Book-Entry Preferred Securities (a) A Global Preferred Security may be exchanged, in whole or in part, for Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates registered in the names of the Owners only if such exchange complies with Section 5.7 and (i) the Depositary advises the Administrative Trustees and the Property Trustee in writing that the Depositary is no longer willing or able properly to discharge its responsibilities with respect to the Global Preferred Security, and no qualified successor is appointed by the Administrative Trustees within ninety (90) days of receipt of such notice, (ii) the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and the Administrative Trustees fail to appoint a qualified successor within ninety (90) days of obtaining knowledge of such event, (iii) the Administrative Trustees at their option advise the Property Trustee in writing that the Trust elects to terminate the book-entry system through the Depositary or (iv) a Note Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Upon the occurrence of any event specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, the Administrative Trustees shall notify the Depositary and instruct the Depositary to notify all Owners of Book-Entry Preferred Securities, the Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee of the occurrence of such event and of the availability of the Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates to Owners of the Preferred Securities requesting the same. Upon the issuance of Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates, the Trustees shall recognize the Holders of the Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates as Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Preferred Security wishes at any time to transfer an interest in such Global Preferred Security to a Person other than a QIB/QP, such transfer shall be effected, subject to the Applicable Depositary Procedures, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.6 and Section 5.7, and the transferee shall receive a Definitive Preferred Securities Certificate in connection with such transfer. A holder of a Definitive Preferred Securities Certificate that is a QIB/QP may, upon request and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.6 and Section 5.7, exchange such Definitive Preferred Securities Certificate for a beneficial interest in a Global Preferred Security.
(b) If any Global Preferred Security is to be exchanged for Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates or canceled in part, or if any Definitive Preferred Securities Certificate is to be exchanged in whole or in part for any Global Preferred Security, then either (i) such Global Preferred Security shall be so surrendered for exchange or cancellation as provided in this Article V or (ii) the aggregate Liquidation Amount represented by such Global Preferred Security shall be reduced, subject to Section 5.4, or increased by an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount represented by that portion of the Global Preferred Security to be so exchanged or canceled, or equal to the Liquidation Amount represented by such Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates to be so exchanged for any Global Preferred Security, as the case may be, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Securities Registrar, whereupon the Property Trustee, in accordance with the Applicable Depositary Procedures, shall instruct the Depositary or its authorized representative to make a corresponding adjustment to its records. Upon any such surrender to the Administrative Trustees or the Securities Registrar of any Global Preferred Security or Securities by the Depositary, accompanied by registration instructions, the Administrative Trustees, or any one of them, shall execute the Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates in accordance with the instructions of the Depositary. None of the Securities Registrar or the Trustees shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be fully protected in relying on, such instructions.
(c) Every Definitive Preferred Securities Certificate executed and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Preferred Security or any portion thereof shall be executed and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Preferred Security, unless such Definitive Preferred Securities Certificate is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Preferred Security or a nominee thereof.
(d) The Depositary or its nominee, as registered owner of a Global Preferred Security, shall be the Holder of such Global Preferred Security for all purposes under this Trust Agreement and the Global Preferred Security, and Owners with respect to a Global Preferred Security shall hold such interests pursuant to the Applicable Depositary Procedures. The Securities Registrar and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the Depositary for all purposes of this Trust Agreement relating to the Global Preferred Securities (including the payment of the Liquidation Amount of and Distributions on the Book-Entry Preferred Securities represented thereby and the giving of instructions or directions by Owners of Book-Entry Preferred Securities represented thereby and the giving of notices) as the sole Holder of the Book-Entry Preferred Securities represented thereby and shall have no obligations to the Owners thereof. None of the Trustees nor the Securities Registrar shall have any liability in respect of any transfers effected by the Depositary.
(e) The rights of the Owners of the Book-Entry Preferred Securities shall be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those established by law, the Applicable Depositary Procedures and agreements between such Owners and the Depositary and/or the Depositary Participants; provided, that solely for the purpose of determining whether the Holders of the requisite amount of Preferred Securities have voted on any matter provided for in this Trust Agreement, to the extent that Preferred Securities are represented by a Global Preferred Security, the Trustees may conclusively rely on, and shall be fully protected in relying on, any written instrument (including a proxy) delivered to the Property Trustee by the Depositary setting forth the Owners’ votes or assigning the right to vote on any matter to any other Persons either in whole or in part. To the extent that Preferred Securities are represented by a Global Preferred Security, the initial Depositary will make book-entry transfers among the Depositary Participants and receive and transmit payments on the Preferred Securities that are represented by a Global Preferred Security to such Depositary Participants, and none of the Depositor or the Trustees shall have any responsibility or obligation with respect thereto.
(f) To the extent that a notice or other communication to the Holders is required under this Trust Agreement, for so long as Preferred Securities are represented by a Global Preferred Security, the Trustees shall give all such notices and communications to the Depositary, and shall have no obligations to the Owners.
Legending of Subject Securities 9.1 The Subscriber hereby acknowledges that that upon the issuance thereof, and until such time as the same is no longer required under the applicable securities laws and regulations, the certificates representing any of the Securities will bear a legend in substantially the following form: “THESE SECURITIES WERE ISSUED IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION TO PERSONS WHO ARE NOT U.S. PERSONS (AS DEFINED HEREIN) PURSUANT TO REGULATION S UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “1933 ACT”). ACCORDINGLY, NONE OF THE SECURITIES TO WHICH THIS CERTIFICATE RELATES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE 1933 ACT, OR ANY U.S. STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND, UNLESS SO REGISTERED, NONE MAY BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO U.S. PERSONS (AS DEFINED HEREIN) EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE 1933 ACT AND IN EACH CASE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. IN ADDITION, HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 1933 ACT.”
9.2 The Subscriber hereby acknowledges and agrees to the Company making a notation on its records or giving instructions to the registrar and transfer agent of the Company in order to implement the restrictions on transfer set forth and described in this Subscription Agreement.
9.3 The Subscriber hereby acknowledges and agrees to the Company making a notation on its records or giving instructions to the registrar and transfer agent of the Company in order to implement the restrictions on transfer set forth and described in this Subscription Agreement.
Restricted Securities Owners The Company agrees to advise in writing each of the persons or entities who, to the knowledge of the Company, holds Restricted Securities that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit hereunder (except under the circumstances contemplated in Section 2.14) and, to the extent practicable, shall require each of such persons to represent in writing that such person will not deposit Restricted Securities hereunder (except under the circumstances contemplated in Section 2.14).
Company Securities Except as set forth in this Section 3.7, there are (i) no outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in (including voting debt), the Company; (ii) no outstanding securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest (including voting debt) in, the Company; (iii) no outstanding options, warrants or other rights or binding arrangements to acquire from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or that obligate the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue or sell, any capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest (including voting debt) in, the Company; (iv) no obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to grant, extend or enter into any subscription, warrant, right, convertible, exchangeable or exercisable security, or other similar Contract relating to any capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest (including any voting debt) in, the Company; (v) no outstanding shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, contingent value rights, “phantom” stock or similar securities or rights that are derivative of, or provide economic benefits based, directly or indirectly, on the value or price of, any capital stock of, or other securities or ownership interests in, the Company (the items in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v), collectively with the Company Common Stock, the “Company Securities”); (vi) no voting trusts, proxies or similar arrangements or understandings to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company is bound with respect to the voting of any shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, the Company; (vii) except as provided in the Charter or the Bylaws, no obligations or binding commitments of any character restricting the transfer of any shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, the Company to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound; and (viii) no other obligations by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make any payments based on the price or value of any Company Securities. None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is party to any Contract that obligates it to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Company Securities. There are no accrued and unpaid dividends with respect to any outstanding shares of Company Common Stock. The Company does not have a stockholder rights plan in effect.
Initial Shares The Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter hereunder, in definitive form, and in such authorized denominations and registered in such names as the Representative may request upon at least forty-eight hours’ prior notice to the Company, shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Representative, including, at the option of the Representative, through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by or on behalf of such Underwriter of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of Federal (same-day) funds to the account specified to the Representative by the Company upon at least forty-eight hours’ prior notice. The Company will cause the certificates representing the Initial Shares to be made available for checking and packaging at least twenty-four hours prior to the Closing Time (as defined below) with respect thereto at the office of the Representative, 0000 00xx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, or at the office of DTC or its designated custodian, as the case may be (the “Designated Office”). The time and date of such delivery and payment shall be 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the third (fourth, if pricing occurs after 4:30 p.m., New York City time) business day after the date hereof (unless another time and date shall be agreed to by the Representative and the Company). The time at which such payment and delivery are actually made is hereinafter sometimes called the “Closing Time” and the date of delivery of both Initial Shares and Option Shares is hereinafter sometimes called the “Date of Delivery.”
Additional Registrable Securities Subject to Section 3.4, in the event that any Holder holds Registrable Securities that are not registered for resale on a delayed or continuous basis, the Company, upon written request of the Sponsor or a Holder, shall promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the resale of such Registrable Securities to be covered, at the Company’s option, by any then available Registration Statement (including by means of a post-effective amendment) or by filing a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement and cause the same to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and such Registration Statement or Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be subject to the terms hereof; provided, however, that the Company shall only be required to cause such Registrable Securities to be so covered twice per calendar year for each of the Sponsor and the Holders.
Register of Shares and Share Certificates A register shall be kept at the principal office of the Trust or an office of one or more transfer agents which shall contain the names and addresses of the Shareholders of each Series and Class, the number of Shares of that Series and Class thereof held by them respectively and a record of all transfers thereof. As to Shares for which no certificate has been issued, such register shall be conclusive as to who are the holders of the Shares and who shall be entitled to receive dividends or other distributions or otherwise to exercise or enjoy the rights of Shareholders. No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution, nor to have notice given to him as herein or in the By-laws provided, until he has given his address to the transfer agent or such other officer or agent of the Trust as shall keep the said register for entry thereon. The Trustees shall have no obligation to, but in their discretion may, authorize the issuance of share certificates and promulgate appropriate rules and regulations as to their use. If one or more share certificates are issued, whether in the name of a Shareholder or a nominee, such certificate or certificates shall constitute evidence of ownership of the Shares evidenced thereby for all purposes, including transfer, assignment or sale of such Shares, subject to such limitations as the Trustees may, in their discretion, prescribe.
Class B Shares (i) In consideration of the Underwriter’s services as principal underwriter of each Fund’s Class B shares pursuant to this Agreement and in accordance with the provisions of the Trust’s Second Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”) in respect of such shares, each Fund agrees: (I) to pay to the Underwriter or, at the Underwriter’s direction, to a third party, monthly in arrears on or prior to the 5th business day of the following calendar month (A) a service fee (the “Service Fee”) equal to 0.25 of 1% per annum of the average daily net asset value of the Class B shares of such Fund outstanding from time to time, and (B) the Underwriter’s “Allocable Portion” (as hereinafter defined) of a fee (the “Distribution Fee”) equal to 0.75 of 1% per annum of the average daily net asset value of the Class B shares of such Fund outstanding from time to time, and (II) to withhold from redemption proceeds in respect of Class B shares of such Fund the Underwriter’s Allocable Portion of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (“CDSCs”) payable in respect of such redemption as provided in the current Prospectus of such Fund and to pay the same over to the Underwriter or, at the Underwriter’s direction, to a third party, at the time the redemption proceeds in respect of such redemption are payable to the holder of the Class B shares redeemed.
(ii) The Underwriter will be deemed to have performed all services required to be performed in order to be entitled to receive its Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fee payable in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds upon the settlement date of each sale of a “Commission Share” (as defined in the Allocation Schedule attached hereto as Schedule B) of the Funds taken into account in determining the Underwriter’s Allocable Portion of such Distribution Fees.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or (to the extent waiver thereof is permitted thereby) applicable law, each Fund’s obligation to pay the Underwriter’s Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fees payable in respect to the Class B shares of the Funds shall not be terminated or modified for any reason (including a termination of this Agreement) except: (a) to the extent required by a change in the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder or the Conduct Rules of FINRA, in each case enacted or promulgated after Xxxxx 00, 0000, (x) on a basis which does not alter the Underwriter’s Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fees computed with reference to Commission Shares the Date of Original Issuance (as defined in the Allocation Schedule) of which occurs on or prior to the adoption of such termination or modification and with respect to Free Shares (as defined in the Allocation Schedule) which would be attributed to such Underwriter under the Allocation Schedule with reference, or (c) in connection with a “Complete Termination” (as hereinafter defined) of the Plan.
(iv) The Funds will not take any action to waive or change any CDSC in respect of the Class B shares, except as provided in each Fund’s current Prospectus or statement of additional information forming a part of that Fund’s initial Registration Statement on the date such Fund’s initial Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC, without the consent of the Underwriter and the permitted assigns of all or any portion of its rights to its Allocable Portion of the CDSCs.
(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither the termination of the Underwriter’s role as principal distributor of the Class B shares of a Fund, nor the termination of this Agreement with respect to a Fund, nor the termination of the Plan with respect to a Fund will terminate the Underwriter’s right to its Allocable Portion of the CDSCs in respect of the Class B shares of each Fund.
(vi) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Underwriter may assign, sell or pledge (collectively, “Transfer”) its rights to the Service Fees and its Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fees and CDSCs (but not its obligations to the Funds under this Agreement) to raise funds to make the expenditures related to the distribution of Class B shares of a Fund and in connection therewith, upon receipt of notice of such Transfer, a Fund shall pay, or cause to be paid, to the assignee, purchaser or pledgee (collectively with their subsequent transferees, “Transferees”) such portion of the Underwriter’s Service Fees, Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fees and CDSCs in respect of the Class B shares of a Fund so Transferred. Except as provided in (iii) above and notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, to the extent the Underwriter has Transferred its rights thereto to raise funds as aforesaid, a Fund’s obligation to pay the Underwriter’s Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fees and CDSCs payable in respect of the Class B shares of a Fund shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be subject to dispute, offset, counterclaim or any defense whatsoever, at law or equity, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing based on the insolvency or bankruptcy of the Underwriter (it being understood that such provision is not a waiver of the Funds’ right to pursue the Underwriter and enforce claims against the assets of the Underwriter other than the Underwriter’s right to the Distribution Fees and CDSCs in respect of the Class B shares of each Fund, which have been so transferred in connection with such Transfer). The Funds agree that each such Transferee is a third party beneficiary of the provisions of this clause (vi) but only insofar as those provisions relate to Distribution Fees and CDSCs transferred to such Transferee.
(vii) For purposes of the Agreement, the term “Allocable Portion” of Distribution Fees and CDSCs payable in respect of the Class B shares of a Fund shall mean the portion of such Distribution Fees and CDSCs allocated to the Underwriter.
(viii) For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Complete Termination” of the Plan in respect of a Fund means a termination of the Plan involving the complete cessation of the payment of Distribution Fees in respect of all Class B shares of the Funds, and the termination of the Plan and the complete cessation of the payment of distribution fees pursuant to any other distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds and any successor fund or the Funds acquiring a substantial portion of the assets of the Funds and for every future class of shares which has substantially similar characteristics to the Class B shares of the Funds taking into account the manner of payment and amount of sales charge, CDSC or other similar charges borne directly or indirectly by the holders of such shares; provided that (a) the Trustees of the Trust, including the Independent Trustees of the Trust, shall have determined that such termination is in the best interest of the Funds and the shareholders of the Funds, and (b) such termination does not alter the CDSC as in effect at the time of such termination applicable to Commission Shares of the Funds, the Date of Original Issuance (as defined in the Allocation Schedule) of which occurs on or prior to such termination.
(ix) The Underwriter may reallow any or all of the Distribution and Service Fees and CDSCs which it is paid under the Agreement to such dealers as the Underwriter may from time to time determine.
(x) The Underwriter may fix quantity discounts and other similar variances or waivers of the CDSCs not inconsistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act; provided however, that the Underwriter shall not impose any commission, permit any quantity discount, or impose any other similar waiver or variance in connection with the sale of Class B shares except as disclosed in each Fund’s current Prospectus.
Settlement Shares With respect to any Settlement Date other than the Final Date, the number of Shares designated as such by Counterparty in the relevant Settlement Notice or designated by Dealer pursuant to the “Termination Settlement” provisions of Paragraph 7(g) below, as applicable; provided that the Settlement Shares so designated shall, in the case of a designation by Counterparty, (i) not exceed the Number of Shares at that time and (ii) be at least equal to the lesser of 100,000 and the Number of Shares at that time, in each case with the Number of Shares determined taking into account pending Settlement Shares; and
Legended Securities Each certificate for a Note will bear the legend contained in “Notice to Investors” in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum for the time period and upon the other terms stated in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum.