Wells Fargo & Company 8-K, filed Mar 13, 2020
Wells Fargo & Company (WFC)
About this 8-K
Wells Fargo & Company filed this 8-K on March 13, 2020.
Items reported
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| No. | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction | (Commission File | (IRS Employer |
| of incorporation) | Number) | Identification No.) |
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 1-
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | ||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | ||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | ||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
(NYSE) | ||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.12b-2).
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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
Exhibits are filed herewith in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File Nos. 333-221324 and 333-221324-01) filed by Wells Fargo & Company and Wells Fargo Finance LLC with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
On March 13, 2020, Wells Fargo Finance LLC issued the following Medium-Term Notes, Series A: (i) Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500® Index; and (ii) Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Lowest Performing of the Dow Jones Industrial Average®, the Russell 2000® Index and the Nasdaq-100 Index® due December 13, 2024 (collectively, the “Notes”). The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Wells Fargo & Company (the “Guarantee”).
The purpose of this Current Report is to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission the form of Note related to each issuance and the opinion of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP regarding the Notes and the Guarantee.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description | Location |
| 4.1 |
Form of Medium-Term Notes, Series A, Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500® Index.
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Filed herewith |
| 4.2 |
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Filed herewith |
| 5.1 |
Opinion of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP regarding the Notes and the Guarantee.
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Filed herewith |
| 23.1 |
Consent of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.
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Included as part of Exhibit 5.1 |
| 104 | The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL. | Filed herewith |
| 2 |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| WELLS FARGO & COMPANY | |
| DATED: March 13, 2020 | /s/ Le Roy Davis |
| Le Roy Davis | |
| Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer |
Exhibit 4.1
[Face of Note]
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to the Company or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
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CUSIP NO. 95001HGJ4 |
FACE AMOUNT: $_________ |
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REGISTERED NO. ___ |
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WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC
MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES A
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Wells Fargo & Company
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500® Index
WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC, a limited liability company duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation under and as defined in the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & Co., or registered assigns, an amount equal to the Cash Settlement Amount (as defined below), in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts, on the Stated Maturity Date. The “Stated Maturity Date” shall be March 9, 2022. If the Determination Date (as defined below) is postponed, the Stated Maturity Date will be postponed to the second Business Day (as defined below) after the Determination Date as postponed. This Security shall not bear any interest.
Any payments on this Security at Maturity will be made against presentation of this Security at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota and at any other office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose.
“Face Amount“ shall mean, when used with respect to this Security, the amount set forth on the face of this Security as its “Face Amount.”
Determination of Cash Settlement Amount and Certain Definitions
The “Cash Settlement Amount” of this Security will equal:
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if the Final Underlier Level is greater than or equal to the Cap Level, the Maximum Settlement Amount; |
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if the Final Underlier Level is greater than the Initial Underlier Level but less than the Cap Level, the sum of (i) the Face Amount plus (ii) the product of (a) the Face Amount times (b) the Upside Participation Rate times (c) the Underlier Return; |
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if the Final Underlier Level is equal to or less than the Initial Underlier Level but greater than or equal to the Buffer Level, the Face Amount; or |
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if the Final Underlier Level is less than the Buffer Level, the sum of (i) the Face Amount plus (ii) the product of (a) the Buffer Rate times (b) the sum of the Underlier Return plus the Buffer Amount times (c) the Face Amount. |
All calculations with respect to the Cash Settlement Amount will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth, with five one-millionths rounded upward (e.g., 0.000005 would be rounded to 0.00001); and the Cash Settlement Amount will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent rounded upward.
The “Underlier” shall mean the S&P 500® Index.
The “Trade Date” shall mean March 6, 2020.
The “Initial Underlier Level” is 2,972.37, the Closing Level of the Underlier on the Trade Date.
The “Closing Level“ of the Underlier on any Trading Day means the official closing level of the Underlier reported by the Underlier Sponsor on such Trading Day, as obtained by the Calculation Agent on such Trading Day from the licensed third-party market data vendor contracted by the Calculation Agent at such time; in particular, taking into account the decimal precision and/or rounding convention employed by such licensed third-party market data vendor on such date, subject to the provisions set forth below under “Adjustments to the Underlier,” “Discontinuance of the Underlier” and “Market Disruption Events.”
The “Final Underlier Level” will be the Closing Level of the Underlier on the Determination Date.
The “Underlier Return” will be the quotient of (i) the Final Underlier Level minus the Initial Underlier Level divided by (ii) the Initial Underlier Level, expressed as a percentage.
The “Cap Level” is 3,433.979061, which is 115.53% of the Initial Underlier Level.
The “Buffer Level” is 2,675.133, which is equal to 90% of the Initial Underlier Level.
The “Maximum Settlement Amount” is 123.295% of the Face Amount of this Security.
The “Buffer Amount” is 10%.
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The “Buffer Rate” is equal to the Initial Underlier Level divided by the Buffer Level.
The “Upside Participation Rate” is 1.5.
“Underlier Sponsor” shall mean S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC.
“Business Day” shall mean a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in New York, New York.
A “Trading Day” means a day, as determined by the Calculation Agent, on which (i) the Relevant Stock Exchanges with respect to each security underlying the Underlier are scheduled to be open for trading for their respective regular trading sessions and (ii) each Related Futures or Options Exchange is scheduled to be open for trading for its regular trading session.
The “Related Futures or Options Exchange” for the Underlier means an exchange or quotation system where trading has a material effect (as determined by the Calculation Agent) on the overall market for futures or options contracts relating to the Underlier.
The “Relevant Stock Exchange” for any security underlying the Underlier means the primary exchange or quotation system on which such security is traded, as determined by the Calculation Agent.
The “Determination Date” shall be March 7, 2022. If the originally scheduled Determination Date is not a Trading Day, the Determination Date will be postponed to the next succeeding Trading Day. The Determination Date is also subject to postponement due to the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event (as defined below). See “–Market Disruption Events.”
“Calculation Agent Agreement” shall mean the Calculation Agent Agreement dated as of May 18, 2018 between the Company and the Calculation Agent, as amended from time to time.
“Calculation Agent” shall mean the Person that has entered into the Calculation Agent Agreement with the Company providing for, among other things, the determination of the Final Underlier Level and the Cash Settlement Amount, which term shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include its successors under such Calculation Agent Agreement. The initial Calculation Agent shall be Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. Pursuant to the Calculation Agent Agreement, the Company may appoint a different Calculation Agent from time to time after the initial issuance of this Security without the consent of the Holder of this Security and without notifying the Holder of this Security.
Adjustments to the Underlier
If at any time the method of calculating the Underlier or a Successor Underlier, or the closing level thereof, is changed in a material respect, or if the Underlier or a Successor Underlier is in any other way modified so that such underlier does not, in the opinion of the Calculation Agent, fairly represent the level of such underlier had those changes or modifications not been made, then the Calculation Agent will, at the close of business in New York, New
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York, on each date that the closing level of such underlier is to be calculated, make such calculations and adjustments as, in the good faith judgment of the Calculation Agent, may be necessary in order to arrive at a level of an underlier comparable to the Underlier or Successor Underlier as if those changes or modifications had not been made, and the Calculation Agent will calculate the closing level of the Underlier or Successor Underlier with reference to such underlier, as so adjusted. Accordingly, if the method of calculating the Underlier or Successor Underlier is modified so that the level of such underlier is a fraction or a multiple of what it would have been if it had not been modified (e.g., due to a split or reverse split in such equity underlier), then the Calculation Agent will adjust the Underlier or Successor Underlier in order to arrive at a level of such underlier as if it had not been modified (e.g., as if the split or reverse split had not occurred).
Discontinuance of the Underlier
If the Underlier Sponsor discontinues publication of the Underlier, and the Underlier Sponsor or another entity publishes a successor or substitute equity index that the Calculation Agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to the Underlier (a “Successor Underlier”), then, upon the Calculation Agent’s notification of that determination to the Trustee and the Company, the Calculation Agent will substitute the Successor Underlier as calculated by the relevant Underlier Sponsor or any other entity and calculate the Final Underlier Level as described above. Upon any selection by the Calculation Agent of a Successor Underlier, the Company will cause notice to be given to the Holder of this Security.
In the event that the Underlier Sponsor discontinues publication of the Underlier prior to, and the discontinuance is continuing on, the Determination Date and the Calculation Agent determines that no Successor Underlier is available at such time, the Calculation Agent will calculate a substitute Closing Level for the Underlier in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the Underlier last in effect prior to the discontinuance, but using only those securities that comprised the Underlier immediately prior to that discontinuance. If a Successor Underlier is selected or the Calculation Agent calculates a level as a substitute for the Underlier, the Successor Underlier or level will be used as a substitute for the Underlier for all purposes, including the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists.
If on the Determination Date the Underlier Sponsor fails to calculate and announce the level of the Underlier, the Calculation Agent will calculate a substitute Closing Level of the Underlier in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the Underlier last in effect prior to the failure, but using only those securities that comprised the Underlier immediately prior to that failure; provided that, if a Market Disruption Event occurs or is continuing on such day, then the provisions set forth below under “Market Disruption Events” shall apply in lieu of the foregoing.
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Market Disruption Events
A “Market Disruption Event” means any of the following events as determined by the Calculation Agent in its sole discretion:
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The occurrence or existence of a material suspension of or limitation imposed on trading by the Relevant Stock Exchanges or otherwise relating to securities which then comprise 20% or more of the level of the Underlier or any Successor Underlier at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the Close of Trading on that day, whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by those Relevant Stock Exchanges or otherwise. |
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The occurrence or existence of a material suspension of or limitation imposed on trading by any Related Futures or Options Exchange or otherwise in futures or options contracts relating to the Underlier or any Successor Underlier on any Related Futures or Options Exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the Close of Trading on that day, whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the Related Futures or Options Exchange or otherwise. |
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The occurrence or existence of any event, other than an early closure, that materially disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants in general to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, securities that then comprise 20% or more of the level of the Underlier or any Successor Underlier on their Relevant Stock Exchanges at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the Close of Trading on that day. |
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The occurrence or existence of any event, other than an early closure, that materially disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants in general to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, futures or options contracts relating to the Underlier or any Successor Underlier on any Related Futures or Options Exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the Close of Trading on that day. |
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The closure on any Exchange Business Day of the Relevant Stock Exchanges on which securities that then comprise 20% or more of the level of the Underlier or any Successor Underlier are traded or any Related Futures or Options Exchange prior to its Scheduled Closing Time unless the earlier closing time is announced by the Relevant Stock Exchange or Related Futures or Options Exchange, as applicable, at least one hour prior to the earlier of (1) the actual closing time for the regular trading session on such Relevant Stock Exchange or Related Futures or Options Exchange, as applicable, and (2) the submission deadline for orders to be entered into the Relevant Stock Exchange or Related Futures or Options Exchange, as applicable, system for execution at such actual closing time on that day. |
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The Relevant Stock Exchange for any security underlying the Underlier or Successor Underlier or any Related Futures or Options Exchange fails to open for trading during its regular trading session. |
For purposes of determining whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred:
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the relevant percentage contribution of a security to the level of the Underlier or any Successor Underlier will be based on a comparison of (x) the portion of the level of such underlier attributable to that security and (y) the overall level of the Underlier or Successor Underlier, in each case immediately before the occurrence of the Market Disruption Event; |
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the “Close of Trading” on any Trading Day for the Underlier or any Successor Underlier means the Scheduled Closing Time of the Relevant Stock Exchanges with respect to the securities underlying the Underlier or Successor Underlier on such Trading Day; provided that, if the actual closing time of the regular trading session of any such Relevant Stock Exchange is earlier than its Scheduled Closing Time on such Trading Day, then (x) for purposes of clauses (A) and (C) of the definition of “Market Disruption Event” above, with respect to any security underlying the Underlier or Successor Underlier for which such Relevant Stock Exchange is its Relevant Stock Exchange, the “Close of Trading” means such actual closing time and (y) for purposes of clauses (B) and (D) of the definition of “Market Disruption Event” above, with respect to any futures or options contract relating to the Underlier or Successor Underlier, the “close of trading” means the latest actual closing time of the regular trading session of any of the Relevant Stock Exchanges, but in no event later than the Scheduled Closing Time of the Relevant Stock Exchanges; |
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the “Scheduled Closing Time” of any Relevant Stock Exchange or Related Futures or Options Exchange on any Trading Day for the Underlier or any Successor Underlier means the scheduled weekday closing time of such Relevant Stock Exchange or Related Futures or Options Exchange on such Trading Day, without regard to after hours or any other trading outside the regular trading session hours; and |
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an “Exchange Business Day” means any Trading Day for the Underlier or any Successor Underlier on which each Relevant Stock Exchange for the securities underlying the Underlier or any Successor Underlier and each Related Futures or Options Exchange are open for trading during their respective regular trading sessions, notwithstanding any such Relevant Stock Exchange or Related Futures or Options Exchange closing prior to its Scheduled Closing Time. |
If a Market Disruption Event occurs or is continuing on the Determination Date, then the Determination Date will be postponed to the first succeeding Trading Day on which a Market Disruption Event has not occurred and is not continuing; however, if such first succeeding Trading Day has not occurred as of the eighth Trading Day after the originally scheduled Determination Date, that eighth Trading Day shall be deemed to be the Determination Date. If
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the Determination Date has been postponed eight Trading Days after the originally scheduled Determination Date and a Market Disruption Event occurs or is continuing on such eighth Trading Day, the Calculation Agent will determine the Closing Level of the Underlier on such eighth Trading Day in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the Closing Level of the Underlier last in effect prior to commencement of the Market Disruption Event, using the closing price (or, with respect to any relevant security, if a Market Disruption Event has occurred with respect to such security, its good faith estimate of the value of such security at the Scheduled Closing Time of the Relevant Stock Exchange for such security or, if earlier, the actual closing time of the regular trading session of such Relevant Stock Exchange) on such date of each security included in the Underlier. As used herein, “closing price” means, with respect to any security on any date, the Relevant Stock Exchange traded or quoted price of such security as of the Scheduled Closing Time of the Relevant Stock Exchange for such security or, if earlier, the actual closing time of the regular trading session of such Relevant Stock Exchange.
Calculation Agent
The Calculation Agent will determine the Cash Settlement Amount and the Final Underlier Level. In addition, the Calculation Agent will (i) determine if adjustments are required to the Closing Level of the Underlier under the circumstances described in this Security, (ii) if publication of the Underlier is discontinued, select a Successor Underlier or, if no Successor Underlier is available, determine the Closing Level of the Underlier under the circumstances described in this Security, and (iii) determine whether a Market Disruption Event or non-Trading Day has occurred.
The Company covenants that, so long as this Security is Outstanding, there shall at all times be a Calculation Agent (which shall be a broker-dealer, bank or other financial institution) with respect to this Security.
All determinations made by the Calculation Agent with respect to this Security will be at the sole discretion of the Calculation Agent and, in the absence of manifest error, will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Company and the Holder of this Security.
Tax Considerations
The Company agrees, and by acceptance of a beneficial ownership interest in this Security each Holder of this Security will be deemed to have agreed (in the absence of a statutory, regulatory, administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary), for United States federal income tax purposes to characterize and treat this Security as a prepaid derivative contract that is an “open transaction.”
Redemption and Repayment
This Security is not subject to redemption at the option of the Company or repayment at the option of the Holder hereof prior to March 9, 2022. This Security is not entitled to any sinking fund.
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Acceleration
If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, with respect to this Security shall occur and be continuing, the Cash Settlement Amount (calculated as set forth in the next sentence) of this Security may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. The amount payable to the Holder hereof upon any acceleration permitted under the Indenture will be equal to the Cash Settlement Amount hereof calculated as provided herein as though the date of acceleration was the Determination Date.
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Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature or its duly authorized agent under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
[The remainder of this page has been left intentionally blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
DATED:
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WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC |
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By: |
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Its: |
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Attest: |
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Its: |
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TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the
series designated therein described
in the within-mentioned Indenture.
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CITIBANK, N.A., |
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as Trustee |
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By: |
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Authorized Signature |
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OR |
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WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., |
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as Authenticating Agent for the Trustee |
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By: |
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Authorized Signature |
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[Reverse of Note]
WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC
MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES A
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Wells Fargo & Company
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500® Index
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an indenture dated as of April 25, 2018, as amended or supplemented from time to time (herein called the “Indenture”), among the Company, as issuer, Wells Fargo & Company, as guarantor (the “Guarantor”) and Citibank, N.A., as trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities, and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series of the Securities designated as Medium-Term Notes, Series A, of the Company. The amount payable on the Securities of this series may be determined by reference to the performance of one or more equity-, commodity- or currency-based indices, exchange traded funds, securities, commodities, currencies, statistical measures of economic or financial performance, or a basket comprised of two or more of the foregoing, or any other market measure or may bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate. The Securities of this series may mature at different times, be redeemable at different times or not at all, be repayable at the option of the Holder at different times or not at all and be denominated in different currencies.
The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons and will be either (a) book-entry securities represented by one or more Global Securities recorded in the book-entry system maintained by the Depositary or (b) certificated securities issued to and registered in the names of, the beneficial owners or their nominees.
The Company agrees, to the extent permitted by law, not to voluntarily claim the benefits of any laws concerning usurious rates of interest against a Holder of this Security.
Guarantee
The Securities of this series are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor as and to the extent set forth in the Indenture.
Modification and Waivers
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the Guarantor and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the
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Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series to be affected, acting together as a class. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of all series at the time Outstanding affected by certain provisions of the Indenture, acting together as a class, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company or the Guarantor with those provisions of the Indenture. Certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences may be waived under the Indenture by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series. Solely for the purpose of determining whether any consent, waiver, notice or other action or Act to be taken or given by the Holders of Securities pursuant to the Indenture has been given or taken by the Holders of Outstanding Securities in the requisite aggregate principal amount, the principal amount of this Security will be deemed to be equal to the amount set forth on the face hereof as the “Face Amount” hereof. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
Defeasance
Section 403 and Article Fifteen of the Indenture and the provisions of clause (ii) of Section 401(1)(B) of the Indenture, relating to defeasance at any time of (a) the entire indebtedness on this Security and (b) certain restrictive covenants, upon compliance by the Company or the Guarantor with certain conditions set forth therein, shall not apply to this Security. The remaining provisions of Section 401 of the Indenture shall apply to this Security.
Authorized Denominations
This Security is issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 or any amount in excess thereof which is an integral multiple of $1,000.
Registration of Transfer
Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Security at the office or agency of the Company in the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a new Security or Securities of this series, with the same terms as this Security, in authorized denominations for an equal aggregate Face Amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange herefor, as provided in the Indenture and subject to the limitations provided therein and to the limitations described below, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
This Security is exchangeable for definitive Securities in registered form only if (x) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for this Security or if at any time the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, (y) the Company in its sole discretion determines that this Security shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities in registered form and notifies the Trustee thereof or (z) an Event of Default with respect
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to the Securities represented hereby has occurred and is continuing. If this Security is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence, it shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities in registered form, having the same date of issuance, Stated Maturity Date and other terms and of authorized denominations aggregating a like amount.
This Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor of the Depositary or a nominee of such successor. Except as provided above, owners of beneficial interests in this Global Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Securities in definitive form and will not be considered the Holders hereof for any purpose under the Indenture.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Obligation of the Company Absolute
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the Cash Settlement Amount at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed, except as otherwise provided in this Security.
No Personal Recourse
No recourse shall be had for the payment of the Cash Settlement Amount, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or any successor corporation or of the Guarantor or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof, expressly waived and released.
Defined Terms
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture unless otherwise defined in this Security.
Governing Law
This Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.
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ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
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TEN COM |
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as tenants in common |
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TEN ENT |
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as tenants by the entireties |
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Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s) and transfer(s) unto
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the within Security of WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint __________________ attorney to transfer the said Security on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.
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Dated: _________________________ |
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NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
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Exhibit 4.2
[Face of Note]
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to the Company or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
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CUSIP NO. 95001HGV7 |
FACE AMOUNT: $___________ |
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REGISTERED NO. ___ |
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WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC
MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES A
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Wells Fargo & Company
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Lowest Performing of the Dow Jones Industrial Average®, the Russell 2000® Index and the Nasdaq-100 Index® due December 13, 2024
WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC, a limited liability company duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation under and as defined in the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & Co., or registered assigns, an amount equal to the Maturity Payment Amount (as defined below) on the Stated Maturity Date (as defined below), unless this Security is redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity Date as provided below under “Optional Redemption,” and to pay Contingent Coupon Payments (as defined below) on the Face Amount of this Security to the extent provided herein on the Contingent Coupon Payment Dates specified herein at the Contingent Coupon Rate (as defined below) until the earlier of the Stated Maturity Date and the Optional Redemption Date (as defined below), if any. The “Initial Stated Maturity Date“ shall be December 13, 2024. If the Final Calculation Day (as defined below) is not postponed, the Initial Stated Maturity Date will be the “Stated Maturity Date.” If the Final Calculation Day is postponed, the “Stated Maturity Date” shall be the later of (i) the Initial Stated Maturity Date and (ii) three Business Days (as defined below) after the last Final Calculation Day as postponed.
“Face Amount“ shall mean, when used with respect to this Security, the amount set forth on the face of this Security as its “Face Amount.”
Optional Redemption
The Company may, at its option, redeem this Security, in whole but not in part, on any Optional Redemption Date (as defined below) by giving notice to the Holder hereof on or before the Calculation Day (as defined below) immediately preceding that Optional Redemption Date. If this
Security is redeemed, the Holder hereof will receive the Optional Redemption Price (as defined below) plus a final Contingent Coupon Payment (as defined below), if any, on the applicable Optional Redemption Date. Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Optional Redemption Price plus the final Contingent Coupon Payment, if any, this Security will cease to be outstanding on such Optional Redemption Date, no additional Contingent Coupon Payments will be payable on this Security and the Holder hereof will have no further rights under this Security after such Optional Redemption Date. The “Optional Redemption Price“ is equal to the Face Amount of this Security. The “Optional Redemption Dates” shall be the Contingent Coupon Payment Dates (as defined below) following each Calculation Day scheduled to occur from March 2021 to September 2024, inclusive.
Payment of Contingent Coupon Payments, the Maturity Payment Amount and the Optional Redemption Price
On each quarterly Contingent Coupon Payment Date, the Company shall pay a Contingent Coupon Payment if, and only if, the Closing Level (as defined below) of the Lowest Performing Index (as defined below) on the related Calculation Day is greater than or equal to its Threshold Level (as defined below). A “Contingent Coupon Payment,” if payable as provided herein, shall be equal to (i) the product of the Face Amount of this Security and the Contingent Coupon Rate, (ii) divided by 4. The “Contingent Coupon Payment Dates“ shall be the third Business Day following each Calculation Day, as each such Calculation Day may be postponed as herein provided, provided that the Contingent Coupon Payment Date with respect to the Final Calculation Day will be the Stated Maturity Date. If a Calculation Day is postponed with respect to one or more Indices, the related Contingent Coupon Payment Date will be three Business Days after the last Calculation Day as postponed. The “Contingent Coupon Rate” is 7.00% per annum. Any Contingent Coupon Payments will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent rounded upward. If a Contingent Coupon Payment Date is postponed, the Contingent Coupon Payment, if any, due on that Contingent Coupon Payment Date will be made on that Contingent Coupon Payment Date as so postponed with the same force and effect as if it had been made on the originally scheduled Contingent Coupon Payment Date, with no additional amount accruing or payable as a result of the postponement.
Any Contingent Coupon Payment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Contingent Coupon Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such Contingent Coupon Payment next preceding such Contingent Coupon Payment Date. The Regular Record Date for a Contingent Coupon Payment Date shall be the date one Business Day prior to such Contingent Coupon Payment Date.
Any Contingent Coupon Payment not punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.
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Payment of any Contingent Coupon Payment on this Security will be made in immediately available funds at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota; provided, however, that, at the option of the Company, payment of any Contingent Coupon Payment may be paid by check mailed to the Person entitled thereto at such Person’s last address as it appears in the Security Register or by wire transfer to such account as may have been designated by such Person. Payments of any Contingent Coupon Payment and the Maturity Payment Amount or the Optional Redemption Price, as applicable, on this Security at Maturity will be made against presentation of this Security at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota and at any other office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for so long as this Security is a Global Security registered in the name of the Depositary, any payments on this Security will be made to the Depositary by wire transfer of immediately available funds.
Payment of the Maturity Payment Amount or the Optional Redemption Price, as applicable, and any Contingent Coupon Payments on this Security will be made in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
Definitions Relating to Maturity Payment Amount, the Optional Redemption Price and Contingent Coupon Payments
If this Security is not redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity Date as provided above under “Optional Redemption,” the “Maturity Payment Amount” of this Security will equal:
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if the Ending Level of the Lowest Performing Index on the Final Calculation Day (as defined below) is greater than or equal to its Threshold Level: the Face Amount; or |
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if the Ending Level of the Lowest Performing Index on the Final Calculation Day is less than its Threshold Level: |
All calculations with respect to the Maturity Payment Amount will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth, with five one-millionths rounded upward (e.g., 0.000005 would be rounded to 0.00001); and the Maturity Payment Amount will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent rounded upward.
“Index” shall mean each of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the Russell 2000 Index and the Nasdaq-100 Index.
The “Pricing Date” shall mean March 10, 2020.
The “Lowest Performing Index” for any Calculation Day will be the Index with the lowest Performance Factor on that Calculation Day (as such Calculation Day may be postponed for one or more Indices).
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The “Performance Factor” with respect to an Index on any Calculation Day is its Closing Level on such Calculation Day divided by its Starting Level (expressed as a percentage).
The “Starting Level” with respect to the Dow Jones Industrial Average is 25018.16, its Closing Level on the Pricing Date, with respect to the Russell 2000 Index is 1350.898, its Closing Level on the Pricing Date, and with respect to the Nasdaq-100 Index is 8372.266, its Closing Level on the Pricing Date.
The “Ending Level” of an Index will be its Closing Level on the Final Calculation Day.
The “Threshold Level” with respect to the Dow Jones Industrial Average is 15010.896 which is equal to 60% of its Starting Level, with respect to the Russell 2000 Index is 810.5388, which is equal to 60% of its Starting Level, and with respect to the Nasdaq-100 Index is 5023.3596, which is equal to 60% of its Starting Level.
The “Closing Level“ with respect to each Index on any Trading Day means the official closing level of that Index reported by the relevant Index Sponsor on such Trading Day, as obtained by the Calculation Agent on such Trading Day from the licensed third-party market data vendor contracted by the Calculation Agent at such time; in particular, taking into account the decimal precision and/or rounding convention employed by such licensed third-party market data vendor on such date, subject to the provisions set forth below under “—Market Disruption Events,” “—Adjustments to an Index” and “—Discontinuance of an Index.”
“Index Sponsor” shall mean the sponsor or publisher of an Index.
“Business Day” shall mean a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in New York, New York.
The “Calculation Days“ shall be the 10th day of each March, June, September and December, commencing June 2020 and ending September 2024, and the Final Calculation Day. If any such day is not a Trading Day with respect to any Index, such Calculation Day for each Index will be postponed to the next succeeding day that is a Trading Day with respect to each Index. A Calculation Day for an Index is also subject to postponement due to the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event (as defined below) with respect to such Index on such Calculation Day. The “Final Calculation Day” is December 10, 2024. If a Market Disruption Event occurs or is continuing with respect to an Index on any Calculation Day, then such Calculation Day for such Index will be postponed to the first succeeding Trading Day for such Index on which a Market Disruption Event for such Index has not occurred and is not continuing; however, if such first succeeding Trading Day has not occurred as of the eighth Trading Day for such Index after the originally scheduled Calculation Day, that eighth Trading Day shall be deemed to be the Calculation Day for such Index. If a Calculation Day has been postponed eight Trading Days for an Index after the originally scheduled Calculation Day and a Market Disruption Event occurs or is continuing with respect to such Index on such eighth Trading Day, the Calculation Agent will determine the Closing Level of such Index on such eighth Trading Day in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the Closing Level of such Index last in effect prior to commencement of the Market Disruption Event, using the closing price (or, with respect to any
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relevant security, if a Market Disruption Event has occurred with respect to such security, its good faith estimate of the value of such security at the Scheduled Closing Time of the Relevant Stock Exchange for such security or, if earlier, the actual closing time of the regular trading session of such Relevant Stock Exchange) on that day of each security included in such Index. As used herein, “closing price” means, with respect to any security on any date, the Relevant Stock Exchange traded or quoted price of such security as of the Scheduled Closing Time of the Relevant Stock Exchange for such security or, if earlier, the actual closing time of the regular trading session of such Relevant Stock Exchange. Notwithstanding the postponement of a Calculation Day for an Index due to a Market Disruption Event with respect to such Index on such Calculation Day, the originally scheduled Calculation Day will remain the Calculation Day for any Index not affected by a Market Disruption Event on such day.
“Calculation Agent Agreement” shall mean the Calculation Agent Agreement dated as of May 18, 2018 between the Company and the Calculation Agent, as amended from time to time.
“Calculation Agent” shall mean the Person that has entered into the Calculation Agent Agreement with the Company providing for, among other things, whether a Contingent Coupon Payment will be made, the Optional Redemption Price, if any, and the Maturity Payment Amount, if any, which term shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include its successors under such Calculation Agent Agreement. The initial Calculation Agent shall be Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. Pursuant to the Calculation Agent Agreement, the Company may appoint a different Calculation Agent from time to time after the initial issuance of this Security without the consent of the Holder of this Security and without notifying the Holder of this Security.
Certain Definitions
A “Trading Day” with respect to an Index means a day, as determined by the Calculation Agent, on which (i) the Relevant Stock Exchanges with respect to each security underlying such Index are scheduled to be open for trading for their respective regular trading sessions and (ii) each Related Futures or Options Exchange with respect to such Index is scheduled to be open for trading for its regular trading session.
The “Relevant Stock Exchange” for any security underlying an Index means the primary exchange or quotation system on which such security is traded, as determined by the Calculation Agent.
The “Related Futures or Options Exchange” for an Index means an exchange or quotation system where trading has a material effect (as determined by the Calculation Agent) on the overall market for futures or options contracts relating to such Index.
Adjustments to an Index
If at any time the method of calculating an Index or a Successor Equity Index, or the closing level thereof, is changed in a material respect, or if an Index or a Successor Equity Index is in any other way modified so that such index does not, in the opinion of the Calculation Agent, fairly represent the level of such index had those changes or modifications not been made, then the Calculation Agent will, at the close of business in New York, New York, on each date that the closing level of such index is to be calculated, make such calculations and adjustments as, in the
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good faith judgment of the Calculation Agent, may be necessary in order to arrive at a level of an index comparable to such Index or Successor Equity Index as if those changes or modifications had not been made, and the Calculation Agent will calculate the closing level of such Index or Successor Equity Index with reference to such index, as so adjusted. Accordingly, if the method of calculating an Index or Successor Equity Index is modified so that the level of such index is a fraction or a multiple of what it would have been if it had not been modified (e.g., due to a split or reverse split in such equity index), then the Calculation Agent will adjust such Index or Successor Equity Index in order to arrive at a level of such index as if it had not been modified (e.g., as if the split or reverse split had not occurred).
Discontinuance of an Index
If an Index Sponsor discontinues publication of an Index, and such Index Sponsor or another entity publishes a successor or substitute equity index that the Calculation Agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to such Index (a “Successor Equity Index”), then, upon the Calculation Agent’s notification of that determination to the Trustee and the Company, the Calculation Agent will substitute the Successor Equity Index as calculated by the relevant Index Sponsor or any other entity for purposes of calculating the Closing Level of such Index on any date of determination. Upon any selection by the Calculation Agent of a Successor Equity Index, the Company will cause notice to be given to the Holder of this Security.
In the event that an Index Sponsor discontinues publication of an Index prior to, and the discontinuance is continuing on, a Calculation Day and the Calculation Agent determines that no Successor Equity Index is available at such time, the Calculation Agent will calculate a substitute Closing Level for such Index in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating such Index last in effect prior to the discontinuance, but using only those securities that comprised such Index immediately prior to that discontinuance. If a Successor Equity Index is selected or the Calculation Agent calculates a level as a substitute for such Index, the Successor Equity Index or level will be used as a substitute for such Index for all purposes, including the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists.
If on a Calculation Day an Index Sponsor fails to calculate and announce the level of an Index, the Calculation Agent will calculate a substitute Closing Level of such Index in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating such Index last in effect prior to the failure, but using only those securities that comprised such Index immediately prior to that failure; provided that, if a Market Disruption Event occurs or is continuing on such day with respect to such Index, then the provisions set forth above under the definition of “Calculation Days” shall apply in lieu of the foregoing.
Market Disruption Events
A “Market Disruption Event” with respect to an Index means any of the following events as determined by the Calculation Agent in its sole discretion:
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The occurrence or existence of a material suspension of or limitation imposed on trading by the Relevant Stock Exchanges or otherwise relating to securities which then comprise 20% or more of the level of such Index or any Successor Equity |
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The occurrence or existence of a material suspension of or limitation imposed on trading by any Related Futures or Options Exchange or otherwise in futures or options contracts relating to such Index or any Successor Equity Index on any Related Futures or Options Exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the Close of Trading on that day, whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the Related Futures or Options Exchange or otherwise. |
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The occurrence or existence of any event, other than an early closure, that materially disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants in general to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, securities that then comprise 20% or more of the level of such Index or any Successor Equity Index on their Relevant Stock Exchanges at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the Close of Trading on that day. |
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The occurrence or existence of any event, other than an early closure, that materially disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants in general to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, futures or options contracts relating to such Index or any Successor Equity Index on any Related Futures or Options Exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the Close of Trading on that day. |
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The closure on any Exchange Business Day of the Relevant Stock Exchanges on which securities that then comprise 20% or more of the level of such Index or any Successor Equity Index are traded or any Related Futures or Options Exchange with respect to such Index or any Successor Equity Index prior to its Scheduled Closing Time unless the earlier closing time is announced by the Relevant Stock Exchange or Related Futures or Options Exchange, as applicable, at least one hour prior to the earlier of (1) the actual closing time for the regular trading session on such Relevant Stock Exchange or Related Futures or Options Exchange, as applicable, and (2) the submission deadline for orders to be entered into the Relevant Stock Exchange or Related Futures or Options Exchange, as applicable, system for execution at such actual closing time on that day. |
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For purposes of determining whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred with respect to an Index:
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the relevant percentage contribution of a security to the level of such Index or any Successor Equity Index will be based on a comparison of (x) the portion of the level of such Index attributable to that security and (y) the overall level of such Index or Successor Equity Index, in each case immediately before the occurrence of the Market Disruption Event; |
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the “Close of Trading“ on any Trading Day for such Index or any Successor Equity Index means the Scheduled Closing Time of the Relevant Stock Exchanges with respect to the securities underlying such Index or Successor Equity Index on such Trading Day; provided that, if the actual closing time of the regular trading session of any such Relevant Stock Exchange is earlier than its Scheduled Closing Time on such Trading Day, then (x) for purposes of clauses (A) and (C) of the definition of “Market Disruption Event” above, with respect to any security underlying such Index or Successor Equity Index for which such Relevant Stock Exchange is its Relevant Stock Exchange, the “Close of Trading” means such actual closing time and (y) for purposes of clauses (B) and (D) of the definition of “Market Disruption Event” above, with respect to any futures or options contract relating to such Index or Successor Equity Index, the “Close of Trading” means the latest actual closing time of the regular trading session of any of the Relevant Stock Exchanges, but in no event later than the Scheduled Closing Time of the Relevant Stock Exchanges; |
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the “Scheduled Closing Time” of any Relevant Stock Exchange or Related Futures or Options Exchange on any Trading Day for such Index or any Successor Equity Index means the scheduled weekday closing time of such Relevant Stock Exchange or Related Futures or Options Exchange on such Trading Day, without regard to after hours or any other trading outside the regular trading session hours; and |
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an “Exchange Business Day” means any Trading Day for such Index or any Successor Equity Index on which each Relevant Stock Exchange for the securities underlying such Index or any Successor Equity Index and each Related Futures or Options Exchange with respect to such Index or any Successor Equity Index are open for trading during their respective regular trading sessions, notwithstanding any such Relevant Stock Exchange or Related Futures or Options Exchange closing prior to its Scheduled Closing Time. |
Calculation Agent
The Calculation Agent will determine whether a Contingent Coupon Payment will be made, the Optional Redemption Price, if any, and the Maturity Payment Amount, if any. In addition, the Calculation Agent will (i) determine if adjustments are required to the Closing Level of an Index under the circumstances described in this Security, (ii) if publication of an Index is discontinued, select a Successor Equity Index or, if no Successor Equity Index is available, determine the Closing Level of such Index under the circumstances described in this Security, and (iii) determine whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred.
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The Company covenants that, so long as this Security is Outstanding, there shall at all times be a Calculation Agent (which shall be a broker-dealer, bank or other financial institution) with respect to this Security.
All determinations made by the Calculation Agent with respect to this Security will be at the sole discretion of the Calculation Agent and, in the absence of manifest error, will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Company and the Holder of this Security.
Redemption and Repayment
This Security is not subject to repayment at the option of the Holder hereof prior to December 13, 2024. This Security is subject to redemption prior to December 13, 2024 as set forth under “Optional Redemption” above. This Security is not entitled to any sinking fund.
Acceleration
If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, with respect to this Security shall occur and be continuing, the Maturity Payment Amount (calculated as set forth in the next two sentences) of this Security may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. The amount payable to the Holder hereof upon any acceleration permitted under the Indenture will be equal to the Maturity Payment Amount hereof calculated as provided herein, plus a portion of a final Contingent Coupon Payment, if any. The Maturity Payment Amount and any final Contingent Coupon Payment will be calculated as though the date of acceleration were the Final Calculation Day. The final Contingent Coupon Payment, if any, will be prorated from and including the immediately preceding Contingent Coupon Payment Date to but excluding the date of acceleration.
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Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature or its duly authorized agent under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
[The remainder of this page has been left intentionally blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
DATED:
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TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the
series designated therein described
in the within-mentioned Indenture.
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CITIBANK, N.A., |
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as Trustee |
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Authorized Signature |
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OR |
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WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., |
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as Authenticating Agent for the Trustee |
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Authorized Signature |
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[Reverse of Note]
WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC
MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES A
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Wells Fargo & Company
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Lowest Performing of the Dow Jones Industrial Average®, the Russell 2000® Index and the Nasdaq-100 Index® due December 13, 2024
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an indenture dated as of April 25, 2018, as amended or supplemented from time to time (herein called the “Indenture”), among the Company, as issuer, Wells Fargo & Company, as guarantor (the “Guarantor”) and Citibank, N.A., as trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities, and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series of the Securities designated as Medium-Term Notes, Series A, of the Company. The amount payable on the Securities of this series may be determined by reference to the performance of one or more equity-, commodity- or currency-based indices, exchange traded funds, securities, commodities, currencies, statistical measures of economic or financial performance, or a basket comprised of two or more of the foregoing, or any other market measure or may bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate. The Securities of this series may mature at different times, be redeemable at different times or not at all, be repayable at the option of the Holder at different times or not at all and be denominated in different currencies.
The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons and will be either (a) book-entry securities represented by one or more Global Securities recorded in the book-entry system maintained by the Depositary or (b) certificated securities issued to and registered in the names of, the beneficial owners or their nominees.
The Company agrees, to the extent permitted by law, not to voluntarily claim the benefits of any laws concerning usurious rates of interest against a Holder of this Security.
Guarantee
The Securities of this series are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor as and to the extent set forth in the Indenture.
Modification and Waivers
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the Guarantor and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the
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Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series to be affected, acting together as a class. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of all series at the time Outstanding affected by certain provisions of the Indenture, acting together as a class, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company or the Guarantor with those provisions of the Indenture. Certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences may be waived under the Indenture by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series. Solely for the purpose of determining whether any consent, waiver, notice or other action or Act to be taken or given by the Holders of Securities pursuant to the Indenture has been given or taken by the Holders of Outstanding Securities in the requisite aggregate principal amount, the principal amount of this Security will be deemed to be equal to the amount set forth on the face hereof as the “Face Amount” hereof. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
Defeasance
Section 403 and Article Fifteen of the Indenture and the provisions of clause (ii) of Section 401(1)(B) of the Indenture, relating to defeasance at any time of (a) the entire indebtedness on this Security and (b) certain restrictive covenants, upon compliance by the Company or the Guarantor with certain conditions set forth therein, shall not apply to this Security. The remaining provisions of Section 401 of the Indenture shall apply to this Security.
Authorized Denominations
This Security is issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 or any amount in excess thereof which is an integral multiple of $1,000.
Registration of Transfer
Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Security at the office or agency of the Company in the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a new Security or Securities of this series, with the same terms as this Security, in authorized denominations for an equal aggregate Face Amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange herefor, as provided in the Indenture and subject to the limitations provided therein and to the limitations described below, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
This Security is exchangeable for definitive Securities in registered form only if (x) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for this Security or if at any time the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, (y) the Company in its sole discretion determines that this Security shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities in registered form and notifies the Trustee thereof or (z) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities
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represented hereby has occurred and is continuing. If this Security is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence, it shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities in registered form, bearing interest at the same rate, having the same date of issuance, Stated Maturity Date and other terms and of authorized denominations aggregating a like amount.
This Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor of the Depositary or a nominee of such successor. Except as provided above, owners of beneficial interests in this Global Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Securities in definitive form and will not be considered the Holders hereof for any purpose under the Indenture.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Obligation of the Company Absolute
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the Contingent Coupon Payments, if any, and the Maturity Payment Amount or the Optional Redemption Price, as applicable, on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed, except as otherwise provided in this Security.
No Personal Recourse
No recourse shall be had for the payment of any Contingent Coupon Payments or the Maturity Payment Amount or the Optional Redemption Price, as applicable, on this Security or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or any successor corporation or of the Guarantor or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof, expressly waived and released.
Defined Terms
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture unless otherwise defined in this Security.
Governing Law
This Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.
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ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
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as tenants in common |
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TEN ENT |
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as tenants by the entireties |
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as joint tenants with right |
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of survivorship and not |
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as tenants in common |
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UNIF GIFT MIN ACT |
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Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act |
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Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s) and transfer(s) unto
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(Please print or type name and address including postal zip code of Assignee) |
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the within Security of WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint __________________ attorney to transfer the said Security on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.
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Dated: _________________________ |
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NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
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Exhibit 5.1
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Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP 2200 Wells Fargo Center 90 South Seventh Street Minneapolis Minnesota 55402-3901 Phone +1 612 766 7000 Fax +1 612 766 1600 |
March 13, 2020
Wells Fargo Finance LLC
30 Hudson Yards
New York, New York 10001
Wells Fargo & Company
420 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, California 94104
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Wells Fargo Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and Wells Fargo & Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Guarantor”), in connection with (i) the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended, File Nos. 333-221324 and 333-221324-01 (the “Registration Statement”) of the Company and the Guarantor filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the proposed offer and sale from time to time of the securities referred to therein; (ii) Pricing Supplement No. 369 dated March 6, 2020 to the Market Measure Supplement dated May 18, 2018 (the “Market Measure Supplement”), the Series A Prospectus Supplement dated May 18, 2018 (the “Series A Prospectus Supplement”) and the Prospectus dated April 5, 2019 (the “Prospectus”), relating to the offer and sale by the Company under the Registration Statement of $10,672,000 aggregate face amount of Medium-Term Notes, Series A, Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500® Index, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor; and (iii) Pricing Supplement No. 386 dated March 10, 2020 to the Market Measure Supplement, the Series A Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus, relating to the offer and sale by the Company under the Registration Statement of $1,000,000 aggregate face amount of Medium-Term Notes, Series A, Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Lowest Performing of the Dow Jones Industrial Average®, the Russell 2000® Index and the Nasdaq-100 Index® due December 13, 2024, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor (the Medium-Term Notes described in clauses (ii)-(iii) being herein referred to collectively as the “Notes”). The Notes are to be issued under the Indenture dated as of April 25, 2018 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantor and Citibank, N.A., as trustee, and will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor as and to the extent set forth in the Indenture (the “Guarantee”). The Notes will be sold pursuant to a Terms Agreement dated March 6, 2020 (the “Terms Agreement (March 6)”) or a Terms
Wells Fargo & Company
March 13, 2020
Page 2
Agreement dated March 10, 2020 (the “Terms Agreement (March 10)”), as applicable, among the Company, the Guarantor and the Agent named therein.
We have examined such documents, records and instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Notes and the Guarantee have been duly authorized by the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, and, when the Notes are duly executed by the Company, authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, and delivered to and paid for by the Agent pursuant to the Terms Agreement (March 6) or the Terms Agreement (March 10), as applicable,, the Notes and the Guarantee will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, enforceable against the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, in accordance with their terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, receivership or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and subject to general equity principles including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith, fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and except further as enforcement thereof may be limited by any governmental authority that limits, delays or prohibits the making of payments outside of the United States. As contemplated by the foregoing qualifications, in rendering the foregoing opinion, we are expressing no opinion as to Federal or state laws relating to fraudulent transfers. Without limiting any other qualifications set forth herein, the opinions expressed herein are subject to the effect of generally applicable laws that (i) limit the waiver of rights under usury laws; (ii) provide that, in the absence of an effective waiver or consent, a guarantor may be discharged from its guaranty, to the extent the guaranteed obligations are modified or other action or inaction increases the scope of the guarantor’s risk or otherwise detrimentally affects the guarantor’s interests, such as by negligently administering the guaranteed obligations, or releasing the primary obligor from the guaranteed obligations; or (iii) permit a guarantor to revoke a guaranty with respect to guaranteed obligations incurred after the revocation, notwithstanding the absence of an express right of revocation in the document providing for such guaranty.
We have relied as to certain relevant facts upon certificates of, and/or information provided by, officers and employees of the Company and the Guarantor as to the accuracy of such factual matters without independent verification thereof or other investigation. We have also relied, without investigation, upon the following assumptions: (i) natural persons acting on behalf of the Company and the Guarantor have sufficient legal capacity to enter into and perform, on behalf of the Company or the Guarantor, the transaction in question; (ii) each party to agreements or instruments relevant hereto other than the Company and the Guarantor has satisfied those legal requirements that are applicable to it to the extent necessary to make such agreements or instruments enforceable against it; (iii) each party to agreements or instruments relevant hereto other than the Company and the Guarantor has complied with all legal requirements pertaining to its status as such status relates to its rights to enforce such agreements or instruments against the Company or the Guarantor; (iv) each document submitted to us for review is accurate and complete, each such document that is an original is authentic, each such document that is a copy conforms to an authentic original, and all signatures
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March 13, 2020
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on each such document are genuine; and (v) the Notes and the Guarantee are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business of the Company and the Guarantor.
The opinions expressed herein are limited to the specific issues addressed and to documents and laws existing on the date hereof. By rendering our opinion, we do not undertake to advise you with respect to any other matter or of any change in such documents and laws or in the interpretation thereof which may occur after the date hereof.
Our opinions set forth herein are limited to the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and the federal laws of the United States of America, and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of any other laws.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company filed with the Commission and thereby incorporated by reference into 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.
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Very truly yours, |
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FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP |
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/s/ Dawn Holicky Pruitt |
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Dawn Holicky Pruitt |