United Fire Group Inc S-3ASR, filed May 28, 2025
United Fire Group Inc (UFCS)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 2025
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
United Fire Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
Iowa (State or other jurisdiction of |
45-2302834 (I.R.S. Employer |
118 Second Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
(319) 399-5700
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Kevin J. Leidwinger
President and Chief Executive Officer
United Fire Group, Inc.
118 Second Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
(319) 399-5700
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With a copy to:
Michael P. Heinz, Esq.
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
(212) 839-5300
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. x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
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. x
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 | x |
| Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
| Emerging growth company | ¨ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨
PROSPECTUS
UNITED FIRE GROUP, INC.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
Rights to Purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
Debt Securities or Units
We may from time to time offer and sell, in one or more series or classes, separately or together, the securities described in this prospectus.
We will offer our securities in amounts, at prices, and on terms to be determined at the time we offer those securities. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus when we offer these securities.
The securities may be offered on a delayed or continuous basis directly by us, through agents, underwriters, or dealers as designated from time to time, through a combination of these methods or any other method as provided in any applicable prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “UFCS.”
Investing in the securities to which this prospectus relates involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” included on page 2 of this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement for a discussion of risks that you should consider before you invest in our securities, in addition to the risk factors that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities offered hereby or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is May 28, 2025.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
This prospectus is part of an automatic “shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). By using a shelf registration process, we may sell any of the securities described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer and such description is not meant to be a complete description of each security. Each time we sell securities, we will, if required, provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering and the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement or a free writing prospectus may also add to, update, or change information contained in this prospectus or any earlier prospectus supplement. If there is any inconsistency between information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, and such information shall be deemed to supersede the information in this prospectus or that earlier prospectus supplement. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information different from that contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give. We are not making an offer to sell the securities to which this prospectus relates in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any applicable free writing prospectus, or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of the respective dates of such documents or on the dates or dates which are specified in such documents. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. Throughout this prospectus, unless otherwise specified or as the context may otherwise require, the terms “United Fire,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to United Fire Group, Inc., a Iowa corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, and the term “the Company” refers to United Fire Group, Inc., an Iowa corporation, and does not include any of its subsidiaries.
ii
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus may contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). The forward-looking statements are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expected and/or projected. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about United Fire, the industry in which we operate, and beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as “expect(s),” “anticipate(s),” “intend(s),” “plan(s),” “believe(s),” “continue(s),” “seek(s),” “estimate(s),” “goal(s),” “remain(s) optimistic,” “target(s),” “forecast(s),” “project(s),” “predict(s),” “should,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “hope,” “can” and other words and terms of similar meaning or expression in connection with a discussion of future operations, financial performance or financial condition, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Risks and uncertainties that may affect our actual financial condition and our results include, but are not limited to, the following:
| · | the success of our strategy may be adversely impacted by various internal and external factors; |
| · | core insurance business is dependent on strong and beneficial relationships with a large network of independent insurance agents and not maintaining these relationships could result in loss of sufficient business opportunities within our expertise and stated risk appetite; |
| · | geographic concentration ties our performance to the business, economic and regulatory conditions of certain states; |
| · | we will be at a competitive disadvantage if, over time, our competitors are more effective in pricing their products, development of new product offering, implementation of technology and data analytics; |
| · | our strategy’s success could be affected by our timely ability to recognize and adapt to our position in the insurance cycle; |
| · | our success depends primarily on our ability to underwrite risks effectively and adequately price the risks we insure; |
| · | we may be unable to predict the rising cost of insurance claims resulting from changing societal expectations that lead to increasing litigation, broader definitions of liability, broader contract interpretations, more plaintiff-friendly legal decisions and larger compensatory jury awards; |
| · | reserves for property and casualty insurance losses and loss settlement expenses are based on estimates and may be inadequate, adversely impacting our financial results; |
| · | we insure property that is exposed to various natural perils that can give rise to significant claims cost; |
| · | we are subject to certain risks related to our investment portfolio that could negatively affect our profitability; |
| · | a downgrade in our financial strength or issuer credit ratings could result in a loss of business and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity; |
| · | we may be unable to secure reinsurance capacity that provides necessary risk protection at a reasonable cost; |
| · | we may be unable to attract, retain or effectively manage the succession of key personnel; |
| · | changing weather patterns and climate change add to the unpredictability, frequency and severity of catastrophe losses and may adversely affect the results of our operations, liquidity and financial conditions; |
| · | unauthorized data access, cyber-attacks and other security breaches could have an adverse impact on our business and reputation; |
| · | we are subject to comprehensive laws and regulations, changes to which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations; |
| · | macroeconomic conditions could materially and adversely affect our business, results of our operations, financial condition, and growth; |
| · | our stock price could become more volatile, and your investment could lose value; |
| · | efforts to disrupt the structure, management or ownership of the Company could diminish the value of our common stock; and |
| · | the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company may affect our liquidity and ability to pay dividends to shareholders. |
These are representative of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed in forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
iii
Founded in 1946, we are engaged in the business of writing property and casualty insurance through a network of independent agencies. Our insurance company subsidiaries are currently licensed as property and casualty insurers in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia.
We own 100 percent (100%) of United Fire & Casualty Company, which owns 100 percent of eight subsidiaries: (1) Addison Insurance Company; (2) Lafayette Insurance Company; (3) United Fire & Indemnity Company; (4) Mercer Insurance Company; (5) Financial Pacific Insurance Company; (6) UFG Specialty Insurance Company; (7) United Real Estate Holdings LLC and (8) McIntyre Cedar UK Limited. Mercer Insurance Company owns 100 percent of two subsidiaries: (1) Franklin Insurance Company; and (2) Mercer Insurance Company of New Jersey, Inc. McIntyre Cedar UK Limited owns 100 percent of McIntyre Cedar Corporate Member LLP.
For a description of our business, financial condition, results of operations and other important information regarding United Fire, we refer you to our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus. For instructions on how to find copies of these documents, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”
United Fire Group, Inc., incorporated in 2011, is an Iowa corporation. Our principal executive office is located at 118 Second Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401, and our telephone number is (319) 399-5700 . Our website address is www.ufginsurance.com. The information on or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any such information as part of this prospectus or in deciding whether to purchase our securities.
| 1 |
Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding to purchase any of the securities to which this prospectus relates, you should carefully consider the discussion of risks and uncertainties described in the section titled “Risk Factors” of our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, or free writing prospectus used in connection with an offering of our securities, as well as the information relating to us identified herein in “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” before making an investment decision. For more information, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”
| 2 |
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities described in this prospectus for general corporate purposes.
| 3 |
THE SECURITIES THAT WE MAY OFFER
We, directly or through underwriters, dealers, or agents designated by us from time to time, may offer, issue, and sell, together or separately, an indeterminate amount of:
| · | shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share; |
| · | shares of our preferred stock, having no par value per share; |
| · | depositary shares; |
| · | debt securities; |
| · | warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock and/or our debt securities; |
| · | units consisting of two or more of the securities described above; or |
| · | rights to purchase shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, debt securities or units. |
The common stock, the preferred stock, the depositary shares, the debt securities, the warrants, the units, and the rights to purchase shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, debt securities or units are collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “securities.”
We have summarized below the material terms of the various types of securities that we may offer. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the detailed terms of the securities offered by that supplement. If indicated in the prospectus supplement, the terms of the offered securities may differ from the terms summarized below.
This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless it is accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.
| 4 |
The following description of our common stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified, in all respects, by reference to applicable Iowa law and our articles of incorporation, as amended, which we refer to as our articles of incorporation, and our amended and restated bylaws, as amended, which we refer to as our bylaws, each of which is incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. To find out where copies of these documents can be obtained, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” As used in this “Description of Common Stock,” the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer to United Fire Group, Inc., an Iowa corporation, and do not, unless otherwise specified, include any of its subsidiaries.
Authorized Common Stock
Under our articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of May 1, 2025, there were 25,450,872 shares of our common stock outstanding.
Voting Rights
Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by shareholders. There are no cumulative voting rights. Directors are elected by the vote of a majority of shareholders entitled to vote; provided, however, directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast at any meeting at which a quorum is present and for which the number of nominees for director is greater than the number of directors to be elected.
Economic Rights
Dividends. Subject to preferences applicable to any shares of outstanding preferred stock, the board of directors may declare dividends upon our common stock, subject to the applicable provisions of the Iowa Business Corporation Act (“IBCA”). We may pay dividends in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the IBCA. All shares of our common stock are entitled to participate ratably with respect to dividends or other distributions.
Liquidation Rights. If we are liquidated, dissolved or wound up, voluntarily or involuntarily, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all of our assets available for distribution to the shareholders after the payment in full of any preferential amounts to which holders of any preferred stock may be entitled.
Absence of Other Rights. There are no preemption, redemption, cumulative voting, sinking fund or conversion rights applicable to our common stock.
Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws include a number of provisions that may have the effect of deterring or impeding hostile takeovers or changes in control or management. These provisions include:
| · | the authority of the board of directors to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock and to determine the rights, preferences and privileges of these shares, without shareholder approval; |
| · | a classified board of directors having three classes of directors, with the terms of the members of a different class of directors expiring each year and directors for that class being elected to three-year terms; |
| · | the ability of the board of directors to increase the size of the board of directors by one (1) director each year upon a majority vote of the directors then in office without shareholder approval; |
| · | the ability of the board of directors to fill all vacancies on the board of director upon a majority vote of the directors then in office without shareholder approval; |
| · | the ability of the board of directors to amend the bylaws upon a majority vote of the directors then in office without shareholder approval; |
| · | providing for a plurality voting standard for directors in contested elections; |
| · | requiring the affirmative vote of holders of at least sixty percent (60%) of the outstanding shares of voting stock to approve any plan of merger, consolidation, or sale or exchange of all or substantially all of our assets; |
| 5 |
| · | requiring the affirmative vote of holders of at least sixty percent (60%) of the outstanding shares of voting stock to amend our articles of incorporation; |
| · | requiring that shareholders provide advance notice of and submit any director nominations or shareholder proposals submit not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year; |
| · | permitting a holder or group of holders of our common stock who own not less than one-fifth (1/5) but less than a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock to nominate and elect that number of directors, ignoring fractions, which bears the same ratio to the number of directors to be elected as the number of shares of common stock held by such shareholders bears to the total shares of common stock outstanding, but the total number of directors so elected by minority shareholders may not exceed one less than a majority of the aggregate number of directors to be elected; |
| · | requiring holders of at least 30% of common stock outstanding to request that the chair of the board of directors call a special meeting of shareholders; and |
| · | an “advance notice” provision, within the meaning of Rule 14a-4(c)(1) promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, establishing requirements for shareholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of shareholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at any meeting of shareholders. |
Such provisions may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control.
Anti-Takeover Effects of State Law
Certain provisions of Iowa law could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise or to remove our incumbent officers and directors. These provisions may discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors.
We are subject to Section 1110 of the IBCA, which prohibits persons deemed “interested shareholders” from engaging in a business combination with an Iowa corporation for three years following the date these persons become interested shareholders. Generally, an interested shareholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within the previous three years did own, ten percent (10%) or more of our common stock. Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested shareholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors.
Section 502.321E of the Iowa Uniform Securities Act sets forth the following limitations on offers and offerors: (i) a takeover offer shall contain substantially the same terms for shareholders residing within and outside the State of Iowa; (ii) an offeror shall provide that any equity securities of a target company deposited or tendered pursuant to a takeover offer may be withdrawn by or on behalf of an offeree within seven days after the date the offer has become effective and after sixty days from the date the offer has become effective, or as otherwise determined by the administrator pursuant to a rule or order issued for the protection of the shareholders; (iii) if an offeror makes a takeover offer for less than all the outstanding equity securities of any class and, within ten days after the offer has become effective and copies of the offer, or notice of any increase in the consideration offered, are first published or sent or given to equity security holders, the number of securities deposited or tendered pursuant to the offer is greater than the number of securities that the offeror has offered to accept and pay for, the securities shall be accepted pro rata, disregarding fractions, according to the number of securities deposited or tendered for each offeree; (iv) if an offeror varies the terms of a takeover offer before the offer’s expiration date by increasing the consideration offered to equity security holders, the offeror shall pay the increased consideration for all equity securities accepted, whether the securities have been accepted by the offeror before or after the variation in the terms of the offer; (v) an offeror shall not make a takeover offer or acquire any equity securities in the State of Iowa pursuant to a takeover offer during the period of time that an administrator’s proceeding alleging a violation of Iowa Code Chapter 502 is pending against the offeror; (vi) an offeror shall not acquire, remove, or exercise control, directly or indirectly, over any target company assets located in the State of Iowa pursuant to a takeover offer during the period of time that an administrator’s proceeding alleging a violation of Iowa Code Chapter 502 is pending against the offeror; and (vii) an offeror shall not acquire from a resident of the State of Iowa an equity security of any class of a target company at any time within two years following the last purchase of securities pursuant to a takeover offer with respect to that class, including, but not limited to, acquisitions made by purchase, exchange, merger, consolidation, partial or complete liquidation, redemption, reverse stock split, recapitalization, reorganization, or any other similar transaction, unless the holders of the equity securities are afforded, at the time of the acquisition, a reasonable opportunity to dispose of the securities to the offeror upon substantially equivalent terms as those provided in the earlier takeover offer.
| 6 |
State Insurance Laws
Before a person can acquire control of an insurance company domiciled in a U.S. state, prior written approval must generally be obtained from the insurance regulator of the state where the insurance company is domiciled. Prior to granting approval of an application to acquire control of an insurance company, the state insurance regulator will consider such factors as the financial strength of the applicant, the integrity of the applicant’s board of directors and executive officers, the acquirer’s plans for the management of the applicant’s board of directors and executive officers, the acquirer’s plans for the future operations of the insurer and any anti-competitive effects that may arise from the consummation of the acquisition of control. Generally, state insurance laws provide that control over an insurer is presumed to exist if any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds with the power to vote, or holds proxies representing, ten percent (10%) or more of the voting securities of the insurance company. In addition, certain state insurance laws contain provisions that require pre-acquisition notification to the state insurance regulator of a change in control with respect to a non-domestic insurance company licensed to do business in that state. While such pre-acquisition notification statutes do not authorize the state insurance regulator to disapprove the change of control, such statutes do authorize certain remedies, including the issuance of a cease and desist order with respect to the non-domestic insurance company if certain conditions exist, such as undue market concentration. These approval requirements may deter, delay or prevent transactions that shareholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) under the trading symbol “UFCS.”
| 7 |
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
The following description of our preferred stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified, in all respects, by reference to applicable Iowa law and our articles of incorporation, as amended, which we refer to as our articles of incorporation, and our amended and restated bylaws, as amended, which we refer to as our bylaws, each of which is incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. To find out where copies of these documents can be obtained, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” As used in this “Description of Preferred Stock,” the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer to United Fire Group, Inc., an Iowa corporation, and do not, unless otherwise specified, include any of its subsidiaries.
Under our articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, having no par value per share. As of May 1, 2025, we had no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Under the terms of our articles of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to direct us to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without shareholder approval. Our board of directors has the discretion to determine the designations, powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each series of preferred stock.
The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a shareholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of our common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions, future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
| 8 |
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
We may elect to issue fractional shares of preferred stock rather than full shares of preferred stock. If so, we will issue “depositary receipts” for these “depositary shares.” Each depositary share will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Preferred stock of each series of each class represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement among us, the preferred stock depositary named in the deposit agreement and the holders from time to time of our depositary receipts. If we issue depositary shares pursuant to these projections in the future, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the depository shares and the underlying preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate.
The description in any applicable prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete. It will summarize only those terms of the deposit agreement, which will be filed with the SEC, that we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our depositary shares.
| 9 |
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a general description of the terms of debt securities we may issue from time to time unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Particular terms of any debt securities we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities.
As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, any debt securities we issue will be governed by a document called an “indenture,” the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We have summarized the general features of the debt securities to be governed by the indenture. The summary is not complete. An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on behalf of the holders of the debt securities, and is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce holders’ rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on holders’ behalf, described in the second paragraph under “Description of Debt Securities—Events of Default.” Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties, such as sending interest and principal payments to holders.
Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of any debt securities we may issue or the indenture governing any such debt securities. Particular terms of any debt securities we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities, and we urge you to read the applicable executed indenture, which will be filed with the SEC at the time of any offering of debt securities, because it, and not this description, will define the rights of holders of such debt securities.
A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of debt securities we may issue, including some or all of the following:
| · | the designation or title of the series of debt securities; |
| · | the total principal amount of the series of debt securities, the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued and whether the offering may be reopened for additional securities of that series and on what terms; |
| · | the percentage of the principal amount at which the series of debt securities will be offered; |
| · | the date or dates on which principal will be payable; |
| · | the rate or rates (which may be either fixed or variable) and/or the method of determining such rate or rates of interest, if any; |
| · | the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or the method of determining such date or dates, and the date or dates on which any interest will be payable; |
| · | the terms for redemption, extension or early repayment, if any; |
| · | the currencies in which the series of debt securities are issued and payable; |
| · | whether the amount of payments of principal, interest or premium, if any, on a series of debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method and how these amounts will be determined; |
| · | the place or places of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities; |
| · | the provision for any sinking fund; |
| · | any restrictive covenants; |
| · | events of default; |
| · | whether the series of debt securities are issuable in certificated form; |
| · | any provisions for legal defeasance or covenant defeasance; |
| · | whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option); |
| · | any provisions for convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities into or for any other securities; |
| · | whether the debt securities are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination; |
| · | any listing of the debt securities on any securities exchange; |
| · | if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations, including those related to original issue discount, if applicable; and |
| · | any other material terms. |
| 10 |
The debt securities may be secured or unsecured obligations. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, principal, interest and premium, if any, will be paid by us in immediately available funds.
General
The indenture may provide that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities (“offered debt securities”) and any debt securities issuable upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities (“underlying debt securities”) may be issued under the indenture in one or more series.
For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.
Debt securities issued under an indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture, are called the “indenture securities.” The indenture may also provide that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of securities issued thereunder. See “Description of Debt Securities—Resignation of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under an indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under an indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under an indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.
We refer you to the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities we may issue from time to time for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection, that will be applicable with respect to such debt securities.
We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.
Conversion and Exchange
If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the related prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period (or how the period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, provisions for adjusting the conversion price or the exchange ratio and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the underlying debt securities. These terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of the debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of the other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.
Payment and Paying Agents
We will pay interest to the person listed in the applicable trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, often approximately two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”
| 11 |
Events of Default
Holders of debt securities of any series will have rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the debt securities of such series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection. The term “Event of Default” in respect of the debt securities of any series means any of the following:
| · | we do not pay the principal of, or any premium on, a debt security of the series on its due date; |
| · | we do not pay interest on a debt security of the series within 30 days of its due date; |
| · | we do not deposit any sinking fund payment in respect of debt securities of the series on its due date and we do not cure this default within five days; |
| · | we remain in breach of a covenant in respect of debt securities of the series for 90 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we are in breach. The notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the principal amount of debt securities of the series; |
| · | we file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur; and |
| · | any other Event of Default occurs in respect of debt securities of the series described in the prospectus supplement. |
An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except in the payment of principal, premium or interest, if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.
Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs
If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured or waived, the trustee or the holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series if the default is cured or waived and certain other conditions are satisfied.
Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee typically is not required to take any action under an indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an “indemnity”). If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances.
Before a holder is allowed to bypass the trustee and bring its own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce its rights or protect its interests relating to any debt securities, the following must occur:
| · | the holder must give the trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured; |
| · | the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action; |
| · | the trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity; and |
| · | the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities must not have given the trustee a direction inconsistent with the above notice during that 60-day period. |
However, a holder is entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on its debt securities on or after the due date. Each year, we will furnish to each trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.
| 12 |
Waiver of Default
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities may waive a default for all such series of debt securities. If this happens, the default will be treated as if it had not occurred. No one can waive a payment default on a holder’s debt security, however, without the holder’s approval.
Merger or Consolidation
Under the terms of an indenture, we may be permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity. We may also be permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. However, typically we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:
| · | if we do not survive such transaction or we convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety, the acquiring company must be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust, or other corporate form, organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and such company must agree to be legally responsible for our debt securities, and, if not already subject to the jurisdiction of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, the new company must submit to such jurisdiction for all purposes with respect to the debt securities and appoint an agent for service of process; |
| · | alternatively, we must be the surviving company; |
| · | immediately after the transaction no Event of Default will exist; |
| · | we must deliver certain certificates and documents to the trustee; and |
| · | we must satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities. |
Modification or Waiver
There are three types of changes we may make to an indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder.
Changes Requiring Approval
First, there are changes that we cannot make to debt securities without specific approval of all of the holders. The following is a list of the types of changes that may require specific approval:
| · | change the stated maturity of the principal of or rate of interest on a debt security; |
| · | reduce any amounts due on a debt security; |
| · | reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a security following a default; |
| · | at any time after a change of control has occurred, reduce any premium payable upon a change of control; |
| · | change the place or currency of payment on a debt security (except as otherwise described in the prospectus or prospectus supplement); |
| · | impair the right of holders to sue for payment; |
| · | adversely affect any right to convert or exchange a debt security in accordance with its terms; |
| · | reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture; |
| · | reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to waive certain defaults; |
| · | modify any other aspect of the provisions of the indenture dealing with supplemental indentures, modification and waiver of past defaults, changes to the quorum or voting requirements or the waiver of certain covenants; and |
| · | change any obligation we have to pay additional amounts. |
| 13 |
Changes Not Requiring Approval
The second type of change does not require any vote by the holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect, including the addition of covenants and guarantees. We also do not need any approval to make any change that affects only debt securities to be issued under the indenture after the change takes effect.
Changes Requiring Majority Approval
Any other change to the indenture and the debt securities may require the following approval:
| · | if the change affects only one series of debt securities, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of that series; and |
| · | if the change affects more than one series of debt securities issued under the same indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series affected by the change, with all affected series voting together as one class for this purpose. |
The holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series of debt securities issued under an indenture, voting together as one class for this purpose, may waive our compliance obligations with respect to some of our covenants in that indenture. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or of any of the matters covered by the bullet points included above under “Description of Debt Securities—Modification or Waiver—Changes Requiring Approval.”
Further Details Concerning Voting
When taking a vote on proposed changes to the indenture and the debt securities, we expect to use the following rules to decide how much principal to attribute to a debt security:
| · | for original issue discount securities, we will use the principal amount that would be due and payable on the voting date if the maturity of these debt securities were accelerated to that date because of a default; |
| · | for debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is based on an index), we will use a special rule for that debt security described in the related prospectus supplement; and |
| · | for debt securities denominated in one or more foreign currencies, we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent. |
Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under “Description of Debt Securities—Defeasance—Legal Defeasance.”
We generally will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding indenture securities of those series on the record date and must be taken within 11 months following the record date.
Book-entry and other indirect holders will need to consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.
Defeasance
The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant defeasance and legal defeasance will not be applicable to that series.
| 14 |
Covenant Defeasance
We can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, the holders would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay holders’ debt securities. If applicable, a holder also would be released from the subordination provisions described under “Description of Debt Securities—Indenture Provisions—Subordination” below. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
| · | If the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates; |
| · | We may be required to deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current U.S. federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing the holders to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity; and |
| · | We must deliver to the trustee certain documentation stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with. |
If we accomplish covenant defeasance, holders can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, holders may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.
Legal Defeasance
As described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “legal defeasance”), (1) if there is a change in U.S. federal tax law that allows us to effect the release without causing the holders to be taxed any differently than if the release had not occurred, and (2) if we put in place the following other arrangements for holders to be repaid:
| · | If the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates; |
| · | We may be required to deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current U.S. federal tax law or an Internal Revenue Service ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing the holders to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity. Under current U.S. federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we paid each holder its share of the cash and notes or bonds at the time the cash and notes or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for its debt securities and holders would recognize gain or loss on the debt securities at the time of the deposit; and |
| · | We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to legal defeasance have been complied with. |
If we ever did accomplish legal defeasance, as described above, holders would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. Holders could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If applicable, holders would also be released from the subordination provisions described later under “Description of Debt Securities—Indenture Provisions—Subordination.”
Resignation of Trustee
Each trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to such series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.
| 15 |
Indenture Provisions—Subordination
Upon any distribution of our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (defined below), but our obligation to holders to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. In addition, no payment on account of principal (or premium, if any), interest or sinking fund, if any, may be made on such subordinated debt securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal (and premium, if any), interest and sinking fund, if any, on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment from us is received by the trustee in respect of subordinated debt securities or by the holders of any of such subordinated debt securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness or on their behalf for application to the payment of all the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the holders of such subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness out of the distributive share of such subordinated debt securities.
By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our assets upon our insolvency, certain of our senior creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of any subordinated debt securities. The related indenture will provide that these subordination provisions will not apply to money and securities held in trust under the defeasance provisions of the indenture.
“Senior Indebtedness” will be defined in an applicable indenture as the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on:
| · | our indebtedness (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by us), whenever created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed (other than indenture securities issued under the indenture and denominated as subordinated debt securities), unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or under which the same is outstanding it is provided that this indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities; and |
| · | renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any of such indebtedness. |
The prospectus supplement accompanying any series of indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities will set forth the approximate amount of our Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.
Trustee
We intend to name the indenture trustee for each series of indenture securities in the related prospectus supplement.
Certain Considerations Relating to Foreign Currencies
Debt securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risks. These risks include the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending upon the currency or currencies involved and will be more fully described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
| 16 |
We may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of our common stock, preferred stock, or debt securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. If a series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and the investors or a warrant agent, we will so specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following summary of the material provisions of the warrants and warrant agreements is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrants and any warrant agreement applicable to a particular series of warrants. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the complete warrants and warrant agreements that contain the terms of the warrants.
The material terms of any issue of warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the issue. Those terms may include some or all of the following:
| · | the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase such shares and the price at which such number of shares may be purchased upon such exercise; |
| · | a summary of the designation and terms (including, without limitation, liquidation, dividend, conversion and voting rights) of the series of preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of warrants to purchase preferred stock as set forth in the certificate of designation for such series of preferred stock; |
| · | the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a debt warrant and the exercise price for the warrants, which may be payable in cash, securities or other property; |
| · | the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable; |
| · | the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants; |
| · | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
| · | U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to the warrants; and |
| · | any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise and settlement of the warrants. |
The description in an applicable prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete, and reference will be made to the relevant warrant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC.
| 17 |
We may issue units consisting of any combination of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock or debt securities offered under this prospectus in one or more series. We may elect to evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate unit agreement. We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent. Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.
The following description, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. You should read any prospectus supplement related to the series of units being offered, as well as the complete unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. Specific unit agreements will contain additional important terms, and we will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from another report that we file with the SEC, the form of each unit agreement relating to units offered under this prospectus.
If we offer any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:
| · | the title of the series of units; |
| · | identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units; |
| · | the price or prices at which the units will be issued; |
| · | the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable; |
| · | a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and |
| · | any other material terms of the units and their constituent securities. |
| 18 |
The following is a general description of the terms of the rights we may issue from time to time unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Particular terms of any rights we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such rights.
General
We may issue rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or units. Rights may be issued independently or together with other securities and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering to our shareholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting, backstop or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. In connection with a rights offering to our shareholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the rights and a prospectus supplement to our shareholders on or about the record date that we set for receiving rights in such rights offering.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any rights we may issue, including some or all of the following, where applicable:
| · | the title and aggregate number of the rights; |
| · | the subscription price or a formula for the determination of the subscription price for the rights and the currency or currencies in which the subscription price may be payable; |
| · | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the rights are issued and the number of rights issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security; |
| · | the number or a formula for the determination of the number of the rights issued to each shareholder; |
| · | the extent to which the rights are transferable; |
| · | in the case of rights to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one right; |
| · | in the case of rights to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the type of stock and number of shares of stock purchasable upon exercise of one right; |
| · | the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the rights will expire (subject to any extension); |
| · | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the rights that may be exercised at any one time; |
| · | the extent to which such rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; |
| · | if applicable, the procedures for adjusting the subscription price and number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of each right upon the occurrence of certain events, including stock splits, reverse stock splits, combinations, subdivisions or reclassifications of common stock or preferred stock; |
| · | the effect on the rights of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business; |
| · | the terms of any rights to redeem or call the rights; |
| · | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| · | the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the rights; |
| · | if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting, backstop or other purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the rights offering; |
| · | if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
| · | any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights. |
The description in the applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus relating to any rights offered under this prospectus will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable form of rights agreement, which will describe the terms of the series of rights being offered and which will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
| 19 |
We may sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades, or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, and/or directly to one or more purchasers, or through any combination of these methods. The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions:
| · | at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
| · | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| · | at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
| · | at negotiated prices. |
Each time that we sell securities covered by this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement or supplements that will describe the method of distribution and set forth the terms and conditions of the offering of such securities, including the offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us, if applicable.
Offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus may be solicited directly. Agents may also be designated to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities will be identified in a prospectus supplement.
If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, the securities will be sold to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.
If an underwriter is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter at the time of sale and the name of any underwriter will be provided in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for which they may act as agent. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.
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 described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers, and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers, and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof and to reimburse those persons for certain expenses.
Any common stock issued by us will be traded on Nasdaq unless we specify otherwise in the prospectus supplement, but any other securities may or may not be publicly traded or listed on a national securities exchange. To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.
| 20 |
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, underwriters or other persons acting as agents may be authorized to solicit offers by institutions or other suitable purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. These purchasers may include, among others, commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, and educational and charitable institutions. Delayed delivery contracts will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities covered by the delayed delivery contracts will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and agents will not have any responsibility with respect to the validity or performance of these contracts.
We may engage in at-the-market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents who may participate in any at-the-market offerings will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, then the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and they may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in these sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. The financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.
| 21 |
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York. In addition, certain matters involving the laws of the State of Iowa will be passed upon for us by Bradley & Riley PC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The consolidated financial statements of United Fire Group, Inc. appearing in United Fire Group, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the effectiveness of United Fire Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the respective dates (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
| 22 |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us. The SEC’s internet site can be found at www.sec.gov. We make available free of charge most of our SEC filings on the “Investors” page of our website at www.ufginsurance.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these materials with the SEC. You may access these SEC filings on our website. Except for those SEC filings incorporated by reference in this prospectus, none of the other information on our website is part of this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information concerning us and the securities, you should read the entire registration statement and the additional information described below. The registration statement has been filed electronically and may be obtained in any manner listed above. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
The SEC allows us to incorporate into this prospectus by reference the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to the documents containing that information. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we later file with the SEC will automatically update and, where applicable, modify or supersede that information.
We incorporate by reference the following documents previously filed with the SEC:
| · | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2025; |
| · | the information included in our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the SEC on April 8, 2025, to the extent incorporated by reference in Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024; |
| · | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 filed with the SEC on May 7, 2025; |
| · | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 29, 2025, February 21, 2025, April 23, 2025, May 21, 2025 and May 21, 2025; and |
| · | the description of our common stock, which is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, in our Form 8-A filed with the SEC on February 25, 2009, as updated by the description of our common stock filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2020, and any subsequent amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
In addition, all documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of securities to which this prospectus relates (in each case, other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules) shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The most recent information that we file with the SEC automatically updates and supersedes older information. Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document that is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no portion of any document that is “furnished” but not “filed” in accordance with SEC rules under Exchange Act shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Any statement contained in this prospectus or 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 that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
You may request a copy of any of these filings from us at no cost by writing or calling our Chief Legal Officer at the following address or telephone number: United Fire Group, Inc., 118 Second Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401; Telephone: (319) 399-5700.
| 23 |
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth estimated expenses relating to the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be paid by the registrant:
| SEC registration fee | $ | (1 | ) | |
| Printing and engraving fees and expenses | (2 | ) | ||
| Rating agency and exchange listing fees | (2 | ) | ||
| Legal fees and expenses | (2 | ) | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses | (2 | ) | ||
| Trustee, transfer agent and registrar fees | (2 | ) | ||
| Miscellaneous expenses | (2 | ) | ||
| Total | $ | (2 | ) |
| (1) | Pursuant to Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee relating to the securities that are registered and available for sale under this registration statement. |
| (2) | These fees and expenses are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time. An estimate of the aggregate amount of these fees and expenses will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Personal Liability of Directors and Officers
The Iowa Business Corporation Act (the “IBCA”) provides that a director or officer is not liable to the corporation or its shareholders for money damages resulting from any action taken or failure to take any action in the discharge of the person’s duties except liability for any of the following: (a) the amount of any financial benefit to which the person is not entitled; (b) an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders; (c) a violation of Section 490.833 of the IBCA relating to unlawful distributions; or (d) an intentional violation of criminal law.
The registrant’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Articles”) reflect the provisions of the IBCA relating to personal liability of directors. The Articles provide that if the IBCA is amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the personal liability of directors, then automatically and without any further action, the liability of a director, in addition to the limitation on personal liability provided in the Articles, shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the IBCA.
Indemnification
The IBCA permits a corporation to indemnify a director who is a party to a proceeding because the individual is a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if either (1)(a) the individual acted in good faith; (b) the individual reasonably believed (i) in the case of conduct in the individual’s official capacity, that the individual’s conduct was in the best interests of the corporation and (ii) in all other cases, that the individual’s conduct was at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the individual had no reasonable cause to believe the individual’s conduct was unlawful; or (2) the individual engaged in conduct for which broader indemnification has been made permissible or obligatory under a provision of the corporation’s articles of incorporation as authorized by the IBCA. In certain cases a court may order the indemnification or advancement of expenses.
The IBCA also provides that unless ordered by a court pursuant to the IBCA, a corporation shall not indemnify a director under the permissible indemnification provisions in either of the following circumstances: (1) in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, except for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if it is determined that the director has met the relevant standard of conduct set forth in the preceding paragraph or (2) in connection with any proceeding with respect to conduct for which the director was adjudged liable on the basis that the director received a financial benefit to which the director was not entitled, whether or not involving action in the director’s official capacity.
| II-1 |
With respect to officers, the IBCA permits a corporation to indemnify and advance expenses to an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding because the person is an officer, according to all of the following: (1) to the same extent as to a director; and (2) if the person is an officer but not a director, to such further extent as may be provided by the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors, or contract, except for either of the following: (a) liability in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation other than for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding or (b) liability arising out of conduct that constitutes any of the following: (A) receipt by the officer of a financial benefit to which the officer is not entitled; (B) an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation; and (C) an intentional violation of criminal law. An officer of a corporation who is not a director is entitled to mandatory indemnification in certain circumstances and may apply to a court for indemnification or an advance for expenses to the same extent to which a director may be entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses.
The Articles provide that the registrant shall indemnify a director for liability, as defined in the IBCA, to any person for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director, except liability for any of the following: (1) receipt of a financial benefit to which the person is not entitled; (2) an intentional infliction of harm on the registrant or its shareholders; (3) a violation of Section 490.833 of the IBCA relating to unlawful distributions; or (4) an intentional violation of criminal law. Also, the registrant shall exercise all of its permissive powers as often as necessary to indemnify and advance expenses to its directors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The registrant’s bylaws provide with respect to directors that the registrant shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless each director, and if the board of directors adopts a plan of indemnification, the registrant’s indemnification arrangement shall be as described in that plan. The rights of indemnification provided for in the plan shall not be deemed exclusive of any other right to which a director may be entitled. In addition to any other indemnification permitted by law, the registrant shall indemnify and hold harmless each director now or hereafter serving the registrant or any of its subsidiaries for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director, except liability for any of the following: (1) the amount of a financial benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled; (2) an intentional infliction of harm on the registrant or its shareholders; (3) a violation of Section 490.833 of the IBCA relating to unlawful distributions; or (4) an intentional violation of criminal law.
With respect to officers, the registrant’s bylaws provide that in addition to any other indemnification permitted by law, the registrant shall indemnify and advance expenses to an officer of the registrant who is a party to the proceeding because the person is an officer (1) to the same extent as to a director and (2) if the person is an officer but not a director, to such further extent as may be provided by the Articles, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors, or contract, except for (a) liability in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the registrant other than for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding and (b) liability arising out of conduct that constitutes (i) receipt by the officer of a financial benefit to which the officer is not entitled, (ii) an intentional infliction of harm on the registrant or its shareholders, or (iii) an intentional violation of criminal law.
The IBCA also provides for mandatory indemnification of a director or an officer who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the director or officer was a party because the director or officer is or was a director or officer of the corporation against reasonable expenses incurred by the director or officer in connection with the proceeding.
The directors and officers of the registrant are covered in such capacities by insurance policies insuring and indemnifying them under some circumstances against certain liabilities, including costs of defense, settlement, payment of a judgment and liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
The above discussion of the IBCA and the registrant’s Articles and bylaws is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the IBCA, as well as the registrant’s Articles and bylaws which are attached to this Registration Statement as exhibits.
| II-2 |
Item 16. Exhibits.
* If applicable, to be filed subsequent to the effectiveness of this registration statement (1) by an amendment to this registration statement or (2) as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
**If applicable, to be filed subsequent to the effectiveness of this registration statement in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 17. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this 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 this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent (20%) change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Filing Fee Tables” or “Calculation of Registration Fee” table, as applicable in the effective registration statement; and
| II-3 |
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement;
provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(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 SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference into this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this 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) shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this 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 this 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 this registration statement relating to the securities in this 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 this registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement or prospectus that is part of this 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 this registration statement or prospectus that was a part of this 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;
| II-4 |
(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.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 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 this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the indemnification provisions described herein, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
| II-5 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Cedar Rapids, State of Iowa, on May 28, 2025.
| UNITED FIRE GROUP, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Kevin Leidwinger | |
| Kevin Leidwinger | ||
| President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Principal Execution Officer | ||
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Sarah Madsen, Eric Martin and Jonathan Ross, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective on filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or her or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 28, 2025.
| Signature | Title |
| /s/ Kevin Leidwinger | President, Chief Executive Officer, Director |
| Kevin Leidwinger | (Principal Executive Officer) |
| /s/ Eric J. Martin | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
| Eric J. Martin | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
| /s/ James W. Noyce | Chairman and Director |
| James W. Noyce | |
| /s/ John Paul E. Besong | Director |
| John Paul E. Besong | |
| /s/ Scott L. Carlton | Director |
| Scott L. Carlton | |
| /s/ Brenda K. Clancy | Director |
| Brenda K. Clancy | |
| /s/ Christopher R. Drahozal | Director |
| Christopher R. Drahozal | |
| /s/ Matthew R. Foran | Director |
| Matthew R. Foran | |
| /s/ Mark A. Green | Director |
| Mark A. Green | |
| /s/ Lura McBride | Director |
| Lura McBride | |
| /s/ George D. Milligan | Director |
| George D. Milligan | |
| /s/ Susan E. Voss | Director |
| Susan E. Voss |
| II-6 |
Exhibit 4.4
UNITED FIRE GROUP, INC.
FORM OF INDENTURE
Dated as of [●]
[●]
Trustee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
| ARTICLE 1 | ||
| DEFINITIONS | ||
| SECTION 1.01. | Certain Terms Defined | 1 |
| SECTION 1.02. | Other Definitions | 5 |
| SECTION 1.03. | Rules of Construction | 5 |
| ARTICLE 2 | ||
| SECURITY FORMS | ||
| SECTION 2.01. | Forms Generally | 5 |
| SECTION 2.02. | Guarantees by Guarantor; Form of Guarantee; Release of Guarantee | 5 |
| SECTION 2.03. | Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication | 8 |
| ARTICLE 3 | ||
| ISSUE, EXECUTION, FORM AND REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES | ||
| SECTION 3.01. | Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 8 |
| SECTION 3.02. | Authentication and Delivery of Securities | 10 |
| SECTION 3.03. | Execution of Securities | 10 |
| SECTION 3.04. | Certificate of Authentication | 10 |
| SECTION 3.05. | Denomination, Currency and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest | 11 |
| SECTION 3.06. | Global Security Legend | 11 |
| SECTION 3.07. | Registration, Transfer and Exchange | 12 |
| SECTION 3.08. | Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities | 13 |
| SECTION 3.09. | Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 14 |
| SECTION 3.10. | Cancellation of Securities | 14 |
| SECTION 3.11. | Temporary Securities | 15 |
| SECTION 3.12. | CUSIP and ISIN Numbers | 15 |
| ARTICLE 4 | ||
| CERTAIN COVENANTS | ||
| SECTION 4.01. | Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest on Securities | 15 |
| SECTION 4.02. | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 15 |
| SECTION 4.03. | Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust | 15 |
| SECTION 4.04. | Existence | 16 |
| SECTION 4.05. | Statement by Officers as to Default | 17 |
| SECTION 4.06. | Waiver of Certain Covenants | 17 |
| ARTICLE 5 | ||
| REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT | ||
| SECTION 5.01. | Events of Default | 17 |
| SECTION 5.02. | Acceleration | 18 |
| SECTION 5.03. | Other Remedies | 18 |
i
| SECTION 5.04. | Waiver of Past Defaults | 18 |
| SECTION 5.05. | Control by Majority | 19 |
| SECTION 5.06. | Limitation on Suits | 19 |
| SECTION 5.07. | Rights of Holders to Receive Payment | 19 |
| SECTION 5.08. | Collection Suit by Trustee | 19 |
| SECTION 5.09. | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 20 |
| SECTION 5.10. | Priorities | 20 |
| SECTION 5.11. | Undertaking for Costs | 20 |
| SECTION 5.12. | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 20 |
| SECTION 5.13. | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 21 |
| SECTION 5.14. | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 21 |
| ARTICLE 6 | ||
| THE TRUSTEE | ||
| SECTION 6.01. | Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default | 21 |
| SECTION 6.02. | Certain Rights of the Trustee | 22 |
| SECTION 6.03. | Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof | 23 |
| SECTION 6.04. | Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, Etc. | 23 |
| SECTION 6.05. | Moneys Held by Trustee | 23 |
| SECTION 6.06. | Notice of Default | 23 |
| SECTION 6.07. | Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim | 24 |
| SECTION 6.08. | Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers’ Certificate, Etc. | 24 |
| SECTION 6.09. | Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee | 24 |
| SECTION 6.10. | Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee | 24 |
| SECTION 6.11. | Acceptance of Appointment by Successor | 25 |
| SECTION 6.12. | Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee | 26 |
| SECTION 6.13. | Preferential Collection of Claims | 27 |
| SECTION 6.14. | Communications with the Trustee | 27 |
| SECTION 6.15. | Paying Agent/Registrar | 27 |
| ARTICLE 7 | ||
| CONCERNING THE HOLDERS | ||
| SECTION 7.01. | Evidence of Action Taken by Holders | 27 |
| SECTION 7.02. | Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities; Record Date | 27 |
| SECTION 7.03. | Who May Be Deemed Owners of Securities | 27 |
| SECTION 7.04. | Securities Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding | 28 |
| SECTION 7.05. | Record Date for Action by Holders | 28 |
| SECTION 7.06. | Right of Revocation of Action Taken | 28 |
| ARTICLE 8 | ||
| MEETINGS OF HOLDERS | ||
| SECTION 8.01. | Purposes for Which Meeting May Be Called | 29 |
| SECTION 8.02. | Manner of Calling Meetings; Record Date | 29 |
| SECTION 8.03. | Call of Meeting by Company or Holders | 29 |
| SECTION 8.04. | Who May Attend and Vote at Meeting | 29 |
| SECTION 8.05. | Regulations | 29 |
| SECTION 8.06. | Manner of Voting at Meetings and Record to be Kept | 30 |
| SECTION 8.07. | Exercise of Rights of Trustee and Holders Not to be Hindered or Delayed | 30 |
ii
| ARTICLE 9 | ||
| SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | ||
| SECTION 9.01. | Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 31 |
| SECTION 9.02. | With Consent of Holders | 31 |
| SECTION 9.03. | Effect of Supplemental Indenture | 33 |
| SECTION 9.04. | Documents to Be Given to Trustee; Compliance with TIA | 33 |
| SECTION 9.05. | Notation on Securities in Respect of Supplemental Indentures | 33 |
| ARTICLE 10 | ||
| CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS | ||
| SECTION 10.01. | When the Company May Merge, Etc | 33 |
| SECTION 10.02. | Successor Person Substituted | 33 |
| SECTION 10.03. | Opinion of Counsel to Trustee | 34 |
| ARTICLE 11 | ||
| REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | ||
| SECTION 11.01. | Applicability of Article | 34 |
| SECTION 11.02. | Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions | 34 |
| SECTION 11.03. | Payment of Securities Called for Redemption | 35 |
| ARTICLE 12 | ||
| DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | ||
| SECTION 12.01. | Applicability of the Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 35 |
| SECTION 12.02. | Legal Defeasance and Discharge | 35 |
| SECTION 12.03. | Covenant Defeasance | 36 |
| SECTION 12.04. | Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance | 36 |
| SECTION 12.05. | Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 37 |
| SECTION 12.06. | Repayment to the Company or Guarantor | 37 |
| SECTION 12.07. | Reinstatement | 37 |
| ARTICLE 13 | ||
| SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | ||
| SECTION 13.01. | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 38 |
| SECTION 13.02. | Application of Trust Money | 39 |
| ARTICLE 14 | ||
| HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE, COMPANY AND GUARANTORS | ||
| SECTION 14.01. | Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders | 39 |
| SECTION 14.02. | Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders | 39 |
| SECTION 14.03. | Reports by the Trustee | 40 |
| SECTION 14.04. | Reports by the Company | 40 |
iii
| ARTICLE 15 | ||
| MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | ||
| SECTION 15.01. | Incorporators, Stockholders, Members, Partners, Officers, Managers and Directors of Company or any Guarantor Exempt from Individual Liability | 40 |
| SECTION 15.02. | Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders | 41 |
| SECTION 15.03. | Successors and Assigns of Company or Guarantor Bound by Indenture | 41 |
| SECTION 15.04. | Notices, Etc. | 41 |
| SECTION 15.05. | Notices to Holders | 41 |
| SECTION 15.06. | Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein | 42 |
| SECTION 15.07. | Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays | 42 |
| SECTION 15.08. | Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act | 42 |
| SECTION 15.09. | Conflict of Any Provision of Securities with Indenture | 42 |
| SECTION 15.10. | New York Law to Govern | 42 |
| SECTION 15.11. | Waiver of Jury Trial | 43 |
| SECTION 15.12. | Consent to Jurisdiction and Service | 43 |
| SECTION 15.13. | Third Party Beneficiaries | 43 |
| SECTION 15.14. | Counterparts, Electronic Signatures | 43 |
| SECTION 15.15. | Effect of Headings, Table of Contents | 43 |
| SECTION 15.16. | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 43 |
| SECTION 15.17. | Severability | 44 |
| SECTION 15.18. | Patriot Act Compliance | 44 |
| SECTION 15.19. | Force Majeure | 44 |
iv
UNITED FIRE GROUP, INC.
Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
and this Indenture
Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section | |
| §310(a)(1) | 6.09 | |
| (a)(2) | 6.09 | |
| (a)(3) | Not Applicable | |
| (a)(4) | Not Applicable | |
| (a)(5) | 6.09 | |
| (b) | 6.04, 6.10 | |
| §311(a) | 6.13 | |
| (b) | 6.13 | |
| §312(a) | 14.01, 14.02(a) | |
| (b) | 14.02(b) | |
| (c) | 14.02(c) | |
| §313(a) | 14.03(a) | |
| (b) | 14.03(a) | |
| (c) | 14.03(a), 14.03(b) | |
| (d) | 14.03(b) | |
| §314(a) | 4.05, 14.04 | |
| (b) | Not Applicable | |
| (c)(1) | 15.06 | |
| (c)(2) | 15.06 | |
| (c)(3) | Not Applicable | |
| (d) | Not Applicable | |
| (e) | 15.06 | |
| §315(a) | 6.01 | |
| (b) | 6.06, 14.03(a) | |
| (c) | 6.01 | |
| (d) | 6.01 | |
| (e) | 5.11 | |
| §316(a)(1)(A) | 5.05 | |
| (a)(1)(B) | 5.02, 5.04 | |
| (a)(2) | Not Applicable | |
| (b) | 5.07 | |
| (c) | 7.02, 8.03 | |
| §317(a)(1) | 5.08 | |
| (a)(2) | 5.09 | |
| (b) | 4.03 | |
| 318 (a) | 15.08 |
This cross-reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.
INDENTURE, dated as of [●] (this “Indenture”), between United Fire Group, Inc., an Iowa corporation (the “Company”), and [●], as trustee (the “Trustee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make the Indenture a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE:
In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the Holders thereof, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Securities as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Certain Terms Defined. The following terms (except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section. All other terms used in this Indenture which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act or the definitions of which in the Securities Act are referred to in the Trust Indenture Act (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings given to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (whether or not such is indicated herein). The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.
“Agent Members” has the meaning provided in Section 3.08(a).
“Board of Directors” means, with respect to any Person, the board of directors or board of managers of such Person, or any authorized committee of the board of directors or board of managers of such Person or any officer of such Person duly authorized by the board of directors or board of managers of such Person to take a specific action.
“Board Resolution” means, with respect to the Company or any Guarantor, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or such Guarantor, respectively, to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company or such Guarantor, respectively, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions or trust companies located in the same jurisdiction as the Payment Office specified pursuant to Section 3.01 are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close, except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor.
“Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, its President, its Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer, its Treasurer, its Controller, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated, located at [●].
“Default” means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be an Event of Default.
“Depositary” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees, and their respective successors.
“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.
“Event of Default” means any event or condition specified as such in Section 5.01 which shall have continued for the period of time, if any, therein designated.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, as in effect from time to time. At any time after the Issue Date with respect to a series of Securities, the Company may elect to apply IFRS in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references in this Indenture to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS as in effect from time to time. The Company shall give notice of any such election to the Trustee.
“Global Security” means a Security, and any Guarantees endorsed thereon, evidencing all or part of a series of Securities and the corresponding Guarantees, if any, issued to the Depositary for that series in accordance with Section 3.05 and bearing the appropriate legend prescribed in Section 3.06.
“Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.
“Guarantee” means with respect to the Securities of any series, the Guarantee with respect to the Securities of such series by the applicable Guarantor or Guarantors pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof and a supplemental indenture.
“Guarantor” means, with respect to Securities of any series, any of the Company’s direct and indirect Subsidiaries, but only if such entity has guaranteed the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and with respect to such series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof; provided that upon the release and discharge of any Person from its Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture or as specified pursuant to Section 3.01, such Person shall cease to be a Guarantor.
“Holder,” “Holder of Securities” or other similar terms mean the registered holder of any Security.
2
“IFRS” means International Financial Reporting Standards promulgated by the International Accounting Standards Board (or any successor board or agency) and as adopted by the European Union, as in effect from time to time.
“Indenture” means this indenture as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.
“Interest Payment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Issue Date” means, with respect to Securities of a series, the first date on which the Securities of such series are originally issued under this Indenture.
“Maturity,” means, when used with respect to any Security, the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
“Notice of Default” has the meaning provided in Section 6.06.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an officer of the Company (or on behalf of a Guarantor by an officer of such Guarantor, as the case may be) that meets the requirements of Section 15.06 hereof.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or who may be other counsel satisfactory to the Trustee.
“outstanding” means, when used with reference to Securities, subject to the provisions of Article 7, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except
(a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as Paying Agent); provided that if such Securities are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as herein provided, or provision satisfactory to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice;
(c) Securities in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered, or which shall have been paid, pursuant to the terms of Section 3.09 (unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company is presented that any of such Securities is held by a person in whose hands such Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company); and
(d) Securities that have been defeased pursuant to Section 12.01.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Securities on behalf of the Company. The Company may act as Paying Agent with respect to any Securities issued hereunder.
“Payment Office” means, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Securities are payable as specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
3
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint stock company, business trust, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
“Physical Securities” means Securities issued pursuant to Section 3.02 in exchange for interest in the Global Security or pursuant to Section 3.08(b) in registered form substantially in the form hereinabove recited.
“Principal Amount” means, when used with respect to any Security, the amount of principal of such Security that could then be declared due and payable pursuant to Section 5.02.
“Registrar” has the meaning provided in Section 3.07.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.01.
“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee including any vice president, any trust officer, any assistant vice president, any assistant secretary, any assistant treasurer, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Security” or “Securities” means any Security or Securities, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Security Register” has the meaning provided in Section 3.07.
“Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” means, as applied, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership or other legal entity of which, in the case of a corporation, more than 50% of the issued and outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time capital stock of any other class or classes of such corporation has or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency), or, in the case of any partnership or other legal entity, more than 50% of the ordinary equity capital interests, is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person, by such Person and one or more of its other Subsidiaries or by one or more of such Person’s other Subsidiaries.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was originally executed, and “TIA” means, when used in respect of an indenture supplemental hereto, such Act as in force at the time such indenture supplemental hereto becomes effective.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture 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; provided that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
4
SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.
Term |
Defined in Section | |
| “Authorized Agent” | 15.12 | |
| “Covenant Defeasance” | 12.03 | |
| “Legal Defeasance” | 12.02 | |
| “Specified Courts” | 15.12 |
SECTION 1.03. 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; and
(f) all references in this instrument to Articles and Sections are references to the corresponding Articles and Sections in and of this instrument unless the context requires otherwise.
ARTICLE 2
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 2.01. Forms Generally. The Securities of each series, and all Guarantees endorsed thereon, if any, shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company (and a Board Resolution of each Guarantor with respect to the Guarantees, if any) or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities and Guarantees, if any, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities and Guarantees. If the form of Securities of any series, and any Guarantees endorsed thereon, is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Guarantors, if any, and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.02 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article.
The definitive Securities of any series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel-engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
SECTION 2.02. Guarantees by Guarantor; Form of Guarantee; Release of Guarantee.
(a) Except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture contemplated by Section 3.01(b), the provisions of this Section 2.02 will be applicable to any series of Securities that is to be guaranteed by one or more Guarantors.
5
(b) Each Guarantor by its execution of an applicable supplemental indenture to this Indenture hereby agrees with each Holder of a Security of each series that is guaranteed by such Guarantor and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and with the Trustee on behalf of each such Holder, to be unconditionally bound by the terms and provisions of the Guarantee set forth below and authorizes the Trustee to confirm such Guarantee to the Holder of each such Security by its execution and delivery of each such Security, with such Guarantee endorsed thereon, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.
Guarantees to be endorsed on the Securities shall, subject to this Section 2.02, be in substantially the form set forth below:
GUARANTEE
OF
[GUARANTOR]
For value received, [●] (the “Guarantor”) hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly and severally, to the Holder of the Security upon which this Guarantee is endorsed and to the Trustee on behalf of each such Holder the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, interest and additional amounts, if any, on such Security and the due and punctual payment of any sinking fund or analogous payments referred to therein, if any, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether on the Stated Maturity, by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, according to the terms thereof and of the Indenture, dated as of [●], between United Fire Group, Inc. (hereinafter called the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person thereto under the Indenture), and [●], as trustee (the “Indenture” and as supplemented by any applicable supplemental indenture, the “Indenture”). In case of the failure of the Company punctually to make any such payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, and additional amounts, if any, or any sinking fund or analogous payment, the Guarantor, for so long as this Guarantee shall be in effect, hereby agrees to cause any such payment to be made to or to the order of the Trustee punctually when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether on the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, and as if such payment were made by the Company.
The Guarantor hereby agrees, to the extent permitted by law, that its obligations hereunder shall be as if it were the principal debtor and not merely surety, and shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and shall be unaffected by, any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of such Security or the Indenture, any failure to enforce the provisions of such Security or the Indenture, or any waiver, modification or indulgence granted to the Company with respect thereto, by the Holder of such Security or the Trustee or any other circumstance which may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor. The Guarantor hereby waives, to the extent permitted by law, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest or notice with respect to such Security or the indebtedness evidenced thereby or with respect to any sinking fund or analogous payment required under such Security and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Guarantee will not be discharged except by payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Security or as otherwise described in Section 2.02 of the Indenture.
This Guarantee shall be automatically and unconditionally released on the terms set forth in Section 2.02(c) of the Indenture and such terms as have been specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holder of such Security and the Trustee against the Company in respect of any amounts paid to such Holder by the Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Guarantee; provided that the Guarantor shall not be entitled to enforce, or to receive any payments arising out of or based upon such right of subrogation until the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all Securities of the same series issued under the Indenture shall have been paid in full.
The Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be direct, unconditioned and unsubordinated and will rank equally and ratably without preference and at least equally with other senior unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantor, except to the extent prescribed by law. The Holder of a guaranteed Security will be entitled to payment under the Guarantee without taking any action whatsoever against the Company.
6
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Guarantee or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the guarantee of the Guarantor, which is absolute and unconditional, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, any additional amounts, and any sinking fund or analogous payments with respect to, the Security upon which this Guarantee is endorsed.
This Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication of such Security shall have been manually executed by or on behalf of the Trustee under the Indenture.
All terms used in this Guarantee that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
This Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, but without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.
Executed and dated the date on the face hereof.
[GUARANTOR]
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: |
(c) Release of Guarantee.
(i) The Guarantee of a Guarantor relating to a series of Securities shall be released automatically and unconditionally, and such Guarantor shall be relieved of all of its obligations under its Guarantee of such Securities, (A) upon defeasance or discharge of such series of Securities as provided in Article 12 or Article 13 of this Indenture, (B) if for any reason, such Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company, or (C) in connection with any sale, disposition or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.
(ii) The Guarantee of a Guarantor relating to a series of Securities shall be released automatically and unconditionally, and such Guarantor shall be relieved of all of its obligations under its Guarantee of such Securities, in any additional circumstances provided in the terms of the Securities of such series established pursuant to Section 3.01 of this Indenture and any relevant supplemental indenture.
(iii) At such time as a Guarantor’s Guarantee is released with respect to any series of Securities, such Guarantor will no longer be considered a “Guarantor” of such series of Securities.
(iv) The Trustee shall promptly execute any documents reasonably requested by the Company or applicable Guarantor relating to a series of Securities in order to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Guarantee of the Securities of such series; provided that the Trustee shall not be obligated to execute or deliver any document evidencing the release of a Guarantee pursuant to this Section 2.02(c) unless the Company has delivered an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such release is in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
7
SECTION 2.03. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| [ ], | ||
| as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
ARTICLE 3
ISSUE, EXECUTION, FORM AND REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 3.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
(a) The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
(b) The Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, there shall be established in or pursuant to (i) a Board Resolution of the Company and each Guarantor, if any, of the Securities of such series, (ii) action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution and (subject to Sections 3.03 and 3.04) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company and each Guarantor, if any, of the Securities of such series, or (iii) one or more indentures supplemental hereto:
(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);
(2) whether or not such Securities are to be guaranteed pursuant to Section 2.02 and, if so, the Guarantor or Guarantors thereof;
(3) the purchase price, denomination and 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 Sections 3.07, 3.09, 3.11, 9.05 or 11.03);
(4) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;
(5) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of calculating such rate or rates of interest, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;
(6) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable;
(7) the place or places where the Securities may be exchanged or transferred;
(8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option, and, if other than as provided in Section 11.02, the manner in which the particular Securities of such series (if less than all Securities of such series are to be redeemed) are to be selected for redemption;
8
(9) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series in whole or in part pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(10) if other than denominations of $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(11) if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall or may by payable, or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated, and the particular provisions applicable thereto;
(12) if the payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series are to be made, at the election of the Company or a Holder, in a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which such Securities are denominated or designated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which such payments are to be made, the terms and conditions of such payments and the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments shall be determined, and the particular provisions applicable thereto;
(13) if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be determined with reference to any commodities, currencies or indices, values, rates or prices or any other index, formula or method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated or designated to be payable), the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(14) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;
(15) any modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 5.01 or the covenants of the Company set forth in Article 4 or Article 10 with respect to Securities of the series; and whether such additional or modified Events of Default or covenants are subject to covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 12.03;
(16) if either or both of Section 12.02 and Section 12.03 shall be inapplicable to the Securities of the series ( provided that if no such inapplicability shall be specified and the Securities of such series are not convertible into or their value is not determined with reference to the Company’s equity securities, then both Section 12.02 and Section 12.03 shall be applicable to the Securities of such series; provided further that if no such inapplicability shall be specified and the Securities of such series are convertible into or their value is determined with reference to the Company’s equity securities, then neither Section 12.02 nor Section 12.03 shall be applicable to the Securities of such series) and any other terms upon which the Securities of such series will be defeasible;
(17) if other than the Trustee, the identity of the Registrar and any Paying Agent;
(18) if the Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in global form, (i) the Depositary for such global Securities, (ii) the form of any legend in addition to or in lieu of that in Section 3.06 which shall be borne by such global Security, (iii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any Securities of the series in global form may exchange such interests for certificated Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination, and (iv) if other than as provided in Section 3.08, the circumstances under which any such exchange may occur;
9
(19) if, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Securities of such series may or must be converted into securities of the Company or exchanged for securities of the Company or another enterprise; and
(20) any other terms of the series or any Guarantees endorsed thereon (which terms shall not adversely affect a prior series of Securities).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided (i) by a Board Resolution of the Company, (ii) by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company and (subject to Sections 3.02-3.05) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate or (iii) in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.
If any of the terms of the Securities of any series, and any Guarantees endorsed thereon, are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company and the Guarantors, if any, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and the Guarantors, if any, and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth, or providing the manner for determining, the terms of the Securities of such series, and an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant thereto in connection with the issuance of any Securities of such series shall be delivered to the Trustee prior to the authentication and delivery thereof.
SECTION 3.02. Authentication and Delivery of Securities. Upon the execution and delivery of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter, Securities of any series and any Guarantees endorsed thereon may be executed by the Company and the Guarantors, if any, and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order, and upon delivery to the Trustee of all documents and certificates as required by this Indenture, the Trustee shall thereupon, in accordance with such Company Order, authenticate and make available for delivery said Securities.
SECTION 3.03. Execution of Securities. The Securities of each series shall be executed on behalf of the Company, and each of the Guarantees, if any, shall be executed on behalf of the applicable Guarantor, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company or of such Guarantor, as the case may be. The signatures of any of such officers on the Securities or the Guarantees may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such officers. In case any officer of the Company or of each Guarantor, if any, who shall have signed any of the Securities and Guarantees, if any, shall cease to be such officer before the Security so signed or to which the Guarantee relates shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of by the Company, such Security nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Security or Guarantee had not ceased to be such officer of the Company or of such Guarantor, as the case may be; and any Security or Guarantee may be signed on behalf of the Company or of a Guarantor, if any, by such persons as shall be the proper officers of the Company or of such Guarantor, as the case may be, at the actual date of the execution of such Security or Guarantee even though any such person was not such officer at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture.
SECTION 3.04. Certificate of Authentication. Only such Securities or Guarantees endorsed thereon, if any, as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinabove recited, executed by the Trustee by manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
10
SECTION 3.05. Denomination, Currency and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest.
(a) The Securities shall be issuable in such denominations and currency as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01. In the absence of any specification pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be denominated in Dollars, issuable only as Securities in denominations of $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and payable only in Dollars. The Securities shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plans as the officers of the Company executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee.
Any of the Securities and Guarantees, if any, may be issued with appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and variations, and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, including those required by Section 3.06, or with the rules of any securities market in which the Securities are admitted to trading, or to conform to general usage.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, shall bear interest from the applicable date and shall be payable on the dates specified on the face of the form of Security above. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
(b) Global Securities. If Securities of or within a series are issuable in whole or in part in global form, then any such Security of such series shall be deposited with the Trustee as custodian for the Depositary and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for the Depositary. The Global Security shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Securities represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary (or with such other custodian as the Depositary may direct), and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and each Guarantor, if any, and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Securities may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee as hereinafter provided.
(c) The person in whose name any Security is registered at the close of business on any Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Security subsequent to the Regular Record Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, except if and to the extent the Company or a Guarantor, if any, shall default in the payment of the interest due on such Interest Payment Date, in which case such defaulted interest, plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, shall be paid to the persons in whose names outstanding Securities are registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of such payment) established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Company or such Guarantor to the Holders of Securities not less than 15 calendar days preceding such subsequent record date.
SECTION 3.06. Global Security Legend. Any Security in global form authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form, or in such other form as may be necessary or appropriate to reflect the arrangements with or to comply with the requirements of any Depositary:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY FOR ALL PURPOSES.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & Co. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & Co. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & Co., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
11
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE.
SECTION 3.07. Registration, Transfer and Exchange. The Securities are issuable only in registered form. The Company will keep at each office or agency (the “Registrar”) for each series of Securities a register or registers (the “Security Register(s)”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it will register, and will register the transfer of Securities as provided in this Article. Such Security Register or Security Registers shall be in written form in the English language or in any other form capable of being converted into such form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times such Security Register or Security Registers shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. The initial Registrar shall be the Trustee.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at each such office or agency, the Company shall execute a new Security or Securities of the same series, in each case, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate Principal Amount in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, the applicable Guarantors, if any, shall execute the Guarantees endorsed thereon and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery such Securities.
At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (except a Security in global form) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate Principal Amount and Stated Maturity, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive, the applicable Guarantors, if any, shall execute the Guarantees endorsed thereon and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery such Securities.
A Holder may transfer a Security only by written application to the Registrar stating the name of the proposed transferee and otherwise complying with the terms of this Indenture. No such transfer shall be effected until, and such transferee shall succeed to the rights of a Holder only upon, final acceptance and registration of the transfer by the Registrar in the Security Register. Prior to the registration of any transfer by a Holder as provided herein, the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee or any of their respective agents shall treat the person in whose name the Security is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes whether or not the Security shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the Guarantors, if any, the Trustee, nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary. Furthermore, any Holder of a Global Security shall, by acceptance of such Global Security, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Security may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Depository (or its nominee) and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Security shall be required to be reflected in a book entry. When Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register the transfer or to exchange them for an equal Principal Amount of Securities of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if the requirements for such transactions set forth herein are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute the Securities, the applicable Guarantors, if any, shall execute the Guarantees endorsed thereon and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request.
The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities (other than any such transfer taxes or other similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 3.11, 9.05 or 11.03). No service charge to any Holder shall be made for any such transaction.
The Company shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Securities of any series for a period of 15 calendar days next preceding the first mailing of notice of redemption of Securities of that series to be redeemed, or (b) any Securities of any series selected, called or being called for redemption except, in the case of any Security of any series where public notice has been given that such Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed.
12
All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
SECTION 3.08. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities.
(a) Each Global Security initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary and (iii) bear legends as set forth in Section 3.06.
Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, each Guarantor, if any, the Trustee and any of their respective agents as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, each such Guarantor, the Trustee or any of such agents from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any Security.
(b) Transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of such Global Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary for such series, its successors or their respective nominees. The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of a series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Securities. In such event, the Company will execute Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate Principal Amount equal to the Principal Amount of the Global Security or Securities of such series, the applicable Guarantors, if any, shall execute the Guarantees endorsed thereon and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, will authenticate and deliver such definitive Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary.
In addition, Physical Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners identified by the Depositary in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security, if (i) the Depositary (A) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security, and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 calendar days of such notice, or (B) ceases to be qualified to serve as Depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 calendar days of such notice, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order that such Global Security shall be so transferable, registrable and exchangeable, and such transfers shall be registrable, or (iii) an Event of Default of which the Trustee has actual notice has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from a beneficial owner to issue such Physical Securities, and if the Trustee is the Registrar, a Company Order or written confirmation from the Depositary identifying the beneficial owner.
(c) Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Securities that is transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the other Global Security will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global Security and become an interest in the other Global Security and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions, if any, and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Security for as long as it remains such an interest.
(d) In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 3.08, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the Principal Amount of such Global Security in an amount equal to the Principal Amount of the beneficial interest in such Global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, one or more Physical Securities of like tenor and amount.
(e) In connection with the transfer of an entire Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section, such Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Security, an equal Principal Amount of Physical Securities of authorized denominations.
13
(f) The registered holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such series.
SECTION 3.09. Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated, defaced or be apparently destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its discretion may execute a new Security of the same series bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, the applicable Guarantors, if any, shall execute the Guarantees endorsed thereon and, upon the written request of any officer of the Company and delivery to the Trustee of all documents and certificates as required by this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery such Security, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated or defaced Security, or in lieu of and substitution for the Security so apparently destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substitute Security shall furnish to the Company, each Guarantor, if any, the Trustee and any of their respective agents, such security or indemnity as may be required by each of them to indemnify and defend and to save each of them harmless and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft evidence to their satisfaction of the apparent destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.
Upon the issuance of any substitute Security, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature, or has been called for redemption in full, shall become mutilated or defaced or be apparently destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security of the same series, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated or defaced Security), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company, each Guarantor, if any, the Trustee and any of their respective agents such Security or indemnity as any of them may require to save each of them harmless from all risks, however remote, and, in every case of apparent destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, each such Guarantor, the Trustee and any of such agents evidence to their satisfaction of the apparent destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.
Every substitute Security and the Guarantee endorsed thereon, if any, issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section by virtue of the fact that any Security is apparently destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company and any Guarantor, as applicable, whether or not the apparently destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations of rights set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities and the Guarantees endorsed thereon, if any, duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by law, with respect to the holder of a substitute Security, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced, or apparently destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
SECTION 3.10. Cancellation of Securities. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange, if surrendered to the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any of their respective agents, shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it; and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of cancelled Securities in accordance with its customary procedures. If the Company or any Guarantor shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
14
SECTION 3.11. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery temporary Securities of such series (printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form satisfactory to the Trustee). Temporary Securities shall be issuable as registered Securities of such series without coupons, of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such series, and if the Securities are to be guaranteed, having endorsed thereon the Guarantees executed by each Guarantor, but in all cases with such appropriate omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company and the Guarantors, if any, with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Company and endorsed by each Guarantor, if any, and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities of such series. Without unreasonable delay the Company shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at each office or agency to be maintained by the Company for the purpose pursuant to Section 4.02, and upon delivery to the Trustee of all documents and certificates as required by this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Securities a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of such series of authorized denominations, and if the Securities are guaranteed, having endorsed thereon the Guarantees executed by each Guarantor. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of such series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.
SECTION 3.12. CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities of any series may use a “CUSIP” and “ISIN” number (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP numbers or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders of such series; provided that any such notice shall 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 redemption or exchange and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers or ISIN numbers.
ARTICLE 4
CERTAIN COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest on Securities. The Company, for the benefit of each series of the Securities, will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
SECTION 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain a Payment Office where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location of, such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby initially appoints the Trustee at its office or agency as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above 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 location of any such other office or agency.
SECTION 4.03. Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust.
(a) If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
15
(b) Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
(c) The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities (other than the Trustee) to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent will agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.03, that such Paying Agent will (i) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent; (ii) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Holders until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided; (iii) give the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company or any Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of that series; and (iv) during the continuance of any Default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Securities of that series, and upon the written request of that Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series.
(d) The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent will be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
(e) Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, or interest has become due and payable and was deposited with the Paying Agent will be paid to the Company upon a Company Request (or, if then held by the Company, will be discharged from such trust) subject to any applicable abandoned property law; and the Holder of such Security will thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money will thereupon cease.
SECTION 4.04. Existence. Subject to Article 10, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided that the Company will not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors determines that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof will not be disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
16
SECTION 4.05. Statement by Officers as to Default. The Company and, to the extent required by the TIA, each Guarantor, if any, will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 calendar days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the first date any series of Securities issued under this Indenture is outstanding, a certificate signed by the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company or such Guarantor stating whether or not to the knowledge of such person after due inquiry the Company or such Guarantor is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions, and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company or such Guarantor is in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such person may have such knowledge. The Company or such Guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within seven calendar days after any such aforementioned officer of the Company or such Guarantor becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or default and the action which the Company or such Guarantor proposes to take with respect thereto.
SECTION 4.06. Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company and each Guarantor, if any, may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision, or condition set forth in this Indenture or any applicable supplemental indenture, with respect to the Securities of any series, if the Holders of a majority in Principal Amount of all outstanding Securities of such series shall, by act of such Holders in accordance with Section 7.01, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision, or condition in accordance with Article 9 and Section 5.07, but no such waiver will extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and such Guarantor and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision, or condition will remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE 5
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
SECTION 5.01. Events of Default. Each of the following events constitutes an “Event of Default” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series:
(a) default for 30 calendar days in the payment when due of interest on the Securities of that series;
(b) default in payment when due of the principal (whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption (if applicable), upon any required repurchase by the Company (if applicable) or otherwise) of or premium, if any, on the Securities of that series;
(c) default by the Company or any Guarantor of such series of Securities in the observance or performance of any other covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or as specified pursuant to Section 3.01 (other than a default referred to in clauses (a) or (b) above, or an agreement, covenant or provision that has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than that series) which default continues for a period of 60 calendar days after the Company or such Guarantor receives written notice specifying the default (and demanding that such default be remedied) from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% of the Principal Amount of Securities of that series then outstanding (with a copy to the Trustee if given by Holders) (except in the case of a default with respect to Section 10.01 of this Indenture, which will constitute an Event of Default with such notice requirement but without such passage of time requirement).
(d) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (i) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or a Guarantor of such series of Securities in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar law or (ii) a decree or order adjudging the Company or such Guarantor bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, or composition of or in respect of the Company or such Guarantor under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator, or other similar official of the Company or such Guarantor or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive calendar days;
(e) the commencement by the Company or a Guarantor of such series of Securities of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or such Guarantor in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief with respect to the Company or such Guarantor under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator, or other similar official of the Company or such Guarantor or of any substantial part of its property pursuant to any such law, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or such Guarantor in furtherance of any such action;
17
(f) any Guarantee relating to such series Securities shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture) or any Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Guarantee; or
(g) any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of that series as specified pursuant to Section 3.01, which shall not have been remedied within the specified period after written notice, as specified in Section 5.01(c).
SECTION 5.02. Acceleration.
(a) If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (d) or (e) of Section 5.01) occurs and is continuing with respect to Securities of any series, the Trustee by written notice to the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate Principal Amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of the affected series to be due and payable immediately. Except as set forth above, upon such declaration the principal of, premium, if any, and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (d) or (e) of Section 5.01 occurs with respect to the Company or any Guarantor, the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without further action or notice on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
(b) At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Securities of 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 5 provided, the Holders of a majority in Principal Amount of the outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (i) the Company or a Guarantor has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all overdue interest on all of the Securities of that series, (B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) Securities of that series which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in the Securities of that series, (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in the Securities of that series, and (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel and (ii) all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.04. No such rescission will affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 5.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal or interest on the Securities of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of such series or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities of such series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
SECTION 5.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities of any series then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under this Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal (whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption (if applicable), upon any required repurchase by the Company (if applicable) or otherwise) of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or, in the case of the Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable, in the payment or delivery of any consideration due upon conversion or exchange of the Securities of that series (if applicable). The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to waive any past Default hereunder. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to waive any Default hereunder, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. 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.
18
SECTION 5.05. Control by Majority. With respect to the Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that the Trustee in good faith determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of that series or that may involve or cause the Trustee any potential liability. The Trustee may take any other action which it deems proper which is not inconsistent with any such direction.
SECTION 5.06. Limitation on Suits. A Holder of any Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of the applicable series only if:
(a) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to that series;
(b) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate Principal Amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(c) such Holder or Holders provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense in connection with the pursuance of such remedy;
(d) during the 60-day period specified in (e) below, the Holders of a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request; and
(e) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 calendar days after receipt of the notice, request and the offer of indemnity.
Holders shall not have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other 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.
SECTION 5.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal (whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption (if applicable), upon any required repurchase by the Company (if applicable) or otherwise) of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security or, if applicable, payment or delivery of any consideration due upon conversion or exchange of any Security, in each case, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
SECTION 5.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company, any Guarantor or any other obligor for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, remaining unpaid on any Securities of such series and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07 hereof, including the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
19
SECTION 5.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian 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 to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties which the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of any series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
SECTION 5.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 6.07, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;
Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities of any series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and
Third: to the Company or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof from a Guarantor, to such Guarantor, or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 5.10 upon seven calendar days prior notice to the Company.
SECTION 5.11. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 5.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of Securities of the affected series pursuant to Section 5.07 hereof, a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate Principal Amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clause (a), (b), (c), (f) or (g) of Section 5.01, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate Principal Amount of the then outstanding Securities of all series in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clause (d) or (e) of Section 5.01.
SECTION 5.12. 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, any Guarantor, 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 has been instituted.
20
SECTION 5.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.09, 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 prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 5.14. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of Securities of any series 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.
ARTICLE 6
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.01. Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default. The Trustee, with respect to the Securities of any series, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of such series which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties with respect to such series as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (and is continuing which has not been cured or waived) the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture with respect to such series, 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.
No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, provided that:
(a) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;
(b) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any statements, certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such statements, certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any calculation or facts stated therein);
(c) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be conclusively determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or by such other means as may be agreed by the Company and the Trustee at the time of determination that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(d) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with a Company Order or the direction of the Holders given as provided in Section 5.05 or otherwise exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.
21
None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any potential or actual liability (financial or otherwise) in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not assured to it. This Section 6.01 is in furtherance of and subject to Sections 315 and 316 of the Trust Indenture Act.
Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Article 6.
SECTION 6.02. Certain Rights of the Trustee. In furtherance of and subject to the Trust Indenture Act, and subject to Section 6.01:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) and the Trustee may request and be entitled to receive an Officers’ Certificate before acting or refraining from acting with respect to such request, direction, order or demand; and any resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or a Guarantor, if any, may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or that Guarantor;
(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered and provided to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred therein or thereby;
(e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion, rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security, or other paper or document unless requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities of any series then outstanding; provided that, if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require (and shall not be required to make such investigation unless it receives) indemnity satisfactory to it against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding; the reasonable expenses of every such examination shall be paid by the Company;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys not regularly in its employ and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(h) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee under this Indenture, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder and the employees, officers and directors of the Trustee;
22
(i) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received from a Holder, the Company or any Guarantor written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default, as the case may be, and such notice references the Securities, this Indenture, the circumstances giving rise to such a Default or Event of Default and that the same has occurred and is continuing; and
(j) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
SECTION 6.03. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities, except that the Trustee represents, that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company, are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee shall not be liable or accountable in any manner for the use or application by the Company of any of the Securities or of the proceeds thereof.
SECTION 6.04. Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, Etc.. The Trustee or any of its affiliates or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities, subject to Sections 6.10 and 6.13 with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent and may otherwise deal with the Company, any Guarantor or their respective affiliates and receive, collect, hold and retain collections from the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any “conflicting interest,” as defined in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 calendar days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as trustee or resign.
SECTION 6.05. Moneys Held by Trustee. All moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law. Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be under any liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder, except as otherwise agreed with the Company.
SECTION 6.06. Notice of Default. If any Default or any Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any series and if such Default or Event of Default is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent provided in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c) notice of the Default or Event of Default (“Notice of Default”) within 90 calendar days after it occurs, unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured; provided that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal (whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption (if applicable), upon any required repurchase by the Company (if applicable) or otherwise) of, or interest or premium, if any, on any Security of such series, in the payment or delivery of any consideration due upon conversion or exchange of any Security of such series (if applicable) or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series.
23
SECTION 6.07. Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim. The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) and the Company covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by or on behalf of it in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all agents and other persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable decision or by such other means as may be agreed by the Company and the Trustee at the time of determination). The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable decision or by such other means as may be agreed by the Company and the Trustee at the time of determination), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or the trusts hereunder and its duties hereunder, including without limitation the costs and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim (whether asserted by the Company, a Holder or any other Person). The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. Such financial obligations of the Company identified in this Section 6.07 shall be a senior claim to that of the Securities of each series, and as security for such obligations, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to such Securities, upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities, and the Securities of each series are hereby subordinated to such senior claim. Such lien shall survive the discharge and satisfaction of this Indenture.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(d) or Section 5.01(e), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
SECTION 6.08. Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers’ Certificate, Etc.. Subject to Sections 6.01 and 6.02, whenever in the administration of the trusts of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
SECTION 6.09. Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee. The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation, national association or other appropriate entity having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, and which is eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of a federal, state or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.
SECTION 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may at any time resign with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice of resignation to the Company and to the Holders of Securities of such series, such notice to the Holders to be given by mailing (by first class mail) the same within 30 calendar days after such notice is given to the Company. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument in duplicate, executed by authority of the Board of Directors of the Company, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 calendar days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Holder of the affected series who has been a bona fide holder of the Securities of the affected series for at least six months (or since the Issue Date for such Securities if the holding period is less than six months) may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
24
(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of Securities of the affected series for at least six months; or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.09, and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder; or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver or liquidator of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;
then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by authority of the Board of Directors of the Company, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder of the affected series who has been a bona fide holder of the Securities of the affected series for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(c) The Holders of a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities of any series at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee for that series and appoint a successor trustee by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the successor trustee so appointed and to the Company and any Guarantor the evidence provided for in Section 7.01 of the action in that regard taken by the Holders of that series.
If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment 30 calendar days after the mailing of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and any appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 6.10 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 6.11.
(e) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its fees, costs, expenses and other charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
25
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, any applicable Guarantor, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall upon payment of its fees, costs, expenses and other charges duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company and any applicable Guarantor shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee. Any corporation or national association into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or to which the Trustee’s assets may be sold, or any corporation or national association resulting from any merger, conversion, consolidation or sale to which the Trustee shall be a party or by which the Trustee’s property may be bound, or any corporation or national association succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such entity shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 6.09, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.
In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and, in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificate shall have the full force that it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture; provided that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
26
SECTION 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims. If the Trustee shall be or shall become a creditor, directly or indirectly, secured or unsecured, of the Company (or any other obligor on the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor). For purposes of Section 311(b) (4) and (6) of such Act, the following terms shall mean:
(a) “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven calendar days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; and
(b) “self-liquidating paper” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.
SECTION 6.14. Communications with the Trustee. Any and all notices, certificates, opinions or filings with the Commission required or permitted to be provided by the Company to the Trustee under this Indenture shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered, sent via an internationally recognized overnight delivery service or sent by facsimile or electronic transmission to the address or telecopy number of the Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 6.15. Paying Agent/Registrar. If the Trustee is acting as Paying Agent and/or Registrar hereunder, the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee under this Article 6 will also be afforded to the Paying Agent and/or the Registrar.
ARTICLE 7
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS
SECTION 7.01. Evidence of Action Taken by Holders. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of any series may be embodied in and evidenced (a) by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 8, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company and each Guarantor, if any. Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Sections 6.01 and 6.02) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company and each Guarantor, if any, if made in the manner provided in this Article.
SECTION 7.02. Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities; Record Date. Subject to Sections 6.01 and 6.02, the execution of any instrument by a Holder or its agent or proxy may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register or by a certificate of the Registrar thereof. The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders of Securities entitled to vote or consent to any action referred to in Section 7.01, which record date may be set at any time or from time to time by notice to the Trustee, for any date or dates (in the case of any adjournment or resolicitation) not more than 90 calendar days nor less than 20 calendar days prior to the proposed date of such vote or consent, and thereafter, notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, only Holders of Securities of record on such record date shall be entitled to so vote or give such consent or to withdraw such vote or consent.
SECTION 7.03. Who May Be Deemed Owners of Securities. The Company, each Guarantor, if any, the Trustee, any Paying Agent and any Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name any Security of any series shall be registered in the Security Register on the applicable record date as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Security and for all other purposes; and none of the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to, or upon the order of, any Holders shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability of moneys payable upon any such Security.
27
SECTION 7.04. Securities Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate Principal Amount of Securities of any series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Securities of such series which are owned by the Company, any Guarantor with respect to such series or any other obligor on the Securities of such series or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company, any such Guarantor or any other obligor on the Securities of such series shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company, any Guarantor or any other obligor on the Securities. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers’ Certificate listing and identifying all Securities of any series, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described persons; and, subject to Sections 6.01 and 6.02, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers’ Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Securities of such series not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.
SECTION 7.05. Record Date for Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), other than any action taken at a meeting of Holders of such series called pursuant to Article 8, the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date, which need not be the date provided in TIA Section 316(c) to the extent it would otherwise be applicable, 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 Section 7.06, 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 to 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 90 days after such record date.
SECTION 7.06. Right of Revocation of Action Taken. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Security the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included among the serial numbers of the Securities of the series the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in this Article 7, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security and of any Securities issued in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon any such Security. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, each Guarantor with respect to such series, if any, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Securities of such series.
28
ARTICLE 8
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS
SECTION 8.01. Purposes for Which Meeting May Be Called. A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article 8 for any of the following purposes:
(a) to give any notice to the Company, any Guarantor or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series hereunder and its consequences, or take any other action authorized to be taken by Holders of such series pursuant to any of the provisions of Article 5;
(b) to remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of such series pursuant to the provisions of Article 6;
(c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02; or
(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of the percentage in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities of such series under any other provisions of this Indenture or under applicable law.
SECTION 8.02. Manner of Calling Meetings; Record Date. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of any series to take any action specified in Section 8.01, to be held at such time and at such place in [●], or as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of any series setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 calendar days prior to the date fixed for the meeting to such Holders at their registered addresses. For the purpose of determining Holders entitled to notice of any meeting of Holders, the Trustee shall fix in advance a date as the record date for such determination, such date to be a Business Day not more than 10 calendar days prior to the date of the mailing of such notice as hereinabove provided. Only persons in whose name a Security of such series is registered upon the books of the Company on a record date fixed by the Trustee as aforesaid, or by the Company or the Holders as in Section 8.03 provided, shall be entitled to notice of the meeting of Holders with respect to which such record date was so fixed.
SECTION 8.03. Call of Meeting by Company or Holders. In case at any time the Company or a Guarantor, if any, pursuant to a resolution of its Board of Directors, or the Holders of at least 10 percent in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of such series to take any action authorized in Section 8.01 by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed notice of such meeting within 20 calendar days after receipt of such request, then the Company, any such Guarantor or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified may fix the record date with respect to, and determine the time and the place for, such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.01, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 8.02. The record date fixed as provided in the preceding sentence shall be set forth in a written notice to the Trustee and shall be a Business Day not less than 15 nor more than 20 calendar days after the date on which such notice is sent to the Trustee.
SECTION 8.04. Who May Attend and Vote at Meeting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of any series, a person shall be a Holder of one or more Securities of such series. The only persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of any series shall be the persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel, any representatives of the Company and its counsel, and any representatives of any Guarantor of such Securities and its counsel. When a determination of Holders entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders has been made as provided in this Section 8.04, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.
SECTION 8.05. Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of any series, in regard to proof of the holding of the Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of the Securities of such series shall be provided in the manner specified in Section 8.06.
29
The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders as provided in Section 8.03, in which case the Company or the Holders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by a vote of the Holders of a majority in Principal Amount of the Securities represented at the meeting and entitled to vote.
Subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, at any meeting each Holder or proxy entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Securities held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the person to vote on behalf of other Holders. Any meeting of Holders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.02 or 8.03 may be adjourned from time to time, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
At any meeting of Holders of any series, the presence of persons who held, or who are acting as proxy for persons who held, an aggregate Principal Amount of Securities of such series on the record date for such meeting sufficient to take action on the business for the transaction of which such meeting was called shall constitute a quorum, but, if less than a quorum is present, the persons holding or representing a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities of such series represented at the meeting may adjourn such meeting with the same effect, for all intents and purposes, as though a quorum had been present.
SECTION 8.06. Manner of Voting at Meetings and Record to be Kept. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of any series shall be by written ballots on each of which shall be subscribed the signature of the Holder or proxy casting such ballot and the identifying number or numbers of the Securities of such series held or represented in respect of which such ballot is cast. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 8.02. The record shall show the identifying numbers of the Securities of such series voting in favor of or against any resolution. Each counterpart of such record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the counterparts shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee.
Any counterpart record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated and shall be the record referred to in clause (b) of Section 7.01.
SECTION 8.07. Exercise of Rights of Trustee and Holders Not to be Hindered or Delayed. Nothing in this Article 8 contained shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Holders or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of any series under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities of such series.
30
ARTICLE 9
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. The Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of any series or waive any provision hereof or thereof without the consent of any Holder:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in a manner that does not, individually or in the aggregate with all other changes, adversely affect the rights of any Holder of the Securities of any series in any material respect;
(b) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;
(c) to evidence the assumption of the obligations of the Company or a Guarantor to the Holders of the Securities in the case of any transaction pursuant to Article 10 hereof;
(d) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee and to add to or change any of the provisions of the Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee;
(e) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of all or any series of Securities or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any such Holder;
(f) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
(g) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 3.01;
(h) to secure the Company’s obligations in respect of the Securities of any series;
(i) to add a Guarantor in respect of the Securities of any series.
(j) in the case of convertible or exchangeable Securities of any series, subject to the provisions of the supplemental indenture for such series of Securities, to provide for conversion rights, exchange rights and/or repurchase rights of Holders of such series of Securities in connection with any reclassification or change of the Company’s common stock or in the event of any amalgamation, consolidation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety occurs;
(k) in the case of convertible or exchangeable Securities of any series, to reduce the conversion price or exchange price applicable to such series of Securities;
(l) in the case of convertible or exchangeable Securities of any series, to increase the conversion rate or exchange ratio in the manner described in the supplemental indenture for such series of Securities, provided that the increase will not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities of such series in any material respect; or
(m) any other action to amend or supplement the Indenture or the Securities of any series as set forth in the supplemental indenture establishing the terms of the Securities of that series as provided in Section 3.01(b).
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.04 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors, if any, in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture which affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders. Except as provided in the next succeeding paragraphs, this Indenture or the Securities may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of all the Securities then outstanding affected by such supplemental indenture (acting as a single class).
31
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.04 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors, if any, in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 5.02(b), 5.04 and 5.07 hereof, the application of or compliance with, either generally or in a particular instance, of any provision of this Indenture or the Securities may be waived as to each series of Securities by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series.
Without the consent of each Holder affected hereby, however, an amendment or waiver may not:
(a) reduce the percentage in Principal Amount of Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(b) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, or time for payment of interest on, any Security, or reduce the Principal Amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any Payment Office where, or the coin or currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date);
(c) modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.02, Section 5.04 or Section 4.06, except to increase the percentage in Principal Amount of Holders required under any such Section or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby, provided that this clause (c) will not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section 9.02, Section 5.02(b), Section 5.04 and Section 4.06, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Section 6.11;
(d) impair the rights of Holders of the Securities of any series that are exchangeable or convertible to receive payment or delivery of any consideration due upon the conversion or exchange of the Securities of that series;
(e) change in any manner adverse to the interests of the Holders of any outstanding Securities the terms and conditions of the obligations of the Guarantors, if applicable, in respect of the due and punctual payment of the principal thereof (and premium, if any, thereon) and interest thereon or any additional amounts or any sinking fund or analogous payments provided in respect thereof; or
(f) modify or amend any of the provisions of the Indenture or Securities of any series as may be set forth in the supplemental indenture with respect to the Securities of that series as requiring the consent of each Holder affected thereby.
32
SECTION 9.03. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company, each Guarantor, if any, and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
SECTION 9.04. Documents to Be Given to Trustee; Compliance with TIA. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02, shall be entitled to receive and conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such supplemental indenture is permitted or authorized under and otherwise complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture. Every such supplemental indenture shall comply with the TIA.
SECTION 9.05. Notation on Securities in Respect of Supplemental Indentures. Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation approved by the Trustee as to form (but not as to substance) as to any matter provided for by such supplemental indenture or as to any action taken at any such meeting. If the Company, any applicable Guarantor or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, endorsed by any such Guarantor, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of such series then outstanding.
ARTICLE 10
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS
SECTION 10.01. When the Company May Merge, Etc. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, another Person (including pursuant to a statutory arrangement), whether in a single transaction or series of related transactions, unless:
(a) the Company is the surviving entity or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State or the District of Columbia, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture of the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
SECTION 10.02. Successor Person Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 10.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and, except in the case of a lease, be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person), and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) a consolidation or merger by the Company with or into, or (ii) the sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets to, one or more of its Subsidiaries shall not relieve the Company from its obligations under this Indenture and the Securities.
33
SECTION 10.03. Opinion of Counsel to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
ARTICLE 11
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 11.01. Applicability of Article. Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.
SECTION 11.02. Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 calendar days and not more than 60 calendar days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such Holders of Securities at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the registry books. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.
The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers) and shall specify the Principal Amount of each Security held by such Holder to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. In case any Security is to be redeemed in part only the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the Principal Amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in Principal Amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.
The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be redeemed at the option of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.
No later than 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more Paying Agents (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of a series so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. The Company will deliver to the Trustee at least 30 calendar days prior to the date fixed for redemption an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate Principal Amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, either pro rata, by lot or by any other method it shall deem fair and reasonable, Securities to be redeemed in whole or in part. Securities may be redeemed in part only in denominations equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the Principal Amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the Principal Amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.
34
SECTION 11.03. Payment of Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Company and any Guarantors shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue and, except as provided in Sections 6.05 and 12.06, such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a Payment Office specified in said notice, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption; provided that any payment of interest becoming due on the date fixed for redemption shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities registered as such on the relevant Regular Record Date subject to the terms and provisions of Section 3.05 hereof.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate borne by the Security.
Upon presentation of any Securities redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute, the Guarantors, if any, shall, execute the Guarantees endorsed thereon, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, new Securities of authorized denominations, in Principal Amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Securities so presented.
ARTICLE 12
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 12.01. Applicability of the Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. Unless pursuant to Section 3.01 provision is made for the inapplicability of either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of a series under Section 12.02 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of a series under Section 12.03, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article, shall be applicable to the Securities of such series, and the Company may, at its option, by resolution of its Board of Directors, at any time, elect to have either Section 12.02 or Section 12.03 applied to the outstanding Securities of a series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 12.
SECTION 12.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company’s exercise of the option provided under Section 12.01 hereof to defease the outstanding Securities of a particular series under this Section 12.02, the Company and any Guarantors shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such outstanding Securities and related Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of such series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 12.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 12.02, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of such series to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 12.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due, (ii) the obligations of the Company or any Guarantor with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.06, 3.07, 3.08(a), 3.09, 3.11, and 12.05 hereof, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, including, without limitation, the Trustee’s rights under Section 6.07 hereof, and the obligations of the Company or any Guarantor in connection therewith and with this Article 12. Subject to compliance with this Article 12, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 12.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 12.03 hereof with respect to the Securities of such series.
35
SECTION 12.03. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company’s exercise of the option provided under Section 12.01 hereof to obtain a covenant defeasance with respect to the outstanding Securities of a particular series under this Section 12.03, the Company and any Guarantors shall be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Article 4 and Section 10.01 hereof and the covenants contained in any supplemental indenture applicable to such series, with respect to the outstanding Securities of such series on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such series shall thereafter be deemed not outstanding for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed outstanding for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of such series, the Company or any Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.01(c) or Section 5.01(g) with respect to outstanding Securities of such series, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and of the Securities of such series shall be unaffected thereby.
SECTION 12.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 12.02 or Section 12.03 hereof to the outstanding Securities of a particular series:
(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.09 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article 12 applicable to it) 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) an amount (in such currency, currencies or currency unit in which such Securities and any related coupons are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity), or (ii) non-callable Government Securities that through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, cash in Dollars in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such outstanding Securities on the stated maturity date of such principal or installment of principal, or interest or premium, if any.
(b) In the case of an election under Section 12.02 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (ii) since the date hereof, 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 outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred.
(c) In the case of an election under Section 12.03 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred.
(d) No Default or Event of Default (or event that, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default) with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as Section 5.01(d) or 5.01(e) hereof is concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 124th calendar day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).
36
(e) Such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or such Guarantor is bound (other than a breach, violation or default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit).
(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit made by the Company pursuant to its election under Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the affected Securities over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company, or others.
(g) Such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.01.
(h) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to either the Legal Defeasance under Section 12.02 hereof or the Covenant Defeasance under Section 12.03 hereof (as the case may be) have been complied with as contemplated by this Section 12.04.
SECTION 12.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 12.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Securities of a particular series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities, the Guarantees, if any, relating to such series of Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge that by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such series.
Anything in this Article 12 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the Company’s request any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 12.04 hereof with respect to the Securities of any series which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 12.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
SECTION 12.06. Repayment to the Company or Guarantor. Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company or applicable Guarantor, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, or interest or premium, if any, has become due and payable and was deposited with the Paying Agent shall be paid to the Company or such Guarantor on its written request (or if then held by the Company or such Guarantor) will be discharged from such trust subject to any applicable abandoned property law; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company or such Guarantor for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company or such Guarantor as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.
SECTION 12.07. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any Dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations of the Company and the applicable Guarantors under this Indenture, the Securities and any Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided that, if the Company or any Guarantor makes any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company or any Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Security to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
37
ARTICLE 13
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 13.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall upon a Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities (except, as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer, exchange or conversion of Securities of such series herein expressly provided for or in the form of Security for such series and any rights to receive payment of interest thereon), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when:
(a) either
(i) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.09, and (B) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been (x) deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 4.03(c) or (y) paid to any State or the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(ii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(A) have become due and payable (whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption (if applicable), upon any required repurchase by the Company (if applicable) or otherwise), or
(B) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or
(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds in trust for the purpose, money in the amount in the currency or currency units in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable), or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;
(b) the Company or a Guarantor, if any, has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company or the Guarantors, if any; and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
38
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.07 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 13.02 and Section 4.03(e) shall survive.
SECTION 13.02. Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 4.03(e), all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the Guarantees, if any, relating to such series of 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 premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
ARTICLE 14
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE, COMPANY AND GUARANTORS
SECTION 14.01. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually, not later than 15 calendar days after the Regular Record Date for each series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities as of such Regular Record Date (unless the Trustee has such information), or if there is no Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semi-annually, upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution of the Company or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 calendar days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 calendar days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided that so long as the Trustee is the Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.
SECTION 14.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 14.01 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as the Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 14.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) If three or more Holders (herein referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application (or since the first date of the issuance for such Security, if the holding period is less than six months), and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either
(i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 14.02(a); or
(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 14.02(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.
39
If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appears in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 14.02(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five Business Days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.
(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company, any applicable Guarantor and the Trustee that none of the Company, such Guarantors and the Trustee nor any of their respective agents 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 Section 14.02(b), 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 Section 14.02(b).
SECTION 14.03. Reports by the Trustee.
(a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 calendar days after each [●] following the date of this Indenture (commencing [●]) deliver to Holders a brief report, dated as of such [●], which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).
(b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each securities exchange upon which Securities of any series are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any securities exchange and of any delisting thereof.
SECTION 14.04. Reports by the Company. The Company shall furnish to the Trustee, within 15 calendar days after it actually files such annual and quarterly reports, information, documents and other reports with the Commission, copies of its annual report and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing the Commission may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided that any such annual and quarterly reports, information, documents and other reports and information filed with the Commission may be provided by the Company to the Trustee electronically. The Company shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Delivery of such information, documents and reports to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates). It is expressly understood that materials transmitted electronically by the Company to the Trustee or filed pursuant to the Commission’s EDGAR system (or any successor electronic filing system) shall be deemed filed with the Trustee and transmitted to Holders for purposes of this Section 14.04.
ARTICLE 15
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 15.01. Incorporators, Stockholders, Members, Partners, Officers, Managers and Directors of Company or any Guarantor Exempt from Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security of any series or any Guarantees, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such or against any past, present or future stockholder, member, partner, officer, manager or director, as such, of the Company, any Guarantor or any successor, either directly or through the Company, any Guarantor or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities of such series by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities of such series.
40
SECTION 15.02. Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders. Except as set forth in Section 15.10, nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities of such series, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.
SECTION 15.03. Successors and Assigns of Company or Guarantor Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Company or any Guarantor shall bind their successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 15.04. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, the Company and Guarantors. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:
(1) the Trustee by any Holder, or by the Company or a Guarantor, if any, shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at [●], facsimile [●], or such other facsimile number as may be provided by the Trustee from time to time, and shall be deemed to have been made at the time of actual receipt of such written notice or facsimile transmission thereof; provided that any delivery made or facsimile sent on a day other than a Business Day shall be deemed to be received on the next following Business Day; or
(2) the Company or a Guarantor, if any, by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing to the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, addressed to it c/o United Fire Group, Inc., 118 Second Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401, Attention: Chief Legal Officer or at any other address or facsimile number previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, and shall be deemed to have been made at the time of delivery or facsimile transmission; provided that any delivery made or facsimile sent on a day other than a Business Day shall be deemed to be received on the next following Business Day.
SECTION 15.05. Notices to Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder entitled thereto, at its last address as it appears in the Security Register. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. The Trustee may waive notice to it of any provision herein, and such waiver shall be deemed to be for its convenience and discretion. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service, it shall be impracticable to mail notice to the Company, any Guarantor or any Holders when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.
41
SECTION 15.06. Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein. Upon any application or demand by the Company or any Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company or any Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters or information which is in the possession of the Company, upon the certificate, statement or opinion of or representations by an officer or officers of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such counsel knows that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.
Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer or counsel of the Company or any Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such officer or counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.
Any certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
SECTION 15.07. Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. If the Stated Maturity of interest on or principal of the Securities of a particular series or the date fixed for redemption of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal with respect to such Securities need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date.
SECTION 15.08. Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture by operation of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act (an “incorporated provision”), such incorporated provision shall control.
SECTION 15.09. Conflict of Any Provision of Securities with Indenture. If and to the extent that any provision of the Securities limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of this Indenture, such provision of this Indenture shall control.
SECTION 15.10. New York Law to Govern. This Indenture, the Securities of any series and the Guarantees, if any, shall each be deemed to be a contract under the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, but without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.
42
SECTION 15.11. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby waives, and each Holder by acceptance of its Securities shall be deemed to have waived, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury (but no other judicial remedies) in respect of any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 15.12. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service. The Company and each Guarantor, if any, irrevocably (a) agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against the Company or any Guarantor arising out of or based upon this Indenture, the Notes or any Guarantee or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in any U.S. Federal or state court in the City and County of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”) and (b) waive, to the fullest extent they may effectively do so, any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding. The Company and each Guarantor hereby appoint C T Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York, 10011, as their authorized agent (the “Authorized Agent”) upon whom process may be served in any such action arising out of or based on this Indenture, the Securities or the transactions contemplated hereby which may be instituted in any Specified Court, expressly consent to the jurisdiction of any such Specified Court in respect of any such action, and waive any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto. Such appointment shall be irrevocable by the Company and any Guarantors. The Company and each Guarantor represent and warrant that the Authorized Agent has agreed to act as such agent for service of process and agree to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid. Service of process upon the Authorized Agent in any manner permitted by applicable law and written notice of such service to the Company or to a Guarantor shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon the Company or such Guarantor.
SECTION 15.13. Third Party Beneficiaries. Holders of Securities of the Company are third party beneficiaries of this Indenture, and any of them (or their representative) shall have the right to enforce the provisions of this Indenture that benefit such Holders.
SECTION 15.14. Counterparts, Electronic Signatures. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Indenture or any document to be signed in connection with this Indenture shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign) or other transmission method or electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,”“tif” or “jpg”) and any counterpart so delivered shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act (N.Y. State Tech. §§301-309), as amended from time to time, and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.
SECTION 15.15. Effect of Headings, Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 15.16. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
43
SECTION 15.17. Severability. If any provision hereof shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable law, then the remaining provisions hereof shall be construed as though such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.
SECTION 15.18. Patriot Act Compliance. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act the Trustee, like all financial institutions, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens 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 USA Patriot Act.
SECTION 15.19. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee, Registrar or Paying Agent be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder because of circumstances beyond the Trustee’s, Registrar’s or Paying Agents’ control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, flood, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, fire, riot or embargo, which delay, restrict or prohibit the providing of the services contemplated by this Indenture.
[Signatures follow on next page]
44
SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of [●].
| UNITED FIRE GROUP, INC., | ||
| as the Company | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| [●], | ||
| as the Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Exhibit 5.1
 |
Sidley Austin LLP 787 Seventh Avenue New York, NY 10019 +1 212 839 5300 +1 212 839 5599 Fax
AMERICA • ASIA PACIFIC • EUROPE |
|
May 28, 2025
United Fire Group, Inc.
118 Second Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
| Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) being filed by United Fire Group, Inc., an Iowa corporation (the “Company”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the registration of an unlimited amount of:
(i) shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”);
(ii) shares of the Company’s preferred stock, having no par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), which may be represented by depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”);
(iii) debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”);
(iv) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or Debt Securities (the “Warrants”);
(v) units (the “Units”), each representing ownership of two or more of the securities described in the preceding clauses (i) through (iv), and
(vi) rights to purchase shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or Units (the “Rights”).
The Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares, the Debt Securities, the Warrants, the Units and the Rights are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement:
(1) the Depositary Shares will be issued under a deposit agreement (a “Deposit Agreement”) between the Company and a depositary (the “Depositary”);
(2) the Debt Securities will be issued under one or more indentures (each, an “Indenture”) to be entered into between the Company and a trustee (the “Trustee”);
Sidley Austin LLP is a limited liability partnership practicing in affiliation with other Sidley Austin partnerships.
United Fire Group, Inc.
May 28, 2025
Page 2
(3) the Warrants will be issued under a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”);
(4) the Units will be issued pursuant to one or more unit agreements (each, a “Unit Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and a unit agent (the “Unit Agent”); and
(5) the Rights will be issued under one or more rights agreements (each, a “Rights Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and a rights agent (the “Rights Agent”);
in each case substantially in the form that has been or will be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
This opinion letter is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
We have examined the Registration Statement, the exhibits thereto, the articles of incorporation of the Company, as amended to the date hereof (the “Charter”), the amended and restated bylaws of the Company, as amended to the date hereof (the “Bylaws”), and the resolutions (the “Resolutions”) adopted by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) relating to the Registration Statement. We have also examined originals, or copies of originals certified to our satisfaction, of such agreements, documents, certificates and statements of the Company and others, and have examined such questions of law, as we have considered relevant and necessary as a basis for this opinion letter. We have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all persons and the conformity with the original documents of any copies thereof submitted to us for examination. As to facts relevant to the opinions expressed herein, we have relied without independent investigation or verification upon, and assumed the accuracy and completeness of, certificates, letters and oral and written statements and representations of public officials and officers and other representatives of the Company.
Based on and subject to the foregoing and the other limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Depositary Shares covered by the Registration Statement will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the Depositary Shares and the Deposit Agreement relating to the Depositary Shares when: (i) the Registration Statement (including any necessary post-effective amendments) shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to the sale of such Depositary Shares and the requisite number of shares of the series of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares (the “Underlying Preferred Stock”) shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) a Deposit Agreement relating to such Depositary Shares shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly executed and delivered by the Depositary named in the Deposit Agreement; (iv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the Charter, the Bylaws and the Resolutions and applicable Iowa law establishing the designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series of Underlying Preferred Stock and authorizing the issuance and sale of such Underlying Preferred Stock; (v) all necessary actions relating to such series of Underlying Preferred Stock and the appropriate articles of amendment to the Charter relating to such series of Underlying Preferred Stock shall have been taken or made effective, as applicable, such that the shares of Underlying Preferred Stock shall be duly authorized and, when issued, fully paid and nonassessable; (vi) certificates representing such series of Underlying Preferred Stock shall have been duly executed, countersigned and registered and duly delivered against payment of the agreed consideration therefor or, if any shares of such series of Underlying Preferred Stock are to be issued in uncertificated form, the Company’s books shall reflect the issuance of such shares in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor, all in accordance with the Charter, the Bylaws, the Resolutions and applicable Iowa law; and (vii) the depositary receipts evidencing Depositary Shares shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Depositary in the manner set forth in the Deposit Agreement and in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
United Fire Group, Inc.
May 28, 2025
Page 3
2. Each issue of Warrants covered by the Registration Statement will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Registration Statement (including any necessary post-effective amendments) shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to the sale of such issue of Warrants and the requisite number of shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of such Warrants shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) a Warrant Agreement relating to such issue of Warrants shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly executed and delivered by the Warrant Agent named in the Warrant Agreement; (iv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the Charter, the Bylaws and the Resolutions and applicable Iowa law authorizing the execution and delivery of the Warrant Agreement and the issuance and sale of such issue of Warrants; (v) if such Warrants are exercisable for shares of Common Stock, all necessary actions relating to such shares of Common Stock shall have been taken such that such shares of Common Stock shall be duly authorized and, when issued, shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable; (vi) if such Warrants are exercisable for shares of Preferred Stock, all necessary actions relating to such series of Preferred Stock and the appropriate articles of amendment to the Charter shall have been taken or made effective, as applicable, such that such shares of Preferred Stock shall be duly authorized and, when issued, shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the Charter, the Bylaws, the Resolutions and applicable Iowa law establishing the designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series of Preferred Stock; (vii) if such Warrants are exercisable for Depositary Shares, the actions described in paragraph 1 above shall have been taken; (viii) if such Warrants are exercisable for Debt Securities, the actions described in paragraph 3 below shall have been taken; and (ix) certificates representing such issue of Warrants shall have been duly executed, countersigned and registered in accordance with such Warrant Agreement and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
United Fire Group, Inc.
May 28, 2025
Page 4
3. The Debt Securities of each series covered by the Registration Statement will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Registration Statement (including any necessary post-effective amendments) shall have become effective under the Securities Act and the applicable Indenture (including any necessary supplemental indenture) shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to the sale of such series of Debt Securities shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the applicable Indenture shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee; (iv) all necessary corporate action shall have been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution, delivery, performance, issuance and sale of such series of Debt Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the prospectus supplement relating to such Debt Securities and the applicable Indenture and to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of a supplemental indenture or officers’ certificate establishing the form and terms of such series of Debt Securities as contemplated by the applicable Indenture; (v) a supplemental indenture or officers’ certificate establishing the form and terms of such series of Debt Securities shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee (in the case of such a supplemental indenture) or by duly authorized officers of the Company (in the case of such an officers’ certificate), in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Charter, the Bylaws, the Resolutions, final resolutions of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof and the applicable Indenture; and (vi) the certificates evidencing the Debt Securities of such series shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and issued, all in accordance with the Charter, the Bylaws, the Resolutions, final resolutions of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof, the applicable Indenture and the supplemental indenture or officers’ certificate, as the case may be, establishing the form and terms of the Debt Securities of such series, and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
4. The Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Registration Statement (including any necessary post-effective amendments) shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to the sale of such Units shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the applicable Unit Agreement relating to such Units shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly executed and delivered by the Unit Agent named in the Unit Agreement; (iv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the Charter, the Bylaws and the Resolutions and applicable Iowa law authorizing the execution, delivery, issuance and sale of such Units; (v) if such Units consist of Common Stock, all necessary actions relating to such shares of Common Stock shall have been taken such that such shares of Common Stock shall be duly authorized and, when issued, shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable; (vi) if such Units consist of Preferred Stock, all necessary actions relating to such series of Preferred Stock and the appropriate articles of amendment to the Charter shall have been taken or made effective, as applicable, such that such shares of Preferred Stock shall be duly authorized and, when issued, shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the Charter, the Bylaws, the Resolutions and applicable Iowa law establishing the designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series of Preferred Stock; (vii) if such Units consist of Depositary Shares, the actions described in paragraph 1 above shall have been taken; (viii) if such Units consist of Debt Securities, the actions described in paragraph 3 above shall have been taken; and (ix) certificates representing such Units shall have been duly executed, countersigned and registered in accordance with the applicable Unit Agreement and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
United Fire Group, Inc.
May 28, 2025
Page 5
5. The Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Registration Statement (including any necessary post-effective amendments) shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to the sale of such Rights shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the applicable Rights Agreement relating to such Rights shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly executed and delivered by the Stock Rights Agent named in the Rights Agreement; (iv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the Charter, the Bylaws and the Resolutions and applicable Iowa law authorizing the execution, delivery, issuance and sale of such Rights; (v) if such Rights are exercisable for shares of Common Stock, all necessary actions relating to such shares of Common Stock shall have been taken such that such shares of Common Stock shall be duly authorized and, when issued, shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable; (vi) if such Rights are exercisable for shares of Preferred Stock, all necessary actions relating to such series of Preferred Stock and the appropriate articles of amendment to the Charter shall have been taken or made effective, as applicable, such that such shares of Preferred Stock shall be duly authorized and, when issued, shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the Charter, the Bylaws, the Resolutions and applicable Iowa law establishing the designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series of Preferred Stock; (vii) if such Rights are exercisable for Debt Securities, the actions described in paragraph 3 above shall have been taken; (viii) if such Rights are exercisable for Units, the actions described in paragraph 4 above shall have been taken; and (ix) certificates representing such Rights shall have been duly executed, countersigned and registered in accordance with the applicable Rights Agreement and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
United Fire Group, Inc.
May 28, 2025
Page 6
Our opinions are subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including concepts of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, in each case, whether by operation of law, contract, judicial or regulatory action or otherwise. Our opinions are also subject to (i) provisions of law which may require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States of America be expressed only in United States dollars, (ii) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities or other obligations that are denominated or payable other than in United States dollars (or a judgment denominated or payable other than in United States dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law and (iii) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside of the United States of America or in a foreign currency.
For the purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that, at the time of the issuance, sale and delivery of any of the Securities:
(i) the applicable Securities being offered will be issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement relating thereto;
(ii) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Deposit Agreement, the applicable Indenture, each supplemental indenture to the applicable Indenture or officers’ certificate of the Company under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be, establishing the form and terms of the Debt Securities of each series, the Warrant Agreement, the applicable Unit Agreement and the applicable Rights Agreement, as applicable, and the issuance, sale and delivery of the applicable Securities will not (A) contravene or violate the Charter or Bylaws, (B) violate any applicable Iowa law or any other law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, (C) result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or any order, judgment or decree of any court or governmental authority applicable to the Company, or (D) require any authorization, approval or other action by, or notice to or filing with, any court or governmental authority (other than such authorizations, approvals, actions, notices or filings which shall have been obtained or made, as the case may be, and which shall be in full force and effect);
(iii) the authorization thereof by the Company will not have been modified or rescinded, and there will not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity, legally binding character or enforceability thereof;
(iv) the Charter, the Bylaws and the Resolutions, each as currently in effect, will not have been modified or amended and will be in full force and effect; and
United Fire Group, Inc.
May 28, 2025
Page 7
(v) the Company will have a number of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock sufficient to provide for the issuance of all shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the transactions contemplated above and issuable upon exercise of any Warrants, Units or Rights, as applicable.
We have further assumed that each Warrant Agreement, each Warrant, each Deposit Agreement, each Depositary Share, each supplemental indenture or officers’ certificate of the Company under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be, establishing the form and terms of the Debt Securities of each series, each series of Debt Securities, each applicable Unit Agreement, each Unit, each applicable Rights Agreement and each Right will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
With respect to each instrument or agreement referred to in or otherwise relevant to the opinions set forth herein (each, an “Instrument”), we have assumed, to the extent relevant to the opinions set forth herein, that: (i) each party to such Instrument (if not a natural person) was duly organized or formed, as the case may be, and at all relevant times was, is and will be validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization or formation, as the case may be, and at all relevant times had, has and will have full right, power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under such Instrument; (ii) such Instrument has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each party thereto; and (iii) such Instrument at all relevant times was, is and will be a valid, binding and enforceable agreement or obligation, as the case may be, of each party thereto; provided that we make no assumption in clause (iii) insofar as such assumption relates to the Company and is expressly covered by our opinions set forth herein.
This opinion letter is limited to the laws of the State of New York (excluding the securities laws of the State of New York). We express no opinion as to the laws, rules or regulations of any other jurisdiction, including, without limitation, the federal laws of the United States of America, the laws of the State of Iowa or any state securities or blue sky laws.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to all references to our Firm included in or made a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ Sidley Austin LLP |
Exhibit 5.2
 |
Bradley &
Riley pc Attorneys and Counselors 2007 First Avenue SE C edar Rapids, IA 52402-6344 |
Mailing Address: PO Box 2804 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2804 Telephone: 319-363-0101 Fax: 319-363-9824 |
May 28, 2025
United Fire Group, Inc.
118 Second Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are special Iowa counsel to United Fire Group, Inc., an Iowa corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the 1933 Act, by the Company of the following securities (collectively, the “Securities”): (a) shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”); (b) one or more series of shares of the Company’s preferred stock, having no par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), (c) depositary shares (“Depositary Shares”) evidenced by depositary receipts (the “Depositary Receipts”), which may be issued pursuant to one of more deposit agreements (each a “Deposit Agreement”) proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more bank or trust company to be named in the applicable Deposit Agreements; (d) debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”) which may be issued pursuant to one of more indentures (each an “Indenture”) proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more bank or trust company to be named in the applicable Indenture; (e) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, or Debt Securities (“Warrants”) pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more bank or trust company as warrant agent to be named in the applicable Warrant Agreements; (f) units (“Units”), evidenced by unit certificates (the “Unit Certificates”), comprising two or more of the securities described in the preceding clauses (a) through (e) which may be issued pursuant to one or more unit agreements (each, a “Unit Agreement”); and (g) rights to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or Units (“Rights”), which may be issued under one or more rights agreements (each, a “Rights Agreement”) proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more agents to be named in the applicable Rights Agreements.
This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 16 of Form S-3 and Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the 1933 Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement, the prospectus or any prospectus supplement other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issuance of the Securities.
BRADLEY & RILEY PC
United Fire Group, Inc.
May 28, 2025
Page 2
In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (collectively, the “Documents”):
1. The Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included therein (the “Prospectus”), in the form in which it was transmitted to the Commission under the 1933 Act;
2. The Articles of Incorporation of the Company (the “Articles of Incorporation”), certified as of a recent date by the Iowa Secretary of State;
3. The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;
4. Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof (the “Board”) relating to the registration, sale and issuance of the Securities, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;
5. The form of certificate representing a share of Common Stock, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;
6. A certificate of the Iowa Secretary of State as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and
7. A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof.
In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:
1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.
2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.
3. Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding.
4. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all such Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification or amendment to the Documents, or waiver of any provision of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.
BRADLEY & RILEY PC
United Fire Group, Inc.
May 28, 2025
Page 3
5. Prior to the issuance of the Securities, the Board, or an authorized committee thereof, will adopt resolutions satisfying the requirements of Sections 602 and 621 of the Iowa Business Corporation Act (the “IBCA”), if applicable.
6. Prior to the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (including any Depositary Shares), the Company will have available for issuance, under the Articles of Incorporation, the requisite number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock.
7. Appropriate certificates representing shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, will be executed and delivered upon the sale and issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (including any Depositary Shares), and will comply with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and applicable law. In the alternative, if the Company does not issue certificates representing shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (including any Depositary Shares), the Company will send in writing to each shareholder of the Company the information required by the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws and the information as contemplated by Section 626 of the IBCA for any such shares to be issued, on request by a shareholder of the Company.
8. Any Depositary Shares will be issued under a valid and legally binding Deposit Agreement that conforms to the description thereof set forth in the Prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, and will comply with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws and applicable law.
9. Any Debt Securities will be issued under a valid and legally binding Indenture that conforms to the description thereof set forth in the Prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, and will comply with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and applicable law.
10. Appropriate Depositary Receipts representing Depositary Shares will be executed and delivered prior to or upon the sale and issuance of any Depositary Shares, and will comply with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, the applicable Deposit Agreement, and applicable law.
11. Any Warrants will be issued under a valid and legally binding Warrant Agreement that conforms to the description thereof set forth in the Prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, and will comply with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and applicable law.
BRADLEY & RILEY PC
United Fire Group, Inc.
May 28, 2025
Page 4
12. Appropriate Unit Certificates representing Units will be executed and delivered prior to or upon the sale and issuance of any Units, and will comply with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, the applicable Unit Agreement, and applicable law.
13. Any Rights will be issued under a valid and legally binding Rights Agreement that conforms to the description thereof set forth in the Prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, and will comply with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and applicable law.
14. The underwriting agreements for offerings of the Securities will be valid and legally binding contracts that conform to the descriptions thereof set forth in the Prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:
1. The Company is duly formed and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Iowa and is in good standing with the Iowa Secretary of State.
2. With respect to shares of Common Stock, when (a) shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized by the Board, (b) the Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act, (c) the terms of the sale and issuance of shares of Common Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws, which terms do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or government body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (d) shares of Common Stock have been duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor has been received by the Company, such shares of Common Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. With respect to shares of Preferred Stock, when (a) shares of Preferred Stock have been duly authorized by the Board, (b) the Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act, (c) appropriate articles of amendment to the Articles of Incorporation relating to the class or series of Preferred Stock to be sold under the Registration Statement (in each such case, “Articles of Amendment”) have been duly adopted by the Board and Articles of Incorporation have been filed with and accepted for record by the Iowa Secretary of State, (d) the terms of the issuance and sale of shares of such class or series of Preferred Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws, which terms do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or government body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (e) shares of such class or series of Preferred Stock have been duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor has been received by the Company, such shares of Preferred Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
BRADLEY & RILEY PC
United Fire Group, Inc.
May 28, 2025
Page 5
4. With respect to any Depositary Shares, when (a) Depositary Shares and shares of Preferred Stock for which Depositary Shares are exercisable have been duly authorized by the Board, (b) the Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act, (c) appropriate Articles of Incorporation relating to such class or series of Preferred Stock have been duly adopted by the Board and Articles of Incorporation have been filed with and accepted for record by the Iowa Secretary of State, (d) a Deposit Agreement relating to Depositary Shares has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, (e) the terms of Depositary Shares and related Depositary Receipts and of their sale and issuance have been duly established in conformity with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws and the Deposit Agreement, which terms do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or government body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (f) Depositary Shares have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Deposit Agreement and duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor has been received by the Company, the shares of Preferred Stock for which Depositary Shares are exercisable will be duly authorized.
5. With respect to any Debt Securities, when (a) such Debt Securities, including the execution, delivery and performance of a supplemental indenture or officer’s certificate establishing the form and terms of such series of Debt Securities as contemplated by the Indenture, have been duly authorized by the Board, (b) the Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act, (c) the Indenture relating to such Debt Securities, including a supplemental indenture or officer’s certificate establishing the form and terms of such series of such Debt Securities, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, (d) the terms of such Debt Securities and of their issuance have been duly established in conformity with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and the Indenture, which terms do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or government body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (e) such Debt Securities have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Indenture and duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor has been received by the Company, the Debt Securities will be duly authorized.
6. With respect to any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock to be issued upon conversion of shares of Preferred Stock, when (a) if applicable, Articles of Incorporation for shares of Preferred Stock to be issued has been authorized by the Board, executed and duly filed with the Iowa Secretary of State, and (b) such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, have been issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable Preferred Stock, as the case may be, such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock will be duly authorized.
7. With respect to the Warrants, when (a) Warrants and shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, for which Warrants are exercisable have been duly authorized by the Board, (b) the Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act, (c) a Warrant Agreement relating to the Warrants has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and each party thereto, (d) the terms of the Warrants and of their sale and issuance have been duly established in conformity with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and the Warrant Agreement, which terms do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or government body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (e) the Warrants have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor has been received by the Company, shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, for which Warrants are exercisable will be duly authorized.
BRADLEY & RILEY PC
United Fire Group, Inc.
May 28, 2025
Page 6
8. With respect to any Units, when (a) such Units have been duly authorized by the Board, (b) the Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act, (c) a Unit Agreement relating to such Units has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, (d) the terms of Units and of their sale and issuance have been duly established in conformity with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and the Unit Agreement, which terms do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or government body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (e) such Units and related Unit Certificates have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Unit Agreement and duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor has been received by the Company, such Units will be duly authorized.
9. With respect to the Rights, when (a) such Rights and the securities related to such Rights have been duly authorized by the Board, (b) the Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act, (c) a Rights Agreement relating to such Rights has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, (d) the terms of Rights and of their sale and issuance have been duly established in conformity with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and the Rights Agreement, which terms do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or government body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (e) such Rights have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Rights Agreement and duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor bas been received by the Company, the securities related to the Rights, as the case may be, will be duly authorized.
This opinion is limited to the substantive laws of the State of Iowa, including the IBCA, in each case as currently in effect, and reported judicial decisions as of the date of this opinion that interpret the IBCA, and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction. We express no opinion as to compliance with the securities (or “blue sky”) laws of the State of Iowa or any other state.
BRADLEY & RILEY PC
United Fire Group, Inc.
May 28, 2025
Page 7
This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof, and we undertake no (and hereby disclaim any) obligation to advise you of any changes in applicable law or any other matters that may come to our attention after the date hereof.
This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purpose.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to the name of our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ BRADLEY & RILEY PC |
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of United Fire Group, Inc. for the registration of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, units or rights and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 26, 2025, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of United Fire Group, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of United Fire Group, Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Des Moines, IA
May 28, 2025