As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 2, 2023
Registration No. 333-
Turning Point Brands, Inc S-3, filed Oct 2, 2023
Turning Point Brands, Inc. (TPB)
S-3
2023-10-02
View Original
Added on
October 22, 2026
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | | 20-0709285 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
5201 Interchange Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40229
(502) 778-4421
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Graham A. Purdy
Chief Executive Officer
5201 Interchange Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40229
(502) 778-4421
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
Copies to:
Brett D. Nadritch Milbank LLP 55 Hudson Yards New York, New York 10001 (212) 530-5301 | | | Brittani N. Cushman General Counsel 5201 Interchange Way Louisville, Kentucky 40229 (502) 778-4421 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | | | ☐ | | | | | Accelerated filer | | | ☒ | |
Non-accelerated filer | | | ☐ | | | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | | | Smaller reporting company | | | ☐ |
Emerging Growth Company ☐ | ||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated October 2, 2023 PROSPECTUS
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
$500,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Units
Debt Securities
From time to time, in one or more offerings, we may offer and sell up to an aggregate of $500,000,000 of our (i) common stock, (ii) preferred stock, (iii) depositary shares, (iv) warrants, (v) units and (vi) debt securities, or any combination of these securities. Specific terms of such sales will be provided in supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with any of these offerings.
We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to investors, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of the offering. The securities may be sold by any means described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 21 of this prospectus or by any means described in any applicable prospectus supplement.
Any prospectus supplements and related free writing prospectuses may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement (to the extent any is required), together with the documents we incorporate by reference, before you invest in our securities.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TPB.” On September 29, 2023 the closing price of our common stock was $23.09 per share.
Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, including “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before investing in these securities.
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2023
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time offer and sell any combination of securities described in this prospectus, in one or more offerings and at prices and on terms that we determine at the time of the offering, for an aggregate initial offering price of up to $500,000,000.
The accompanying prospectus supplement, if any, may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If the information varies between this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any, you should rely on the information in the accompanying prospectus supplement. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any, and any free writing prospectus together with the additional information described under “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” You should also carefully consider, among other things, the matters discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” herein, the accompanying prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in any other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in the prospectus supplement, if any, or free-writing prospectus, if any, we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. Neither we nor the underwriters (or any of our or their respective affiliates) have authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. Neither we nor the underwriters (or any of our or their respective affiliates) take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the underwriters (or any of our or their respective affiliates) are not making an offer to sell our securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus is only accurate as of the date on the front cover page of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such date.
Unless the context otherwise indicates, the terms the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” used in this prospectus refer to Turning Point Brands, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to “TPB” refer to Turning Point Brands, Inc. without any of its subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise requires, the phrase “this prospectus” refers to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement(s). References in this prospectus to our “common stock” or “voting common stock” are to the Company’s voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and references to our “non-voting common stock,” are to the Company’s non-voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
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Some of the statements contained in this prospectus are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We may also make forward-looking statements in other reports filed with the SEC, in materials delivered to stockholders and in press releases. In addition, our representatives may from time to time make oral forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, including, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies, prospects and industry estimates are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements identify prospective information and include words such as “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “could,” “predicts,” “assumes” and similar expressions. In addition, we and our representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements which are forward-looking statements, including in our periodic reports that we will file with the SEC, other information sent to our stockholders, and other written materials.
Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. The matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus may not in fact occur. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. We have no obligation, and do not intend, to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions and the following:
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
• | declining sales of tobacco products, and expected continuing decline of sales in the tobacco industry overall; |
• | our dependence on a small number of third-party suppliers and producers; |
• | the possibility that we will be unable to identify or contract with new suppliers or producers in the event of a supply or product disruption, as well as other supply chain concerns, including delays in product shipments and increases in freight cost; |
• | the possibility that our licenses to use certain brands or trademarks will be terminated, challenged or restricted; |
• | failure to maintain consumer brand recognition and loyalty of our customers; |
• | our reliance on relationships with several large retailers and national chains for distribution of our products; |
• | intense competition and our ability to compete effectively; |
• | competition from illicit sources and the damage caused by illicit products to our brand equity; |
• | contamination of our tobacco supply or products; |
• | uncertainty and continued evolution of the markets for our products; |
• | complications with the design or implementation of our new enterprise resource planning system could adversely impact our business and operations; |
Risks Related to Legal, Tax and Regulatory Matters
• | substantial and increasing U.S. regulation; |
• | regulation or marketing denials of our products by the FDA, which has broad regulatory powers; |
• | many of our products contain nicotine, which is considered to be a highly addictive substance; |
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• | requirement to maintain compliance with master settlement agreement escrow account; |
• | possible significant increases in federal, state and local municipal tobacco- and vapor-related taxes; |
• | our products are subject to developing and unpredictable regulation, such as court actions that impact obligations; |
• | increase in state and local regulation of our products has been proposed or enacted; |
• | increase in tax of our products could adversely affect our business; |
• | sensitivity of end-customers to increased sales taxes and economic conditions including significant increases in the rate of inflation and other declines in purchasing power; |
• | uncertainty surrounding FDA compliance policy; |
• | possible increasing international control and regulation; |
• | failure to comply with environmental, health and safety regulations; |
• | imposition of significant tariffs on imports into the U.S.; |
• | the scientific community’s lack of information regarding the long-term health effects of certain substances contained in some of our products; |
• | significant product liability litigation; |
Risks Related to Financial Results, Finances and Capital Structure
• | our amount and cost of indebtedness; |
• | the terms of our indebtedness, which may restrict our current and future operations; |
• | our ability to comply with required disclosure requirements; |
• | identification of material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, which, if not remediated appropriately or timely, could result in loss of investor confidence and adversely impact our stock price; |
Risks Related to our Common Stock
• | our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as Delaware law and certain regulations, could discourage or prohibit acquisition bids or merger proposals, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock; |
• | our certificate of incorporation limits the ownership of our common stock by individuals and entities that are Restricted Investors (as defined in our certificate of incorporation). These restrictions may affect the liquidity of our common stock and may result in Restricted Investors being required to sell or redeem their shares at a loss or relinquish their voting, dividend and distribution rights; |
• | future sales of our common stock in the public market could reduce our stock price, and any additional capital raised by us through the sale of equity or convertible securities may dilute your ownership in us; |
• | we may issue preferred stock whose terms could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock; |
General Risks
• | our business may be damaged by events outside of our or our suppliers’ control, such as the impact of epidemics (e.g., coronavirus), political upheavals, or natural disasters; |
• | adverse impact of climate change; |
• | our reliance on information technology; |
• | cybersecurity and privacy breaches; |
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• | failure to manage our growth; |
• | failure to successfully integrate our acquisitions or otherwise be unable to benefit from pursuing acquisitions; |
• | fluctuations in our results; |
• | exchange rate fluctuations; |
• | adverse U.S. and global economic conditions; |
• | departure of key management personnel or our inability to attract and retain talent; |
• | infringement on or misappropriation of our intellectual property; |
• | third-party claims that we infringe on their intellectual property; and |
• | failure to meet expectations relating to environmental, social and governance factors. |
Other factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those that are discussed in other documents we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us in or through incorporation by reference in this prospectus speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
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We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. We make these documents publicly available, free of charge, on our website at www.turningpointbrands.com as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such documents with the SEC. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access our SEC filings, including the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and all documents we file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, (i) on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and (ii) after the date of the filing of this registration statement and prior to its effectiveness (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been “furnished” and not “filed” in accordance with SEC rules).
• | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 15, 2023 (including the portions of our proxy statement for our 2023 annual meeting of the stockholders incorporated by reference therein); |
• | Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on May 4, 2023 and the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023 filed with the SEC on August 2, 2023; |
• | Our Current Reports on Forms 8-K filed with the SEC on March 24, 2023, May 5, 2023 and May 16, 2023; |
• | The section entitled “Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered” contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, on May 4, 2016 and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating the description, including Exhibit 4.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
Any statement in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent a statement contained in this or any other subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will be not deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
You may request, and we will provide, a copy of these filings at no cost by writing or telephoning us at:
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
5201 Interchange Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40229
Attn: Investor Relations
Telephone: (502) 778-4421
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Overview
We are a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded consumer products. We sell a wide range of products to adult consumers consisting of staple products with our iconic brands Zig-Zag® and Stoker’s® and our next generation products to fulfill evolving consumer preferences. Among other markets, we compete in the alternative smoking accessories and Other Tobacco Products (“OTP”) industries. The alternative smoking accessories market is a dynamic market experiencing robust secular growth driven by cannabinoid legalization in the U.S. and Canada and positively evolving consumer perception and acceptance in North America. The OTP industry, which consists of non-cigarette tobacco products, exhibited mid-single-digit consumer unit annualized growth over the three-year period ended 2022 as reported by Management Science Associates, Inc. (“MSAi”), a third-party analytics and information company. Our segments are led by our core, proprietary brands: Zig-Zag® and CLIPPER® in the Zig-Zag Products segment; Stoker’s® along with Beech-Nut® and Trophy® in the Stoker’s Products segment. Our businesses generate solid cash flows which we use to invest in our business, finance acquisitions, increase brand support, expand our distribution infrastructure, and strengthen our capital position. We currently ship to approximately 800 distributors with an additional 200 secondary, indirect wholesalers in the U.S. that carry and sell our products. Under the leadership of a senior management team with extensive experience in the consumer products, alternative smoking accessories and tobacco industries, we have grown and diversified our business through new product launches, category expansions, and acquisitions while concurrently improving operational efficiency.
We believe there are meaningful opportunities to grow through acquisitions and joint ventures across all product categories. Our products are currently available in approximately 197,000 U.S. retail locations which, with the addition of retail stores in Canada, brings our total North American retail presence to an estimated 217,000 points of distribution. Our sales team targets widespread distribution to all traditional retail channels, including convenience stores, and we have a growing e-commerce business.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, we contributed our NewGen Products business to South Beach Holdings LLC doing business as Creative Distribution Solutions (“CDS”), a newly-formed wholly-owned subsidiary. CDS is separately operated and reports to its own Board of Directors. During the first quarter of 2023, the business was designated an unrestricted subsidiary under the Senior Secured Notes and concurrently we renamed what we previously referred to as our NewGen Products segment as our Creative Distribution Solutions segment as we believe this name better aligns with the goals and strategies of the segment.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in 2004 in Delaware under the name North Atlantic Holding Company, Inc. On November 4, 2015, we changed our name to Turning Point Brands, Inc. Our principal executive offices are located at 5201 Interchange Way, Louisville, Kentucky 40229, and our telephone number is (502) 778-4421. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TPB.” Our website is www.turningpointbrands.com. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus or in deciding whether to purchase our securities.
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An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risk factors discussed in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC and other filings we make with the SEC from time to time, incorporated herein by reference, as well as other information in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the “Risk Factors” section in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or related free writing prospectus, before purchasing our securities. Each of these risk factors, as well as any additional risks and uncertainties not known to us or currently deemed immaterial, could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
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Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us in this prospectus will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, repayment of indebtedness, acquisitions and other business purposes. We may also invest the proceeds in certificates of deposit, United States government securities, certain other interest-bearing securities or money market securities until the proceeds are applied for specified purposes. If we decide to use the net proceeds from a particular offering for a specific purpose other than as set forth above, we will describe that purpose in the related prospectus supplement.
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The following is a description of the material terms of our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation (our “certificate of incorporation”), second amended and restated bylaws (our “bylaws”) and other rights of holders of our capital stock. We refer you to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, copies of which are incorporated by reference herein.
Authorized Capitalization
Our authorized capital stock consists of 190,000,000 shares of voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 10,000,000 shares of non-voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share and 40,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 17,596,422 shares of voting common stock, no shares of non-voting common stock and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding as of September 29, 2023.
Voting Common Stock
Voting Rights
Each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding common stock voting for the election of directors can elect all directors then being elected. Our common stock has the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes. Our common stock votes together as a single class.
Dividends
Holders of shares of common stock and non-voting common stock are entitled to receive, ratably, all dividends, if any, declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends.
Liquidation Rights
Upon our dissolution or liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors, if any, the holders of our common stock and non-voting common stock will be entitled to receive, pro rata, our remaining assets available for distribution.
Other Rights
Holders of our common stock do not have conversion, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any of our securities. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock which we may issue in the future. Our board of directors has the authority to issue up to the authorized number of shares of common stock without additional approval by our stockholders.
Restrictions on Ownership by Restricted Investors
Our certificate of incorporation limits the ownership of our common stock by individuals and entities that are “Restricted Investors.” For purposes of our certificate of incorporation, a “Restricted Investor” is defined as: (i) any entity that directly or indirectly manufactures, sells, markets, distributes or otherwise promotes cigarette paper booklets, filter tubes, injector machines or filter tips in the United States, the District of Columbia, the territories, possessions and military bases of the United States and the Dominion of Canada (a “Bolloré Competitor”), (ii) any entity that owns more than a 20% equity interest in any Bolloré Competitor, or (iii) any person who serves as a director or officer of, or any entity that has the right to appoint an officer or director of, any Bolloré Competitor or of any entity that owns more than a 20% equity interest in any Bolloré Competitor.
Among other things, our certificate of incorporation:
• | limits ownership of our common stock by any Restricted Investor to 14.9% of outstanding common stock and shares convertible or exchangeable therefor (including our non-voting common stock) (the “Permitted Percentage”); |
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• | provides that any issuance or transfer of shares in excess of the Permitted Percentage to any Restricted Investor will be ineffective and that neither we nor our transfer agent will register such purported issuance or transfer of shares or be required to recognize the purported transferee or owner as our stockholder for any purpose whatsoever except to exercise our remedies thereunder; |
• | permits withholding of dividends and suspends voting rights with respect to any shares held by any Restricted Investor that exceed the Permitted Percentage; |
• | permits us to require submission of such documentary and other evidence of status to aid determination of the percentage ownership of our capital stock by such holder; |
• | permits our board of directors to authorize us to redeem any shares held by any Restricted Investor that exceeds the Permitted Percentage; and |
• | permits our board of directors to make such determinations to ascertain ownership and implement such measures as reasonably may be necessary. |
Non-Voting Common Stock
Voting Rights
Holders of our non-voting common stock are not entitled to a vote on any matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders, generally, including the election of directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders of our non-voting common stock are entitled to vote as a separate class on matters involving amendments to the terms of our non-voting common stock that would significantly and adversely affect the rights or preferences of the non-voting common stock.
Dividends
Holders of our non-voting common stock are entitled to receive, ratably with holders of our common stock, all dividends, if any, declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends.
Liquidation
Upon our dissolution or liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors, if any, the holders of our non-voting common stock and common stock will be entitled to receive, pro rata, our remaining assets available for distribution.
Other Rights
Holders of our non-voting common stock do not have conversion, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any of our securities, except as described below. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our non-voting common stock are subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock which we may issue in the future.
Our non-voting common stock, which is identical to the common stock, with the exception of voting rights, is convertible into shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis at the sole discretion of our board of directors.
Our board of directors has the authority to issue up to the authorized number of shares of non-voting common stock without additional approval by our stockholders.
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue up to 40,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Our board of directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation, to determine the terms and conditions of the preferred stock, including whether the shares of preferred stock will be issued in one or more series, the number of shares to be included in each series and the powers, designations, preferences and rights of the shares. Our board of directors is also authorized to designate any qualifications, limitations or restrictions on and to issue up to the authorized number of shares of preferred stock without any further vote or action by the
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stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock, which could have an adverse impact on the market price of our common stock.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Several provisions of our certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, which are summarized below, may have anti-takeover effects. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, lessen our vulnerability to a hostile change of control and enhance the ability of our board of directors to maximize stockholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire us. However, these anti-takeover provisions, which are summarized below, could also discourage, delay or prevent (1) the merger or acquisition of us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise that a stockholder may consider in its best interest and (2) the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
Election and Removal of Directors
Our certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our amended and restated bylaws require parties other than the board of directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors. Our certificate of incorporation also provides that a director may be removed at any time, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company then entitled to vote at an election of directors, voting together as a single class. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
Limited Actions by Stockholders
Our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders entitled to vote may be called only by the board of directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors, whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships. The business transacted at the special meeting is limited to the business that was brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors.
Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations
Our bylaws provide that stockholders entitled to vote seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to the secretary. Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 45 days nor more than 75 days prior to the anniversary date of the date on which we mailed our proxy materials for the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions may impede a stockholder’s ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of stockholders or make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of stockholders.
Preferred Shares
Our certificate of incorporation gives our board of directors the sole authority to determine the terms of any one or more series of preferred stock, including voting rights, conversion rates, and liquidation preferences. As a result of the ability to fix voting rights for a series of preferred stock, our board of directors has the power, consistent with its fiduciary duty, to issue a series of preferred stock to persons friendly to management in order to attempt to block a post-tender offer merger or other transaction by which a third-party seeks control.
Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
We may amend our certificate of incorporation in accordance with the requirements of the DGCL; provided, however, that an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company then entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, is required to amend or to repeal certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation, including the provisions relating to the number of directors, director and officer indemnification and certain amendments of our certificate of
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incorporation and our bylaws. Our bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the full board of directors, or by a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company then entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.
Board of Directors Vacancies
Our certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws authorize only our board of directors to fill vacant directorships. In addition, the number of directors constituting our board of directors may be determined only by resolution adopted by a majority vote of the full board of directors. These provisions prevent a stockholder from increasing the size of our board of directors and gaining control of our board of directors by filling the resulting vacancies with its own nominees.
Delaware Takeover Statute
We have opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL, which, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any of a broad range of business combinations with any interested stockholder, as defined below, for a period of three years following the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless: (i) prior to such date, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (a) by persons who are directors and officers and (b) by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or (iii) on or after such date, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is defined as any person that is (a) the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or (b) an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder.
Forum for Adjudication of Disputes
Our certificate of incorporation provides that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of ours, any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to the DGCL or any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Although we have included a choice of forum provision in our certificate of incorporation, it is possible that a court could rule that such provision is inapplicable or unenforceable. In addition, this provision would not affect the ability of our stockholders to seek remedies under the federal securities laws.
Corporate Opportunity
Our certificate of incorporation provides that the doctrine of “corporate opportunity” does not apply against Standard General or any of its “Affiliates” (as defined below) in a manner that would prohibit them from investing in competing businesses or doing business with our clients or customers. In addition, Standard General and its Affiliates are permitted to engage in business activities or invest in or acquire businesses which may compete with our business or do business with any client of ours. Our Certificate defines “Affiliate” as, with respect to Standard General and subject to certain limitations, any other entity directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with Standard General.
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the completion of our initial public offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Standard General and certain other stockholders. Under the registration rights agreement Standard General can, subject to certain limitations, require that we register for resale its shares of our common stock. If
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we are eligible to register the sale of our securities on Form S-3 under the Securities Act, Standard General can require us to register the sale of our common stock held by them on Form S-3. The registration rights agreement also provides Standard General with certain “piggy-back” registration rights.
Directors’ Liability; Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws limit the liability of our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and provide that we will provide them with customary indemnification. We have customary indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors that provide them, in general, with customary indemnification in connection with their service to us or on our behalf.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for our common stock is EQ Shareowner Services.
Securities Exchange
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TPB.”
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General
We may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we decide to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, we will issue receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us (the “Bank Depositary”). Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.
We have summarized selected provisions of a depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. The summary is not complete. The forms of the depositary agreement and the depositary receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC in connection with our offering of the depositary shares, and you should read such documents for provisions that may be important to you.
As of the date of this prospectus, we had no depositary shares issued and outstanding.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions, if any, received in respect of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The relevant record date for depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the underlying preferred stock.
If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property (including securities) received by it to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, adopt another method for the distribution, including selling the property and distributing the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.
Liquidation Preference
If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares has a liquidation preference, in the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Withdrawal of Stock
Unless the related depositary shares have been previously called for redemption, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the office of the depositary, the holder of the depositary shares will be entitled to delivery, at the office of the depositary to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. In no event will the depositary deliver fractional shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the deposit agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, so long as we have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share
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payable on the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the depositary.
After the date fixed for redemption, depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the monies payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.
Voting the Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts relating to that preferred stock. The record date for the depositary receipts relating to the preferred stock will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by that holder's depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote any shares of preferred stock except to the extent it receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that number of shares of preferred stock.
Charges of Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges (including those in connection with the receipt and distribution of dividends, the sale or exercise of rights, the withdrawal of the preferred stock and the transferring, splitting or grouping of depositary receipts) as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts. If these charges have not been paid by the holders of depositary receipts, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than fee changes, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding depositary shares. The deposit agreement may be terminated by the depositary or us only if:
• | all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or |
• | there has been a final distribution of the preferred stock in connection with our dissolution and such distribution has been made to all the holders of depositary shares. |
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon our appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having the requisite combined capital and surplus as set forth in the applicable agreement.
Notices
The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and other communications, including proxy solicitation materials received from us, that are delivered to the depositary and that we are
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required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, and at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.
Limitation of Liability
Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either we or it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our and their duties thereunder. We and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
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The following description of the warrant agreements summarizes certain general terms that will apply to the warrants that we may issue. The description is not complete, and we refer you to the warrant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC in connection with our offering of any warrants and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” in this prospectus.
We may issue warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or other securities. We may issue warrants independently or as part of a unit with other securities. Warrants sold with other securities as a unit may be attached to or separate from the other securities. We will issue warrants under one or more warrant agreements between us and a warrant agent that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants we are offering will include specific terms relating to the offering, including a description of any other securities sold together with the warrants. These terms will include some or all of the following:
• | the title of warrants; |
• | the aggregate number of warrants offered; |
• | the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; |
• | the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the prices of the warrants may be payable; |
• | the designation, number and terms of the common stock, preferred stock or other securities (including debt securities) or rights, including rights to receive; |
• | payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies or indices, purchasable; |
• | upon exercise of the warrants and procedures by which those numbers may be adjusted; |
• | the dates or periods during which the warrants are exercisable; |
• | the designation and terms of any securities with which the warrants are issued as a unit; |
• | if the warrants are issued as a unit with another security, the date on and after which the warrants and the other security will be separately transferable; |
• | if the exercise price is not payable in U.S. dollars, the foreign currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the exercise price is denominated; |
• | any minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
• | any terms relating to the modification of the warrants; and |
• | any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange, exercise or redemption of the warrants. |
Holders of warrants will not be entitled to:
• | vote, consent or receive dividends or interest; |
• | receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of our directors or any other matter; or |
• | exercise any rights as stockholders of TPB. |
Each warrant will entitle its holder to purchase the number of shares of preferred stock, common stock or other security at the exercise price set forth in, or calculable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new warrant certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Until any warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock are exercised, the holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying common stock, preferred stock or other security.
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We may issue, in one or more series, units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and/or warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The units may be issued under unit agreements to be entered into between us and a unit agent, as detailed in the prospectus supplement relating to the units being offered. The prospectus supplement will describe:
• | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately; |
• | a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; |
• | a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units; and |
• | whether the units if issued as a separate security will be issued in fully registered or global form. |
While the terms summarized above will apply generally to any units that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described above. The form of unit agreement, including any related agreements or certificates, relating to any particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC promptly in connection with our offering of the units, and you should read such documents for provisions that may be important to you. The material provisions of the units and any unit agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement and related agreements and certificates applicable to the particular series of units that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of units that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses, and the complete unit agreements and related agreements and certificates that contain the terms of the units.
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The following description, together with the additional information we may include in an any applicable prospectus supplements and in any related free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may issue. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. You should carefully read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the indentures that may be important to you before investing in our debt securities.
We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities and guarantees, if any, may be our senior unsubordinated, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series. Any debt securities designated as senior will rank equally with any of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. Any debt securities designated as subordinated will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any senior indebtedness. There may be subordinated debt securities that are senior or junior to other series of subordinated debt securities.
The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and GLAS Trust Company LLC, as trustee. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. In the summary below, we have included references to the section numbers of the indenture so that you can easily locate these provisions. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.
As used in this section only, “TPB,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Turning Point Brands, Inc. excluding our subsidiaries, unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.
General
The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. (Section 2.2) The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).
We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. (Section 2.1) We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:
• | the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of subordination provisions, if any); |
• | the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities; |
• | any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
• | the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable; |
• | the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which accrual of interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date; |
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• | the place or places where principal of, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered; |
• | the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities; |
• | any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and in the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; |
• | the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations; |
• | the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; |
• | whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities; |
• | the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount; |
• | the currency of denomination of the debt securities, which may be United States Dollars or any foreign currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency; |
• | the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities will be made; |
• | if payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined; |
• | the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index; |
• | any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities; |
• | any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
• | any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants set forth in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
• | any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities; |
• | the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price and period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange; |
• | any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities; and |
• | whether any of TPB’s direct or indirect subsidiaries will guarantee the debt securities of that series, including the terms of subordination, if any of such guarantees. (Section 2.2) |
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We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Transfer and Exchange
Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or the Depositary, or a nominee of the Depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.
Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. (Section 2.4) No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange. (Section 2.7)
You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.
Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System. Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. Please see “Global Securities.”
Covenants
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities. (Article IV)
Protection In the Event of a Change of Control
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”) unless:
• | we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than TPB) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; and |
• | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing. |
Notwithstanding the above, any subsidiary of TPB may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to TPB. (Section 5.1)
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Events of Default
“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:
• | default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period); |
• | default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity; |
• | default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture; |
• | certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of TPB; and |
• | any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement. (Section 6.1) |
No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. (Section 6.1) The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.
We will provide the trustee written notice of any Default or Event of Default within 30 days of becoming aware of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default, which notice will describe in reasonable detail the status of such Default or Event of Default and what action we are taking or propose to take in respect thereof. (Section 6.1)
If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. (Section 6.2) We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.
The indenture provides that the trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in performing such duty or exercising such right or power. (Section 7.1(e)) Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. (Section 6.12)
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No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:
• | that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and |
• | the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered indemnity or security satisfactory to the trustee, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. (Section 6.7) |
Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment. (Section 6.8)
The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. (Section 4.3) If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a responsible officer of the trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities. (Section 7.5)
Modification and Waiver
We and the trustee may modify, amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:
• | to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; |
• | to comply with covenants in the indenture described above under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”; |
• | to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities; |
• | to add guarantees with respect to debt securities of any series or secure debt securities of any series; |
• | to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture; |
• | to add covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of any series; |
• | to comply with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary; |
• | to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities; |
• | to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture; |
• | to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or |
• | to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. (Section 9.1) |
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We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments (with the securities of each series voting as a class). We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:
• | reduce the principal amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver; |
• | reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security; |
• | reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities; |
• | reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity; |
• | waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration); |
• | make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in a currency other than that stated in the debt security; |
• | make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or |
• | waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security. (Section 9.3) |
Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. (Section 9.2) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration. (Section 6.13)
Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances
Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.
This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States
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federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. (Section 8.3)
Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:
• | we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and |
• | any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”). |
• | The conditions include: |
• | depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and such debt securities; and |
• | delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. (Section 8.4) |
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Stockholders
None of our past, present or future directors, officers, employees or stockholders, as such, will have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities or the indenture or for any claim based on, or in respect or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a debt security, each holder waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issue of the debt securities.
However, this waiver and release may not be effective to waive liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the debt securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
The indenture will provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the debt securities or the transactions contemplated thereby.
The indenture will provide that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the indenture, the debt securities or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York, in each case located in the City of New York, and we, the trustee and the holder of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. The indenture will further provide that service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth in the indenture will be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The indenture will further provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the courts specified above and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. (Section 10.10)
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We are registering common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, units and debt securities with an aggregate offering price not to exceed $500,000,000, to be sold by us under a “shelf” registration process.
If we offer securities under this prospectus, we will amend or supplement this prospectus by means of an accompanying prospectus supplement setting forth the specific terms and conditions and other information about that offering as is required or necessary.
We may sell the securities in any of the following ways (or in any combination) from time to time:
• | to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers; |
• | directly to one or more purchasers; |
• | through agents; |
• | “at the market offerings” to or through market makers or into an existing market for the securities; |
• | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; |
• | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
• | privately negotiated transactions; |
• | short sales (including short sales “against the box”); |
• | through the writing or settlement of standardized or over-the-counter options or other hedging or derivative transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise; |
• | by pledge to secure debts and other obligations; |
• | in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers or sales effected through agents; |
• | a combination of any such methods of sale; and |
• | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law and described in an applicable prospectus supplement. |
The prospectus supplement, if required, will set forth the terms of the offering of such securities, including:
• | the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them; and |
• | the public offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us, and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. |
Any public offering price and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
We may effect the distribution of the securities from time to time in one or more transactions either:
• | at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time; |
• | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
• | at prices relating to the prevailing market prices; or |
• | at negotiated prices. |
Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us and the sale thereof may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others. In such a case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly.
If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities
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may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. Depending on the type of offering, the underwriters may be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities (other than any securities purchased upon exercise of any over-allotment option). The underwriters may receive compensation from us, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell our common stock to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Such compensation may be in excess of customary discounts, concessions or commissions.
We may offer the securities covered by this prospectus into an existing trading market on the terms described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in any at-the-market offerings will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. To the extent that we make sales through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a sales agency financing agreement or other at-the-market offering arrangement between us and the underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales pursuant to any such agreement, we will issue and sell the securities through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell our securities on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The agreement will provide that any securities sold will be sold at prices related to the then-prevailing market prices for our securities. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we also may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of our securities. The terms of each such agreement will be set forth in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
If we utilize a dealer in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we may sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.
In effecting sales, broker-dealers or agents engaged by us may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate. Broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions, discounts, or concessions from us in amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to the sale. Such compensation may be in excess of customary discounts, concessions or commissions.
In connection with the sale of the securities or otherwise, we may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the securities covered by this prospectus in the course of hedging the positions they assume. We may also sell short the securities covered by this prospectus and deliver the securities to close out short positions, or loan or pledge the securities covered by this prospectus to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. We may enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers that involve the delivery of the shares offered hereby to the broker-dealers, who may then resell or otherwise transfer those securities.
Any underwriter, broker-dealer, or agent that participates in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as defined in the Securities Act. Any commissions paid or any discounts or concessions allowed to any such persons, and any profits they receive on resale of the securities, may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any underwriters or agents and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. Any compensation paid to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The aggregate proceeds to us from the sale of the any securities will be the purchase price of such securities less discounts and commissions, if any.
Underwriters or agents may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position. Stabilizing transactions consist of
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bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities and are permitted so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve the placing of any bid on behalf of the underwriting syndicate or the effecting of any purchase to reduce a short position created in connection with the offering. The underwriters or agents also may impose a penalty bid, which permits them to reclaim selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or certain dealers if they repurchase the securities in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. These activities, if begun, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be effected on any exchange on which the securities is traded, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TPB.”
Agents, broker-dealers and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
Agents, broker-dealers and underwriters or their affiliates may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business. We may also use underwriters or other third parties with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe the nature of any such relationship in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We are subject to the applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the securities offered in this prospectus. The anti-manipulation rules under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of securities in the market and to the actions of the Company and our affiliates.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the securities may not be sold unless it has been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended and/or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. Instead of selling securities under this prospectus, we may sell the securities offered pursuant to other available exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
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Certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Milbank LLP. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The consolidated financial statements of Turning Point Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022 and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Turning Point Brands, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 have been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports thereon, incorporated herein by reference, and have been incorporated in this Prospectus and Registration Statement in reliance upon such reports and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The report of RSM US LLP dated March 15, 2023, on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, expressed an opinion that Turning Point Brands, Inc. had not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013.
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INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. |
Set forth below are the expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) that we expect to incur in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby. All the amounts shown below are estimates, except for the SEC registration fee and the FINRA filing fee.
SEC registration fee | | | $18,700.00 |
FINRA filing fee | | | $0.00 |
Accounting fees and expenses | | | $30,000 |
Legal fees and expenses | | | $75,000 |
Transfer Agent fees and expenses | | | * |
Printing and miscellaneous expenses | | | * |
Total | | | $* |
* | These fees and expenses are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time and will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
Item 15. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, which we are subject to, provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation — a “derivative action”), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with defense or settlement of such action, and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. Under Section 145 of the DGCL, a corporation shall indemnify an agent of the corporation for expenses actually and reasonably incurred if and to the extent such person was successful on the merits in a proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein.
Section 145 of the DGCL authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act, as amended. Our certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide for indemnification of our directors, officers, employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the DGCL. Consequently, our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except liability:
• | for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to our company or our stockholders; |
• | for any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law; |
• | under Section 174 of the DGCL regarding unlawful dividends and stock purchases; or |
• | for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
Any amendment to, or repeal of, these provisions will not eliminate or reduce the effect of these provisions in respect of any act, omission or claim that occurred or arose prior to that amendment or repeal. If the DGCL is amended to provide for further limitations on the personal liability of directors or officers of corporations, then the personal liability of our directors and officers will be further limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
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We have entered into indemnification agreements with our current directors and officers containing provisions that are in some respects broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in the DGCL. These indemnification agreements require us, among other things, to indemnify our directors to the fullest extent permitted by law against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. We have also entered into indemnification agreements with our future directors and officers and with Standard General.
We maintain liability insurance policies that indemnify our directors and officers against various liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act that may be incurred by them in their capacity as such.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to such provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 16. | Exhibits. |
EXHIBIT NUMBER | | | DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS |
1.1* | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement. |
| | | Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Turning Point Brands, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-37763) filed on May 12, 2016). | |
| | | Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-37763) filed on October 27, 2020). | |
| | | Registration Rights Agreement of Turning Point Brands, Inc. dated May 10, 2016, between Turning Point Brands, Inc. and the Stockholders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-37763) filed on May 16, 2016). | |
4.2* | | | Form of Deposit Agreement. |
4.3* | | | Form of Warrant Agreement. |
4.4* | | | Form of Unit Agreement. |
4.5** | | | Form of Indenture for Debt Securities. |
5.1** | | | Opinion of Milbank LLP. |
23.1** | | | Consent of RSM US LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the Company. |
23.2** | | | Consent of Milbank LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
24.1** | | | Power of Attorney (included on signature page). |
25.1** | | | Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1, as Trustee under the Indenture for Debt Securities. |
107** | | | Filing Fee Table. |
* | To be filed, if necessary, by amendment or as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference. |
** | Filed herewith. |
Item 17. | Undertakings. |
The undersigned hereby undertakes:
(1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
(i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
(ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered |
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(if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (§230.424(b)) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(4) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser: |
(i) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) (§230.424(b)(3)) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
(ii) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
(5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
(i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (§230.424); |
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(ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
(iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
(iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
(6) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(7) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
II-4
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Louisville, State of Kentucky, on October 2, 2023.
| | | Turning Point Brands, Inc. | ||||
| | | | | |||
| | | By: | | | /s/ Graham A. Purdy | |
| | | Name: | | | Graham A. Purdy | |
| | | Title: | | | Chief Executive Officer | |
The undersigned directors and officers of Turning Point Brands, Inc., hereby appoint each of Luis Reformina, Brittani N. Cushman, and Graham A. Purdy, or any of them, each acting alone, as attorney-in-fact for the undersigned, with full power of substitution for, and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) and exhibits to this registration statement on Form S-3, any related 462(b) registration statement or amendment thereto, and any and all applications and other documents to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pertaining to the registration of the securities covered hereby, with full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever requisite and necessary or desirable, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Signature | | | Title | | | Date |
| | | | | |||
/s/ Graham A. Purdy | | | Director, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | | | |
Graham A. Purdy | | | October 2, 2023 | |||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Luis Reformina | | | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Accounting Officer) | | | |
Luis Reformina | | | October 2, 2023 | |||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Brian Wigginton | | | | | ||
Brian Wigginton | | | Chief Accounting Officer | | | October 2, 2023 |
| | | | | |||
/s/ David Glazek | | | Chairman of the Board of Directors | | ||
David Glazek | | | October 2, 2023 | |||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Gregory H. A. Baxter | | | | | ||
Gregory H. A. Baxter | | | Director | | | October 2, 2023 |
| | | | | |||
/s/ H. C. Charles Diao | | | | | ||
H. C. Charles Diao | | | Director | | | October 2, 2023 |
| | | | | |||
/s/ Ashley Davis Frushone | | | | | ||
Ashley Davis Frushone | | | Director | | | October 2, 2023 |
| | | | | |||
/s/ Rohith Reddy | | | | | ||
Rohith Reddy | | | Director | | | October 2, 2023 |
| | | | | |||
/s/ Stephen Usher | | | | | ||
Stephen Usher | | | Director | | | October 2, 2023 |
| | | | | |||
/s/ Lawrence S. Wexler | | | | | ||
Lawrence S. Wexler | | | Director | | | October 2, 2023 |
| | | | | |||
/s/ Arnold Zimmerman | | | | | ||
Arnold Zimmerman | | | Director | | | October 2, 2023 |
II-5
Exhibit 4.5
TURNING POINT BRANDS, INC.
INDENTURE
Dated as of [ ], 202[ ]
GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC
as Trustee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
| ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | 1 | ||
| Section 1.1 | Definitions | 1 | |
| Section 1.2 | Other Definitions | 4 | |
| Section 1.3 | Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 5 | |
| Section 1.4 | Rules of Construction | 5 | |
| ARTICLE II. THE SECURITIES | 5 | ||
| Section 2.1 | Issuable in Series | 5 | |
| Section 2.2 | Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities | 6 | |
| Section 2.3 | Execution and Authentication | 8 | |
| Section 2.4 | Registrar and Paying Agent | 9 | |
| Section 2.5 | Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 10 | |
| Section 2.6 | Securityholder Lists | 10 | |
| Section 2.7 | Transfer and Exchange | 10 | |
| Section 2.8 | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 11 | |
| Section 2.9 | Outstanding Securities | 11 | |
| Section 2.10 | Treasury Securities | 12 | |
| Section 2.11 | Temporary Securities | 12 | |
| Section 2.12 | Cancellation | 12 | |
| Section 2.13 | Defaulted Interest | 13 | |
| Section 2.14 | Global Securities | 13 | |
| Section 2.15 | CUSIP Numbers | 14 | |
| ARTICLE III. REDEMPTION | 15 | ||
| Section 3.1 | Notice to Trustee | 15 | |
| Section 3.2 | Selection of Securities to be Redeemed | 15 | |
| Section 3.3 | Notice of Redemption | 15 | |
| Section 3.4 | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 16 | |
| Section 3.5 | Deposit of Redemption Price | 16 | |
| Section 3.6 | Securities Redeemed in Part | 17 | |
| ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS | 17 | ||
| Section 4.1 | Payment of Principal and Interest | 17 | |
| Section 4.2 | SEC Reports | 17 | |
| Section 4.3 | Compliance Certificate | 17 | |
| Section 4.4 | Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 18 | |
i
| ARTICLE V. SUCCESSORS | 18 | ||
| Section 5.1 | When Company May Merge, Etc | 18 | |
| Section 5.2 | Successor Corporation Substituted | 18 | |
| ARTICLE VI. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | 19 | ||
| Section 6.1 | Events of Default | 19 | |
| Section 6.2 | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 20 | |
| Section 6.3 | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 20 | |
| Section 6.4 | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 21 | |
| Section 6.5 | Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities | 22 | |
| Section 6.6 | Application of Money Collected | 22 | |
| Section 6.7 | Limitation on Suits | 22 | |
| Section 6.8 | Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest | 23 | |
| Section 6.9 | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 23 | |
| Section 6.10 | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 23 | |
| Section 6.11 | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 24 | |
| Section 6.12 | Control by Holders | 24 | |
| Section 6.13 | Waiver of Past Defaults | 24 | |
| Section 6.14 | Undertaking for Costs | 25 | |
| ARTICLE VII. TRUSTEE | 25 | ||
| Section 7.1 | Duties of Trustee | 25 | |
| Section 7.2 | Rights of Trustee | 26 | |
| Section 7.3 | Individual Rights of Trustee | 27 | |
| Section 7.4 | Trustee’s Disclaimer | 28 | |
| Section 7.5 | Notice of Defaults | 28 | |
| Section 7.6 | Reports by Trustee to Holders | 28 | |
| Section 7.7 | Compensation and Indemnity | 28 | |
| Section 7.8 | Replacement of Trustee | 29 | |
| Section 7.9 | Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc | 30 | |
| Section 7.10 | Eligibility; Disqualification | 30 | |
| Section 7.11 | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company | 30 | |
| ARTICLE VIII. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE | 31 | ||
| Section 8.1 | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 31 | |
| Section 8.2 | Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification | 32 | |
| Section 8.3 | Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series | 32 | |
| Section 8.4 | Covenant Defeasance | 34 | |
| Section 8.5 | Repayment to Company | 35 | |
| Section 8.6 | Reinstatement | 35 | |
ii
| ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS | 35 | ||
| Section 9.1 | Without Consent of Holders | 35 | |
| Section 9.2 | With Consent of Holders | 36 | |
| Section 9.3 | Limitations | 36 | |
| Section 9.4 | Compliance with Trust Indenture Act | 37 | |
| Section 9.5 | Revocation and Effect of Consents | 37 | |
| Section 9.6 | Notation on or Exchange of Securities | 38 | |
| Section 9.7 | Trustee Protected | 38 | |
| ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS | 38 | ||
| Section 10.1 | Trust Indenture Act Controls | 38 | |
| Section 10.2 | Notices | 38 | |
| Section 10.3 | Communication by Holders with Other Holders | 39 | |
| Section 10.4 | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 40 | |
| Section 10.5 | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 40 | |
| Section 10.6 | Rules by Trustee and Agents | 40 | |
| Section 10.7 | Legal Holidays | 40 | |
| Section 10.8 | No Recourse Against Others | 41 | |
| Section 10.9 | Counterparts | 41 | |
| Section 10.10 | Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction | 41 | |
| Section 10.11 | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 41 | |
| Section 10.12 | Successors | 42 | |
| Section 10.13 | Severability | 42 | |
| Section 10.14 | Table of Contents, Headings, Etc | 42 | |
| Section 10.15 | Securities in a Foreign Currency | 42 | |
| Section 10.16 | Judgment Currency | 42 | |
| Section 10.17 | Force Majeure | 43 | |
| Section 10.18 | U.S.A. Patriot Act | 43 | |
| ARTICLE XI. SINKING FUNDS | 44 | ||
| Section 11.1 | Applicability of Article | 44 | |
| Section 11.2 | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 44 | |
| Section 11.3 | Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 45 | |
iii
TURNING POINT BRANDS, INC.
Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and
Indenture, dated as of , 20
| § 310(a)(1) | 7.10 |
| (a)(2) | 7.10 |
| (a)(3) | Not Applicable |
| (a)(4) | Not Applicable |
| (a)(5) | 7.10 |
| (b) | 7.10 |
| § 311(a) | 7.11 |
| (b) | 7.11 |
| (c) | Not Applicable |
| § 312(a) | 2.6 |
| (b) | 10.3 |
| (c) | 10.3 |
| § 313(a) | 7.6 |
| (b)(1) | 7.6 |
| (b)(2) | 7.6 |
| (c)(1) | 7.6 |
| (d) | 7.6 |
| § 314(a) | 4.2, 10.5 |
| (b) | Not Applicable |
| (c)(1) | 10.4 |
| (c)(2) | 10.4 |
| (c)(3) | Not Applicable |
| (d) | Not Applicable |
| (e) | 10.5 |
| (f) | Not Applicable |
| § 315(a) | 7.1 |
| (b) | 7.5 |
| (c) | 7.1 |
| (d) | 7.1 |
| (e) | 6.14 |
| § 316(a) | 2.10 |
| (a)(1)(A) | 6.12 |
| (a)(1)(B) | 6.13 |
| (b) | 6.8 |
| § 317(a)(1) | 6.3 |
| (a)(2) | 6.4 |
| (b) | 2.5 |
| § 318(a) | 10.1 |
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.
Indenture dated as of , 20 between Turning Point Brands, Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware (“Company”), and GLAS Trust Company LLC (“Trustee”).
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture.
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.1 Definitions.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified herein or therein and which are owing to such Holders.
“Affiliate” of any specified person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Notice Agent.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means, unless otherwise provided by supplemental indenture hereto, any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York, New York (or in connection with any payment, the place of payment) on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
“Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock.
“Company” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.
“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer and delivered to the Trustee.
1
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be principally administered.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depositary for such Series by the Company, which Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of such Series.
“Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.
“Dollars” and “$” means the currency of The United States of America.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of The United States of America.
“Foreign Government Obligations” means, with respect to Securities of any Series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
“GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect as of the date of determination.
“Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depositary for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depositary or nominee.
“Holder” or “Securityholder” means a person in whose name a Security is registered.
2
“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.
“interest” with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, President, the Chief Financial Officer, the General Counsel, the Secretary, and any Vice President of the Company.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by any Officer that meets the requirements of this Indenture.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company. The opinion may contain customary limitations, conditions and exceptions.
“person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.
“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office having responsibility for administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof.
“Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” of any specified person means any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that person or a combination thereof.
3
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.
“Trustee” means the person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are direct obligations of, or guaranteed by, The United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged and which 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 depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.
Section 1.2 Other Definitions.
| TERM | DEFINED IN SECTION |
| “Bankruptcy Law” | 6.1 |
| “Custodian” | 6.1 |
| “Event of Default” | 6.1 |
| “Judgment Currency” | 10.16 |
| “Legal Holiday” | 10.7 |
| “mandatory sinking fund payment” | 11.1 |
| “New York Banking Day” | 10.16 |
| “Notice Agent” | 2.4 |
| “optional sinking fund payment” | 11.1 |
| “Paying Agent” | 2.4 |
| “Registrar” | 2.4 |
| “Required Currency” | 10.16 |
| “Specified Courts” | 10.10 |
| “successor person” | 5.1 |
4
Section 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“Commission” means the SEC.
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.
Section 1.4 Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c) “or” is not exclusive;
(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(f) in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word
“from” means “from and including,” and the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”; and
(g) the phrase “in writing” as used herein shall be deemed to include PDFs, e-mails and other
electronic means of transmission, unless otherwise indicated.
ARTICLE II.
THE SECURITIES
Section 2.1 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. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
5
Section 2.2 Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.
At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.2.1 and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.2.2 through 2.2.23) by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate:
2.2.1 the title (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series) and ranking (including the terms of any subordination provisions) of the Series;
2.2.2 the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;
2.2.3 any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6);
2.2.4 the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;
2.2.5 the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
2.2.6 the place or places where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be delivered, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;
2.2.7 if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
2.2.8 the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
6
2.2.9 the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;
2.2.10 if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
2.2.11 the forms of the Securities of the Series and whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities;
2.2.12 if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;
2.2.13 the currency of denomination of the Securities of the Series, which may be Dollars or any Foreign Currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;
2.2.14 the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be made;
2.2.15 if payments of principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined;
2.2.16 the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be determined, if such amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;
2.2.17 the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the Securities of the Series;
2.2.18 any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;
2.2.19 any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants set forth in Articles IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;
7
2.2.20 any Depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein;
2.2.21 the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any Securities of such Series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price, the conversion or exchange period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, at the option of the Holders thereof or at the option of the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange if such Series of Securities are redeemed;
2.2.22 any other terms of the Series (which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series), including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of Securities of that Series; and
2.2.23 whether any of the Company’s direct or indirect Subsidiaries will guarantee the Securities of that Series, including the terms of subordination, if any, of such guarantees.
All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate referred to above.
Section 2.3 Execution and Authentication.
An Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual, facsimile or electronic signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.
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Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officer’s Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not be taken lawfully; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith determines that such action may expose the Trustee to personal liability.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
Section 2.4 Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (“Paying Agent”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be delivered (“Notice Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Notice Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Notice Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands; provided, however, that any appointment of the Trustee as the Notice Agent shall exclude the appointment of the Trustee or any office of the Trustee as an agent to receive the service of legal process on the Company.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional paying agents or additional notice agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Notice Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional paying agent or additional notice agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “Notice Agent” includes any additional notice agent. The Company or any of its Affiliates may serve as Registrar or Paying Agent.
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The Company hereby appoints the Trustee the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Notice Agent for each Series
unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Notice Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued. The rights, powers, duties, obligations and actions of each Agent under this Indenture are several
and not joint or joint and several, and the Agents shall only be obliged to perform those duties expressly set out in this Indenture and shall have no implied duties.
Section 2.5 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust,
for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the
Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon
payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a
separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding with respect to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for
the Securities. For the avoidance of doubt, a Paying Agent and the Trustee shall be held harmless and have no liability with respect to payments or disbursements (including to the Holders) until they have confirmed receipt of funds sufficient to make
the relevant payment. No money held by an Agent needs to be segregated except as required by law.
Section 2.6 Securityholder Lists.
If it is serving as a registrar, the Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.
Every Holder, by receiving and holding Securities, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee
or any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with TIA § 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived,
and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA § 312(b).
Section 2.7 Transfer and Exchange.
Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).
Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days immediately preceding the sending of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day such notice is sent, (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part or (c) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series between a record date and payment date for such Series of Securities.
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Section 2.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity bond as may be required by each of them to hold itself and any of its agents harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 2.9 Outstanding Securities.
The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.
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If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
The Company may purchase or otherwise acquire the Securities, whether by open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security (but see Section 2.10 below).
In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.
Section 2.10 Treasury Securities.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver only Securities of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
Section 2.11 Temporary Securities.
Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon receipt of a Company Order shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.
Section 2.12 Cancellation.
The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy such canceled Securities (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act and the Trustee) and deliver a certificate of such cancellation to the Company upon written request of the Company. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
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Section 2.13 Defaulted Interest.
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 10 days before the special record date, the Company shall send to the Trustee and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.
Section 2.14 Global Securities.
2.14.1 Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.
2.14.2 Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depositary for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event or (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.
Except as provided in this Section 2.14.2, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary, by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.
None of the Trustee or any Agent shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any
restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global
Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine
substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
None of the Trustee or any Agent shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Security, a
member of, or a participant in the Depositary or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in any Security or with respect
to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of optional redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Security.
2.14.3 Legends. Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, 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 A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.”
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In addition, so long as the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) is the Depositary, each Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“UNLESS THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY GLOBAL NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”
2.14.4 Acts of Holders. The Depositary, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.
2.14.5 Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.
2.14.6 Consents, Declaration and Directions. The Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depositary or by the applicable procedures of such Depositary with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
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ARTICLE III.
REDEMPTION
Section 3.1 Notice to Trustee.
The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 15 days before the redemption date, unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the Trustee.
Section 3.2 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s
Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Securities of the Series to be redeemed will be selected as follows: (a) if the Securities are in the form of Global Securities, in accordance with the procedures of the
Depositary, (b) if the Securities are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities are listed, or (c) if not otherwise provided for under
clause (a) or (b), in the manner that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate, including by lot or other method, unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange requirements, subject, in the case of Global Securities, to the applicable
rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Securities to be redeemed shall be selected from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption. Portions of the principal of Securities of the Series that have denominations larger
than $1,000 may be selected for redemption. Securities of the Series and portions of them it selected for redemption shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations
pursuant to Section 2.2.10, the minimum principal denomination for each Series and the authorized integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities
of that Series called for redemption. Neither the Trustee nor the Paying Agent shall be liable for any selection made by it in accordance with this paragraph (including the procedures of the Depositary).
Section 3.3 Notice of Redemption.
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall send or cause to be sent by first-class mail or electronically, in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed.
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The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:
| (a) | the redemption date; |
| (b) | the redemption price; |
| (c) | the name and address of the Paying Agent; |
(d) if any Securities are being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Securities to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date and upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Security shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Security;
(e) that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(f) that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date unless the Company defaults in the deposit of the redemption price;
| (g) | the CUSIP number, if any; and |
(h) any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.
At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense, provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 10 days (unless a shorter time shall be acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the notice date, an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice.
Section 3.4 Effect of Notice of Redemption.
Once notice of redemption is sent as provided in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price. Except as otherwise provided in the supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate for a Series, a notice of redemption may not be conditional. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
Section 3.5 Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.
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Section 3.6 Securities Redeemed in Part.
Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
ARTICLE IV.
COVENANTS
Section 4.1 Payment of Principal and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture. On or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the applicable payment date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of each Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
Section 4.2 SEC Reports.
To the extent any Securities of a Series are outstanding, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA § 314(a). Reports, information and documents filed with the SEC via the EDGAR system will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time of such filing via EDGAR for purposes of this Section 4.2.
Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under this Section 4.2 are for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive or actual notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of their covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).
Section 4.3 Compliance Certificate.
To the extent any Securities of a Series are outstanding, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his/her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which the Officer may have knowledge).
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Section 4.4 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
ARTICLE V.
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.1 When Company May Merge, Etc.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”) unless:
(a) the Company is the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than the Company) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes the Company’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture; and
(b) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officer’s Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and any supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.
Notwithstanding the above, any Subsidiary of the Company may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to the Company. Neither an Officer’s Certificate nor an Opinion of Counsel shall be required to be delivered in connection therewith.
Section 5.2 Successor Corporation Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person has been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company in the case of a sale, conveyance or other disposition (other than a lease) shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
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ARTICLE VI.
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.1 Events of Default.
“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:
(a) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the 30th day of such period); or
(b) default in the payment of principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity and such default continues for a period of 10 days; or
(c) default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than defaults pursuant to paragraphs (a) or (b) above or pursuant to a covenant or warranty that has been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of Series of Securities other than that Series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
| (d) | the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law: |
| (i) | commences a voluntary case, |
(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
| (iv) | makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or |
| (v) | generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or |
(e) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
| (i) | is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, |
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(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or
| (iii) | orders the liquidation of the Company, |
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or
(f) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2.18.
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
The Company will provide the Trustee written notice of any Default or Event of Default within 30 days of
becoming aware of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default, which notice will describe in reasonable detail the status of such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.
Section 6.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.1(d) or (e)) then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(d) or (e) shall occur, the principal amount (or specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any Series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that Series, other than the non-payment of the principal and interest, if any, of Securities of that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if
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(a) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(b) default is made in the payment of principal of any Security at the Maturity thereof and such default continues for a period of 10 days, or
(c) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, if any, when and as due by the terms of a Security,
then, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the compensation, reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or deemed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 6.4 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the compensation, reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
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(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same,
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the compensation, reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.5 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the compensation, reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 6.6 Application of Money Collected.
Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or property on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7; and
Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
Third: To the Company.
Section 6.7 Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
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(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;
(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee in compliance with such request;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series;
it being understood, intended and expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Security with every other Holder and the Trustee that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders of the applicable Series.
Section 6.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Security on the Maturity of such Security, including the Stated Maturity expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.8, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
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Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 6.12 Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that
(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,
(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction,
(c) subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability, and
(d) prior to taking any action as directed under this Section 6.12, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
Section 6.13 Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series, by written notice to the Trustee and the Company, waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
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Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Maturity of such Security, including the Stated Maturity expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).
ARTICLE VII.
TRUSTEE
Section 7.1 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
| (b) | Except during the continuance of an Event of Default: |
(i) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others.
(ii) The Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the form requirements of this Indenture.
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(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.
(ii) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
(iii) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series in accordance with Section 6.12.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
(e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in performing such duty or exercising such right or power.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if adequate indemnity against such risk is not assured to the Trustee in its satisfaction.
(h) The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections and immunities as are set forth in paragraphs (e), (f) and (g) of this Section and in Section 7.2, each with respect to the Trustee.
Section 7.2 Rights of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
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(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the willful misconduct or gross negligence of any agent appointed with due care. No Depositary shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depositary.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or gross negligence.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder without willful misconduct or gross negligence, and in reliance thereon.
(f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(g) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.
(h) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities generally or the Securities of a particular Series and this Indenture.
(i) In no event shall the Trustee be liable to any person for special, punitive, indirect, consequential or incidental loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage.
(j) The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.
Section 7.3 Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
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Section 7.4 Trustee’s Disclaimer.
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication. The Trustee represents and warrants that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder; that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied or to be supplied to the Company in connection with the registration of any Securities are and will be true and accurate subject to the qualifications set forth therein; and that such Statement complies and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the TIA and the Securities Act.
Section 7.5 Notice of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall send to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has
knowledge of such Default or Event of Default; provided that, in the case of any default or breach of the character specified in Section 6.1(c) with respect to that Series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after
the occurrence thereof. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its corporate trust committee or a committee of its
Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series. The Trustee will not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless
written notice thereof has been received by a Responsible Officer, and such notice references the applicable Series of Securities and this Indenture and states on its face that a Default or Event of Default has occurred.
Section 7.6 Reports by Trustee to Holders.
Within 60 days after each commencing, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar, a brief report dated as of such anniversary date, in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA § 313.
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each national securities exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when Securities of any Series are listed on any national securities exchange.
Section 7.7 Compensation and Indemnity.
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
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The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (including for the cost of defending itself) and hold it harmless against any cost, expense or liability, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder, unless and to the extent that the Company is materially prejudiced thereby. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.
The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through willful misconduct or gross negligence.
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of that Series.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(d) or (e) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.
Section 7.8 Replacement of Trustee.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.
The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:
| (a) | the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10; |
(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
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| (c) | a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or |
| (d) | the Trustee becomes incapable of acting. |
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it for actions taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with its rights, powers and duties under this Indenture prior to such replacement.
Section 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.
If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee, subject to Section 7.10.
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.
There shall at all times be a U.S. Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act (as if the Trust Indenture Act were applicable hereto) to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least the minimum amount required by the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated.
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ARTICLE VIII.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
Section 8.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Order be discharged with respect to the Securities of any Series and cease to be of further effect as to all Securities of such Series (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
| (a) | either |
(i) all Securities of such Series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(ii) all such Securities of such Series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(1) have become due and payable by reason of sending a notice of redemption or otherwise, or
(2) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(3) have been called for redemption or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, or
(4) are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 8.3, as applicable;
and the Company, in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount of money or U.S. Government Obligations, which amount shall be sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging each installment of principal (including mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments) of and interest on all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of principal or interest are due;
(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
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Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, (x) the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.7, (y) if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2 and 8.5, and (z) the rights, powers, trusts and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith shall survive.
Section 8.2 Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, 8.3 or 8.4, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Sections 8.1, 8.3 or 8.4.
(b) The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee (which indemnity shall survive termination of this Indenture) against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Sections 8.1, 8.3 or 8.4 or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.
(c) The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Order any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Sections 8.3 or 8.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants or investment bank expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.
Section 8.3 Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.
Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.2, to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of any Series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, upon receipt of a Company Order, execute instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:
(a) the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;
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(b) the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 7.7, 8.2, 8.3, 8.5 and 8.6; and
(c) the rights, powers, trusts and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(d) the Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on the Trustee with respect to such deposit), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of principal or interest and such sinking fund payments are due;
(e) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
(f) no Default or Event of Default under Section 6.1(d) or Section 6.1(e) with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;
(g) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;
(h) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and
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(i) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
Section 8.4 Covenant Defeasance.
Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.2 to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company may omit to comply with respect to the Securities of any Series with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 and 5.1 and, unless otherwise specified therein, any additional covenants specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series under Section 6.1) and the occurrence of any event specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 and designated as an Event of Default shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities will be unaffected thereby; provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(a) with reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on the Trustee with respect to such deposit), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants or investment bank expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal (including mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments) of and interest on all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of principal or interest are due;
(b) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
(c) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;
(d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred; and
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(e) The Company shall have 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 covenant defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
Section 8.5 Repayment to Company.
Subject to applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for two years. After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.
Section 8.6 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money deposited with respect to Securities of any Series in accordance with Section 8.1 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series and under the Securities of such Series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.1 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.1; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of principal of or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent after payment in full to the Holders.
ARTICLE IX.
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 9.1 Without Consent of Holders.
The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder:
| (a) | to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; |
| (b) | to comply with Article V; |
(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;
(d) to add guarantees with respect to Securities of any Series or secure Securities of any Series;
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| (e) | to surrender any of the Company’s rights or powers under this Indenture; |
(f) to add covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders of Securities of any Series;
| (g) | to comply with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary; |
(h) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;
(i) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;
(j) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or
(k) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.
Section 9.2 With Consent of Holders.
The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture, with the Securities of each Series voting as a class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Company shall send to the Holders of Securities affected thereby, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to send such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.
Section 9.3 Limitations.
Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:
(a) reduce the principal amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
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(b) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security;
(c) reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
(d) reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;
(e) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(f) make the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;
| (g) | make any change in Sections 6.8, 6.13 or 9.3 (this sentence); or |
(h) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security, provided that such redemption is made at the Company’s option.
Section 9.4 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.5 Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment is set forth in a supplemental indenture or a waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date of the supplemental indenture or the date the waiver becomes effective.
Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.3. In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.
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The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the second immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.
Section 9.6 Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
The Company or the Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with Section 2.3 new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.
Section 9.7 Trustee Protected.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both complying with Section 10.4. The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures upon delivery of such an Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel or both, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture.
ARTICLE X.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.1 Trust Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.
Section 10.2 Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other, or by a Holder to the Company or the Trustee, is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission, email or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:
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if to the Company:
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
5201 Interchange Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40229
Attention: Brittani N. Cushman
Telephone: (502)-778-4421
Email: bcushman@tpbi.com
with a copy to:
Milbank LLP
55 Hudson Yards
New York, NY 10001
Attention: Brett D. Nadritch
Telephone: (212)-530-5301
Email: bnadritch@milbank.com
if to the Trustee:
GLAS Trust Company LLC
3 Second Street, Suite 206
Jersey City, NJ 07311
Attention: Transaction Management Group
Telephone: (201)-839-2200
Email: clientservices.usadcm@glas.agency;
tmgus@glas.agency
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be sent electronically or by first-class mail to his, her or its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar, in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary. Failure to send a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.
If a notice or communication is sent or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.
If the Company sends a notice or communication to Securityholders, it shall send a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee) pursuant to the customary procedures of such Depositary.
Section 10.3 Communication by Holders with Other Holders.
Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
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Section 10.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a) an Officer’s Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
Section 10.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:
(a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 10.6 Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 10.7 Legal Holidays.
Unless otherwise provided by supplemental indenture hereto, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
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Section 10.8 No Recourse Against Others.
A director, officer, employee or stockholder (past or present), as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
Section 10.9 Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or 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 10.10 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND THE HOLDERS (BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE SECURITIES) EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The Company, the Trustee and the Holders (by their acceptance of the Securities) each hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Section 10.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
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Section 10.12 Successors.
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
Section 10.13 Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 10.14 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.
The Table of Contents, Cross Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 10.15 Securities in a Foreign Currency.
Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in more than one currency, then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be determined by converting any such other currency into a currency that is designated upon issuance of any particular Series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, such conversion shall be at the spot rate for the purchase of the designated currency as published in The Financial Times in the “Currency Rates” section (or, if The Financial Times is no longer published, or if such information is no longer available in The Financial Times, such source as may be selected in good faith by the Company) on any date of determination. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
All decisions and determinations provided for in the preceding paragraph shall, in the absence of manifest error, to the extent permitted by law, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Trustee and all Holders.
Section 10.16 Judgment Currency.
The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest or other amount on the Securities of any Series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable, and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
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Section 10.17 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 best efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 10.18 U.S.A. Patriot Act.
The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee 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.
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ARTICLE XI.
SINKING FUNDS
Section 11.1 Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series if so provided by the terms of such Securities pursuant to Section 2.2 and except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.
Section 11.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (2) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been repurchased by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officer’s Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.2, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.
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Section 11.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date will be selected in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and the Company shall send or cause to be sent a notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in and in accordance with Section 3.3. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
| Turning Point Brands, Inc. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Its: | ||
| GLAS Trust Company LLC, as Trustee, | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Its: | ||
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Exhibit 5.1
 |
|
55 Hudson Yards | New York, NY 10001-2163
T: 212.530.5000
milbank.com
|
October 2, 2023
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
5201 Interchange Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40229
5201 Interchange Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40229
Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished to you in connection with a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for Turning Point Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The Registration Statement registers the
following securities of the Company with an initial public offering price of up to $500,000,000 in the aggregate: (i) shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), (ii) shares of preferred stock of
the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), (iii) depositary shares of the Company representing fractional interests in Preferred Stock (the “Depositary Shares”), (iv) warrants of the Company to purchase Common
Stock, Preferred Stock or other securities (the “Warrants”), (v) units consisting of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities and/or Warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities in any combination (the “Units”)
and (vi) one or more series of debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Units and Debt Securities are collectively referred to as the “Securities.” The
Registration Statement provides that the Securities may be offered separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more prospectus supplements to the prospectus contained in the
Registration Statement.
We are acting as counsel for the Company in connection with the registration of the Securities. We have examined the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, other Company records, including resolutions of the Company’s board of directors,
certificates, agreements and other documents, and such questions of law, as we have considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of
all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity with authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. As to various questions of fact material to our opinions, we
have, when relevant facts were not independently established, relied upon certificates of officers and representatives of the Company and public officials and statements and representations contained in the Registration Statement and other
documents as we have deemed necessary as a basis for such opinions.
Based on and subject to the foregoing and assuming that (i) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including any post-effective
amendments) will have become effective and comply with all applicable laws and no stop order suspending the Registration Statement’s effectiveness will have been issued and remain in effect, in each case, at the time the Securities are offered,
and the Securities are issued, as applicable, as contemplated by the Registration Statement, (ii) a prospectus supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby and will at all relevant
times comply with all applicable laws, (iii) the Company has timely filed all necessary reports pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference, (iv) all Securities
will be issued and all Securities will be sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the appropriate prospectus supplement, (v) a definitive purchase,
underwriting or similar agreement and any other necessary agreement, instrument or document with respect to any Securities will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other party or parties thereto,
(vi) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Securities being offered or issued will be duly authorized and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exercise or exchange, (vii) the terms of such
Securities will have been duly established so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by
any court or governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (viii) if issued in certificated form, certificates representing the Securities will be duly executed and delivered and, to the extent required by any
applicable agreement, duly authenticated and countersigned, and if issued in book-entry form, the Securities will be duly registered to the extent required by any applicable agreement, we advise you that in our opinion:
(1)
Common Stock. Assuming that the issuance of the Common Stock and the terms
of any offering thereof have been duly authorized, when the Common Stock have been duly issued and sold (in excess of par value thereof) in accordance with the applicable purchase, underwriting or other agreement, and as contemplated by the
Registration Statement, the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The Common Stock covered by the opinion in this paragraph include any Common Stock initially issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any
Preferred Stock, Warrants, Units or Debt Securities that are convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, Common Stock.
(2)
Preferred Stock. Assuming that the issuance and terms of Preferred Stock of
a particular series and the terms of any offering thereof have been duly authorized, when an appropriate certificate of designation with respect to the Preferred Stock has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and
when the Preferred Stock have been duly issued and sold (in excess of par value thereof) in accordance with the applicable purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Preferred Stock will
be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The Preferred Stock covered by the opinion in this paragraph include any Preferred Stock issuable in the form of Depository Shares or upon exercise of any Warrants or Units that are exercisable
for Preferred Stock.
(3)
Depository Shares. Assuming that the issuance and terms of any Depositary Shares and the
terms of any offering thereof have been duly authorized, when the terms of the deposit agreement under which the Depository Shares are to be issued have been duly established and the deposit agreement has been duly executed and delivered,
when the terms of the Depository Shares and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the deposit agreement, when the preferred stock represented by the Depository Shares has been duly delivered to the
depository and when the depository receipts evidencing the Depository Shares have been duly issued against deposit of the Preferred Stock in accordance with the deposit agreement and issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration
Statement, the depository receipts evidencing the Depository Shares will be validly issued and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the Depository Shares and the deposit agreement. The Depository Shares covered by the
opinion in this paragraph include any Depository Shares issuable upon exercise of any Warrants or Units that are exercisable for Depository Shares.
(4)
Warrants. Assuming that the issuance and terms of any Warrants and the terms
of any offering thereof have been duly authorized, when the terms of the warrant agreement under which the Warrants are to be issued have been duly established and the warrant agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, when the
terms of such Warrants and their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable warrant agreement and when such Warrants have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the applicable warrant
agreement and issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, such Warrants will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
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(5)
Debt Securities. Assuming that the issuance and terms of any Debt Securities
and the terms of any offering thereof have been duly authorized, when the terms of the indenture under which the Debt Securities are to be issued have been duly established and the indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered,
when the terms of a particular series of Debt Securities and their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable indenture and when such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and
delivered in accordance with the applicable indenture and issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company
in accordance with their terms.
(6)
Units. Assuming that the issuance and terms of any Units and the terms of any offering
thereof have been duly authorized, when the terms of the unit agreement under which the Units are to be issued have been duly established and the unit agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, when the terms of such Units
and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable unit agreement and when such Units have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the applicable unit agreement and issued and sold as
contemplated by the Registration Statement, such Units will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
It is understood that this opinion is to be used only in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities while the Registration Statement is in
effect.
The opinions expressed above with respect to enforceability are subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of
whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity). The opinions are also subject to (i) the Registration Statement becoming effective pursuant to applicable law and (ii) the issuance of any legally required consents, approvals,
authorizations or orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authority. We express no opinion herein as to the laws of any state or jurisdiction other than the DGCL and the federal laws of the United States of America.
Please note that we are opining only as to the matters expressly set forth herein, and no opinion should be inferred as to any other matters. This opinion
is based upon currently existing statutes, rules, regulations and judicial decisions, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change in any of these sources of law or subsequent legal or factual developments which might affect any
matters or opinions set forth herein.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of
Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act and to the use of our name therein and in the related prospectuses under the caption “Legal Matters.” In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.
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Very truly yours,
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/s/ Milbank LLP
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Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Turning Point Brands, Inc. of our reports dated March 15, 2023, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Turning Point Brands, Inc. (“the
Company”), and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (which report expresses an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting because of material weaknesses),
appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Turning Point Brands, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2022.
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.
/s/ RSM US LLP
Charlotte, North Carolina
October 2, 2023
October 2, 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)
GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
| A New Hampshire Limited Liability Company | 81-4468886 |
| (Jurisdiction of incorporation or | (I.R.S. Employer |
| organization if not a U.S. national | Identification No.) |
| bank) |
|
3 Second Street, Suite 206
Jersey City, New Jersey
|
07311 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
GLAS AMERICAS LLC
3 Second Street, Suite 206
Jersey City, NJ 07311
(201) 839-2200
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 20-0709285 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
| incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) |
|
5201 Interchange Way
Louisville, Kentucky
|
40229 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Units
Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| Item 1. General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee: | |
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of the Currency
Treasury Department
Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Washington, D.C.
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
San Francisco, California 94120
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
| Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation. | |
None with respect to the trustee.
No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.
| Item 15. Foreign Trustee. | Not applicable. |
| Item 16. List of Exhibits. | List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility. |
| Exhibit 1. | A copy of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the trustee now in effect. |
| Exhibit 2. | A copy of the State of New Hampshire – Office of the Bank Commissioner Certificate to Conduct Business for GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC, dated February 23, 2017 |
| Exhibit 3. | A copy of the State of New Hampshire Certificate to Exercise Corporate Trust Powers for GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC, dated February 12, 2016. |
| Exhibit 4. | Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect. |
| Exhibit 5. | Not applicable. |
| Exhibit 6. | The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act. |
| Exhibit 7. | Not applicable. |
| Exhibit 8. | Not applicable. |
| Exhibit 9. | Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, GLAS Trust Company LLC , a New Hampshire Limited Liability Company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 2nd day of October 2023.
| GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC | ||
| /s/ Jeffrey Schoenfeld | ||
| Jeffrey Schoenfeld | ||
| Vice President |
EXHIBIT 1
Execution Version
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC
This Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of August 1, 2022, and is by and between GLAS Trust Company LLC, a New Hampshire limited liability company (the “Company”), and GLAS USA LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company, as the sole member (the “Sole Member”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, GLAS Holdings Limited, an English company (the “Original Member”) caused the formation of the Company as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, and on February 8, 2016, and entered into the limited liability company agreement of the Company, (the “Prior Agreement”) in order to govern the affairs of the Company and the conduct of its business;
WHEREAS, subsequently, the Original Member transferred its entire Interest in the Company to Global Loan Agency Services Limited, a private company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the United Kingdom (the “Prior Member”);
WHEREAS, on or about the date hereof, the Prior Member entered into a contribution agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Prior Member transferred its entire Interest in the Company to the Sole Member, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Contribution Agreement;
WHEREAS, effective upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, the Sole Member became the sole member of the Company; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 15 of the Prior Agreement, the Sole Member desires to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in its entirety, as set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Section 1.1. Formation of Limited Liability Company. The Company was formed as a limited liability company pursuant to the provisions of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (together with any successor statute and as amended from time to time, the “Act”), and the rights and liabilities of the Sole Member shall be as provided in the Act except as herein otherwise expressly provided. The Original Member caused to be filed a Certificate of Formation with the State of New Hampshire Department of State in accordance with the terms of the Act. The Board of Managers (as defined below) may direct that the Company be registered or qualified to do business in other jurisdictions.
Section 1.2. Limited Liability Company Name and Principal Office. The name of the Company shall be GLAS Trust Company LLC. The Board of Managers shall have the power at any time to change the name of the Company. The principal business office of the Company shall be in such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Managers.
Section 1.3. Office of and Agent for Service of Process. The name and address of the registered office and agent of the Company for service of process on the Company in the State of New Hampshire is Registered Agent Solutions, Inc., 10 Ferry St., Suite 313, Concord, NH 03301. The Board of Managers may change, at any time and from time to time, the location of such registered office.
Section 1.4. Term of Company. The Company commenced as of the date of the filing of the Certificate of Formation in the office of the State of New Hampshire Department of State and shall continue indefinitely until the winding up and liquidation of the Company and its business is completed following a dissolution event described in Section 7.1 of this Agreement.
Section 1.5. Purpose of Company. The purpose of the Company is to engage in any and all lawful business activities in which limited liability companies formed in the State of New Hampshire under the Act may participate and to do all things necessary, advisable, appropriate or expedient in connection with or incidental to the foregoing.
Section 1.6. Sole Member. As of the date of this Agreement, the Sole Member is the single and sole member of the Company and shall be shown as such on the books and records of the Company. Except as expressly permitted by this Agreement, no other entity or person shall be admitted as a member of the Company, and no additional interest in the Company shall be issued, without approval of the Board of Managers.
Section 1.7. Limited Liability of the Sole Member. To the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, the Sole Member shall have no liability (i) for any debts or losses of the Company beyond its Interest, and (ii) for acts performed within the scope of its authority. Other than as provided in this Agreement and as may be required under the Act, the Sole Member shall not be liable for any debts or losses of capital or profits of the Company or be required to contribute or lend funds to the Company.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
Section 2.1. Defined Terms. Except as defined elsewhere in this Agreement or as otherwise specified or as the context may otherwise require, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below for all purposes of this Agreement, and the definitions of such terms are equally applicable both to the singular and plural forms of such terms and to the masculine, feminine and neuter genders of such terms:
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“Act” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Board of Managers” shall mean, collectively, the Managers of the Company.
“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time; any reference to any section of the Code shall include any corresponding provision of succeeding law.
“Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Contribution Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Indemnitee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.9.
“Interest” shall mean all of the rights created under this Agreement or under the Act of the Sole Member with respect to the Company and the Company’s assets and property.
“Manager” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
“Original Member” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Prior Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Prior Member” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Proceeding” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.9.
“Sole Member” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
ARTICLE III
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Section 3.1. Capitalization. As of the date hereof, the capitalization of the Company is as identified on Schedule A attached hereto. No loan made to the Company by the Sole Member shall constitute a capital contribution to the Company for any purpose.
Section 3.2. Additional Contributions. The Sole Member is not required to make any additional contribution to the Company. The Sole Member may make additional capital contributions to the Company in the form of cash, property, services or otherwise, and upon such contribution the Sole Member’s capital account balance shall be adjusted accordingly.
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ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 4.1. Distributions. Distributions shall be made to the Sole Member at the times and in the aggregate amounts determined by the Board of Managers.
ARTICLE V
ACCOUNTING AND TAX MATTERS
Section 5.1. Books of Account. At all times during the continuance of the Company, the Company shall maintain or cause to be maintained full, true, complete and correct tax records wherein shall be entered all such transactions, matters and things relating to the business of the Company as are usually recorded in tax records kept by persons engaged in a business of a like kind and character. In addition, the Company shall keep all records as required to be kept pursuant to the Act. The books and records of the Company shall be kept at the principal office of the Company, and the Sole Member shall at all reasonable times have access to such books and records and the right to inspect the same.
Section 5.2. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Company shall end on December 31.
Section 5.3. Tax Matters. The Sole Member intends for the Company to be treated as a corporation for United States federal, state and local tax purposes, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3, and has filed an Internal Revenue Service Form 8832 to elect to be so treated.
ARTICLE VI
CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS
Section 6.1. Management by the Managers. The power to manage, operate, and set policies for the Company is vested in the Board of Managers. The Board of Managers shall have full and exclusive management and control of the business of the Company, subject to Section 6.6. The Board of Managers shall have the power to do any and all acts necessary or convenient to or for the furtherance of the purposes described herein, including all powers, statutory or otherwise, possessed by managers under the Act or other applicable laws of the State of New Hampshire. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, each Manager, individually, shall have the authority to take any action authorized to be taken by the Board of Managers, in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and to the extent authorized to do so by the Board of Managers. The Board of Managers may employ, at the expense of the Company, any agent or third party in connection with the performance of their duties hereunder.
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Section 6.2. Number, Tenure and Qualifications of Managers. The total number of individuals (each, a “Manager”) comprising the Board of Managers shall be not less than five (5), unless otherwise fixed at a different number by an amendment hereto or a resolution signed by the Sole Member. The Managers of the Company may be appointed, removed and replaced from time to time by the written consent of the Sole Member in its sole discretion. A Manager shall remain in office until the earlier to occur of (i) such Manager is removed by a written instrument signed by the Sole Member, (ii) such Manager resigns in a written instrument delivered to the Sole Member, or (iii) such Manager dies or is unable to serve. In the event of any such vacancy, the Sole Member shall fill such vacancy. Each Manager shall have one vote on matters requiring the vote of the Board of Managers.
Section 6.3. Appointment of Managers. The Managers of the Company as of the date of this Agreement are Brian Carne, Mia Drennan, Stuart Draper, David Foster, Joanne Brooks and Lorna Lawlor née Brady.
Section 6.4. Manager Authority. The Board of Managers is authorized on behalf of the Company to incur credit obligations in connection with borrowings from any person or entity, including, without limitation, third parties and affiliates of the Company, necessary to make investments or cover operating costs of the Company, to incur obligations to make deferred capital contributions or deferred installment payments in connection with investments and to pledge Company property, to make and dispose of investments, obtain letters of credit or otherwise provide security for the Company’s obligations relating to any such borrowings or deferred or installment payments. All checks, drafts or other similar instruments written on behalf of the Company must be signed by a Manager. All investments shall be made exclusively in the name or for the account of the Company. The Board of Managers may open bank accounts in its discretion.
Section 6.5. Meetings of the Board of Managers; Action in Lieu of a Meeting. Meetings of the Board of Managers shall be held at times and places (including virtually or by other means of telecommunication) agreed upon by a majority of the Managers. Managers may participate in such meetings by conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. The presence at any meeting of the Board of Managers of at least 51% of the Managers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Action by the Board of Managers taken at a meeting shall require the approval of majority of the Managers present at such meeting. Any action required to be taken or which may be taken at any meeting of the Board of Managers may be taken by unanimous written consent of the Board of Managers in lieu of a meeting.
Section 6.6. Officers; Agents. The Company, by action of the Board of Managers, shall have the power to appoint any person or persons as agents (who may be referred to as officers) to conduct the day to day activities of the Company on the Company’s behalf, with such titles, if any, as the Board of Managers deems appropriate, which may include (but need not be limited to) Chairman, President, Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Risk Officer, Secretary, and BSA/AML Officer. The officers shall be authorized to execute documents that shall be binding on the Company. The authority and powers granted to the officers hereunder shall include all those necessary or convenient for the furtherance of the purposes of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) a person may be chosen to serve in multiple officer positions simultaneously and, (ii) a Manager may also serve as an officer of the Company. The officers of the Company as of the date of this Agreement are as follows: Brian Carne, Chairman and BSA/AML Officer; Mia Drennan, President; Stuart Draper, Chief Financial Officer; Lorna Lawlor née Brady, Chief Risk Officer; and David Foster, Treasurer.
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Section 6.7. Warranted Reliance by Managers on Others. In exercising their authority and performing their duties under this Agreement, the Managers shall be entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports, or statements of the following persons or groups unless they have actual knowledge concerning the matter in question that would cause such reliance to be unwarranted:
(a) one or more employees or other agents of the Company or its subordinates whom the Managers reasonably believe to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; and
(b) any attorney, public accountant, or other person as to matters which the Managers reasonably believe to be within such person’s professional or expert competence.
Section 6.8. Liability. To the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, none of the Managers nor any officer of the Company will be liable to the Company for any action taken, or omitted to be taken by such person, as a Manager, or an officer, as applicable. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and neither the Sole Member nor any Manager or officer shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a member, Manager or officer of the Company.
Section 6.9. Indemnification.
(a) Each person who was or is made a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Manager or officer of the Company, or, while serving as a Manager or officer of the Company, is or was serving at the request of the Company as a Manager, officer, employee or agent of another company, or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans (for purposes of this Section 6.9, an “Indemnitee”), shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Indemnitee in connection therewith, provided such Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner that the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a Manager or officer of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of such Indemnitees’ heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in Section 6.9(e), the Company shall not be obligated under this Section 6.9 to indemnify any Indemnitee seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee unless such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized in the first instance by the Board of Managers.
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(b) The Company shall pay all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that (a) the payment of such expenses incurred by such an Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 6.9 or otherwise; and (b) the Company shall not be required to advance any expenses to a person against whom the Company directly brings a claim alleging that such person has breached such person’s duty of loyalty to the Company, committed an act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or derived an improper personal benefit from a transaction.
(c) The rights conferred on any person in this Section 6.9 shall not be exclusive of any other right that such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of this Agreement, vote or consent of the Sole Member or the Board of Managers, or otherwise. Additionally, nothing in this Section 6.9 shall limit the ability of the Company, in its discretion but subject to applicable law, to provide rights of indemnification or advancement of expenses to any person other than an Indemnitee or to provide greater rights of indemnification and advancement of expenses than those provided in this Section 6.9 to any Indemnitee.
(d) The Board of Managers is authorized to cause the Company to enter into agreements with any Manager, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or any person serving at the request of the Company as a manager, director, officer, employee or agent of another company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including employee benefit plans, providing indemnification or advancement rights to such person. Such rights may be greater than those provided in this Section 6.9.
(e) Claims.
(i) If a claim for indemnification submitted to the Company by an Indemnitee in respect of a Proceeding (following the final disposition of such Proceeding) is not paid in full by the Company within sixty (60) days after such claim has been received in writing by the Company, or a claim for advancement of expenses arising from or relating to such Proceeding is not paid in full within thirty (30) days after the Company has received a statement or statements therefor, the applicable Indemnitee shall be entitled at any time thereafter (but not before) to bring suit against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of such claim. If such Indemnitee is successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Company to recover an advancement of expenses arising from or relating to such Proceeding, the Indemnitee shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to be paid by the Company the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) any suit brought by the Company to recover an advancement of expenses arising from or relating to a Proceeding, the Company shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct for entitlement to indemnification under applicable law and this Agreement.
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(ii) Neither the failure of the Company (whether by its Managers who are not parties to such Proceeding, a committee of such Managers, independent legal counsel or the Sole Member) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the standard of conduct for entitled to indemnification under applicable law and this Agreement, nor an actual determination by the Company (whether by its Managers who are not parties to such action, a committee of such Managers, independent legal counsel or the Sole Member) that the Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, be a defense to such suit.
(iii) In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Company to recover an advancement of expenses arising from or relating to a Proceeding provided hereunder, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or is required to repay any amounts advanced in connection with such Proceeding, under this Section 6.9 shall be on the Company.
(f) The rights conferred upon Indemnitees in this Section 6.9 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a Manager or officer of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of such Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under this Section 6.9 shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to this Agreement after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the Proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought.
(g) The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Manager, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a manager, director, officer, employee or agent of another company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of the Act.
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ARTICLE VII
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
Section 7.1. Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) the election of the Sole Member to terminate the Company; or
(b) the happening of any event that makes it unlawful to carry on the business of the Company, including the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under applicable law.
Section 7.2. Winding Up and Liquidation of the Company. Upon the dissolution of the Company, the Board of Managers shall proceed to wind up the Company business. The Board of Managers shall sell the Company assets and, upon payment of the Company’s other debts and liabilities and the creation of such reserves as the Board of Managers deems appropriate (including, without limitation, in respect of any indemnification obligations), distribute the remaining assets of the Company to the Sole Member.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 8.1. Assignment. The Sole Member shall have the right to freely assign, sell or otherwise transfer its Interest.
Section 8.2. Effectiveness; Amendments. This Agreement may be amended by the Sole Member or the Board of Managers from time to time as it determines to be appropriate.
Section 8.3. Headings. Section and other headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement.
Section 8.4. Severability. Every provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable. If any term or provision hereof is illegal or invalid for any reason whatsoever, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the validity or legality of the remainder of this Agreement.
Section 8.5. Applicable Law. Notwithstanding the place where this Agreement may be executed by any party, all the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the validity hereof shall be interpreted under the laws of the State of New Hampshire.
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Section 8.6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all the parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one instrument.
Section 8.7. Effect of Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto, their successors and assigns, upon the execution of this Agreement by all of the parties hereto.
Section 8.8. Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit or enforceable by any creditor of the Company. The Sole Member shall not have any duty or obligation to any creditor of the Company to make any contributions or payments to the Company.
Section 8.9. Interpretation. The Sole Member intends that (i) the language in this Agreement shall in all cases be construed simply according to the fair meaning thereof and shall not be construed against any party because that party or its counsel drafted such language, (ii) the provisions of the Act shall control with respect to any matter not set forth or otherwise provided for in this Agreement, (iii) any phrase introduced by the terms “including”, “include”, “in particular” or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words preceding those terms, (iv) the singular includes the plural and vice versa, (v) whenever reference is made in this Agreement to the “discretion” of a person it shall be deemed to be preceded by the phrase “sole and absolute” unless preceded by such phrase or a phrase of similar import, and (vi) references to any document or agreement are to be construed as references to such document or agreement as is in force for the time being and as amended, varied, supplemented, substituted, or novated from time to time.
Section 8.10. Entire Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, to the fullest extent permitted by the Act, this Agreement supersedes any and all existing agreements, instruments, certificates or other documents governing the affairs of the Company and the conduct of its business (including without limitation the Prior Agreement and the bylaws of the Company adopted on or about February 6, 2018). For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any such superseded agreements, instruments, certificates or other documents, the terms of this Agreement shall control.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement is effective on the date first above written.
| COMPANY: | ||
| GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC | ||
| By: |  |
|
| Name: | Brian Carne | |
| Title: | Chairman | |
| SOLE MEMBER: | ||
| GLAS USA LLC | ||
| By: |  |
|
| Name: | Stuart Draper | |
| Title: | Chief Operating Officer | |
[Signature Page to LLC Agreement of GLAS Trust Company LLC]
Schedule A
| Date | Capitalization |
| November 23, 2016 | US$1,000,000 |
| November 30, 2016 | US$500,100 |
| December 31, 2017 | US$30,000 |
| March 27, 2018 | US$15,203.18 |
| June 30, 2018 | US$20,000 |
| September 30, 2020 | US$20,000 |
| TOTAL | US$1,585,303.18 |
EXHIBIT 2
EXHIBIT 3
EXHIBIT 4
BYLAWS
OF
GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC
ARTICLE I
SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1. Annual Meeting. An annual meeting shall be held once each calendar year for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. The annual meeting shall be held at the time and place designated by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders may be requested by the Chairman, President, the Board of Directors, or the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting shares.
Section 3. Notice. Written notice of all shareholder meetings, whether regular or special meetings, shall be provided under this section or as otherwise required by law. The Notice shall state the place, date, and hour of meeting, and if for a special meeting, the purpose of the meeting. Such notice shall be mailed to all shareholders of record at the address shown on the corporate books, at least 10 days prior to the meeting. Such notice shall be deemed effective when deposited in ordinary U.S. mail, properly addressed, with postage prepaid.
Section 4. Place of Meeting. Shareholders’ meetings shall be held at the corporation’s principal place of business unless otherwise stated in the notice. Shareholders of any class or series may participate in any meeting of shareholders by means of remote communication to the extent the Board of Directors authorizes such participation for such class or series. Participation by means of remote communication shall be subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors adopts. Shareholders participating in a shareholders’ meeting by means of remote communication shall be deemed present and may vote at such a meeting if the corporation has implemented reasonable measures: (1) to verify that each person participating remotely is a shareholder, and (2) to provide such shareholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the shareholders, including an opportunity to communicate, and to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting, substantially concurrent with such proceedings.
Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding voting shares, whether represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a Shareholders’ meeting. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the represented shares may adjourn the meeting to another time without further notice. If a quorum is represented at an adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally scheduled. The shareholders present at a meeting represented by a quorum may continue to transact business until adjournment, even if the withdrawal of some shareholders results in representation of less than a quorum.
Section 6. Informal Action. Any action required to be taken, or which may be taken, at a shareholders meeting, may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the shareholders who own all of the shares entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter of the vote.
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number of Directors. The corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of 6 director(s).
Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The directors shall be elected at the annual shareholders’ meeting. Each director shall serve a term of 2 years, or until a successor has been elected and qualified.
Section 3. Quorum. A majority of directors shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4. Adverse Interest. In the determination of a quorum of the directors, or in voting, the disclosed adverse interest of a director shall not disqualify the director or invalidate his or her vote.
Section S. Regular Meeting. An annual meeting shall be held, without notice, immediately following and at the same place as the annual meeting of the shareholders. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, for additional regular meetings without notice other than the notice provided by the resolution.
Section 6. Special Meeting. Special meetings may be requested by the Chairman, President, Vice-President, Secretary, or any two directors by providing five days’ written notice by ordinary United States mail, effective when mailed. Minutes of the meeting shall be sent to the Board of Directors within two weeks after the meeting.
Section 7. Procedures. The vote of a majority of the Directors present at a properly called meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless the vote of a greater number is required by law or by these by-laws for a particular resolution. A director of the corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless their dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting. The Board shall keep written minutes of its proceedings in its permanent records.
If authorized by the governing body, any requirement of a written ballot shall be satisfied by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission, provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the member or proxy holder.
Section 8. Informal Action. Any action required to be taken at a meeting of directors, or any action which may be taken at a meeting of directors or of a committee of directors, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all of the directors or all of the members of the committee of directors, as the case may be.
Section 9. Removal/Vacancies. A director shall be subject to removal, with or without cause, at a meeting of the shareholders called for that purpose. Any vacancy that occurs on the Board of Directors, whether by death, resignation, removal or any other cause, may be filled by the remaining directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve the remaining term of his or her predecessor, or until a successor has been elected and qualified.
Section 10. Director Attendance Policy. A director who fails to attend 3 Board meetings annually, without approval of the Chairman, will be subject to removal for cause. Attendance may be in-person, telephonically or via electronic participation, as deemed sufficient to the Chairman and/or approval of a quorum of the Directors, for the purpose of fulfilling the minimum attendance requirement.
Section 11. Resignation. Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the chairperson of the board, the president, the secretary or the Board of Directors of the corporation, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. If the resignation is effective at a future time, a successor may be elected to take office when the resignation becomes effective.
Section 12. Committees. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors may appoint from its members a committee or committees, temporary or permanent, and designate the duties, powers and authorities of such committees.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
Section 1. Number of Officers. The officers of the corporation shall be a President, one or more Vice-Presidents (as determined by the Board of Directors), a Treasurer, and a Secretary.
President/Chairman. The Chairman and the President shall be the chief executive officers and either shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, if such a committee is created by the Board.
Vice President. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President and shall assist that office in the discharge of its leadership duties.
Secretary. The Secretary shall give notice of all meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, if any, shall keep an accurate list of the directors, and shall have the authority to certify any records, or copies of records, as the official records of the corporation. The Secretary shall maintain the minutes of the Board of Directors’ meetings and all committee meetings.
Treasurer/CFO. The Treasurer shall be responsible for conducting the financial affairs of the corporation as directed and authorized by the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, if any, and shall make reports of the corporation’s finances as required, but no less often than at each meeting of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
BSA/AML Officer - The Board shall elect annually, at the first Board meeting of the calendar year, as recommended by Senior Management of the Trust Company, a BSA/AML for a one-year term. The prior year’s BSA/AML officer can be the prior year’s Officer, so long as formally approved annually by the Board according to the terms of these By-Laws.
The Board shall annually require, via annual Board resolution, the BSA/AML Officer to notify the Board as to any SAR filings and confirm that the appropriate reporting to the New Hampshire Banking Department has been made in accordance with NH RSA 383-A:5-511 and the Trust Company’s internal BSA/AML policy.
Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board of Directors, immediately following the annual meeting of the shareholders. Each officer shall serve a one year term or until a successor has been elected and qualified.
Section 3. Removal or Vacancy. The Board of Directors shall have the power to remove an officer or agent of the corporation. Any vacancy that occurs for any reason may be filled by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
CORPORATE SEAL, EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS
The corporation shall not have a corporate seal. All instruments that are executed on behalf of the corporation which are acknowledged and which affect an interest in real estate shall be executed by the Chairman, President or any Vice-President and the Secretary or Treasurer. All other instruments executed by the corporation, including a release of mortgage or lien, may be executed by the Chairman, President or any Vice-President. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, any written instrument may be executed by any officer(s) or agent(s) that are specifically designated by resolution of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V
AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS
The bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed by the Board of Directors or the shareholders by a majority of a quorum vote at any regular or special meeting; provided however, that the shareholders may from time to time specify particular provisions of the bylaws which shall not be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION
Any director or officer who is involved in litigation by reason of his or her position as a director or officer of this corporation shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent authorized by law as it now exists or may subsequently be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights).
ARTICLE VII
STOCK CERTIFICATES
The corporation may issue shares of the corporation’s stock without certificates. Within a reasonable time after the issue or transfer of shares without certificates, the corporation shall send the shareholder a written statement of the information that is required by law to be on the certificates. Upon written request to the corporate secretary by a holder of such shares, the secretary shall provide a certificate in the form prescribed by the directors.
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION
The corporation may be dissolved only with authorization of its Board of Directors given at a special meeting called for that purpose, and with the subsequent approval by no less than two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members.
Certification
Daniel R Fisher, Secretary of GLAS Trust Company LLC hereby certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the bylaws of the above- named corporation, duly adopted by the incorporator(s) on September 20, 2017, revisions adopted February 6, 2018.
EXHIBIT 6
October 2, 2023
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Gentlemen:
In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.
| Very truly yours, |
| GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC |
| /s/ Jeffrey Schoenfeld |
| Jeffrey Schoenfeld |
| Vice President |