequences of making an investment in the securities with respect to their specific circumstances. Each Plan fiduciary should take into account, among other considerations:
• | whether the Plan’s investment could give rise to a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, |
• | whether the fiduciary has the authority to make the investment, |
• | the composition of the Plan’s portfolio with respect to diversification by type of asset, |
• | the Plan’s funding objectives, |
• | the tax effects of the investment, |
• | whether our assets would be considered plan assets, and |
• | whether, under the general fiduciary standards of investment prudence and diversification an investment in any of the securities is appropriate for the Plan taking into account the overall investment policy of the Plan and the composition of the Plan’s investment portfolio. |
The discussion of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code contained herein is, of necessity, general and does not purport to be complete. Moreover, the provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code are subject to extensive and continuing administrative and judicial interpretation and review. Therefore, the matters discussed above may be affected by future regulations, rulings, and court decisions, some of which may have retroactive application and effect.
ANY POTENTIAL INVESTOR CONSIDERING AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES THAT IS, OR IS ACTING ON BEHALF OF, A PLAN (OR A GOVERNMENTAL, FOREIGN OR CHURCH PLAN SUBJECT TO LAWS SIMILAR TO ERISA AND/OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE) SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN LEGAL, TAX AND ERISA ADVISERS REGARDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH
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AN INVESTMENT. EACH SUCH INVESTOR, BY ACQUIRING ANY OF THE SECURITIES REGISTERED ON THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT OF WHICH THIS PROSPECTUS FORMS A PART SHALL BE DEEMED TO REPRESENT THAT (A) ITS ACQUISITION OF SUCH SECURITIES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AND WILL NOT RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION OF ANY SUBSTANTIAL SIMILAR FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. LAW, AND (B) IF IT IS A PLAN, NEITHER WE NOR ANY OF OUR AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS WILL BE A FIDUCIARY WITH RESPECT TO THE PLANS INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITY ISSUED PURSUANT HERETO. THE RESPONSIBLE FIDUCIARY OF ANY PLAN INVESTOR HAS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DETERMINING THAT SUCH AN INVESTMENT WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER ERISA OF SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, AND DOES NOT OTHERWISE VIOLATE ERISA OR ANY SIMILAR LAW.
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We or the selling shareholders may offer and sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:
• | directly to one or more purchasers; |
• | through agents; |
• | to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers; or |
• | through a combination of any of these methods. |
A distribution of the securities offered by this prospectus may also be effected through the issuance of derivative securities, including without limitation, warrants, subscriptions, exchangeable securities, forward delivery contracts and the writing of options.
If indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, we may sell our ordinary shares under a newly established dividend reinvestment plan. The terms of any such plan will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
In addition, the manner in which we may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus includes any method permitted by law, including, without limitation, through:
• | a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell as agent, but may position or resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction; |
• | purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; |
• | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; or |
• | privately negotiated transactions. |
• | We may also enter into hedging transactions. For example, we may: |
• | enter into transactions with a broker-dealer or affiliate thereof in connection with which such broker-dealer or affiliate will engage in short sales of the ordinary shares pursuant to this prospectus, in which case such broker-dealer or affiliate may use ordinary shares received from us to close out its short positions; |
• | sell securities short and redeliver such shares to close out our short positions; |
• | enter into option or other types of transactions that require us to deliver ordinary shares to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who will then resell or transfer the ordinary shares under this prospectus; or |
• | loan or pledge the ordinary shares to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who may sell the loaned shares or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged shares pursuant to this prospectus. |
The securities covered by this prospectus may be sold:
• | on a national securities exchange; |
• | in the over-the-counter market; or |
• | in transactions otherwise than on an exchange or in the over-the-counter market, or in combination. |
In addition, we may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.
48
A prospectus supplement with respect to each offering of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:
• | the name or names of any participating underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any; |
• | the public offering price or purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds to be received by us from the sale; |
• | any delayed delivery arrangements; |
• | any underwriting discounts, commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’, brokers’, dealers’ or agents’ compensation; |
• | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; |
• | any securities exchange or markets on which the securities may be listed; and |
• | other material terms of the offering. |
The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus by us, the underwriters or the third parties described above may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:
• | at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
• | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
• | at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or |
• | at negotiated prices. |
In addition to selling its equity securities under this prospectus, a selling shareholder may:
• | transfer its equity securities in other ways not involving market maker or established trading markets, including directly by gift, distribution, or other transfer; |
• | sell its equity securities under Rule 144 or Rule 145 of the Securities Act rather than under this prospectus, if the transaction meets the requirements of Rule 144 or Rule 145; or |
• | sell its equity securities by any other legally available means. |
General
Any public offering price and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other items constituting compensation allowed or reallowed or paid to underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be changed from time to time. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be “underwriters” as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profits they receive on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any underwriters, agents or dealers and describe their commissions, fees or discounts in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Underwriters and Agents
If underwriters are used in a sale, they will acquire the offered securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the offered securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. These sales may be made at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale, at prices related to such prevailing market price or at negotiated prices. We may offer the securities to the public through an underwriting syndicate or through a single underwriter. The underwriters in any particular offering will be mentioned in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to certain conditions contained in an underwriting agreement that we will enter into with the underwriters at the time of the sale to them. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased, unless
49
otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities. Any initial offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed, reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
We may designate agents to sell the offered securities. Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the agents will agree to use their best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment. We may also sell the offered securities to one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These firms will remarket the offered securities upon purchasing them in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the offered securities. A prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation.
In connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant to which we receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from us under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.
Dealers
We may sell the offered securities to dealers as principals. We may negotiate and pay dealers’ commissions, discounts or concessions for their services. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public either at varying prices to be determined by the dealer or at a fixed offering price agreed to with us at the time of resale. Dealers engaged by us may allow other dealers to participate in resales.
Direct Sales
We may choose to sell the offered securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.
Institutional Purchasers
We may authorize agents, dealers or underwriters to solicit certain institutional investors to purchase offered securities on a delayed delivery basis pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified future date. The applicable prospectus supplement will provide the details of any such arrangement, including the offering price and commissions payable on the solicitations.
We will enter into such delayed contracts only with institutional purchasers that we approve. These institutions may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions.
Indemnification; Other Relationships
We may have agreements with agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms, and their affiliates, may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business. This includes commercial banking and investment banking transactions.
Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than our ordinary shares, which is listed on the NYSE. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intends to make a market in the offered securities, such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such market-making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities. We have no current plans for listing of the debt securities, preferred shares or warrants on any securities exchange; any such listing with respect to any particular debt securities, preferred shares or warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
50
In connection with any offering of ordinary shares, the underwriters may purchase and sell ordinary shares in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of ordinary shares in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of the ordinary shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing ordinary shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.
In connection with any offering, the underwriters may also engage in penalty bids. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.
51
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters as to U.S. and New York law will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, Cayman Islands. If the validity of any securities is also passed upon by counsel for the underwriters of an offering of those securities, that counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering.
The consolidated financial statements of FTAI Aviation Ltd. appearing in FTAI Aviation Ltd.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the effectiveness of FTAI Aviation Ltd.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
52
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. | | | EXHIBIT |
1.1* | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement for ordinary shares, preferred shares, warrants or debt securities. |
| | | Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of FTAI Aviation Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on November 14, 2022). | |
| | | Share Designation with respect to the 8.25% Fixed-to-Floating Series A Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares of FTAI Aviation Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on November 14, 2022). | |
| | | Share Designation with respect to the 8.00% Fixed-to-Floating Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares of FTAI Aviation Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on November 14, 2022). | |
| | | Share Designation with respect to the 8.25% Fixed-Rate Reset Series C Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares of FTAI Aviation Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on November 14, 2022). | |
| | | Form of Certificate representing the 8.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares of FTAI Aviation Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on November 14, 2022). | |
| | | Form of Certificate representing the 8.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares of FTAI Aviation Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 of the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on November 14, 2022). | |
| | | Form of Certificate representing the 8.25% Fixed-Rate Reset Series C Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares of FTAI Aviation Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 of the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on November 14, 2022). | |
| | | Form of Debt Securities Indenture (including form of Debt Security) | |
4.2* | | | Form of Debt Warrant Agreement. |
4.3* | | | Form of Debt Warrant Certificate. |
4.4* | | | Form of Stock Warrant Agreement. |
4.5* | | | Form of Stock Warrant Certificate. |
4.6* | | | Form of Deposit Agreement. |
4.7* | | | Form of Depositary Receipt. |
4.8* | | | Form of Purchase Contract. |
4.9* | | | Form of Purchase Unit. |
| | | Opinion of Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP. | |
| | | Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. | |
| | | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. | |
| | | Consent of Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). | |
| | | Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2). | |
| | | Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages hereto). | |
| | | Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of the Trustee under the Indenture pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. | |
| | | Filing Fee Table. |
* | To be filed by amendment hereto or pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated by reference. |
II-1
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on February 27, 2023.
| | | FTAI AVIATION LTD. | |||||||
| | | | | | | ||||
| | | By: | | | /s/ Joseph P. Adams, Jr. | ||||
| | | | | Name: | | | Joseph P. Adams, Jr. | ||
| | | | | Title: | | | Chief Executive Officer | ||
KNOW BY ALL THESE PRESENT that the individuals whose signatures appear below constitute and appoint each of Joseph P. Adams, Jr. and Eun (Angela) Nam to be their lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full and several powers of substitution, in their names, places and steads and on their behalves, and in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and to sign any and all additional registration statements relating to the Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing which said attorney-in-fact and agent may deem necessary or advisable to be done or performed in connection with any or all of the above described matters, as fully as each of the undersigned could do if personally present and acting, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
NAME | | | TITLE | | | DATE |
| | | | | |||
/s/ Joseph P. Adams, Jr. | | | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer) | | | February 27, 2023 |
Joseph P. Adams, Jr. | | |||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Eun (Angela) Nam | | | Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | | | February 27, 2023 |
Eun (Angela) Nam | | |||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Paul R. Goodwin | | | Director | | | February 27, 2023 |
Paul R. Goodwin | | |||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Judith A. Hannaway | | | Director | | | February 27, 2023 |
Judith A. Hannaway | | |||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ A. Andrew Levison | | | Director | | | February 27, 2023 |
A. Andrew Levison | | |||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Kenneth J. Nicholson | | | Director | | | February 27, 2023 |
Kenneth J. Nicholson | | |||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Ray M. Robinson | | | Director | | | February 27, 2023 |
Ray M. Robinson | | |||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Martin Tuchman | | | Director | | | February 27, 2023 |
Martin Tuchman | |
II-2
Exhibit 4.1
FTAI AVIATION LTD.
INDENTURE
Dated as of
February 27, 2023
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Trustee
Reconciliation and tie between
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture*
|
Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section |
||
| § 310 | (a) | 11.04(a), 16.02 | |
| (b) | 11.01(f), 11.04(b), 11.05(1), 16.02 | ||
| (b)(1) | 11.04(b), 16.02 | ||
| § 311 | 11.01(f), 16.02 | ||
| § 312 | 14.02(d), 16.02 | ||
| (b) | 11.10, 16.02 | ||
| (c) | 11.10, 16.02 | ||
| § 313 | (a) | 10.01(a), 16.02 | |
| § 314 | 16.02 | ||
| § 315 | (e) | 11.05, 16.02 | |
| § 316 | 16.02 | ||
| § 317 | 16.02 | ||
| § 317 | 16.02 | ||
| * | This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS*
| Article I DEFINITIONS | 6 | |||
| Section 1.02 | Definitions | 6 | ||
| Article II FORMS OF SECURITIES | 12 | |||
| Section 2.01 | Terms of the Securities | 12 | ||
| Section 2.02 | Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication | 12 | ||
| Section 2.03 | Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent | 13 | ||
| Article III THE DEBT SECURITIES | 13 | |||
| Section 3.01 | Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 12 | ||
| Section 3.02 | Denominations | 15 | ||
| Section 3.03 | Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating | 16 | ||
| Section 3.04 | Temporary Securities | 17 | ||
| Section 3.05 | Registrar and Paying Agent | 18 | ||
| Section 3.06 | Transfer and Exchange | 18 | ||
| Section 3.07 | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 21 | ||
| Section 3.08 | Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved | 21 | ||
| Section 3.09 | Cancellation | 22 | ||
| Section 3.10 | Computation of Interest | 22 | ||
| Section 3.11 | Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities | 22 | ||
| Section 3.12 | Judgments | 23 | ||
| Section 3.13 | CUSIP Numbers | 23 | ||
| Article IV REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 23 | |||
| Section 4.01 | Applicability of Right of Redemption | 23 | ||
| Section 4.02 | Selection of Securities to be Redeemed | 23 | ||
| Section 4.03 | Notice of Redemption | 24 | ||
| Section 4.04 | Deposit of Redemption Price | 24 | ||
| Section 4.05 | Securities Payable on Redemption Date | 24 | ||
| Section 4.06 | Securities Redeemed in Part | 25 | ||
| Article V SINKING FUNDS | 25 | |||
| Section 5.01 | Applicability of Sinking Fund | 25 | ||
| Section 5.02 | Mandatory Sinking Fund Obligation | 25 | ||
| Section 5.03 | Optional Redemption at Sinking Fund Redemption Price | 26 | ||
| Section 5.04 | Application of Sinking Fund Payment | 26 | ||
2
| Article VI PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY | 27 | |||
| Section 6.01 | Payments of Securities | 27 | ||
| Section 6.02 | Paying Agent | 27 | ||
| Section 6.03 | To Hold Payment in Trust | 27 | ||
| Section 6.04 | Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets | 28 | ||
| Section 6.05 | Compliance Certificate | 29 | ||
| Section 6.06 | Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities | 29 | ||
| Section 6.07 | Statement by Officers as to Default | 29 | ||
| Article VII REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS | 29 | |||
| Section 7.01 | Events of Default | 29 | ||
| Section 7.02 | Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment | 31 | ||
| Section 7.03 | Other Remedies | 32 | ||
| Section 7.04 | Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact | 32 | ||
| Section 7.05 | Priorities | 32 | ||
| Section 7.06 | Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults | 33 | ||
| Section 7.07 | Limitation on Suits | 33 | ||
| Section 7.08 | Undertaking for Costs | 33 | ||
| Section 7.09 | Remedies Cumulative | 34 | ||
| Article VIII CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS | 34 | |||
| Section 8.01 | Evidence of Action of Securityholders | 34 | ||
| Section 8.02 | Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities | 34 | ||
| Section 8.03 | Persons Deemed Owners | 35 | ||
| Section 8.04 | Effect of Consents | 35 | ||
3
| Article IX SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS | 35 | |||
| Section 9.01 | Purposes of Meetings | 35 | ||
| Section 9.02 | Call of Meetings by Trustee | 36 | ||
| Section 9.03 | Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders | 36 | ||
| Section 9.04 | Qualifications for Voting | 36 | ||
| Section 9.05 | Regulation of Meetings | 36 | ||
| Section 9.06 | Voting | 36 | ||
| Section 9.07 | No Delay of Rights by Meeting | 37 | ||
| Article X REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS | 37 | |||
| Section 10.01 | Reports by Trustee | 37 | ||
| Section 10.02 | Reports by the Company | 37 | ||
| Section 10.03 | Securityholders’ Lists | 38 | ||
| Article XI CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE | 38 | |||
| Section 11.01 | Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity | 38 | ||
| Section 11.02 | Duties of Trustee | 40 | ||
| Section 11.03 | Notice of Defaults | 41 | ||
| Section 11.04 | Eligibility; Disqualification | 41 | ||
| Section 11.05 | Resignation and Notice; Removal | 41 | ||
| Section 11.06 | Successor Trustee by Appointment | 42 | ||
| Section 11.07 | Successor Trustee by Merger | 43 | ||
| Section 11.08 | Right to Rely on Officer’s Certificate | 43 | ||
| Section 11.09 | Appointment of Authenticating Agent | 43 | ||
| Section 11.10 | Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders | 44 | ||
| Article XII SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE | 44 | |||
| Section 12.01 | Applicability of Article | 44 | ||
| Section 12.02 | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 45 | ||
| Section 12.03 | Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations | 45 | ||
| Section 12.04 | Repayment to Company | 46 | ||
| Section 12.05 | Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations | 47 | ||
| Section 12.06 | Deposits to Be Held in Escrow | 47 | ||
| Section 12.07 | Application of Trust Money | 47 | ||
| Section 12.08 | Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies | 47 | ||
4
| Article XIII IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS | 48 | |||
| Section 13.01 | No Personal Liability | 48 | ||
| Article XIV SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 48 | |||
| Section 14.01 | Without Consent of Securityholders | 48 | ||
| Section 14.02 | With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations | 50 | ||
| Section 14.03 | Trustee Protected | 50 | ||
| Section 14.04 | Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture | 51 | ||
| Section 14.05 | Notation on or Exchange of Securities | 51 | ||
| Section 14.06 | Conformity with TIA | 51 | ||
| Article XV SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES | 51 | |||
| Section 15.01 | Agreement to Subordinate | 51 | ||
| Section 15.02 | Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities | 51 | ||
| Section 15.03 | No Payment on Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness | 52 | ||
| Section 15.04 | Payments on Securities Permitted | 53 | ||
| Section 15.05 | Authorization of Securityholders to Trustee to Effect Subordination | 53 | ||
| Section 15.06 | Notices to Trustee | 53 | ||
| Section 15.07 | Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness | 53 | ||
| Section 15.08 | Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness | 53 | ||
| Section 15.09 | Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent | 54 | ||
| Section 15.10 | Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance | 54 | ||
| Section 15.11 | Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness | 54 | ||
| Article XVI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | 54 | |||
| Section 16.01 | Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent | 54 | ||
| Section 16.02 | Trust Indenture Act Controls | 55 | ||
| Section 16.03 | Notices to the Company and Trustee | 55 | ||
| Section 16.04 | Notices to Securityholders; Waiver | 55 | ||
| Section 16.05 | Legal Holiday | 56 | ||
| Section 16.06 | Effects of Headings and Table of Contents | 56 | ||
| Section 16.07 | Successors and Assigns | 56 | ||
| Section 16.08 | Separability Clause | 56 | ||
| Section 16.09 | Benefits of Indenture | 56 | ||
| Section 16.10 | Counterparts Originals | 56 | ||
| Section 16.11 | Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury | 56 | ||
| Section 16.12 | Force Majeure | 57 | ||
| Section 16.13 | U.S.A. Patriot Act | 57 | ||
5
INDENTURE dated as of , , between FTAI Aviation Ltd. (the “Company”), and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of unsecured debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as provided in this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof for the equal and proportionate benefit of all of the present and future Holders of the Securities, each party agrees and covenants as follows:
Article I
DEFINITIONS
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) unless otherwise defined in this Indenture or the context otherwise requires, all terms used herein without definition which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and
(d) references to “Article” or “Section” or other subdivision herein are references to an Article, Section or other subdivision of the Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires.
Section 1.02 Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Section 1.01 shall for all purposes of this Indenture have the meanings hereinafter set forth:
Affiliate: The term “Affiliate,” with respect to any specified Person shall mean any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Authenticating Agent: The term “Authenticating Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.09.
Board of Directors: The term “Board of Directors” shall mean either the board of directors of the Company or the executive or any other committee of that board duly authorized to act in respect hereof.
Board Resolution: The term “Board Resolution” shall mean a copy of a resolution or resolutions certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors (or by a committee of the Board of Directors to the extent that any such other committee has been authorized by the Board of Directors to establish or approve the matters contemplated) and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.
6
Business Day: The term “Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or such location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Capital Stock: The term “Capital Stock” shall mean:
(a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and
(d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
Code: The term “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company: The term “Company” shall mean the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
Company Order: The term “Company Order” shall mean a written order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Controller, Assistant Controller, Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.
Corporate Trust Office: The term “Corporate Trust Office,” or other similar term, shall mean the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, 60 Livingston Avenue, St. Paul MN 55107-2292, Attention: Corporate Trust Services - Administrator for FTAI Aviation Ltd., 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 officer 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).
Currency: The term “Currency” shall mean U.S. Dollars or Foreign Currency.
Default: The term “Default” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.03.
Defaulted Interest: The term “Defaulted Interest” shall have the same meaning assigned to it in Section 3.08(b).
Depositary: The term “Depositary” shall mean, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, each Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 until one or more successor Depositaries shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of that series.
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Designated Currency: The term “Designated Currency” shall have the same meaning assigned to it in Section 3.12.
Discharged: The term “Discharged” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 12.03.
DTC: The term “DTC” shall mean The Depository Trust Company, Inc. and its successors.
Event of Default: The term “Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.01.
Exchange Act: The term “Exchange Act” shall mean the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
Exchange Rate:
The term “Exchange Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 7.01.
Floating Rate Security:
The term “Floating Rate Security” shall mean a Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
Foreign Currency: The term “Foreign Currency” shall mean a currency issued by the government of any country other than the United States or a composite currency, the value of which is determined by reference to the values of the currencies of any group of countries.
GAAP: The term “GAAP,” with respect to any computations required or permitted hereunder, shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States as in effect from time to time; provided, however if the Company is required by the SEC to adopt (or is permitted to adopt and so adopts) a different accounting framework, including but not limited to the International Financial Reporting Standards, “GAAP” shall mean such new accounting framework as in effect from time to time, including, without limitation, in each case, those accounting principles 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 approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession.
Global Security:
The term “Global Security” shall mean any Security that evidences all or part of a series of Securities, issued in fully-registered certificated form to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 3.03 and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 3.03(g).
Holder; Holder of Securities: The terms “Holder” and “Holder of Securities” are defined under “Securityholder; Holder of Securities; Holder.”
Indebtedness: The term “Indebtedness” shall mean any and all obligations of a Person for money borrowed which, in accordance with GAAP, would be reflected on the balance sheet of such Person as a liability on the date as of which Indebtedness is to be determined.
Indenture: The term “Indenture” or “this Indenture” shall mean this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01; provided, however, that if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this Indenture due to the appointment of one or more separate Trustees for any one or more separate series of Securities, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to such series of Securities for which any such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 3.01, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such person had become such Trustee, but to which such person, as such Trustee, was not a party; provided, further that in the event that this Indenture is supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto which are only applicable to certain series of Securities, the term “Indenture” for a particular series of Securities shall only include the supplemental indentures applicable thereto.
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Individual Securities: The term “Individual Securities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.01(p).
Interest: The term “interest” shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, interest payable on any Securities, and with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.
Interest Payment Date: The term “Interest Payment Date” shall mean, with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment: The term “Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.01(b).
Maturity: The term “Maturity,” with respect to any Security, shall mean the date on which the principal of such Security shall become due and payable as therein and herein provided, whether by declaration, call for redemption or otherwise.
Members: The term “Members” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.03(i).
Officer’s Certificate: The term “Officer’s Certificate” shall mean a certificate signed by any of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer the President or a Vice President, Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 16.01 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.
Opinion of Counsel: The term “Opinion of Counsel” shall mean an opinion in writing signed by one or more legal counsel, who may be an employee of or of counsel to the Company, or may be one or more other counsel that meets the requirements provided for in Section 16.01.
Optional Sinking Fund Payment: The term “Optional Sinking Fund Payment” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.01(b).
Original Issue Discount Security: The term “Original Issue Discount Security” shall mean any Security that is issued with “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Code and the regulations thereunder, or any successor provision, and any other Security designated by the Company as issued with original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.
Outstanding: The term “Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Securities or portions thereof for which payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities or Securities as to which the Company’s obligations have been Discharged; provided, however, that if such Securities or portions thereof are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and
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(c) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.07(b) or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities of a series Outstanding have performed any action hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such action, only Securities of such series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of a series have performed any action hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose 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 7.02 and the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount calculated pursuant to Section 3.11(b).
Paying Agent: The term “Paying Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.02(a).
Person: The term “Person” shall mean any individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or political subdivision thereof.
Place of Payment: The term “Place of Payment” shall mean, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
Predecessor Security: The term “Predecessor Security” shall mean, with respect to any Security, every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same Indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.07 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same Indebtedness as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.
Record Date: The term “Record Date” shall mean, with respect to any interest payable on any Security on any Interest Payment Date, the close of business on any date specified in such Security for the payment of interest pursuant to Section 3.01.
Redemption Date: The term “Redemption Date” shall mean, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Security, which, in the case of a Floating Rate Security, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, shall be an Interest Payment Date only.
Redemption Price: The term “Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, shall mean the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to the terms of the applicable Security and this Indenture.
Register: The term “Register” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.05(a).
Registrar: The term “Registrar” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.05(a).
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Responsible Officers: The term “Responsible Officers” of the Trustee hereunder shall mean any vice president, any assistant vice president, any trust officer, any assistant trust officer or any other officer associated with the corporate trust department of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
SEC: The term “SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as constituted from time to time.
Securities Act: The term “Securities Act” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
Security: The term “Security” or “Securities” shall have the meaning stated in the recitals and shall more particularly mean one or more of the Securities duly authenticated by the Trustee and delivered pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.
Security Custodian: The term “Security Custodian” shall mean the custodian with respect to any Global Security appointed by the Depositary, or any successor Person thereto, and shall initially be the Trustee.
Securityholder; Holder of Securities; Holder: The term “Securityholder” or “Holder of Securities” or “Holder,” shall mean the Person in whose name Securities shall be registered in the Register kept for that purpose hereunder.
Senior Indebtedness: The term “Senior Indebtedness” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (x) Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed other than (a) any Indebtedness of the Company which when incurred, and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, was without recourse to the Company, (b) any Indebtedness of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries, (c) Indebtedness to any employee of the Company, (d) any liability for taxes, (e) Trade Payables and (f) any Indebtedness of the Company which is expressly subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company, and (y) renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such Indebtedness. For purposes of the foregoing and the definition of “Senior Indebtedness,” the phrase “subordinated in right of payment” means debt subordination only and not lien subordination, and accordingly, (i) unsecured indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinated in right of payment to secured indebtedness merely by virtue of the fact that it is unsecured, and (ii) junior liens, second liens and other contractual arrangements that provide for priorities among Holders of the same or different issues of indebtedness with respect to any collateral or the proceeds of collateral shall not constitute subordination in right of payment. This definition may be modified or superseded by a supplemental indenture.
Special Record Date: The term “Special Record Date” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.08(b)(i).
Stated Maturity: The term “Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of interest thereon, shall mean the date specified in such Security or pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to such Security as the fixed date on which the principal (or any portion thereof) of or premium, if any, on such Security or such installment of interest is due and payable.
Subsidiary: The term “Subsidiary,” when used with respect to any Person, shall mean:
(a) any corporation, limited liability company, 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 and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(b) any partnership (i) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (ii) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).
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Successor Company: The term “Successor Company” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.06(i).
Trade Payables: The term “Trade Payables” means accounts payable or any other Indebtedness or monetary obligations to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities).
Trust Indenture Act; TIA: The term “Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder as in effect on the date of this Indenture, except as provided in Section 14.06 and except to the extent any amendment to the Trust Indenture Act expressly provides for application of the Trust Indenture Act as in effect on another date.
Trustee: The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
U.S. Dollars: The term “U.S. Dollars” shall mean such currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
U.S. Government Obligations: The term “U.S. Government Obligations” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 12.03.
United States: The term “United States” shall mean the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories and its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
Article II
FORMS OF SECURITIES
Section 2.01 Terms of the Securities.
(a) The Securities of each series shall be substantially in the form set forth in a Board Resolution, a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, and shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which any series of the Securities may be listed or of any automated quotation system on which any such series may be quoted, or to conform to usage, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
(b) The terms and provisions of the Securities shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture, and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.
Section 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
(a) Only such of the Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate substantially in the form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication hereinafter recited, executed by the Trustee by manual signature, shall be valid or become obligatory for any purpose or entitle the Holder thereof to any right or benefit under this Indenture.
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(b) Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, except that any Global Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated in Section 3.01.
(c) The form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by the Securities shall be substantially as follows:
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| Date of authentication: ___________ | U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee |
||
| By: | |||
| Authorized Signatory | |||
Section 2.03 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent. If at any time there shall be an Authenticating Agent appointed with respect to any series of Securities, then the Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by such Authenticating Agent to be borne by Securities of each such series shall be substantially as follows:
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| Date of authentication: | U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee |
|
| By: | [NAME OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT] | |
| as Authenticating Agent | ||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
Article III
THE DEBT SECURITIES
Section 3.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable 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. The title and terms on each series of Securities shall be as set forth in a Board Resolution, Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:
(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from the Securities of all other series, except to the extent that additional Securities of an existing series are being issued);
(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 4.06, or 14.05);
(c) the dates on which or periods during which the Securities of the series may be issued, and the dates on, or the range of dates within, which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of such series are or may be payable or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined or extended;
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(d) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, whether such interest shall be payable in cash or additional Securities of the same series or shall accrue and increase the aggregate principal amount outstanding of such series (including if such Securities were originally issued at a discount), the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable, and the Record Dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable on such Interest Payment Dates or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral;
(e) if other than U.S. Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which Securities of the series shall be denominated or in which payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable and any other terms concerning such payment;
(f) if the amount of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method including, but not limited to, an index based on a Currency or Currencies other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(g) if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a Currency other than that in which the Securities are denominated or stated to be payable without such election, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made and the time and the manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which the Securities are denominated or payable without such election and the Currency in which the Securities are to be paid if such election is made;
(h) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, and where Securities of any series may be presented for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, and the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made;
(i) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option;
(j) the obligation or right, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the Currency or Currencies in which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(k) if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(l) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02;
(m) the guarantors, if any, of the Securities of the series, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination, and the release of the guarantors), if any, and any additions or changes to permit or facilitate guarantees of such Securities;
(n) whether the Securities of the series are to be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities and the amount of discount with which such Securities may be issued;
(o) if the provisions of Article XII hereof shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series; or any addition to or change in the provisions of Article XII and, if the Securities of any series are payable in a Currency other than U.S. Dollars, the Currency or the nature of the government obligations to be deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.08;
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(p) whether the Securities of the series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities, and the terms and conditions, if any, upon which interests in such Global Security or Global Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for the individual securities represented thereby in definitive form registered in the name or names of Persons other than such Depositary or a nominee or nominees thereof (“Individual Securities”);
(q) the date as of which any Global Security of the series shall be dated if other than the original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;
(r) the form of the Securities of the series;
(s) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities or property of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any additions or changes, if any, to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;
(t) whether the Securities of such series are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;
(u) whether the Securities of such series are to be secured and the terms of such Security;
(v) any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;
(w) any addition or change in the provisions related to compensation and reimbursement of the Trustee which applies to Securities of such series;
(x) any addition or change in the provisions related to supplemental indentures set forth in Sections 14.01, 14.02 and 14.04 which applies to Securities of such series;
(y) provisions, if any, granting special rights to Holders upon the occurrence of specified events;
(z) 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 7.02 and any addition or change in the provisions set forth in Article VII which applies to Securities of the series;
(aa) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article VI which applies to Securities of the series; and
(bb) any other terms of the Securities of such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the TIA, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of this Indenture with respect to such series).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided herein or set forth in a Board Resolution, a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto.
Unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to this Section 3.01, the Company may, at its option, at any time and from time to time, issue additional Securities of any series of Securities previously issued under this Indenture which together shall constitute a single series of Securities under this Indenture.
Section 3.02 Denominations. In the absence of any specification pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable only as Securities in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000, and shall be payable only in U.S. Dollars.
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Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
(a) The Securities shall be executed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chairman of the Board of Directors, its Chief Executive Officer, President, one of its Vice Presidents or Treasurer. If the Person whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated and delivered, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.
(b) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities and, if required pursuant to Section 3.01, a supplemental indenture or Company Order setting forth the terms of the Securities of a series. The Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities without any further action by the Company. The Company Order shall specify the amount of Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated.
(c) In authenticating the first Securities of any series and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 11.02) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each prepared in accordance with Section 16.01 stating that the conditions precedent, if any, provided for in the Indenture have been complied with.
(d) The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver the Securities under this Section 3.03 if the issue of the Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
(e) Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to the Securities of such series.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 and of this Section 3.03, if all of the Securities of any series are not to be originally issued at the same time, then the documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 3.03 must be delivered only once prior to the authentication and delivery of the first Security of such series;
(g) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 3.01 that the Securities of a series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities that (i) shall represent an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Securities, (ii) shall be registered, if in registered form, in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:
“THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH SHALL BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY FOR ALL PURPOSES.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
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TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.”
The aggregate principal amount of each Global Security may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Security Custodian, as provided in this Indenture.
(h) Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 3.01 for a Global Security in registered form must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as such Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation.
(i) Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Security Custodian under such Global Security, and the Depositary shall be treated by the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar and any of their agents as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar or any of their agents from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Members, the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Security. The Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Members and Persons that may hold interests through Members, to take any action that a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.
(j) No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in one of the forms provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or by an Authenticating Agent by manual or facsimile signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or Authenticating Agent, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 3.04 Temporary Securities.
(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise reproduced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Any such temporary Security may be in the form of one or more Global Securities, representing all or a portion of the Outstanding Securities of such series. Every such temporary Security shall be executed by the Company and shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Security or Securities in lieu of which it is issued.
(b) If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of such temporary Securities at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.
(c) Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the Individual Securities represented thereby pursuant to this Section 3.04 or Section 3.06, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so exchanged and endorsed.
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Section 3.05 Registrar and Paying Agent.
(a) The Company will keep, at an office or agency to be maintained by it in a Place of Payment where Securities may be presented for registration or presented and surrendered for registration of transfer or of exchange, and where Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable (the “Registrar”), a security register for the registration and the registration of transfer or of exchange of the Securities (the registers maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Register”), as in this Indenture provided, which Register shall at all reasonable times be open for inspection by the Trustee. Such Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Company may have one or more co-Registrars; the term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar.
(b) The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or co-Registrar not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar for any series, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 11.01. The Company or any Affiliate thereof may act as Registrar, co-Registrar or transfer agent.
(c) The Company hereby appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Registrar in connection with the Securities and this Indenture, until such time as another Person is appointed as such.
Section 3.06 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer.
(i) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the Registrar the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee, one or more new Securities of the same series for like aggregate principal amount of any authorized denomination or denominations. The transfer of any Security shall not be valid as against the Company or the Trustee unless registered at the Registrar at the request of the Holder, or at the request of his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing.
(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the Individual Securities represented thereby, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary.
(b) Exchange.
(i) At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series for like aggregate principal amount of any authorized denomination or denominations, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at the Registrar.
(ii) Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
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(c) Exchange of Global Securities for Individual Securities. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities will not be entitled to receive Individual Securities.
(i) Individual Securities shall be issued to all owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security in exchange for such interests if: (A) at any time the Depositary for the Securities of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities of such series shall no longer be eligible under Section 3.03(h) and, in each case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, or (B) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee and the Registrar an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable.
In connection with the exchange of an entire Global Security for Individual Securities pursuant to this subsection (c), such Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Individual Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Individual Securities of authorized denominations.
(ii) The owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security will be entitled to receive an Individual Security in exchange for such interest if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Upon receipt by the Security Custodian and Registrar of instructions from the Holder of a Global Security directing the Security Custodian and Registrar to (x) issue one or more Individual Securities in the amounts specified to the owner of a beneficial interest in such Global Security and (y) debit or cause to be debited an equivalent amount of beneficial interest in such Global Security, subject to the rules and regulations of the Depositary:
(A) the Security Custodian and Registrar shall notify the Company and the Trustee of such instructions, identifying the owner and amount of such beneficial interest in such Global Security;
(B) the Company shall promptly execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Individual Securities of such series, shall authenticate and deliver to such beneficial owner Individual Securities in an equivalent amount to such beneficial interest in such Global Security; and
(C) the Security Custodian and Registrar shall decrease such Global Security by such amount in accordance with the foregoing. In the event that the Individual Securities are not issued to each such beneficial owner promptly after the Registrar has received a request from the Holder of a Global Security to issue such Individual Securities, the Company expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof, the right of any beneficial Holder of Securities to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Security that represents such beneficial Holder’s Securities as if such Individual Securities had been issued.
(iii) If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to a series of Securities, the Depositary for such series of Securities may surrender a Global Security for such series of Securities in exchange in whole or in part for Individual Securities of such series on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge,
(A) to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Individual Security or new Individual Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and
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(B) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Individual Securities delivered to Holders thereof.
(iv) In any exchange provided for in clauses (i) through (iii), the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver Individual Securities in registered form in authorized denominations.
(v) Upon the exchange in full of a Global Security for Individual Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Individual Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
(d) All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered for such registration of transfer or exchange.
(e) Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing.
(f) No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities. The Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Company’s own expense or without expense or charge to the Holders.
(g) The Company shall not be required to (i) register, transfer or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the transmission of a notice of redemption of Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 4.03 and ending at the close of business on the day of such transmission, or (ii) register, transfer or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
(h) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer or exchange of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar, any co-Registrar or any of their agents may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for all purposes whatsoever, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar, any co-Registrar or any of their agents shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
(i) In case a successor Company (“Successor Company”) has executed an indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Article XIV, any of the Securities authenticated or delivered pursuant to such transaction may, from time to time, at the request of the Successor Company, be exchanged for other Securities executed in the name of the Successor Company with such changes in phraseology and form as may be appropriate, but otherwise identical to the Securities surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee, upon Company Order of the Successor Company, shall authenticate and deliver Securities as specified in such order for the purpose of such exchange. If Securities shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of a Successor Company pursuant to this Section 3.06 in exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Securities, such Successor Company, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Securities at the time Outstanding for Securities authenticated and delivered in such new name.
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(j) Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States federal or state securities laws.
(k) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
(l) Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.
Section 3.07 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
(a) If (i) any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office or (ii) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to them to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless, and neither the Company nor the Trustee receives notice that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, then the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, such that neither gain nor loss in interest shall result from such exchange or substitution.
(b) In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay the amount due on such Security in accordance with its terms.
(c) 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 respect thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
(d) Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section 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.
(e) 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 3.08 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
(a) Interest on any Security that is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the Record Date. Payment of interest on Securities shall be made at the Corporate Trust Office (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01) or, at the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Register or, in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.
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(b) Any interest on any Security that is payable but is not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Record Date by virtue of his, her or its having been such a Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:
(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest (a “Special Record Date”), which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 calendar days and not less than 10 calendar days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 calendar days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holders of such Securities at their addresses as they appear in the Register, not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii).
(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
(c) Subject to the provisions set forth herein relating to Record Dates, each Security delivered pursuant to any provision of this Indenture in exchange or substitution for, or upon registration of transfer of, any other Security shall carry all the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 3.09 Cancellation. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, all Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or credit against any sinking fund or otherwise shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and shall be promptly canceled by it and, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of all canceled Securities held by it in accordance with its then customary procedures and deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Company upon its written request therefor. The acquisition of any Securities by the Company shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented thereby unless and until such Securities are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 3.10 Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Section 3.11 Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities.
(a) Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on Securities of such series will be made in U.S. Dollars.
(b) For purposes of any provision of the Indenture where the Holders of Outstanding Securities may perform an action that requires that a specified percentage of the Outstanding Securities of all series perform such action and for purposes of any decision or determination by the Trustee of amounts due and unpaid for the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of all series in respect of which moneys are to be disbursed ratably, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Outstanding Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency will be the amount in U.S. Dollars based upon exchange rates, determined as specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, as of the date for determining whether the Holders entitled to perform such action have performed it or as of the date of such decision or determination by the Trustee, as the case may be.
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(c) Any decision or determination to be made regarding exchange rates shall be made by an agent appointed by the Company; provided, that such agent shall accept such appointment in writing and the terms of such appointment shall, in the opinion of the Company at the time of such appointment, require such agent to make such determination by a method consistent with the method provided pursuant to Section 3.01 for the making of such decision or determination. All decisions and determinations of such agent regarding exchange rates shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee and all Holders of the Securities.
Section 3.12 Judgments. The Company may provide pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series that (a) the obligation, if any, of the Company to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of any series in a Foreign Currency or U.S. Dollars (the “Designated Currency”) as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01 is of the essence and agrees that, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, judgments in respect of such Securities shall be given in the Designated Currency; (b) the obligation of the Company to make payments in the Designated Currency of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities shall, notwithstanding any payment in any other Currency (whether pursuant to a judgment or otherwise), be discharged only to the extent of the amount in the Designated Currency that the Holder receiving such payment may, in accordance with normal banking procedures, purchase with the sum paid in such other Currency (after any premium and cost of exchange) on the business day in the country of issue of the Designated Currency or in the international banking community (in the case of a composite currency) immediately following the day on which such Holder receives such payment; (c) if the amount in the Designated Currency that may be so purchased for any reason falls short of the amount originally due, the Company shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary to compensate for such shortfall; and (d) any obligation of the Company not discharged by such payment shall be due as a separate and independent obligation and, until discharged as provided herein, shall continue in full force and effect.
Section 3.13 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing any Securities may use CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if then generally in use, and thereafter with respect to such series, the Trustee may use such numbers in any notice of redemption or exchange with respect to such series 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 identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers.
Article IV
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 4.01 Applicability of Right of Redemption. Redemption of Securities (other than pursuant to a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision) permitted by the terms of any series of Securities shall be made (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if any such terms of a series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the terms of such series shall govern.
Section 4.02 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
(a) If the Company shall at any time elect to redeem all or any portion of the Securities of a series then Outstanding, it shall at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, by lot or in such other manner as the Trustee shall deem appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series; provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. In any case where more than one Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Security of such series. The Trustee shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Company in writing of the Securities and portions of Securities so selected.
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(b) 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 that has been or is to be redeemed. If the Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.
Section 4.03 Notice of Redemption.
(a) Notice of redemption shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed in whole or in part pursuant to this Article, in the manner provided in Section 16.04. Any notice so given shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. Failure to give such notice, or any defect in such notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption, in whole or in part, shall not affect the sufficiency of any notice of redemption with respect to the Holder of any other Security of such series.
(b) All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if available) and shall state:
(i) such election by the Company to redeem Securities of such series pursuant to provisions contained in this Indenture or the terms of the Securities of such series or a supplemental indenture establishing such series, if such be the case;
(ii) the Redemption Date;
(iii) the Redemption Price;
(iv) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the Securities of such series to be redeemed;
(v) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed, and that, if applicable, interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;
(vi) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; and
(vii) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;
Section 4.04 Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 6.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of such Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date.
Section 4.05 Securities Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, any Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price and from and after such date (unless the Company shall Default in the payment of the Redemption Price) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price; provided, however, that (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) installments of interest that have a Stated Maturity on or prior to the Redemption Date for such Securities shall be payable according to the terms of such Securities and the provisions of Section 3.08.
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If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal thereof and premium, if any, thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
Section 4.06 Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Corporate Trust Office or such other office or agency of the Company as is specified pursuant to Section 3.01 with, if the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder thereof or his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Security or Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.
Article V
SINKING FUNDS
Section 5.01 Applicability of Sinking Fund.
(a) Redemption of Securities permitted or required pursuant to a sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series by the terms of such series of Securities shall be made in accordance with such terms of such series of Securities and this Article, except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, provided, however, that if any such terms of a series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the terms of such series shall govern.
(b) The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “Optional Sinking Fund Payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 5.02.
Section 5.02 Mandatory Sinking Fund Obligation. The Company may, at its option, satisfy any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation, in whole or in part, with respect to a particular series of Securities by (a) delivering to the Trustee Securities of such series in transferable form theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or redeemed at the election of the Company pursuant to Section 4.03 or (b) receiving credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) acquired by the Company and theretofore delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee shall credit such Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation with an amount equal to the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment shall be reduced accordingly. If the Company shall elect to so satisfy any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation, it shall deliver to the Trustee not less than 45 days prior to the relevant sinking fund payment date an Officer’s Certificate, which shall designate the Securities (and portions thereof, if any) so delivered or credited and which shall be accompanied by such Securities (to the extent not theretofore delivered) in transferable form. In case of the failure of the Company, at or before the time so required, to give such notice and deliver such Securities the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation shall be paid entirely in moneys.
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Section 5.03 Optional Redemption at Sinking Fund Redemption Price. In addition to the sinking fund requirements of Section 5.02, to the extent, if any, provided for by the terms of a particular series of Securities, the Company may, at its option, make an Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such Securities. Unless otherwise provided by such terms, (a) to the extent that the right of the Company to make such Optional Sinking Fund Payment shall not be exercised in any year, it shall not be cumulative or carried forward to any subsequent year, and (b) such optional payment shall operate to reduce the amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation as to Securities of the same series. If the Company intends to exercise its right to make such optional payment in any year it shall deliver to the Trustee not less than 45 days prior to the relevant sinking fund payment date an Officer’s Certificate stating that the Company will exercise such optional right, and specifying the amount which the Company will pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Such Officer’s Certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
Section 5.04 Application of Sinking Fund Payment.
(a) If the sinking fund payment or payments made in funds pursuant to either Section 5.02 or 5.03 with respect to a particular series of Securities plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in funds with respect to such series shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request, or such equivalent sum for Securities denominated other than in U.S. Dollars), it shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date next following the date of such payment, unless the date of such payment shall be a sinking fund payment date, in which case such payment shall be applied on such sinking fund payment date, to the redemption of Securities of such series at the redemption price specified pursuant to Section 4.03(b). The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 4.02, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date, a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said funds, as nearly as may be, and shall, at the expense and in the name of the Company, thereupon cause notice of redemption of the Securities to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 4.03(a) for the redemption of Securities in part at the option of the Company, except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Securities are being redeemed for the sinking fund. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied by the Trustee to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next sinking fund payment received in funds by the Trustee and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.04. Any and all sinking fund moneys held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Securities of such series, and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series, shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment of the principal of the Securities of such series at Maturity.
(b) On or prior to each sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee a sum equal to all interest accrued to but not including the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date pursuant to this Section 5.04.
(c) The Trustee shall not redeem any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on any Securities of such series or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge, except that if the notice of redemption of any Securities of such series shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Securities if funds sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Article. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund at the time any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of all the Securities of such series; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date on which such moneys are required to be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.04.
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Article VI
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby covenants and agrees as follows:
Section 6.01 Payments of Securities. The Company will duly and punctually pay the principal of and premium, if any, on each series of Securities, and the interest which shall have accrued thereon, at the dates and place and in the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture.
Section 6.02 Paying Agent.
(a) The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities, if any, an office or agency where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where 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 and this Indenture may be served (the “Paying Agent”). The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
(b) The Company may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies where the Securities of any series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and of any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency. The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent. The Company or any Affiliate thereof may act as Paying Agent.
Section 6.03 To Hold Payment in Trust.
(a) If the Company or an Affiliate thereof shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, then, on or before the date on which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of that series by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption shall become payable, the Company or such Affiliate will segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay such principal and premium, if any, or interest which shall have so become payable until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act in that regard. Upon any proceeding under any federal bankruptcy laws with respect to the Company or any Affiliate thereof, if the Company or such Affiliate is then acting as Paying Agent, the Trustee shall replace the Company or such Affiliate as Paying Agent.
(b) If the Company shall appoint, and at the time have, a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any series of Securities, then prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date on which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of that series shall become payable as aforesaid, whether by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption, the Company will deposit with such Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and premium, if any, or interest, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee), the Company or any other obligor of such Securities will promptly notify the Trustee of its payment or failure to make such payment.
(c) If the Paying Agent shall be other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 6.03, that such Paying Agent shall:
(i) hold all moneys held by it for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
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(ii) give to the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series in the making of any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of that series; and
(iii) at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
(d) Anything in this Section 6.03 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a release, satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee as required by this Section 6.03, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent.
(e) Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Order along with any interest that has accumulated thereon as a result of such money being invested at the direction of the Company, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust, and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such amounts without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 6.04 Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets. Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities:
(a) The Company will not consolidate with any other entity or permit a merger of any other entity into the Company or permit the Company to be merged into any other entity, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to another entity, unless (i) either the Company shall be the continuing entity, or the successor, transferee or lessee entity (if other than the Company) shall expressly assume, by indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered by such entity prior to or simultaneously with such consolidation, merger, sale or lease, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on all the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all other obligations to the Holders and the Trustee under this Indenture or under the Securities to be performed or observed by the Company; and (ii) immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or purchase the Company or the successor, transferee or lessee entity (if other than the Company) would not be in Default in the performance of any covenant or condition of this Indenture.
(b) Upon any consolidation with or merger into any other entity, or any sale, conveyance or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with this Section 6.04, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which the Company is sold or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Company shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities, and from time to time such entity may exercise each and every right and power of the Company under this Indenture, in the name of the Company, or in its own name; and any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture required or permitted to be done by the Board of Directors or any officer of the Company may be done with like force and effect by the like board or officer of any entity that shall at the time be the successor of the Company hereunder. In the event of any such sale or conveyance, but not any such lease, the Company (or any successor entity which shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in this Section 6.04) shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may thereupon be dissolved and liquidated.
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Section 6.05 Compliance Certificate. Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee annually, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture (which compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture) and, in the event of any Default, specifying each such Default and the nature and status thereof of which such person may have knowledge. Such certificates need not comply with Section 16.01 of this Indenture.
Section 6.06 Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities. Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may fail or omit in any particular instance to comply with a covenant or condition set forth herein with respect to any series of Securities if the Company shall have obtained and filed with the Trustee, prior to the time of such failure or omission, evidence (as provided in Article VIII) of the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series at the time Outstanding, either waiving such compliance in such instance or generally waiving compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, or impair any right consequent thereon and, until such waiver shall have become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6.07 Statement by Officers as to Default. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee as soon as possible and in any event within 30 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.
Article VII
REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 7.01 Events of Default. Except where otherwise indicated by the context or where the term is otherwise defined for a specific purpose, the term “Event of Default” as used in this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series shall mean any of the following described events unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the manner contemplated in Section 3.01:
(a) the failure of the Company to pay any installment of interest on any Security of such series when and as the same shall become payable, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;
(b) the failure of the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Security of such series, when and as the same shall become payable, whether at Maturity as therein expressed, by call for redemption (otherwise than pursuant to a sinking fund), upon acceleration under this Indenture or otherwise;
(c) the failure of the Company to pay a sinking fund installment, if any, when and as the same shall become payable by the terms of a Security of such series, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;
(d) the failure of the Company, subject to the provisions of Section 6.06, to perform any covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture (including any indenture supplemental hereto pursuant to which the Securities of such series were issued as contemplated by Section 3.01) (other than a covenant or agreement which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series and other than a covenant or agreement a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section 7.01 specifically addressed), which failure shall not have been remedied, or without provision deemed to be adequate for the remedying thereof having been made, for a period of 90 days after written notice shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee or shall have been given to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such failure, requiring the Company to remedy the same and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;
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(e) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or of substantially all the property of the Company or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days;
(f) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by the Company to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by the Company to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or of substantially all the property of the Company or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any action; or
(g) the occurrence of any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series as provided in Section 3.01;
provided, however, that no event described in clause (d) or (other than with respect to a payment default) (g) above shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series the Outstanding, notify the Company (and the Trustee in case of notice by the Holders) of the Default, specifying the Default, requiring the Company to remedy the same and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.01, to the extent elected by the Company, the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to the failure to comply with the reporting obligations specified in Section 10.02, and for any failure to comply with the requirements of § 314(a)(1) of the TIA, shall for the first 60 days after the occurrence of such an Event of Default consist exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the Securities at an annual rate equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of the Securities. The additional interest will accrue on all outstanding Securities from and including the date on which an Event of Default relating to a failure to comply with the reporting obligations specified in Section 10.02 first occurs to but not including the 60th day thereafter (or such earlier date on which the Event of Default relating to the reporting obligations shall have been cured or waived). On such 60th day (or earlier, if the Event of Default relating to the reporting obligations is cured or waived prior to such 60th day), such additional interest will cease to accrue and, if the Event of Default relating to the reporting obligations has not been cured or waived prior to such 60th day, the Securities shall be subject to an acceleration of maturity as provided in Section 7.02(a).
The provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph will not affect the rights of Holders in the event of the occurrence of any other Event of Default; provided, however, that in no event will the rate of additional interest accruing pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph at any time exceed 1.00% per annum, in the aggregate. In the event the Company does not elect to pay additional interest upon an Event of Default in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, the Securities shall be subject to an acceleration of maturity as provided in Section 7.02(a). If the Company elects to pay additional interest as the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to the failure to comply with the reporting obligations specified in Section 10.02, and for any failure to comply with the requirements of § 314(a)(1) of the TIA in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company shall notify all Holders and the Trustee and Paying Agent of such election on or before the close of business on the date on which such Event of Default first occurs.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.01, if the principal or any premium or interest on any Security is payable in a Currency other than the Currency of the United States and such Currency is not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in the Currency of the United States in an amount equal to the Currency of the United States equivalent of the amount payable in such other Currency, as determined by the Company’s agent in accordance with Section 3.11(c) hereof by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such Currency (“Exchange Rate”), as such Exchange Rate is reported or otherwise made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.01, any payment made under such circumstances in the Currency of the United States where the required payment is in a Currency other than the Currency of the United States will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.
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Section 7.02 Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment.
(a) Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, if any one or more of the above-described Events of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) or 7.01(f)) shall happen with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, during the continuance of any such Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding may declare the principal (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and all accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of such series then Outstanding 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 acceleration such principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest thereon shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) or 7.01(f) occurs and is continuing, then in every such case, the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified by the terms of that series) of and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the Securities of that series then Outstanding shall automatically, and without any acceleration or any other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become due and payable immediately. Upon payment of such amounts in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (subject to Section 7.01 and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01), all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of such series shall terminate.
(b) The provisions of Section 7.02(a), however, are subject to the condition that, at any time after the principal and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of such series, to which any one or more of the above-described Events of Default is applicable, shall have been so declared to be or shall have automatically become due and payable, and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that Series then Outstanding, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annual such acceleration if:
(i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent a sum in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (subject to Section 7.01 and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay:
(A) all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a) (provided, however, that all sums payable under this clause (A) shall be paid in U.S. Dollars);
(B) all accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon all the Securities of such series with interest thereon to the extent that interest thereon shall be legally enforceable, on any overdue installment of interest at the rate borne by or prescribed in such Securities; and
(C) the principal of and accrued and unpaid premium, if any, on any Securities of such series that have become due otherwise than by such acceleration with interest thereon to the extent that interest thereon shall be legally enforceable, on any overdue installment of interest at the rate borne by or prescribed in such Securities; and
(ii) every other Default and Event of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 7.06.
(c) No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
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(d) For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such acceleration, unless such acceleration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.
Section 7.03 Other Remedies. If the Company shall fail for a period of 30 days to pay any installment of interest on the Securities of any series or shall fail to pay the principal of and premium, if any, on any of the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at Maturity, or by call for redemption (other than pursuant to the sinking fund), by acceleration as authorized by this Indenture, or otherwise, or shall fail for a period of 30 days to make any required sinking fund payment as to a series of Securities, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Paying Agent for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series then Outstanding the whole amount which then shall have become due and payable on all the Securities of such series for principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, with interest (so far as the same may be legally enforceable) on the overdue principal and on the overdue premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest at the rate borne by or prescribed in such Securities, and all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a).
In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series, and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series, wherever situated, in the manner provided by law. Every recovery of judgment in any such action or other proceeding, subject to the payment to the Trustee of all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a), shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of such series of Securities which shall be the subject of such action or proceeding. All rights of action upon or under any of the Securities or this Indenture may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities and without the production of any thereof at any trial or any proceeding relative thereto.
Section 7.04 Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact. The Trustee is hereby appointed, and each and every Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, shall be conclusively deemed to have appointed the Trustee, the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Holder, with authority to make or file (whether or not the Company shall be in Default in respect of the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Securities), in its own name and as trustee of an express trust or otherwise as it shall deem advisable, in any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or to their respective creditors or property, any and all claims, proofs of claim, proofs of debt, petitions, consents, other papers and documents and amendments of any thereof, as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of the Holders of the Securities allowed in any such proceeding and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to execute and deliver any and all other papers and documents and to do and perform any and all other acts and things, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to enforce in any such proceeding any of the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of any of such Holders in respect of any of the Securities; and any receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor in any such proceeding is hereby authorized, and each and every taker or Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, shall be conclusively deemed to have authorized any such receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor, to make any such payment or delivery only to or on the order of the Trustee, and to pay to the Trustee any amount due it and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a); provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower the Trustee to consent to or accept or adopt, on behalf of any Holder of Securities, any plan of reorganization or readjustment affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize or empower the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of any Securities in any such proceeding.
Section 7.05 Priorities. Any moneys or properties collected by the Trustee with respect to a series of Securities under this Article VII shall be applied in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or properties and, in the case of the distribution of such moneys or properties on account of the Securities of any series, upon presentation of the Securities of such series, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a).
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Second: Subject to Article XV (to the extent applicable to any series of Securities then outstanding), to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Outstanding Securities of such series 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 Outstanding Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively.
Any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Company or as directed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 7.06 Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee hereunder, or of exercising any trust or power hereby conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Sections 11.01 and 11.02, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining in such direction or would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to any acceleration of the Maturity of the Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except a Default in the payment of interest or any premium on or the principal of the Securities of such series. Upon any such waiver the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 7.06, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.
Section 7.07 Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity for the execution of any trust hereunder or for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy hereunder, in each case with respect to an Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of one or more of the Events of Default herein specified with respect to such series of Securities, and unless also the Holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have requested the Trustee in writing to take action in respect of the matter complained of, and unless also there shall have been offered to the Trustee security and indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after receipt of such notification, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; and such notification, request and offer of indemnity are hereby declared in every such case to be conditions precedent to any such action, suit or proceeding by any Holder of any Security of such series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of the Holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by his, her, its or their action to enforce any right hereunder, except in the manner herein provided, and that every action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity shall be instituted, had and maintained in the manner herein provided and for the equal benefit of all Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series; provided, however, that nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities of such series shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series to the respective Holders of such Securities at the respective due dates in such Securities stated, or affect or impair the right, which is also absolute and unconditional, of such Holders to institute suit to enforce the payment thereof.
Section 7.08 Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture and each Holder of any Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, shall be deemed to have agreed that any court may in its discretion require, in any action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any action, suit or proceeding against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding of an undertaking to pay the costs of such action, suit or proceeding, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 7.08 shall not apply to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee, to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any one or more Holders of Securities holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any series Outstanding, or to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any Holder of Securities of any series for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or the interest on, any of the Securities of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Securities.
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Section 7.09 Remedies Cumulative. No remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities of any series is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy or remedies, and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of the Securities of any series to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein; and every power and remedy given by this Article VII to the Trustee and to the Holders of Securities of any series, respectively, may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities of such series, as the case may be. In case the Trustee or any Holder of Securities of any series shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and the proceedings for the enforcement thereof shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of waiver or for any other reason or shall have been adjudicated adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder of Securities, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall severally and respectively be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, and thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken, except as to any matters so waived or adjudicated.
Article VIII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 8.01 Evidence of Action of Securityholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage or a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities or of any series of Securities may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage or majority have joined therein may be evidenced by (a) any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Securityholders in person, by an agent or by a proxy appointed in writing, including through an electronic system for tabulating consents operated by the Depositary for such series or otherwise (such action becoming effective, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, when such instruments or evidence of electronic consents are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company), or (b) by the record of the Holders of Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article IX, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Securityholders.
Section 8.02 Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities. Proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his, her or its agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:
(a) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument may be proved (i) by the certificate of any notary public or other officer in any jurisdiction who, by the laws thereof, has power to take acknowledgments or proof of deeds to be recorded within such jurisdiction, that the Person who signed such instrument did acknowledge before such notary public or other officer the execution thereof, or (ii) by the affidavit of a witness of such execution sworn to before any such notary or other officer. Where such execution is by a Person acting in other than his or her individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his or her authority.
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(b) The ownership of Securities of any series shall be proved by the Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series.
(c) The record of any Holders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 9.06.
(d) The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.02 as it shall deem appropriate or necessary, so long as the request is a reasonable one.
(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Securities of any series any action, the Company may, at its option fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Securities entitled to take such action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Company’s discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of such series have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of such series shall be computed as of such record date.
Section 8.03 Persons Deemed Owners.
(a) The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 3.08) interest, if any, on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. All payments made to any Holder, or upon his, her or its order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon such Security.
(b) None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Section 8.04 Effect of Consents. After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective as to any series of Securities, a consent to it by a Holder of such series of Securities is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Securities or portion thereof, and of any Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Security. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
Article IX
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Section 9.01 Purposes of Meetings. A meeting of Securityholders of any or all series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX for any of the following purposes:
(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article VIII;
(b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article XI;
(c) to consent to the execution of an Indenture or of indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 14.02; or
(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any one or more or all series, as the case may be, under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.
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Section 9.02 Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of all Securityholders of all series that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken, to take any action specified in Section 9.01, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders of a series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to Holders of Securities of such series at their addresses as they shall appear on the Register of the Company. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 90 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
Section 9.03 Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders. In case at any time the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series (or of all series, as the case may be) then Outstanding that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders of such series (or of all series), by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 9.01, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 9.02.
Section 9.04 Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders, a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Securities affected by the action proposed to be taken at the meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more such Securities. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
Section 9.05 Regulation of Meetings.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Securities and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem fit.
(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 9.03, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chair. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.
(c) At any meeting of Securityholders of a series, each Securityholder of such series of such Securityholder’s proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series Outstanding held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Securities of such series held by him or her or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him or her as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders. At any meeting of the Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02 or 9.03, the presence of Persons holding or representing Securities in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to take action upon the business for the transaction of which such meeting was called shall be necessary to constitute a quorum, and any such meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
Section 9.06 Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Securityholders of a series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts of the Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 9.02. The record shall show the principal amounts of the Securities voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee.
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Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
Section 9.07 No Delay of Rights by Meeting. Nothing contained in this Article IX shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Securityholders of any series or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Securityholders of such series under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities of such series.
Article X
REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS
Section 10.01 Reports by Trustee.
(a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313 (a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within sixty days after each May 15 following the date of the initial issuance of Securities under this Indenture deliver to Holders a brief report, dated as of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).
(b) The Trustee shall, at the time of the transmission to the Holders of Securities of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.01, file a copy of such report with each stock exchange upon which the Securities are listed, if any, and also with the SEC in respect of a Security listed and registered on a national securities exchange, if any. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee in writing when, as and if the Securities become listed on any stock exchange or any delisting thereof.
(c) The Company will reimburse the Trustee for all expenses incurred in the preparation and transmission of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.01 and of Section 10.02.
Section 10.02 Reports by the Company. The Company shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that, unless available on EDGAR, any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 30 days after the same is filed with the SEC, provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be required to determine whether such information, documents or reports are available on EDGAR.
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 Officer’s Certificates). Notwithstanding any provisions hereunder to the contrary, the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.02 are subject, in their entirety, to the provisions of Section 7.01.
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Section 10.03 Securityholders’ Lists. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually, within 15 days after each Record Date, but in any event not less frequently than semi-annually, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities to which such Record Date applies, as of such Record Date, and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.
Article XI
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 11.01 Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity. The Trustee accepts the trusts created by this Indenture upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following, to all of which the parties hereto and the Holders from time to time of the Securities agree:
(a) The Trustee shall be entitled to such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for all services rendered by it hereunder (including in any agent capacity in which it acts). The compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon its request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee (including the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its own negligence or willful misconduct.
The Company also agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee hereunder for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim, or expense incurred without its own negligence or willful misconduct, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder and the performance of its duties (including in any agent capacity in which it acts), as well as the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except those attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have one separate counsel of its selection 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.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section 11.01(a), the Trustee shall have a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust by the Trustee to pay principal of and interest on any Securities. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the obligations of the Company to compensate and indemnify the Trustee under this Section 11.01(a) shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the termination of this Indenture and any satisfaction and discharge under Article XII. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (e) or (f) of Section 7.01 occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.
(b) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereof and perform any duty hereunder either directly or by its agents and attorneys and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
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(c) The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for the correctness of the recitals herein or in the Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon) contained, all of which are made solely by the Company; and the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon), and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Securities, or the proceeds of any Securities, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
(d) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and, to the extent permitted by Section 11.02, any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered by the Trustee hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such Opinion of Counsel.
(e) The Trustee, to the extent permitted by Section 11.02, may conclusively rely upon the certificate of the Secretary or one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Company as to the adoption of any Board Resolution or resolution of the shareholders of the Company, and any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by, and whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee may conclusively rely upon, an Officer’s Certificate of the Company (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed).
(f) Subject to Section 11.04, the Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have had if it were not the Trustee or such agent.
(g) Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.
(h) Any action taken by the Trustee pursuant to any provision hereof at the request or with the consent of any Person who at the time is the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding in respect of such Security upon all future Holders thereof or of any Security or Securities which may be issued for or in lieu thereof in whole or in part, whether or not such Security shall have noted thereon the fact that such request or consent had been made or given.
(i) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
(j) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of the Securities, pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, unless one or more of the Holders of the Securities shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by it therein or thereby.
(k) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within its discretion or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
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(l) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Holders of not less than 25% of the Outstanding Securities notify the Trustee thereof.
(m) Subject to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, may, but shall not be required to, make further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.
(n) 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.
(o) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(p) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.
(q) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 11.02 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If one or more of the Events of Default specified in Section 7.01 with respect to the Securities of any series shall have happened, then, during the continuance thereof, the Trustee shall, with respect to such Securities, exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and shall 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 such person’s own affairs.
(b) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall be construed as relieving the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that, anything in this Indenture contained to the contrary notwithstanding,
(i) unless and until an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01 with respect to the Securities of any series shall have happened which at the time is continuing,
(A) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties with respect to the Securities of that series as are specifically set out in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, whose duties and obligations shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture; and
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(B) the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, upon certificates and opinions furnished to it pursuant to the express provisions of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which, by the provisions of this Indenture, are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated therein);
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder of Securities or to any other Person for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder of Securities or to any other Person with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of Securityholders given as provided in Section 7.06, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to it or exercising any trust or power conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(c) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 11.02.
Section 11.03 Notice of Defaults. Within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, and if known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to the Holders of the Securities of a series notice of each Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series known to the Trustee, by transmitting such notice to Holders at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Register of the Company, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice (the term “Default” being hereby defined to be the events specified in Section 7.01, which are, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, Events of Default as defined in said Section). Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become payable, or to make any sinking fund payment as to Securities of the same series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice, if and so long as a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities of such series.
Section 11.04 Eligibility; Disqualification.
(a) The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition, and shall have a Corporate Trust Office. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.04, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
(b) The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA Section 310(b)(i) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA Section 310(b)(i) are met. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. If Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act is amended any time after the date of this Indenture to change the circumstances under which a Trustee shall be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to the Securities of any series or to change any of the definitions in connection therewith, this Section 11.04 shall be automatically amended to incorporate such changes.
Section 11.05 Resignation and Notice; Removal. The Trustee, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may at any time resign and be discharged of the trusts hereby created with respect to any one or more or all series of Securities by giving to the Company notice in writing. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Trustee. Any Trustee hereunder may be removed with respect to any series of Securities at any time by the filing with such Trustee and the delivery to the Company of an instrument or instruments in writing signed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such removal and the date when it shall become effective.
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If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series), or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 11.04 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series), or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (i) the Company by written notice to the Trustee may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series) may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
In addition, the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of any series without cause if the Company gives written notice to the Trustee of such proposed removal at least three months in advance of the proposed effective date of such removal.
Upon its resignation or removal, any Trustee shall be entitled to the payment of reasonable compensation for the services rendered hereunder by such Trustee and to the payment of all reasonable expenses incurred hereunder and all moneys then due to it hereunder. The Trustee’s rights to indemnification provided in Section 11.01(a) shall survive its resignation or removal.
Section 11.06 Successor Trustee by Appointment.
(a) In case at any time the Trustee shall resign, or shall be removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of the Trustee for any reason, with respect to Securities of any or all series, the Compay shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. However, if all or substantially all the assets of the Company shall be in the possession of one or more custodians or receivers lawfully appointed, or of trustees in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings (including a trustee or trustees appointed under the provisions of the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted), or of assignees for the benefit of creditors, such receivers, custodians, trustees or assignees, as the case may be, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any or all series. Subject to the provisions of Sections 11.04 and 11.05, upon the appointment as aforesaid of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series shall cease to be Trustee hereunder. After any such appointment other than by the Holders of Securities of any such series, the Person making such appointment shall forthwith cause notice thereof to be mailed to the Holders of Securities of such series at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Register of the Company. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of such appointment.
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(b) If any Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall resign or be removed and a successor Trustee shall not have been appointed by the Company or, if any successor Trustee so appointed shall not have accepted its appointment within 30 days after such appointment shall have been made, the resigning Trustee at the expense of the Company may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee. If in any other case a successor Trustee shall not be appointed pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.06 within three months after such appointment might have been made hereunder, the Holder of any Security of the applicable series or any retiring Trustee at the expense of the Company may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, in any such case, after such notice, if any, as such court may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.
(c) Any successor Trustee appointed hereunder with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor Trustee and to the Company, or to the receivers, trustees, assignees or court appointing it, as the case may be, an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations with respect to such series of such predecessor Trustee with like effect as if originally named as Trustee hereunder, and such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its charges and disbursements then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to pay over, and such successor Trustee shall be entitled to receive, all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee as Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series, subject nevertheless to its lien provided for in Section 11.01(a). Nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee or of the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any such series then Outstanding, such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its said charges and disbursements, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee upon the trusts herein expressed all the rights, powers and trusts of such predecessor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and shall assign, transfer and deliver to the successor Trustee all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, subject nevertheless to its lien provided for in Section 11.01(a); and, upon request of any such successor Trustee or the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations.
Section 11.07 Successor Trustee by Merger. Any Person into which the Trustee or any successor to it in the trusts created by this Indenture shall be merged or converted, or any Person with which it or any successor to it shall be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or any such successor to it shall be a party, or any Person to which the Trustee or any successor to it shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor Trustee under this Indenture without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article. In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture with respect to one or more series of Securities, any of such Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor to such Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 11.08 Right to Rely on Officer’s Certificate. Subject to Section 11.02 and subject to the provisions of Section 16.01 with respect to the certificates required thereby, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate with respect thereto delivered to the Trustee, and such Officer’s Certificate, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
Section 11.09 Appointment of Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities, and the Trustee shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, any such Authenticating Agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by the Authenticating Agent. Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.
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Each Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Article XI, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Article XI, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article XI.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Article XI, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.09, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 11.09.
The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 11.09.
Section 11.10 Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders. Holders of Securities may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to such communications.
Article XII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
Section 12.01 Applicability of Article. If pursuant to Section 3.01, provision is made for the defeasance of Securities of a series and if the Securities of such series are denominated and payable only in U.S. Dollars(except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01), then the provisions of this Article shall be applicable except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series. Defeasance provisions, if any, for Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
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Section 12.02 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture, with respect to the Securities of any series (if all series issued under this Indenture are not to be affected), shall, upon Company Order, cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities herein expressly provided for and rights to receive payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when,
(a) either:
(i) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.07 and (B) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 6.03) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(ii) all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,
(A) have become due and payable, or
(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(C) if redeemable at the option of the Company (including, without limitation, by operation of any mandatory sinking fund), are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient, in the opinion of an independent firm or certified public accountants, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on such Securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities that have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity thereof or, in the case of Securities of such series which are to be called for redemption as contemplated by (C) above, the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and including any mandatory sinking fund payments as and when the same shall become due and payable;
(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 Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such series have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 11.01 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (a)(i) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 12.07 and Section 6.03(e) shall survive.
Section 12.03 Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations. At the Company’s option, either (a) the Company shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below) from its obligations with respect to Securities of any series on the first day after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied or (b) the Company shall cease to be under any obligation to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 6.04 and Section 10.02 with respect to Securities of any series (and, if so specified pursuant to Section 3.01, any other restrictive covenant added for the benefit of such series pursuant to Section 3.01) at any time after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied (such action under clauses (a) or (b) of this paragraph in no circumstance may be construed as an Event of Default under Section 7.01):
(a) The Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series (i) money in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below) that, through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal (including any mandatory sinking fund payments) of and premium, if any, and interest on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and premium are due;
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(b) No 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 resulting from the borrowing of funds and the grant of any related liens to be applied to such deposit); and
(c) 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 U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 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 option had not been exercised and, in the case of the Securities of such series being Discharged pursuant to clause (x) of the first paragraph of this Section 12.03, such Opinion of Counsel shall be based upon and accompanied by a ruling to that effect received by the Company from or published by the Internal Revenue Service;
(d) if the monies or U.S. Government Obligations or combination thereof, as the case may be, deposited under clause (a) above are sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series (including, without limitation, any mandatory sinking fund payment) or any portion thereof to be redeemed on a particular Redemption Date (including, without limitation, pursuant to a mandatory sinking fund), the Company shall have given to the Trustee irrevocable instructions to redeem such Securities on such date and shall have made arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of such redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company; and
(e) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to such action under this Indenture have been complied with.
“Discharged” means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the Securities of such series and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (a) above, payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to Securities of such series under Sections 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 6.02, 12.06 and 12.07 and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the timely of payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, that, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary 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 depositary 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 depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.
Section 12.04 Repayment to Company. The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company (or to its designee) upon Company Order any excess moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by them at any time including any such moneys or obligations held by the Trustee under any escrow trust agreement entered into pursuant to Section 12.06. The provisions of the last paragraph of Section 6.03 shall apply to any money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under this Article that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of any series of Securities for with money or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited pursuant to Section 12.03.
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Section 12.05 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal or interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.
Section 12.06 Deposits to Be Held in Escrow. Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 12.03 above shall be irrevocable (except to the extent provided in Sections 12.04 and 12.07) and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement. If any Outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory or optional sinking fund requirement, the applicable escrow trust agreement shall provide therefor and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company. The agreement shall provide that, upon satisfaction of any mandatory sinking fund payment requirements, whether by deposit of moneys, applications of proceeds of deposited U.S. Government Obligations or, if permitted,, by delivery of Securities, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess moneys pursuant to Section 12.04 all funds or obligations then held under the agreement and allocable to the sinking fund payment requirements so satisfied.
If Securities of a series with respect to which such deposits are made may be subject to later redemption at the option of the Company or pursuant to optional sinking fund payments, the applicable escrow trust agreement may, at the option of the Company, provide therefor. In the case of an optional redemption in whole or in part, such agreement shall require the Company to deposit with the Trustee on or before the date notice of redemption is given funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Securities to be redeemed together with all unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date. Upon such deposit of funds, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 12.04 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement and allocable to the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of exercise of optional sinking fund payment rights by the Company, such agreement shall, at the option of the Company, provide that upon deposit by the Company with the Trustee of funds pursuant to such exercise the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 12.04 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement for such series and allocable to the Securities to be redeemed.
Section 12.07 Application of Trust Money.
(a) Neither the Trustee nor any other Paying Agent shall be required to pay interest on any moneys deposited pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, except such as it shall agree with the Company in writing to pay thereon. Any moneys so deposited for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after the date of the maturity of the Securities of such series or the date fixed for the redemption of all the Securities of such series at the time outstanding, as the case may be, shall be repaid by the Trustee or such other Paying Agent to the Company upon its written request and thereafter, anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, any rights of the Holders of Securities of such series in respect of which such moneys shall have been deposited shall be enforceable only against the Company, and all liability of the Trustee or such other Paying Agent with respect to such moneys shall thereafter cease.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the foregoing paragraph, any moneys which at any time shall be deposited by the Company or on its behalf with the Trustee or any other Paying Agent for the purpose of paying the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any of the Securities shall be and are hereby assigned, transferred and set over to the Trustee or such other Paying Agent in trust for the respective Holders of the Securities for the purpose for which such moneys shall have been deposited
Section 12.08 Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, if the Securities of any series are payable in a Currency other than U.S. Dollars, the Currency or the nature of the government obligations to be deposited with the Trustee under the foregoing provisions of this Article shall be as set forth in a Board Resolution, a Company Order or in one or more supplemental indentures hereto.
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Article XIII
IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS
Section 13.01 No Personal Liability. No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of, or the premium, if any, or interest on, any Security or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof or of the Indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, against any incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor entity, either directly or through the Company or any successor entity, whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and the Securities are solely company obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor entity, either directly or through the Company or any successor entity, because of the incurring of the Indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants, promises or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities, or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, and that all liability, if any, of that character against every such incorporator, shareholder, officer and director is, by the acceptance of the Securities and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities expressly waived and released.
Article XIV
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 14.01 Without Consent of Securityholders. Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any one or more of or all the following purposes:
(a) to add to the covenants and agreements of the Company, to be observed thereafter and during the period, if any, in such supplemental indenture or indentures expressed, and to add Events of Default, in each case for the protection or benefit of the Holders of all or any series of the Securities (and if such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are to be for the benefit of fewer than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are expressly being included for the benefit of such series as shall be identified therein), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;
(b) to delete or modify any Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities, the form and terms of which are being established pursuant to such supplemental indenture as permitted in Section 3.01 (and, if any such Event of Default is applicable to fewer than all such series of the Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable), and to specify the rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders of such Securities in connection therewith;
(c) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide, change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on Securities; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect;
(d) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision and as to which such supplemental indenture would apply;
(e) to evidence the succession of another entity to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Company contained in the Securities of one or more series and in this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;
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(f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to one or more series of Securities and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 11.06(c);
(g) to secure any series of Securities;
(h) to evidence any changes to this Indenture pursuant to Sections 11.05, 11.06 or 11.07 hereof as permitted by the terms thereof;
(i) to cure any mistake, ambiguity or inconsistency or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture or to conform the terms hereof, as amended and supplemented, that are applicable to the Securities of any series to the description of the terms of such Securities in the prospectus supplement or other offering document applicable to such Securities at the time of initial sale thereof, as provided in an Officer’s Certificate;
(j) to add to or change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act;
(k) to add guarantors or co-obligors with respect to any series of Securities or to release guarantors from their guarantees of Securities in accordance with the terms of the applicable series of Securities;
(l) to make any change in any series of Securities that does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights of the Holders of such Securities;
(m) to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to certificated securities;
(n) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect;
(o) to prohibit the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities; or
(p) to establish the form and terms of Securities of any series as permitted in Section 3.01, or to authorize the issuance of additional Securities of a series previously authorized or to add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication or delivery of the Securities of any series, as herein set forth, or other conditions, limitations or restrictions thereafter to be observed.
Subject to the provisions of Section 14.03, the Trustee is authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make the further agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property or assets thereunder.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 14.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding.
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Section 14.02 With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations.
(a) With the consent of the Holders (evidenced as provided in Article VIII) of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture voting separately, the Company and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of each such series affected thereby,
(i) extend the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest thereon or any premium payable upon redemption thereof, or extend the Stated Maturity of, or change the place of payment where, or the Currency in which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on such Security is denominated or payable, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or materially adversely affect the economic terms of any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01; or
(ii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain Defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture; or
(iii) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 7.06 or Section 6.06, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 6.06, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 11.06 and 14.01(f); or
(iv) change the Company’s obligation to pay additional amounts; or
(v) modify, without the written consent of the Trustee, the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee.
(b) A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
(c) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 14.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
(d) The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of the Holders of each series of Securities entitled to give a written consent or waive compliance by the Company as authorized or permitted by this Section. Such record date shall not be more than 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or waiver or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.
(e) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 14.02, the Company shall mail a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Holders of Securities at their addresses as the same shall then appear in the Register of the Company. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
Section 14.03 Trustee Protected. Upon the written request of the Company, accompanied by the Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 16.01 and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of consent of the Holders if the supplemental indenture is to be executed pursuant to Section 14.02, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of said supplemental indenture unless said supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into said supplemental indenture. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture is valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.
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Section 14.04 Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article XIV, this Indenture shall be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of all of the Securities or of the Securities of any series affected, as the case may be, shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 14.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in the form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for the Securities then Outstanding in equal aggregate principal amounts, and such exchange shall be made without cost to the Holders of the Securities.
Section 14.06 Conformity with TIA. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
Article XV
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
Section 15.01 Agreement to Subordinate. In the event a series of Securities is designated as subordinated pursuant to Section 3.01, and except as otherwise provided in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, the Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities of such series by his, her or its acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on each and all of the Securities of such series is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. In the event a series of Securities is not designated as subordinated pursuant to Section 3.01(s), this Article XV shall have no effect upon the Securities.
Section 15.02 Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities. Subject to Section 15.01, upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Company or otherwise (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred in this Indenture upon the Senior Indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to the Securities and the holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law):
(a) the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal thereof (and premium, if any) and interest due thereon before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive any payment upon the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities; and
(b) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV shall be paid by the liquidation trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness; and
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(c) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, such payment or distribution shall be paid over, upon written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, to the holder of such Senior Indebtedness or his, her or its representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instrument evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably as aforesaid, as calculated by the Company, for application to payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
(d) Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness (to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to such holder have been applied to the payment of Senior Indebtedness) to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities shall be paid in full and no such payments or distributions to the Holders of the Securities of cash, property or securities otherwise distributable to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the 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 Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or in the Securities 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 XV 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 XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 15.05, shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making any distribution to the Trustee for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereof and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.
Section 15.03 No Payment on Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness. Subject to Section 15.01, no payment by the Company on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking funds or interest, if any, on the Securities shall be made at any time if: (i) a default on Senior Indebtedness exists that permits the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity and (ii) the default is the subject of judicial proceedings or the Company has received notice of such default. The Company may resume payments on the Securities when full payment of amounts then due for principal (premium, if any), sinking funds and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 15.03, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, but only to the extent that the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on such Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
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Section 15.04 Payments on Securities Permitted. Subject to Section 15.01, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall (a) affect the obligation of the Company to make, or prevent the Company from making, at any time except as provided in Sections 15.02 and 15.03, payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities or (b) prevent the application by the Trustee of any moneys or assets deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office written notice of any fact prohibiting the making of such payment from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee more than two Business Days prior to the date fixed for such payment.
Section 15.05 Authorization of Securityholders to Trustee to Effect Subordination. Subject to Section 15.01, each Holder of Securities by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his, her or its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
Section 15.06 Notices to Trustee. The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies or assets to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV. Subject to Section 15.01, notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any other provisions of this Indenture, neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent (other than the Company) shall be charged with knowledge of the existence of any Senior Indebtedness or of any fact which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys or assets to or by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have received (in the case of a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee) written notice thereof from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall be entitled in all respects conclusively to presume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such moneys or assets may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall not have received with respect to such moneys or assets the notice provided for in this Section 15.06, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such moneys or assets 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 within two Business Days prior to such date. The Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such a notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XV, 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 XV 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.
Section 15.07 Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness. Subject to Section 15.01, the Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XV 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 this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Sections 7.05 or 11.01.
Section 15.08 Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness. Subject to Section 15.01, any renewal or extension of the time of payment of any Senior Indebtedness or the exercise by the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any of their rights under any instrument creating or evidencing Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, may be made or done all without notice to or assent from the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee. To the extent permitted by applicable law, no compromise, alteration, amendment, modification, extension, renewal or other change of, or waiver, consent or other action in respect of, any liability or obligation under or in respect of, or of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any indenture or other instrument under which any Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or of such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such release is in accordance with the provisions of any applicable document, shall in any way alter or affect any of the provisions of this Article XV or of the Securities relating to the subordination thereof.
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Section 15.09 Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent. Subject to Section 15.01, upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.
Section 15.10 Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance. Subject to Section 15.01, amounts and U.S. Government Obligations deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article XII and not, at the time of such deposit, prohibited to be deposited under Sections 15.02 or 15.03 shall not be subject to this Article XV.
Section 15.11 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness. With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XV, 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. The Trustee shall not be liable to any such holder if it shall pay over or distribute to or on behalf of Holders of Securities or the Company, or any other Person, moneys or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise.
Article XVI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 16.01 Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent.
(a) Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
(b) Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificates provided pursuant to Section 6.05 of this Indenture) shall include (i) a statement that the Person giving such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) 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; (iii) a statement that, in the view or opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed view or opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the view or opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
(c) Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion is based are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate, statement or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
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(d) Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company or of counsel to the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an accountant or firm of accountants, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion may be based are erroneous. Any certificate or opinion of any firm of independent registered public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.
(e) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
(f) Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 16.02 Trust Indenture Act Controls. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.
Section 16.03 Notices to the Company and Trustee. Any notice or demand authorized by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, the Company or the Trustee shall be sufficiently made, given, furnished or filed for all purposes if it shall be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to:
(a) the Company, at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor, New York, New York, 10105, Attention: BoHee Yoon, Secretary, Facsimile No.: (212) 798-6100 or at such other address or facsimile number as may have been furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.
(b) the Trustee, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, Attention: Corporate Trust Services - Administrator for FTAI Aviation Ltd.
Any such notice, demand or other document shall be in the English language.
Section 16.04 Notices to Securityholders; Waiver. Any notice required or permitted to be given to Securityholders shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided),
(a) if to Holders, if given in writing by first class mail, postage prepaid, to such Holders at their addresses as the same shall appear on the Register of the Company; provided, that in the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder; or
(b) If a series of Securities has been issued in the form of one or more Global Securities through DTC as Depositary, notice may be provided with respect to such series of Securities by delivery of such notice to DTC for posting through its “Legal Notice Service” (LENS) or a successor system thereof.
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Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance on such waiver. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail; neither the failure to mail such notice nor any defect in any notice so mailed to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given. In any case where notice to Holders is given by publication, any defect in any notice so published as to any particular Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and any notice that is published in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given.
Section 16.05 Legal Holiday. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity of any Security of any series shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Securities of that series, then payment of principal and premium, if any, or interest need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day if such payment is made or duly provided for on such Business Day.
Section 16.06 Effects of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 16.07 Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the parties hereto shall bind their respective successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of their permitted successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 16.08 Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 16.09 Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any Person or corporation other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities any benefit or any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Indenture or any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.
Section 16.10 Counterparts Originals. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 16.11 Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury. This Indenture and the Securities shall be deemed to be contracts made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State.
EACH PARTY HERETO, AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY BY ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE.
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Section 16.12 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 16.13 U.S.A. Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
| FTAI AVIATION LTD., as Issuer |
||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee |
||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
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EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY FOR ALL PURPOSES.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE [DEPOSITARY]1 TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF [NOMINEE OF DEPOSITARY]2. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF [DEPOSITARY] (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO [NOMINEE OF DEPOSITARY] OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF [DEPOSITARY]), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, [NOMINEE OF DEPOSITARY], HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.
| 1 | Typically DTC. |
| 2 | Typically Cede & Co. |
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CUSIP No.
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
____________NOTES DUE 20__
| No. | $ | |
| As revised by the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Security attached hereto | ||
Interest. FTAI Aviation Ltd. (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to or registered assigns, the principal sum of million dollars ($ ), as revised by the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Security attached hereto, on , 20 and to pay interest thereon from , 20 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on and in each year, commencing , 20 at the rate of % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment.
Method of Payment. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest, which shall be or , as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice thereof having been given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, all as more fully provided in said Indenture. Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office in U.S. Dollars.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Authentication. Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
| FTAI AVIATION LTD. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| Date of authentication:____________ | U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee |
||
| By: | |||
| Authorized Signatory | |||
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
59
Indenture. This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of , 20 , [as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture dated , 20 ] (as so supplemented, herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $ .
Optional Redemption. The Securities of this series are subject to redemption at the Company’s option, at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, at a Redemption Price equal to.
For purposes of determining the optional redemption price, the following definitions are applicable:
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each registered Holder of the Securities to be redeemed. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities or portions of the Securities called for redemption. If fewer than all of the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee will select, not more than days prior to the Redemption Date, the particular Securities or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding Securities not previously called by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate.
Except as set forth above, the Securities will not be redeemable by the Company prior to maturity [and will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund].
Defaults and Remedies. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
Amendment, Modification and Waiver. The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.
Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
Restrictive Covenants. The Indenture does not limit unsecured debt of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Denominations, Transfer and Exchange. The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registerable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the Registrar accompanied by a written request for transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
60
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Miscellaneous. This Indenture and this Security shall be deemed to be contracts made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State.
All terms used in this Security and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY
The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Security |
Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Security |
Principal Amount of this Global Security following each decrease or increase |
Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee |
||||
61
Exhibit 5.1
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
PO Box 309, Ugland House
Grand Cayman KY1-1104
Cayman Islands
27 February 2023
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
We have acted as counsel as to Cayman Islands law to FTAI Aviation Ltd. (the “Company”) in connection with a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, including the related base
prospectus and all amendments or supplements thereto (the “Registration Statement”, which term does not include any other document or agreement whether or not specifically referred to therein or attached as an
exhibit or schedule thereto), originally filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on the date hereof under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) allowing for offerings from time to time of ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.01 each in the capital of the Company or preferred shares of a par value of US$0.01 each in the capital of the
Company (together, the “Shares”) by the Company and/or certain selling shareholders (each, a “Selling Shareholder”).
| 1 |
Documents Reviewed
|
We have reviewed originals, copies, drafts or conformed copies of the following documents:
| 1.1 |
The certificate of incorporation with respect to the Company dated 8 December 2017, the certificate of incorporation on change of name with respect to the Company dated 10 November 2022 and the amended and restated memorandum and articles
of association of the Company adopted by special resolution passed on 9 November 2022 (the “Memorandum and Articles”).
|
| 1.2 |
The secretary’s certificate (the “Secretary’s Certificate”) certifying the resolutions passed at the meeting of the board of directors of the Company held on 23 February 2023 (the “Meeting”) and the corporate records of the Company maintained at its registered office in the Cayman Islands.
|
| 1.3 |
A certificate of good standing with respect to the Company issued by the Registrar of Companies dated 27 February 2023 (the “Certificate of Good Standing”).
|
| 1.4 |
A certificate from a director of the Company a copy of which is attached to this opinion letter (the “Director’s Certificate”).
|
| 1.5 |
The Registration Statement.
|
| 2 |
Assumptions
|
The following opinions are given only as to, and based on, circumstances and matters of fact existing and known to us on the date of this opinion letter. These opinions only relate to the laws of the Cayman Islands
which are in force on the date of this opinion letter. In giving the following opinions, we have relied (without further verification) upon the completeness and accuracy, as at the date of this opinion letter, of the Director’s Certificate and the
Certificate of Good Standing. We have also relied upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:
| 2.1 |
Copies of documents, conformed copies or drafts of documents provided to us are true and complete copies of, or in the final forms of, the originals, and translations of documents provided to us are complete and accurate.
|
| 2.2 |
All signatures, initials and seals are genuine.
|
| 2.3 |
There is no contractual or other prohibition or restriction (other than as arising under Cayman Islands law) binding on the Company prohibiting or restricting it from entering into and performing its obligations under the Registration
Statement.
|
| 2.4 |
There is nothing under any law (other than the laws of the Cayman Islands) which would or might affect the opinions set out below. Specifically, we have made no independent investigation of the laws of the State of New York.
|
| 2.5 |
The Company will receive money or money’s worth in consideration for the issue of the Shares, and none of the Shares will be issued for less than par value. At the time of issue of the Shares, the Company will have sufficient authorised
share capital to accommodate the issue of the Shares.
|
| 2.6 |
The Shares that will be issued by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement will be duly registered, and will continue to be registered, in the Company’s register of members (shareholders).
|
| 2.7 |
No invitation has been or will be made by or on behalf of the Company to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for any of the Shares.
|
Save as aforesaid we have not been instructed to undertake and have not undertaken any further enquiry or due diligence in relation to the transaction the subject of this opinion letter.
| 3 |
Opinions
|
Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing assumptions and the qualifications set out below, and having regard to such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:
| 3.1 |
The Company has been duly incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability and is validly existing and in good standing with the Registrar of Companies under the laws of the Cayman Islands.
|
2
| 3.2 |
In the event of an offering by the Company, upon the due authorisation and issuance of the Shares and payment of the consideration therefor, such Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
|
| 3.3 |
In the event of an offering by a Selling Shareholder, when transferred by the Selling Shareholder and the transfer thereof recorded in the register of members of the Company and paid for as described in the Registration Statement, any
corresponding prospectus supplement and any underwriting agreement, the Shares will remain legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
|
| 4 |
Qualifications
|
The opinions expressed above are subject to the following qualifications:
| 4.1 |
To maintain the Company in good standing with the Registrar of Companies under the laws of the Cayman Islands, annual filing fees must be paid and returns made to the Registrar of Companies within the time frame prescribed by law.
|
| 4.2 |
Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members (shareholders) is prima facie evidence of title to shares and this register would not record a third party interest in such shares. However, there
are certain limited circumstances where an application may be made to a Cayman Islands court for a determination on whether the register of members reflects the correct legal position. Further, the Cayman Islands court has the power to order
that the register of members maintained by a company should be rectified where it considers that the register of members does not reflect the correct legal position. As far as we are aware, such applications are rarely made in the Cayman
Islands and there are no circumstances or matters of fact known to us on the date of this opinion letter which would properly form the basis for an application for an order for rectification of the register of members of the Company, but if
such an application were made in respect of the Shares, then the validity of such shares may be subject to re-examination by a Cayman Islands court.
|
| 4.3 |
In this opinion letter, the phrase “non-assessable” means, with respect to shares in the Company, that a shareholder shall not, solely by virtue of its status as a shareholder, be liable for additional assessments or calls on the shares by
the Company or its creditors (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or
lift the corporate veil).
|
| 4.4 |
We express no opinion as to the meaning, validity or effect of any references to foreign (i.e. non-Cayman Islands) statutes, rules, regulations, codes, judicial authority or any other promulgations and any references to them in the
Registration Statement.
|
We express no view as to the commercial terms of the Registration Statement or whether such terms represent the intentions of the parties and make no comment with regard to warranties or representations that may be
made by the Company.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus included in the Registration
Statement. In providing our consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.
The opinions in this opinion letter are strictly limited to the matters contained in the opinions section above and do not extend to any other matters. We have not been asked to review and we therefore have not
reviewed any of the ancillary documents relating to the Shares and express no opinion or observation upon the terms of any such document.
Yours faithfully
/s/ Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP
Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP
3
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
PO Box 309, Ugland House
Grand Cayman KY1-1104
Cayman Islands
27 February 2023
|
To:
|
Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP
|
|
PO Box 309, Ugland House
|
|
|
Grand Cayman
|
|
|
KY1-1104
|
|
|
Cayman Islands
|
Dear Counsel
FTAI Aviation Ltd. (the “Company”)
I, the undersigned, being a director of the Company, am aware that you are being asked to provide an opinion letter (the “Opinion”) in relation to certain aspects of Cayman
Islands law. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalised terms used in this certificate have the respective meanings given to them in the Opinion. I hereby certify that:
| 1 |
The Memorandum and Articles remain in full force and effect and are unamended.
|
| 2 |
The Secretary’s Certificate is a true and correct record of the resolutions passed at the Meeting, which was duly convened and held, and at which a quorum was present throughout, in each case, in the manner prescribed in the Memorandum and
Articles. The resolutions set out in the Secretary’s Certificate were duly passed in the manner prescribed in the Company’s memorandum and articles of association in effect at the time (including, without limitation, with respect to the
disclosure of interests (if any) by directors of the Company) and have not been amended, varied or revoked in any respect.
|
| 3 |
The shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholders”) have not restricted the powers of the directors of the Company in any way.
|
| 4 |
There is no contractual or other prohibition or restriction (other than as arising under Cayman Islands law) binding on the Company prohibiting or restricting it from entering into and performing its obligations under the Registration
Statement.
|
| 5 |
The directors of the Company at the date of Meeting and at the date of this certificate were and are as follows: Paul R. Goodwin, Ray M. Robinson, Joseph P. Adams, Jr, Judith A. Hannaway, Martin Tuchman, A. Andrew Levison and Kenneth J.
Nicholson.
|
| 6 |
The Company will receive money or money’s worth in consideration for the issue of the Shares, and none of the Shares will be issued for less than par value. At the time of issue of the Shares, the Company will have sufficient authorised
share capital to accommodate the issue of the Shares.
|
| 7 |
The minute book and corporate records of the Company as maintained at its registered office in the Cayman Islands and made available to you are complete and accurate in all material respects, and all minutes and resolutions filed therein
represent a complete and accurate record of all meetings of the Shareholders and directors (or any committee thereof) of the Company (duly convened in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles) and all resolutions passed at the meetings or
passed by written resolution or consent, as the case may be.
|
4
| 8 |
The Company has not entered into any mortgages or charges over its property or assets other than those entered in the register of mortgages and charges of the Company.
|
| 9 |
Prior to, at the time of, and immediately following the approval of the transactions that are the subject of the Registration Statement, the Company was, or will be, able to pay its debts as they fell, or fall, due and has entered, or will
enter, into the transactions that are the subject of the Registration Statement for proper value and not with an intention to defraud or wilfully defeat an obligation owed to any creditor or with a view to giving a creditor a preference.
|
| 10 |
Each director of the Company considers the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement to be of commercial benefit to the Company and has acted in good faith in the best interests of the Company, and for a proper purpose of the
Company, in relation to the transactions which are the subject of the Opinion.
|
| 11 |
Save as disclosed in the Registration Statement, to the best of my knowledge and belief, having made due inquiry, the Company is not the subject of legal, arbitral, administrative or other proceedings in any jurisdiction. Nor have the
directors or Shareholders taken any steps to have the Company struck off or placed in liquidation, nor have any steps been taken to wind up the Company. Nor has any receiver been appointed over any of the Company’s property or assets.
|
5
I confirm that you may continue to rely on this certificate as being true and correct on the day that you issue the Opinion unless I shall have previously notified you in writing personally to the contrary.
|
Signature:
|
/s/ Joseph P. Adams Jr
|
|
|
Name:
|
Joseph P. Adams Jr.
|
|
|
Title:
|
Director |
6
Exhibit 5.2
[Skadden Letterhead]
February 27, 2023
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor
New York, NY 10105
|
Re:
|
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
|
|
|
Registration Statement on Form S-3
|
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special United States counsel to FTAI Aviation Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be
filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale by the Company from time to
time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of (i) ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Ordinary Shares”), (ii)
preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Preferred Shares”), which may be issued in one or more series, (iii) depositary receipts (the “Receipts”) representing fractional Preferred Shares, which are called depositary shares (the
“Depositary Shares”) and which may be issued pursuant to one or more depositary agreements (each, a “Depositary Agreement”) proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more bank or trust companies to be named in the applicable
Depositary Agreement (each, a “Bank Depositary”), (iv) debt securities of the Company (“Debt Securities”), which may be issued in one or more series under the indenture (the “Indenture”), proposed to be entered into between the Company and U.S. Bank
Trust Company, National Association, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (v) warrants to purchase Ordinary Shares, Preferred Shares or Debt Securities (“Warrants”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more
warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more warrant agents to be named therein, (vi) subscription rights to purchase Ordinary Shares, Preferred Shares or Debt Securities (“Subscription
Rights”), which may be issued under one or more subscription rights certificates (each, a “Subscription Rights Certificate”) and/or pursuant to one or more subscription rights agreements (each, a “Subscription Rights Agreement”) proposed to be
entered into by the Company and one or more subscription agents to be named therein, (vii) purchase contracts (“Purchase Contracts”) obligating the holders thereof to purchase from the Company, and the Company to sell to such holders, Ordinary
Shares, Preferred Shares or Debt Securities at a future date or dates, which may be issued pursuant to one or more purchase contract agreements (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more
purchase contract agents to be named therein, (viii) purchase units of the Company (“Purchase Units”), each consisting of Purchase Contracts, Debt Securities Preferred Shares or debt obligations of third parties, which may be issued pursuant to one
or more agreements (each, a “Purchase Unit Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more purchase unit agents to be named therein, and (ix) such indeterminate number of shares of Ordinary Shares, Preferred Shares or
Depositary Shares and indeterminate amount of Debt Securities as may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise, as applicable, of any Preferred Shares, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or Subscription Rights or settlement of any
Purchase Contracts or Purchase Units, including such shares of Ordinary Shares or Preferred Shares as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments determined at the time of offering (collectively, “Indeterminate Securities”). The Depositary
Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Rights, Purchase Contracts, Purchase Units and Indeterminate Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
February 27, 2023
Page 2
This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:
(a) the Registration Statement;
(b) the Form of Indenture filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;
We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of
officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein
that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials.
We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York (the “Opined-on Law”). The Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous
basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect.
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
February 27, 2023
Page 3
As used herein, “Transaction Documents” means the Depositary Agreements, the Indenture and the supplemental indentures and officer’s certificates establishing the terms of the Debt Securities pursuant thereto, the
Warrant Agreements, the Subscription Rights Agreements, the Purchase Contract Agreements, the Purchase Unit Agreements and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreement.
The opinions stated in paragraphs 1 through 6 below presume that all of the following (collectively, the “general conditions”) shall have occurred prior to the issuance of the Securities referred to therein: (i) the
Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to such Securities has been prepared,
delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations; (iii) the applicable Transaction Documents shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto,
including, if such Securities are to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement or purchase agreement with respect thereto; (iv) the board of directors of the Company, including
any duly authorized committee thereof, shall have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and sale of such Securities and related matters and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all related action as directed by or
under the direction of the board of directors of the Company; and (v) the terms of the applicable Transaction Documents and the issuance and sale of such Securities have been duly established in conformity with the amended and restated memorandum and
articles of association of the Company so as not to violate any applicable law, the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company, 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.
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. With respect to any Depositary Shares offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Depositary Shares (the “Offered Depositary Shares”), when (a) the general conditions shall
have been satisfied, (b) the Preferred Shares relating to such Offered Depositary Shares has been duly authorized for issuance by the Company; (c) the Offered Depositary Shares have been duly executed, delivered, countersigned, issued and sold in
accordance with the provisions of the applicable Depositary Agreement, and the Offered Depositary Shares have been delivered to the Bank Depositary for deposit in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement; and (d) the Receipts evidencing
the Depositary Shares have been duly issued against deposit of the related Preferred Shares with the Bank Depositary in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement, such Depositary Agreement will constitute a legally valid and binding
obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
February 27, 2023
Page 4
2. With respect to any series of Debt Securities offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Debt Securities of such series (the “Offered Debt Securities”), when (a) the general
conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939; (c) the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters have been approved and established in conformity
with the applicable Transaction Documents and (d) the certificates evidencing the Offered Debt Securities have been issued in a form that complies with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents and have been duly executed and
authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and any other applicable Transaction Documents and issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents upon payment of the
agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Offered Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
3. With respect to any Warrants offered by the Company (the “Offered Warrants”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Ordinary Shares, Preferred Shares and/or Debt Securities for
which the Offered Warrants are exercisable have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and (c) certificates evidencing the Offered Warrants have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the
applicable Warrant Agreement, the Offered Warrants, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid
and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
4. With respect to any Subscription Rights offered by the Company (the “Offered Subscription Rights”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Ordinary Shares, Preferred Shares and/or
Debt Securities relating to such Offered Subscription Rights have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and (c) the Subscription Rights Certificates have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of
the applicable Subscription Rights Agreement, the Offered Subscription Rights, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration
therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
5. With respect to any Purchase Contracts offered by the Company (the “Offered Purchase Contracts”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Ordinary Shares, Preferred Shares and/or
Debt Securities relating to such Offered Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and (c) the Offered Purchase Contracts have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the
applicable Purchase Contract Agreement, the Offered Purchase Contracts, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor,
will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
February 27, 2023
Page 5
6. With respect to any Purchase Units offered by the Company (the “Offered Purchase Units”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Purchase Contracts and Debt Securities or debt
obligations of third parties included in such Offered Purchase Units, have been duly authorized for sale by the Company and (c) certificates evidencing the Offered Purchase Units have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with
the provisions of the applicable Purchase Unit Agreement, the Offered Purchase Units, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents upon payment of the agreed-upon
consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
The opinions stated herein are subject to the following qualifications:
(a) we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws or
governmental orders affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the opinions stated herein are limited by such laws and orders and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);
(b) we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law,
rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;
(c) except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, we have assumed that each of the Transaction Documents constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction
Document, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms;
(d) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Documents relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release,
limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent any such provision purports to, or
has the effect of, waiving or altering any statute of limitations;
(e) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision of any Transaction Documents to the extent that such section purports to bind the Company to the exclusive jurisdiction of
any particular federal court or courts;
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
February 27, 2023
Page 6
(f) we call to your attention that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Documents, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the
availability of such court as a forum for resolution of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any
action arising out of or relating to any Transaction Documents;
(g) we have assumed that the choice of a currency other than U.S. dollars as the currency in which any Securities may be denominated does not contravene any exchange control or other laws of the jurisdiction of
any such currency, and further we call to your attention that a court may not award a judgment in any currency other than U.S. dollars;
(h) we have assumed that the choice of New York law to govern the Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto is a valid and legal provision;
(i) we have assumed that the laws of the State of New York will be chosen to govern any Depositary Agreements, Warrant Agreements, Subscription Rights Agreements, Purchase Contract Agreements and Purchase Unit
Agreements and that such choice is and will be a valid and legal provision;
(j) we have assumed that the Indenture will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the trustee in substantially the form reviewed by us;
(k) we call to your attention that the opinions stated herein are subject to possible judicial action giving effect to governmental actions or laws of jurisdictions other than those with respect to which we
express our opinion; and
(l) to the extent that any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Documents, the opinions stated herein are
subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General Obligations Law sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 and (ii) principles of comity and constitutionality.
In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have assumed that:
(a) the Company (i) is duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing, (ii) has requisite legal status and legal capacity under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (iii) has
complied and will comply with all aspects of the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization in connection with the transactions contemplated by, and the performance of its obligations under, the Transaction Documents;
(b) the Company has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform all its obligations under each of the Transaction Documents;
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
February 27, 2023
Page 7
(c) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and
sale of the applicable Securities: (i) conflicts or will conflict with the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company, (ii) constitutes or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture,
agreement or other instrument to which the Company or its property is subject, (iii) contravenes or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject, or (iv) violates or will violate
any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iv) with respect to the Opined-on Law); and
(d) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and
sale of the applicable Securities, requires or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.
We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion is
expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.
|
Very truly yours,
|
|
|
/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP
|
MJS
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No.333- ) and related Prospectus of FTAI Aviation Ltd. for the registration of Ordinary Shares, Preferred Shares, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Rights, Purchase Contracts and Purchase
Units and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 27, 2023, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of FTAI Aviation
Ltd. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of FTAI Aviation Ltd., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December
31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
February 27, 2023
Exhibit 25.1
securities and exchange commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
Statement of Eligibility Under
The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of a
Corporation Designated to Act as Trustee
Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of
a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) ☐
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)
91-1821036
I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
|
800 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota |
55402 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Joshua A. Hahn
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
60 Livingston Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55107
(651) 466-6309
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
(Issuer with respect to the Securities)
| Cayman Islands | 98-1420784 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
|
|
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor New York, NY |
10105 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Debt Securities
(Title of the Indenture Securities)
FORM T-1
| Item 1. | GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee. |
| a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of the Currency
Washington, D.C.
| b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
Yes
| Item 2. | AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation. |
None
| Items 3-15 | Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee. |
| Item 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification. |
| 1. | A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 1. |
| 2. | A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2. |
| 3. | A copy of the authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, attached as Exhibit 2. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 3. |
| 5. | A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 5. |
| 7. | Report of Condition of the Trustee as of December 31, 2022, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 6. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of St. Paul, State of Minnesota on the 27th of February, 2023.
| By: | /s/ Joshua A. Hahn | ||
| Joshua A. Hahn | |||
| Vice President |
Exhibit 1
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
U. S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association (the “Association) to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned enter into the following Articles of Association:
FIRST. The title of this Association shall be U. S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the Association shall be in the city of Portland, county of Multnomah, state of Oregon. The business of the Association will be limited to fiduciary powers and the support of activities incidental to the exercise of those powers. The Association may not expand or alter its business beyond that stated in this article without the prior approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.
THIRD. The board of directors of the Association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, the exact number to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the Association or of a holding company owning the Association, with an aggregate par, fair market, or equity value of not less than $1,000, as of either (i) the date of purchase, (ii) the date the person became a director, or (iii) the date of that person’s most recent election to the board of directors, whichever is more recent. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the Association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may increase the number of directors up to the maximum permitted by law. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the Association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determined the number of directors of the Association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the Bylaws, or if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the Association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases, at least 10 days’ advance notice of the meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
- 1 -
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares he or she owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the Association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by the shareholders at a meeting called to remove him or her, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove him or her is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect him or her under cumulative voting is voted against his or her removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of the Association shall be 1,000,000 shares of common stock of the par value of ten dollars ($10) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States. The Association shall have only one class of capital stock.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the Association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the Association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the Association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix.
Transfers of the Association’s stock are subject to the prior written approval of a federal depository institution regulatory agency. If no other agency approval is required, the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency must be obtained prior to any such transfers.
Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the Articles of Association must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
- 2 -
Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval.
Unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
The Association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether subordinated, which may be issued by the Association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this Association and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the Association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this Association. A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the Bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| (1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the Association. |
| (2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the Association. |
| (3) | Fix the compensation and enter employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| (4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| (5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| (6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the Association’s management or committees of the board. |
| (7) | Regulate the manner any increase or decrease of the capital of the Association shall be made; provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the Association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
- 3 -
| (8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. |
| (9) | Adopt initial Bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the Articles of Association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the Association. |
| (10) | Amend or repeal Bylaws, except to the extent that the Articles of Association reserve this power in whole or in part to the shareholders. |
| (11) | Make contracts. |
| (12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any authorized branch within the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of the Association for a location outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, but not more than thirty miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any office or offices of the Association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this Association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of the Association, or any shareholder owning, in the aggregate, not less than 25 percent of the stock of the Association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws or the laws of the United States, or waived by shareholders, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed at least 10, and no more than 60, days prior to the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record at his/her address as shown upon the books of the Association. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. These Articles of Association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount; provided, that the scope of the Association’s activities and services may not be expanded without the prior written approval of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the Articles of Association for submission to the shareholders.
- 4 -
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 11th of June, 1997.
| /s/ Jeffrey T. Grubb | |
| Jeffrey T. Grubb |
| /s/ Robert D. Sznewajs | |
| Robert D. Sznewajs |
| /s/ Dwight V. Board | |
| Dwight V. Board |
| /s/ P.K. Chatterjee | |
| P.K. Chatterjee |
| /s/ Robert Lane | |
| Robert Lane |
Exhibit 2
Washington, DC 20219
CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND FIDUCIARY POWERS
I, Michael J. Hsu, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that:
1. The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations.
2. “U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association,” Portland, Oregon (Charter No. 23412), is a national banking association formed under the laws of the United States and is authorized thereunder to transact the business of banking and exercise fiduciary powers on the date of this certificate.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today, January 6, 2023, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia.
 |
||
| Acting Comptroller of the Currency |
2023-00337-C
Exhibit 3
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1.1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders, for the election of directors and the transaction of any other proper business, shall be held at a time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. Notice of such meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days prior to the date thereof, to each shareholder of the Association, unless the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) determines that an emergency circumstance exists. In accordance with applicable law, the sole shareholder of the Association is permitted to waive notice of the meeting. If, for any reason, an election of directors is not made on the designated day, the election shall be held on some subsequent day, as soon thereafter as practicable, with prior notice thereof. Failure to hold an annual meeting as required by these Bylaws shall not affect the validity of any corporate action or work a forfeiture or dissolution of the Association.
Section 1.2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specially provided by law, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose, at any time by a majority of the board of directors (the “Board”), or by any shareholder or group of shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding stock.
Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called upon not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
Section 1.3. Nominations for Directors. Nominations for election to the Board may be made by the Board or by any shareholder.
Section 1.4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting and any adjournments of such meeting and shall be filed with the records of the meeting.
Section 1.5. Record Date. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting will be thirty days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise determined by the Board.
Section 1.6. Quorum and Voting. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any
meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Association.
Section 1.7. Inspectors. The Board may, and in the event of its failure so to do, the Chairman of the Board may appoint Inspectors of Election who shall determine the presence of quorum, the validity of proxies, and the results of all elections and all other matters voted upon by shareholders at all annual and special meetings of shareholders.
Section 1.8. Waiver and Consent. The shareholders may act without notice or a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all shareholders.
Section 1.9. Remote Meetings. The Board shall have the right to determine that a shareholder meeting not be held at a place, but instead be held solely by means of remote communication in the manner and to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 2.1. Board of Directors. The Board shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the Association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board.
Section 2.2. Term of Office. The directors of this Association shall hold office for one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Section 2.3. Powers. In addition to the foregoing, the Board shall have and may exercise all of the powers granted to or conferred upon it by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws and by law.
Section 2.4. Number. As provided in the Articles of Association, the Board of this Association shall consist of no less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the Association from the twenty-five- member limit. The Board shall consist of a number of members to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of the Board or the shareholders at any meeting thereof, in accordance with the Articles of Association. Between meetings of the shareholders held for the purpose of electing directors, the Board by a majority vote of the full Board may increase the size of the Board but not to more than a total of twenty-five directors, and fill any vacancy so created in the Board; provided that the Board may increase the number of directors only by up to two directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was fifteen or fewer, and by up to four directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was sixteen or more. Each director shall own a qualifying equity interest in the Association or a company that has control of the Association in each case as required by applicable law. Each director shall own such qualifying equity interest in his or her own right and meet any minimum threshold ownership required by applicable law.
Section 2.5. Organization Meeting. The newly elected Board shall meet for the purpose of organizing the new Board and electing and appointing such officers of the Association as may be appropriate. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within thirty days thereafter, at such time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum present, the directors present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum is obtained.
Section 2.6. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the Board shall be held, without notice, as the Chairman or President may designate and deem suitable.
Section 2.7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time, at any place and for any purpose by the Chairman of the Board or the President of the Association, or upon the request of a majority of the entire Board. Notice of every special meeting of the Board shall be given to the directors at their usual places of business, or at such other addresses as shall have been furnished by them for the purpose. Such notice shall be given at least twelve hours (three hours if meeting is to be conducted by conference telephone) before the meeting by telephone or by being personally delivered, mailed, or electronically delivered. Such notice need not include a statement of the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.
Section 2.8. Quorum and Necessary Vote. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board, except when otherwise provided by law; but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Unless otherwise provided by law or the Articles or Bylaws of this Association, once a quorum is established, any act by a majority of those directors present and voting shall be the act of the Board.
Section 2.9. Written Consent. Except as otherwise required by applicable laws and regulations, the Board may act without a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all directors, to be filed with the Secretary of the Association as part of the corporate records.
Section 2.10. Remote Meetings. Members of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone, video or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 2.11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, the remaining members of the Board may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the Board, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 3.1. Advisory Board of Directors. The Board may appoint persons, who need not be directors, to serve as advisory directors on an advisory board of directors established with respect to the business affairs of either this Association alone or the business affairs of a group of affiliated organizations of which this Association is one. Advisory directors shall have such powers and duties as may be determined by the Board, provided, that the Board’s responsibility for the business and affairs of this Association shall in no respect be delegated or diminished.
Section 3.2. Trust Audit Committee. At least once during each calendar year, the Association shall arrange for a suitable audit (by internal or external auditors) of all significant fiduciary activities under the direction of its trust audit committee, a function that will be fulfilled by the Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association. The Association shall note the results of the audit (including significant actions taken as a result of the audit) in the minutes of the Board. In lieu of annual audits, the Association may adopt a continuous audit system in accordance with 12 C.F.R. § 9.9(b).
The Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association, fulfilling the function of the trust audit committee:
(1) Must not include any officers of the Association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the Association’s fiduciary activities; and
(2) Must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the Association.
Section 3.3. Executive Committee. The Board may appoint an Executive Committee which shall consist of at least three directors and which shall have, and may exercise, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all the powers of the Board between meetings of the Board or otherwise when the Board is not meeting.
Section 3.4. Trust Management Committee. The Board of this Association shall appoint a Trust Management Committee to provide oversight of the fiduciary activities of the Association. The Trust Management Committee shall determine policies governing fiduciary activities. The Trust Management Committee or such sub-committees, officers or others as may be duly designated by the Trust Management Committee shall oversee the processes related to fiduciary activities to assure conformity with fiduciary policies it establishes, including ratifying the acceptance and the closing out or relinquishment of all trusts. The Trust Management Committee will provide regular reports of its activities to the Board.
Section 3.5. Other Committees. The Board may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more persons who need not be directors, for such purposes and with such powers as the Board may determine; however, the Board will not delegate to any committee any powers or responsibilities that it is prohibited from delegating under any law or regulation. In addition, either the Chairman or the President may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more officers, employees, agents or other persons, for such purposes and with such powers as either the Chairman or the President deems appropriate and proper. Whether appointed by the Board, the Chairman, or the President, any such committee shall at all times be subject to the direction and control of the Board.
Section 3.6. Meetings, Minutes and Rules. An advisory board of directors and/or committee shall meet as necessary in consideration of the purpose of the advisory board of directors or committee, and shall maintain minutes in sufficient detail to indicate actions taken or recommendations made; unless required by the members, discussions, votes or other specific details need not be reported. An advisory board of directors or a committee may, in consideration of its purpose, adopt its own rules for the exercise of any of its functions or authority.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 4.1. Chairman of the Board. The Board may appoint one of its members to be Chairman of the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Chairman shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board.
Section 4.2. President. The Board may appoint one of its members to be President of the Association. In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at any meeting of the Board. The President shall have general executive powers, and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the office of President, or imposed by these Bylaws. The President shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board.
Section 4.3. Vice President. The Board may appoint one or more Vice Presidents who shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board and to perform the duties of the President on those occasions when the President is absent, including presiding at any meeting of the Board in the absence of both the Chairman and President.
Section 4.4. Secretary. The Board shall appoint a Secretary, or other designated officer who shall be Secretary of the Board and of the Association, and shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws to be given; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the Association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the Association; shall, upon request, authenticate any records of the Association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the Secretary, or imposed by these Bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board. The Board may appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries with such powers and duties as the Board, the President or the Secretary shall from time to time determine.
Section 4.5. Other Officers. The Board may appoint, and may authorize the Chairman, the President or any other officer to appoint, any officer as from time to time may appear to the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other officer to be required or desirable to transact the business of the Association. Such officers shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by these Bylaws, the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other authorized officer. Any person may hold two offices.
Section 4.6. Tenure of Office. The Chairman or the President and all other officers shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, subject to the right of the Board or authorized officer to discharge any officer at any time.
ARTICLE V
Stock
Section 5.1. The Board may authorize the issuance of stock either in certificated or in uncertificated form. Certificates for shares of stock shall be in such form as the Board may from time to time prescribe. If the Board issues certificated stock, the certificate shall be signed by the President, Secretary or any other such officer as the Board so determines. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall, in proportion to such person’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. Each certificate of stock shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the Association properly endorsed. The Board may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the Association for stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings, and related matters, and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
ARTICLE VI
Corporate Seal
Section 6.1. The Association shall have no corporate seal; provided, however, that if the use of a seal is required by, or is otherwise convenient or advisable pursuant to, the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction, the following seal may be used, and the Chairman, the President, the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix such seal:
ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 7.1. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, checks, drafts, orders, indentures, notes, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, endorsements, assignments, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, guarantees, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, countersigned, executed, acknowledged, endorsed, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the Association, whether in a fiduciary capacity or otherwise, by any officer of the Association, or such employee or agent as may be designated from time to time by the Board by resolution, or by the Chairman or the President by written instrument, which resolution or instrument shall be certified as in effect by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Association. The provisions of this section are supplementary to any other provision of the Articles of Association or Bylaws.
Section 7.2. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws as revised or amended from time to time and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board, and standing committees of the Board, shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for the purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the Secretary, or other officer appointed to act as Secretary of the meeting.
Section 7.3. Trust Files. There shall be maintained in the Association files all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.
Section 7.4. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and according to law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made and does not vest in the Association a discretion in the matter, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under law.
Section 7.5. Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws or law, such notice shall be by mail, postage prepaid, e- mail, in person, or by any other means by which such notice can reasonably be expected to be received, using the address of the person to receive such notice, or such other personal data, as may appear on the records of the Association.
Except where specified otherwise in these Bylaws, prior notice shall be proper if given not more than 30 days nor less than 10 days prior to the event for which notice is given.
ARTICLE VIII
Indemnification
Section 8.1. The Association shall indemnify such persons for such liabilities in such manner under such circumstances and to such extent as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as now enacted or hereafter amended. The Board may authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance and/or the execution of individual agreements for the purpose of such indemnification, and the Association shall advance all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding to all persons entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.1. Such insurance shall be consistent with the requirements of 12 C.F.R. § 7.2014 and shall exclude coverage of liability for a formal order assessing civil money penalties against an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u).
Section 8.2. Notwithstanding Section 8.1, however, (a) any indemnification payments to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), for an administrative proceeding or civil action initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be reasonable and consistent with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) and the implementing regulations thereunder; and (b) any indemnification payments and advancement of costs and expenses to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), in cases involving an administrative proceeding or civil action not initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be in accordance with Delaware General Corporation Law and consistent with safe and sound banking practices.
ARTICLE IX
Bylaws: Interpretation and Amendment
Section 9.1. These Bylaws shall be interpreted in accordance with and subject to appropriate provisions of law, and may be added to, altered, amended, or repealed, at any regular or special meeting of the Board.
Section 9.2. A copy of the Bylaws and all amendments shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the principal office of the Association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during Association hours.
ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 10.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January in each year and shall end on the thirty-first day of December following.
Section 10.2. Governing Law. This Association designates the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, as the governing law for its corporate governance procedures, to the extent not inconsistent with Federal banking statutes and regulations or bank safety and soundness.
***
(February 8, 2021)
Exhibit 5
CONSENT
In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.
Dated: February 27, 2023
| By: | /s/ Joshua A. Hahn | ||
| Joshua A. Hahn | |||
| Vice President |
Exhibit 6
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
Statement of Financial Condition
as of 12/31/2022
($000’s)
| 12/31/2022 | ||||
| Assets | ||||
| Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions | $ | 741,758 | ||
| Securities | 4,322 | |||
| Federal Funds | 0 | |||
| Loans & Lease Financing Receivables | 0 | |||
| Fixed Assets | 2,186 | |||
| Intangible Assets | 581,108 | |||
| Other Assets | 163,734 | |||
| Total Assets | $ | 1,493,108 | ||
| Liabilities | ||||
| Deposits | $ | 0 | ||
| Fed Funds | 0 | |||
| Treasury Demand Notes | 0 | |||
| Trading Liabilities | 0 | |||
| Other Borrowed Money | 0 | |||
| Acceptances | 0 | |||
| Subordinated Notes and Debentures | 0 | |||
| Other Liabilities | 107,167 | |||
| Total Liabilities | $ | 107,167 | ||
| Equity | ||||
| Common and Preferred Stock | 200 | |||
| Surplus | 1,171,635 | |||
| Undivided Profits | 214,106 | |||
| Minority Interest in Subsidiaries | 0 | |||
| Total Equity Capital | $ | 1,385,941 | ||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital | $ | 1,493,108 | ||