AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT
among
EQUITABLE RESOURCES, INC., as Depositor,
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Property Trustee,
BANKERS TRUST (DELAWARE), as Delaware Trustee
the Administrators named herein
and
the several Holders
(as defined herein)
Dated as of April 23, 1998
EQUITABLE RESOURCES CAPITAL TRUST I
Certain Sections of this Trust Agreement relating
to Sections 310 through 318 of the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939:
Trust Indenture Trust Agreement Act Section
Section
310(a)(1) 8.7........................................................... 8.7
(a)(2).................................................................. 8.7
(a)(3).................................................................. 8.9
(a)(4)............................................................... 2.7(a)(ii)
(b)............................................................... 8.8, 10.10(b)
311(a)........................................................... 8.13, 10.10(b)
(b).............................................................. 8.13, 10.10(b)
312(a)................................................................. 10.10(b)
(b)............................................................... 10.10(b), (f)
(c)........................................................................ 5.7
313(a).................................................................. 8.15(a)
(a)(4)................................................................. 10.10(c)
(b).......................................................... 8.15(c), 10.10(c)
(c).............................................................. 10.8, 10.10(c)
(d).................................................................... 10.10(c)
314(a)........................................................... 8.16, 10.10(d)
(b)............................................................. Not Applicable
(c)(1)...................................................... 8.17, 10.10(d), (e)
(c)(2)...................................................... 8.17, 10.10(d), (e)
(c)(3)..................................................... 8.17, 10.10(d), (e)
(e).............................................................. 8.17, 10.10(e)
315(a)................................................................... 8.1(d)
(b)........................................................................ 8.2
(c)..................................................................... 8.1(c)
(d)...................................................................... 8.1(d)
(e)............................................................. Not Applicable
316(a).......................................................... Not Applicable
(a)(1)(A)....................................................... Not Applicable
(a)(1)(B)....................................................... Not Applicable
(a)(2) ......................................................... Not Applicable
(b)........................................................................ 5.13
(c)......................................................................... 6.7
317(a)(1)....................................................... Not Applicable
(a)(2) ................................................................. 8.14
(b) ................................................................... 5.10
318(a)................................................................. 10.10(a)
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
be a part of the Trust
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINED TERMS
SECTION 1.1. Definitions 1
ARTICLE II
CONTINUATION OF THE ISSUER TRUST
SECTION 2.1. Name 9
SECTION 2.2. Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place of Business 9
SECTION 2.3. Initial Contribution of Trust Property; Organizational Expenses 9
SECTION 2.4. Issuance of the Capital Securities 9
SECTION 2.5. Issuance of the Common Securities; Subscription and Purchase
of Junior Subordinated Debentures 10
SECTION 2.6. Declaration of Trust 10
SECTION 2.7. Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions 10
SECTION 2.8. Assets of Trust 13
SECTION 2.9. Title to Trust Property 13
ARTICLE III
PAYMENT ACCOUNT
SECTION 3.1. Payment Account 13
ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTION
SECTION 4.1. Distributions 13
SECTION 4.2. Redemption 14
SECTION 4.3. Subordination of Common Securities 16
SECTION 4.4. Payment Procedures 17
SECTION 4.5. Tax Returns and Reports 17
SECTION 4.6. Payment of Taxes, Duties, Etc. of the Issuer Trust 17
SECTION 4.7. Payments under Indenture or Pursuant to Direct Actions 17
SECTION 4.8. Liability of the Holder of Common Securities 18
ARTICLE V
TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES
SECTION 5.1. Initial Ownership 18
SECTION 5.2. The Trust Securities Certificates 18
SECTION 5.3. Execution and Delivery of Trust Securities Certificates 18
SECTION 5.4. Global Capital Security 19
SECTION 5.5. Registration of Transfer and Exchange Generally;
Certain Transfers and Exchanges; Capital Securities
Certificates 20
SECTION 5.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Trust Securities
Certificates 21
SECTION 5.7. Persons Deemed Holders 21
SECTION 5.8. Access to List of Holders' Names and Addresses 21
SECTION 5.9. Maintenance of Office or Agency 21
SECTION 5.10.Appointment of Paying Agent. 22
SECTION 5.11.Ownership of Common Securities by Depositor. 22
SECTION 5.12.Notices to Clearing Agency. 22
SECTION 5.13.Rights of Holders 22
ARTICLE VI
ACTS OF HOLDERS; MEETINGS; VOTING
SECTION 6.1. Limitations on Holder's Voting Rights 24
SECTION 6.2. Notice of Meetings 25
SECTION 6.3. Meetings of Holders 25
SECTION 6.4. Voting Rights 25
SECTION 6.5. Proxies, etc. 25
SECTION 6.6. Holder Action by Written Consent. 26
SECTION 6.7. Record Date for Voting and Other Purposes 26
SECTION 6.8. Acts of Holders 26
SECTION 6.9. Inspection of Records 27
ARTICLE VII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 7.1. Representations and Warranties of the Property Trustee
and the Delaware Trustee 27
SECTION 7.2. Representations and Warranties of Depositor 28
ARTICLE VIII
THE ISSUER TRUSTEES; THE ADMINISTRATORS
SECTION 8.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities 28
SECTION 8.2. Certain Notices 30
SECTION 8.3. Certain Rights of Property Trustee 30
SECTION 8.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities 32
SECTION 8.5. May Hold Securities 32
SECTION 8.6. Compensation; Indemnity; Fees 32
SECTION 8.7. Corporate Property Trustee Required; Eligibility
of Trustees and Administrators 33
SECTION 8.8. Conflicting Interests 34
SECTION 8.9. Co-Trustees and Separate Trustee 34
SECTION 8.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor 35
SECTION 8.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor 36
SECTION 8.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business 36
SECTION 8.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Depositor or
Issuer Trust 36
SECTION 8.14. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 36
SECTION 8.15. Reports by Property Trustee 37
SECTION 8.16. Reports to the Property Trustee 37
SECTION 8.17. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent 38
SECTION 8.18. Number of Issuer Trustees 38
SECTION 8.19. Delegation of Power 38
SECTION 8.20. Appointment of Administrators 38
ARTICLE IX
DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND MERGER
SECTION 9.1. Dissolution Upon Expiration Date 39
SECTION 9.2. Early Termination 39
SECTION 9.3. Termination 39
SECTION 9.4. Liquidation 40
SECTION 9.5. Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or
Replacements of the Issuer Trust 41
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 10.1. Limitation of Rights of Holders 41
SECTION 10.2. Amendment 42
SECTION 10.3. Separability 43
SECTION 10.4. Governing Law 43
SECTION 10.5. Payments Due on Non-Business Day 43
SECTION 10.6. Successors 44
SECTION 10.7. Headings 44
SECTION 10.8. Reports, Notices and Demands 44
SECTION 10.9. Agreement Not to Petition 44
SECTION 10.10. Trust Indenture Act; Conflict with Trust Indenture Act 45
SECTION 10.11. Acceptance of Terms of Trust Agreement, Guarantee and
Indenture 46
SECTION 10.12. Counterparts 47
Exhibit A Certificate of Trust
Exhibit B Form of Letter of Representations
Exhibit C Form of Common Securities Certificate
Exhibit D Form of Capital Securities Certificate
Exhibit E Form of Expense Agreement
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of April 23, 1998, among
(i) Equitable Resources, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (including any
successors or assigns, the "Depositor"), (ii) Bankers Trust Company, a New York
banking corporation, as property trustee, (in such capacity, the "Property
Trustee" and, in its separate corporate capacity and not in its capacity as
Property Trustee, the "Bank"), (iii) Bankers Trust (Delaware), a Delaware
banking corporation, as Delaware trustee (the "Delaware Trustee") (the Property
Trustee and the Delaware Trustee are referred to collectively herein as
the"Issuer Trustees"), (iv) two individuals selected by the holders of the
Common Securities (as defined herein) to act as administrators with respect to
the Issuer Trust (the "Administrators") and (v) the several Holders, as
hereinafter defined.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Issuer Trust (as defined herein) has been established
under the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a certain Trust Agreement,
dated as of January 7, 1998 (the "Original Trust Agreement"), and by the filing
of the Certificate of Trust of the Issuer Trust with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware on January 7, 1998 (the "Certificate of Trust"), which
Certificate of Trust is attached as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Depositor, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee
desire to amend and restate the Original Trust Agreement in its entirety as set
forth herein to provide for, among other things, (i) the issuance of the Common
Securities by the Issuer Trust to the Depositor, (ii) the issuance and sale of
the Capital Securities by the Issuer Trust pursuant to the Underwriting
Agreement, (iii) the acquisition by the Issuer Trust from the Depositor of all
of the right, title and interest in the Junior Subordinated Debentures, and (iv)
the appointment of the Administrators.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set
forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each party, for the benefit of the
other parties and for the benefit of the Holders, hereby amends and restates the
Original Trust Agreement in its entirety and agrees, intending to be legally
bound, as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINED TERMS
Section 1.1 Definitions. For all purposes of this Trust Agreement, except
as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in
this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) All other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein;
(c) The words "include," "includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be
followed by the phrase "without limitation";
(d) All accounting terms used but not defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles as in effect at the time
of computation;
(e) Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an "Article"or
a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Trust
Agreement; and
(f) The words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar
import refer to this Trust Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
Article, Section or other subdivision.
"Act" has the meaning specified in Section 6.8.
"Additional Amount" means, with respect to Trust Securities of a given
Liquidation Amount and/or a given period, the amount of Additional Interest (as
defined in the Indenture) paid by the Depositor on a Like Amount of Debentures
for such period.
"Additional Sums" has the meaning specified in Section 10.6 of the
Indenture.
"Administrators" means each Person appointed in accordance with Section
8.20 solely in such Person's capacity as Administrator of the Issuer Trust and
not in such Person's individual capacity, or any successor Administrator
appointed as herein provided; with the initial Administrators being Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this
definition,"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the
power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or
indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings
correlative to the foregoing.
"Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or transaction
involving a Global Capital Security or beneficial interest therein, the rules
and procedures of the Depositary for such Capital Security, in each case to the
extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to
time.
"Bank" has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Trust Agreement.
"Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person:
(a) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in
the premises judging such Person a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as
properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjudication
or composition of or in respect of such Person under any applicable federal
or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or
appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or
other similar official) of such Person or of any substantial part of its
property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the
continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period
of 60 consecutive days; or
(b) the institution by such Person of proceedings to be adjudicated a
bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of
bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a
petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any
applicable federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
similar law, or the consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to
the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator
(or similar official) of such Person or of any substantial part of its
property or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors,
or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts
generally as they become due and its willingness to be adjudicated a
bankrupt, or the taking of corporate action by such Person in furtherance of
any such action.
"Bankruptcy Laws" has the meaning specified in Section 10.9.
"Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the Depositor or the
Executive Committee of the board of directors of the Depositor (or any other
committee of the board of directors of the Depositor performing similar
functions) or a committee designated by the board of directors of the Depositor
(or any such committee), comprised of two or more members of the board of
directors of the Depositor or officers of the Depositor, or both.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Depositor to have been duly adopted by the
Depositor's Board of Directors, or such committee of the Board of Directors or
officers of the Depositor to which authority to act on behalf of the Board of
Directors has been delegated, and to be in full force and effect on the date of
such certification, and delivered to the Issuer Trustees.
"Business Day" means a day other than (a) a Saturday or Sunday, (b) a day
on which banking institutions in The City of New York or in the City of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are authorized or required by law or executive order to
remain closed or (c) a day on which the Property Trustee's Corporate Trust
Office or the Delaware Trustee's corporate trust office or the corporate trust
office of the Debenture Trustee is closed for business.
"Capital Securities Certificate" means a certificate evidencing ownership
of Capital Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit
D.
"Capital Security" means a preferred undivided beneficial interest in the
assets of the Issuer Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $25 and having the
rights provided therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive
Distributions and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.
"Certificate Depositary Agreement" means the agreement among the Issuer
Trust, the Depositor and the Depositary, as the initial Clearing Agency, dated
as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B, as the
same may be amended and supplemented from time to time.
"Certificate of Trust" has the meaning specified in the preamble to this
Trust Agreement.
"Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "clearing agency"
pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The Depositary shall be the initial
Clearing Agency.
"Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial
institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Clearing Agency effects
book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Clearing
Agency.
"Closing Date" has the meaning specified in the Underwriting Agreement.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to
time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.
"Common Securities Certificate" means a certificate evidencing ownership of
Common Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C.
"Common Securities Purchase Agreement" means the common securities
subscription agreement between the Issuer Trust and the Depositor dated April
23, 1998.
"Common Security" means an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of
the Issuer Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $25 and having the rights
provided therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive
Distributions and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Property Trustee
located in the City of New York which at the time of the execution of this Trust
Agreement is located at Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000; Attention:
Corporate Trust and Agency Group.
"Debenture Event of Default" means an "Event of Default" as defined in the
Indenture.
"Debenture Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be redeemed under the Indenture, the date fixed for
redemption of such Junior Subordinated Debentures under the Indenture.
"Debenture Trustee" means Bankers Trust Company, a New York banking
corporation, as Trustee under the Indenture, and any successor.
"Delaware Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware
Code, 12 Del. C. ss.3801, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time.
"Delaware Trustee" means the corporation identified as the "Delaware
Trustee" in the preamble to this Trust Agreement solely in its capacity as
Delaware Trustee of the Issuer Trust and not in its individual capacity, or its
successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor trustee appointed as
herein provided.
"Depositor" has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Trust
Agreement.
"Depositary" means The Depository Trust Company or any successor thereto.
"Direct Action" has the meaning specified in Section 5.13.
"Distribution Date" has the meaning specified in Section 4.1(a).
"Distributions" means amounts payable in respect of the Trust Securities as
provided in Section 4.1.
"Early Termination Event" has the meaning specified in Section 9.2.
"Event of Default" means any one of the following events (whatever the
reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or
involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body):
(a) the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default; or
(b) default by the Issuer Trust or the Property Trustee in the payment of
any Distribution when it becomes due and payable, and continuation of
such default for a period of 30 days; or
(c) default by the Issuer Trust or the Property Trustee in the payment of
any Redemption Price of any Trust Security when it becomes due and payable; or
(d) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any
covenant or warranty of the Issuer Trustees in this Trust Agreement (other than
a covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or the breach of
which is dealt with in clause (b) or (c) above) and continuation of such default
or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or
certified mail, to the Issuer Trustees and the Depositor by the Holders of at
least 25% in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding Capital Securities,
a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be
remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or
(e) the occurrence of any Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Property
Trustee or all or substantially all of its property if a successor Property
Trustee has not been appointed within a period of 90 days thereof.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and any successor statute thereto, in each case as amended from time to
time.
"Expense Agreement" means the Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities,
dated as of the Closing Date, between the Depositor, in its capacity as holder
of the Common Securities, and the Issuer Trust, substantially in the form
attached as Exhibit E, as amended from time to time.
"Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 9.1.
"Global Capital Securities Certificate" means a Capital Securities
Certificate evidencing ownership of Global Capital Securities.
"Global Capital Security" means a Capital Security, the ownership and
transfers of which shall be made through book entries by a Clearing Agency as
described in Section 5.4.
"Guarantee Agreement" means the Guarantee Agreement executed and delivered
by the Depositor and Bankers Trust Company, as trustee, contemporaneously with
the execution and delivery of this Trust Agreement, for the benefit of the
holders of the Capital Securities, as amended from time to
time.
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Trust Security or Trust Securities
is registered in the Securities Register; any such Person shall be a beneficial
owner within the meaning of the Delaware Business Trust Act.
"Indenture" means the Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of April 23,
1998, between the Depositor and the Debenture Trustee (as amended or
supplemented from time to time) relating to the issuance of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures.
"Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
"Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Issuer Trust of an
Opinion of Counsel experienced in such matters, to the effect that, as a result
of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a written change
(including any announced prospective change) in interpretation or application of
law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or
regulatory authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Issuer
Trust is or will be considered an "investment company" that is required to be
registered under the Investment Company Act, which change or prospective change
becomes effective or would become effective, as the case may be, on or after the
date of the issuance of the Capital Securities.
"Issuer Trust" means Equitable Resources Capital Trust I.
"Issuer Trustees" means, collectively, the Property Trustee and the
Delaware Trustee.
"Junior Subordinated Debentures" means the aggregate principal amount
of the Depositor's 7.35% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures,
issued pursuant to the Indenture.
"Junior Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement" means the junior
subordinated debenture subscription agreement between the Issuer Trust and the
Depositor dated April 23, 1998.
"Lien" means any lien, pledge, charge, encumbrance, mortgage, deed of
trust, adverse ownership interest, hypothecation, assignment, security interest
or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement
of any kind or nature whatsoever.
"Like Amount" means (a) with respect to a redemption of Trust
Securities, Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to that portion
of the principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures to be
contemporaneously redeemed in accordance with the Indenture, allocated to the
Common Securities and to the Capital Securities based upon the relative
Liquidation Amounts of such classes and (b) with respect to a distribution of
Junior Subordinated Debentures to Holders of Trust Securities in connection with
a dissolution or liquidation of the Issuer Trust, Junior Subordinated Debentures
having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Trust
Securities of the Holder to whom such Junior Subordinated Debentures are
distributed.
"Liquidation Amount" means the stated amount of $25 per Trust Security.
"Liquidation Date" means the date on which Junior Subordinated
Debentures are to be distributed to Holders of Trust Securities in connection
with a dissolution and liquidation of the Issuer Trust pursuant to Section 9.4.
"Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning specified in Section 9.4(d).
"Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities" or "Majority
in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities" means, except as provided by the
Trust Indenture Act, Capital Securities or Common Securities, as the case may
be, representing more than 50% of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all then
Outstanding Capital Securities or Common Securities, as the case may be.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer, President or a Senior Vice President or
Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, of the Depositor, and delivered to the party provided
herein. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Trust Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement by each officer signing the Officers' Certificate that such
officer has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by such officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;
(c) a statement that such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may, unless
otherwise specified herein, be counsel for or an officer or employee of the
Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor.
"Original Trust Agreement" has the meaning specified in the preamble to
this Trust Agreement.
"Outstanding," with respect to Trust Securities, means, as of the date of
determination, all Trust Securities theretofore executed and delivered under
this Trust Agreement, except:
(a) Trust Securities theretofore canceled by the Property Trustee or
delivered to the Property Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Trust Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary
amount has been theretofore deposited with the Property Trustee or any Paying
Agent for the Holders of such Trust Securities, provided that if such Trust
Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given
pursuant to this Trust Agreement; and
(c) Trust Securities which have been paid or in exchange for or in lieu of
which other Trust Securities have been executed and delivered pursuant to
Sections 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 and 5.13; provided, however, that in determining whether
the Holders of the requisite Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding Capital
Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent or waiver hereunder, Capital Securities owned by the Depositor, or any
Issuer Trustee, any Administrator or any Affiliate of the Depositor or any
Issuer Trustee shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except
that (a) in determining whether any Issuer Trustee shall be protected in relying
upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or
waiver, only Capital Securities that such Issuer Trustee or such Administrator,
as the case may be, actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded and
(b) the foregoing shall not apply at any time when all of the outstanding
Capital Securities are owned by the Depositor, one or more of the Issuer
Trustees, one or more of the Administrators and/or any such Affiliate. Capital
Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as
Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Administrators
the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Capital Securities and that
the pledgee is not the Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor.
"Owner" means each Person who is the beneficial owner of Global Capital
Securities as reflected in the records of the Clearing Agency or, if a Clearing
Agency Participant is not the Owner, then as reflected in the records of a
Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly or
indirectly), in accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency.
"Paying Agent" means any paying agent or co-paying agent appointed
pursuant to Section 5.10 and shall initially be the Property Trustee.
"Payment Account" means a segregated non-interest-bearing corporate
trust account maintained with the Property Trustee in its trust department for
the benefit of the Holders in which all amounts paid in respect of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be held and from which the Property Trustee,
through the Paying Agent, shall make payments to the Holders in accordance with
Sections 4.1 and 4.2.
"Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, company,
limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or
any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever
nature.
"Property Trustee" means the Person identified as the "Property
Trustee"in the preamble to this Trust Agreement solely in its capacity as
Property Trustee of the Issuer Trust and not in its individual capacity, or its
successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor property trustee
appointed as herein provided.
"Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Trust Security to be
redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Trust
Agreement; provided that each Debenture Redemption Date and the stated maturity
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be a Redemption Date for a Like
Amount of Trust Securities, including but not limited to any date of redemption
pursuant to the occurrence of any Special Event.
"Redemption Price" means, with respect to any Trust Security, the
Liquidation Amount of such Trust Security, plus accumulated and unpaid
Distributions to the Redemption Date, plus the related amount of the premium, if
any, paid by the Depositor upon the concurrent redemption of a Like Amount of
Junior Subordinated Debentures.
"Relevant Trustee" has the meaning specified in Section 8.10.
"Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Property Trustee
means any officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Office, including any managing
director, vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer,
assistant secretary or any other officer of the Property Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated
officers and having direct responsibility for the administration of this Trust
Agreement, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to
whom such matter is referred because of such officer's knowledge of and
familiarity with the particular subject.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any
successor statute thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Securities Register" and "Securities Registrar" have the respective
meanings specified in Section 5.5.
"Senior Indebtedness" has the meaning specified in the Indenture.
"Special Event" means any Tax Event or Investment Company Event.
"Tax Event" means the receipt by the Issuer Trust of an Opinion of
Counsel experienced in such matters, to the effect that, as a result of any
amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the
laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any
official or administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after
the date of issuance of the Capital Securities, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Issuer Trust is, or will be within 90 days of
the delivery of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to United States Federal income
tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, (ii) interest payable by the Depositor on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the delivery of such Opinion of Counsel
will not be, deductible by the Depositor, in whole or in part, for United States
federal income tax purposes, or (iii) the Issuer Trust is, or will be within 90
days of the delivery of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to more than a de
minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.
"Trust Agreement" means this Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, as
the same may be modified, amended or supplemented in accordance with the
applicable provisions hereof, including (i) all Exhibits hereto, and (ii) for
all purposes of this Amended and Restated Trust Agreement any such modification,
amendment or supplement, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are
deemed to be a part of and govern this Amended and Restated Trust Agreement and
any modification, amendment or supplement, respectively.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or any
successor statute, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Trust Property" means (a) the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (b) any
cash on deposit in, or owing to, the Payment Account, and (c) all proceeds and
rights in respect of the foregoing or any other property and assets for the time
being held or deemed to be held by the Property Trustee pursuant to the trusts
of this Trust Agreement.
"Trust Securities Certificate" means any one of the Common Securities
Certificates or the Capital Securities Certificates.
"Trust Security" means any one of the Common Securities or the Capital
Securities.
"Underwriters" has the meaning specified in the Underwriting Agreement.
"Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of
April 16, 1998, among the Issuer Trust, the Depositor and the Underwriters, as
the same may be amended from time to time.
ARTICLE II.
CONTINUATION OF THE ISSUER TRUST
Section 2.1. Name. The Issuer Trust continued hereby shall be known as
"Equitable Resources Capital Trust I", as such name may be modified from time to
time by the Administrators following written notice to the Holders of Trust
Securities and the Issuer Trustees, in which name the Administrators and the
Issuer Trustees may engage in the transactions contemplated hereby, make and
execute contracts and other instruments on behalf of the Issuer Trust and xxx
and be sued.
Section 2.2. Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place of Business
The address of the Delaware Trustee in the State of Delaware is Bankers
Trust (Delaware), E.A. Delle Donne Corporate Center, Xxxxxxxxxx Building, 0000
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000, Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxx, or such
other address in the State of Delaware as the Delaware Trustee may designate by
written notice to the Holders and the Depositor. The principal executive office
of the Issuer Trust is in care of Equitable Resources, Inc., 420 Boulevard of
the Allies, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: Office of the Secretary.
Section 2.3 Initial Contribution of Trust Property; Organizational Expenses
The Property Trustee acknowledges receipt in trust from the Depositor in
connection with this Trust Agreement of the sum of $10, which constitutes the
initial Trust Property. The Depositor shall pay all organizational expenses of
the Issuer Trust as they arise or shall, upon request of any Issuer Trustee,
promptly reimburse such Issuer Trustee for any such expenses paid by such Issuer
Trustee. The Depositor shall make no claim upon the Trust Property for the
payment of such expenses.
Section 2.4 Issuance of the Capital Securities
The Depositor, both on its own behalf and on behalf of the Issuer Trust
pursuant to the Original Trust Agreement, executed and delivered the
Underwriting Agreement. Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of
this Trust Agreement, an Administrator, on behalf of the Issuer Trust, shall
execute, manually or by facsimile, in accordance with Section 5.3 and the
Property Trustee shall authenticate in accordance with Section 5.3 and deliver
to the Underwriters, Capital Securities Certificates, registered in the names
requested by the Underwriters, in an aggregate amount of 5,000,000 Capital
Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of $125,000,000, against
receipt of the aggregate purchase price of such Capital Securities of
$125,000,000, by the Property Trustee.
Section 2.5. Issuance of the Common Securities; Subscription and Purchase
of Junior Subordinated Debentures
Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement, an Administrator, on behalf of the Issuer Trust, shall execute or
cause to be executed in accordance with Section 5.2 and deliver to the Depositor
Common Securities Certificates, registered in the name of the Depositor, in an
aggregate amount of 154,640 Common Securities having an aggregate Liquidation
Amount of $3,866,000 against receipt of the aggregate purchase price of such
Common Securities of $3,866,000 by the Property Trustee. Contemporaneously
therewith, an Administrator, on behalf of the Issuer Trust, shall subscribe for
and purchase from the Depositor, Junior Subordinated Debentures, registered in
the name of the Issuer Trust and having an aggregate principal amount equal to
$128,866,000 and, in satisfaction of the purchase price for such Junior
Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee, on behalf of the Issuer Trust,
shall deliver to the Depositor the sum of $128,866,000 (being the sum of the
amounts delivered to the Property Trustee pursuant to (i) the second sentence of
Section 2.4, and (ii) the first sentence of this Section 2.5) and receive on
behalf of the Issuer Trust such Junior Subordinated Debentures.
Section 2.6. Declaration of Trust
The exclusive purposes and functions of the Issuer Trust are to (a)
issue and sell Trust Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire
the Junior Subordinated Debentures, and (b) engage in only those other
activities necessary, convenient or incidental thereto. The Depositor hereby
appoints the Issuer Trustees as trustees of the Issuer Trust, to have all the
rights, powers and duties to the extent set forth herein, and the Issuer
Trustees hereby accept such appointment. The Property Trustee hereby declares
that it will hold the Trust Property in trust upon and subject to the conditions
set forth herein for the benefit of the Issuer Trust and the Holders. The
Depositor hereby appoints the Administrators, with such Administrators having
all rights, powers and duties set forth herein with respect to accomplishing the
purposes of the Issuer Trust, and the Administrators hereby accept such
appointment, provided, however, that it is the intent of the parties hereto that
such Administrators shall not be trustees or, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, fiduciaries with respect to the Issuer Trust and this Trust Agreement shall
be construed in a manner consistent with such intent. The Property Trustee shall
have the right and power to perform those duties assigned to the Administrators.
The Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the
Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities, of the Property
Trustee or the Administrators set forth herein. The Delaware Trustee shall be
one of the trustees of the Issuer Trust for the sole and limited purpose of
fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of the Delaware Business Trust Act
and for taking such actions as are required to be taken by a Delaware trustee
under the Delaware Business Trust Act.
Section 2.7 Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions
(a) The Issuer Trustees and the Administrators shall conduct the affairs of
the Issuer Trust in accordance with the terms of this Trust Agreement. Subject
to the limitations set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section and in accordance
with the following provisions (i) , (ii) and (iii), the Issuer Trustees and the
Administrators shall act as follows:
(i) Each Administrator, acting singly or jointly, is authorized,
on behalf of the Trust, to:
(A) comply with the Underwriting Agreement
regarding the issuance and sale of the Capital Securities;
(B) assist in compliance with the Securities Act,
applicable state securities or blue sky laws, and the Trust
Indenture Act;
(C) assist in the listing of the Capital Securities
upon such securities exchange or exchanges as shall be
determined by the Depositor, with the registration of the
Capital Securities under the Exchange Act, if required, and
the preparation and filing of all periodic and other reports
and other documents pursuant to the foregoing;
(D) execute the Trust Securities on behalf of the
Issuer Trust in accordance with this Trust Agreement;
(E) execute and deliver an application for a taxpayer
identification number for the Issuer Trust;
(F) execute on behalf of the Issuer Trust any
documents that the Administrators have the power to execute
pursuant to this Trust Agreement, including without limitation
a Junior Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, a Common
Securities Purchase Agreement and a Letter of Representations;
and
(G) take any action incidental to the foregoing as
necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this
Trust Agreement (and any actions taken in furtherance of the
above prior to the date of this Trust Agreement by the
Administrators are hereby ratified and confirmed in all
respects).
(ii) The Property Trustee shall have the power and authority to
act on behalf of the Issuer Trust with respect to the following matters:
(A) the establishment of the Payment Account;
(B) the receipt of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures;
(C) the receipt and collection of interest, principal
and any other payments made in respect of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures in the Payment Account;
(D) the distribution of amounts owed to the Holders
in respect of the Trust Securities;
(E) the exercise of all of the rights, powers and
privileges of a holder of the Junior Subordinated Debentures;
(F) the sending of notices of default and other
information regarding the Trust Securities and the Junior
Subordinated Debentures to the Holders in accordance with this
Trust Agreement;
(G) the distribution of the Trust Property in
accordance with the terms of this Trust Agreement;
(H) to the extent provided in this Trust Agreement,
the winding up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Issuer
Trust and the execution of the certificate of cancellation
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and
(I) after an Event of Default (other than under the
definition of such term if such Event of Default is by or with
respect to the Property Trustee), compliance with the
provisions of this Trust Agreement and the taking of any
action to give effect to the terms of this Trust Agreement and
protect and conserve the Trust Property for the benefit of the
Holders (without consideration of the effect of any such
action on any particular Holder);
provided, however, that nothing in this Section 2.7(a)(ii) shall require the
Property Trustee to take any action that is not otherwise required in this Trust
Agreement.
(b) So long as this Trust Agreement remains in effect, the Issuer Trust (or
the Issuer Trustees or Administrators acting on behalf of the Issuer Trust)
shall not undertake any business, activities or transaction except as expressly
provided herein or contemplated hereby. In particular, neither the Issuer
Trustees nor the Administrators shall (i) acquire any investments or engage in
any activities not authorized by this Trust Agreement, (ii) sell, assign,
transfer, exchange, mortgage, pledge, set-off or otherwise dispose of any of the
Trust Property or interests therein, including to Holders, except as expressly
provided herein, (iii) take any action that would reasonably be expected to
cause the Issuer Trust to become taxable as a corporation for United States
Federal income tax purposes, (iv) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or
issue any other debt, or (v) take or consent to any action that would result in
the placement of a Lien on any of the Trust Property. The Property Trustee shall
defend all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming any Lien on
any of the Trust Property adverse to the interest of the Issuer Trust or the
Holders in their capacity as Holders.
(c) In connection with the issue and sale of the Capital Securities, the
Depositor shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Issuer Trust
with respect to, or effect on behalf of the Issuer Trust, the following (and any
actions taken by the Depositor in furtherance of the following prior to the date
of this Trust Agreement are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects):
(i) the preparation and filing by the Issuer Trust, and execution
on behalf of the Issuer Trust, of a registration statement, and a prospectus in
relation to the Capital Securities, including any amendments thereto and the
taking of any action necessary or desirable to sell the Capital Securities
in a transaction or a series of transactions not exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act;
(ii) the determination of the States in which to take
appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital
Securities and the determination of any and all such acts, other than actions
that must betaken by or on behalf of the Issuer Trust, and the advice to the
Issuer Trustees of actions they must take on behalf of the Issuer Trust, and
the preparation for execution and filing of any documents to be executed
and filed by the Issuer Trust or on behalf of the Issuer Trust, as the
Depositor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the
applicable laws of any such States in connection with the sale of the Capital
Securities;
(iii) the negotiation of the terms of, and the execution and
delivery of, the Underwriting Agreement providing for the sale of the Capital
Securities;
(iv) compliance with the listing requirements of the Capital
Securities upon such securities exchange or exchanges as shall be determined by
the Depositor, the registration of the Capital Securities under the Exchange
Act, if required, and the preparation and filing of all periodic and other
reports and other documents pursuant to the foregoing; and
(v) the taking of any other actions necessary or desirable
to carry out any of the foregoing activities.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrators and
the Property Trustee are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of the
Issuer Trust and to operate the Issuer Trust so that the Issuer Trust will not
be deemed to be an "investment company" required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act, and will not be taxable as a corporation for the United
States Federal income tax purposes and so that the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Depositor for United States
Federal income tax purposes. In this connection, the Property Trustee and the
Holders of Common Securities are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent
with applicable law, the Certificate of Trust or this Trust Agreement, that the
Property Trustee and Holders of Common Securities determine in their discretion
to be necessary or desirable for such purposes, as long as such action does not
adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the holders of the
Outstanding Capital Securities. In no event shall the Administrators or the
Issuer Trustees be liable to the Issuer Trust or the Holders for any failure to
comply with this section that results from a change in law or regulations or in
the interpretation thereof.
Section 2.8. Assets of Trust
The assets of the Issuer Trust shall consist solely of the Trust
Property.
Section 2.9. Title to Trust Property
Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the
Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and administered by
the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Issuer Trust and the Holders in
accordance with this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE III.
PAYMENT ACCOUNT
Section 3.1 Payment Account
(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Property Trustee shall establish
the Payment Account. The Property Trustee and its agents shall have exclusive
control and sole right of withdrawal with respect to the Payment Account for the
purpose of making deposits in and withdrawals from the Payment Account in
accordance with this Trust Agreement. All monies and other property deposited or
held from time to time in the Payment Account shall be held by the Property
Trustee in the Payment Account for the exclusive benefit of the Holders and for
distribution as herein provided, including (and subject to) any priority of
payments provided for herein.
(b) The Property Trustee shall deposit in the Payment Account, promptly
upon receipt, all payments of principal of or interest on, and any other
payments or proceeds with respect to, the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
Amounts held in the Payment Account shall not be invested by the Property
Trustee pending distribution thereof.
ARTICLE IV.
DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTION
Section 4.1. Distributions
(a) The Trust Securities represent undivided beneficial interests in the
Trust Property, and Distributions (including of Additional Amounts) will be made
on the Trust Securities at the rate and on the dates that payments of interest
(including of Additional Interest, as defined in the Indenture) are made on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures. Accordingly:
(i) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be cumulative
and will accumulate whether or not there are funds of the Issuer Trust
available for the payment of Distributions. Distributions shall accumulate
from April 23, 1998,
and, except in the event (and to the extent) that the Depositor exercises its
right to defer the payment of interest on the Debentures pursuant to the
Indenture, shall be payable quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July
15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 1998. If any date on
which a Distribution is otherwise payable on the Trust Securities is not a
Business Day, then the payment of such Distribution shall be made on the next
succeeding day that is a Business Day (without any interest or other payment in
respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on the date on which such payment was originally payable (each date on which
distributions are payable in accordance with this Section 4.1(a), a
"Distribution Date").
(ii) The Trust Securities shall be entitled to Distributions
payable at a rate
of 7.35% per annum of the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities. The amount
of Distributions payable for any period less than a full Distribution period
shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the
actual number of days elapsed in a partial month in a period. Distributions
payable for each full Distribution period will be computed by dividing the rate
per annum by four (4). The amount of Distributions payable for any period shall
include any Additional Amounts in respect of such period.
(iii) So long as no Debenture Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing,
the Depositor has the right under the Indenture to defer the payment of interest
on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time and from time to time for a
period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods (an "Extension Period"),
provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the stated maturity of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures (as such stated maturity may be advanced in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture). As a consequence of any such
deferral, quarterly Distributions on the Trust Securities by the Issuer Trust
will also be deferred to the extent and except as provided in the Junior
Subordinated Debentures (and the amount of Distributions to which Holders of the
Trust Securities are entitled that have been so deferred will accumulate
additional Distributions thereon at the rate per annum of 7.35% per annum,
compounded quarterly) from the most recent Distribution payment date on which
Distributions were paid, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period.
Additional Distributions payable for each full Distribution period will be
computed by dividing the rate per annum by four (4). The term "Distributions" as
used in Section 4.1 shall include any such additional Distributions provided
pursuant to this Section 4.1(a)(iii).
(iv) Distributions on the Trust
Securities shall be made by the Property Trustee from the Payment Account and
shall be payable on each Distribution Date only to the extent that the Issuer
Trust has funds then on hand and available in the Payment Account for the
payment of such Distributions.
(b) Distributions on the Trust Securities with respect to a Distribution
Date shall be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the Securities
Register for the Trust Securities at the close of business on the relevant
record date, which shall be at the close of business on the 1st day of the month
next preceding the relevant Distribution Date, whether or not a Business Day.
Section 4.2 Redemption
(a) On each Junior Subordinated Debenture Redemption Date and on the stated
maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Issuer Trust will be
required to redeem a Like Amount of Trust Securities at the Redemption Price.
(b) Notice of redemption shall be given by the Property Trustee by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days
prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Trust Securities to be redeemed,
at such Holder's address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of
redemption shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price, or if the Redemption Price cannot be
calculated prior
to the time the notice is required to be sent, the estimate of the Redemption
Price provided pursuant to the Indenture together with a statement that it is an
estimate and that the actual Redemption Price will be calculated on the third
Business Day prior to the Redemption Date (and if an estimate is provided, a
further notice shall be sent of the actual Redemption Price on the date, or as
soon as practicable thereafter, that notice of such actual Redemption Price is
received pursuant to the Indenture);
(iii) the CUSIP number or CUSIP numbers of the Capital Securities
affected;
(iv) if less than all the Outstanding Trust Securities are to be
redeemed, the identification and the total Liquidation Amount of the
particular Trust Securities to be redeemed;
(v) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price will
become due and
payable upon each such Trust Security to be redeemed and that Distributions
thereon will cease to accumulate on and after said date, except as provided in
Section 4.2(d) below; and
(vi) the place or places where Trust Securities are to be
surrendered for the payment of the Redemption Price.
The Issuer Trust in issuing the Trust Securities shall use "CUSIP" numbers,
and the Property Trustee shall indicate the "CUSIP" numbers of the Trust
Securities in notices of redemption and related materials as a convenience to
Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made
as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Trust Securities
or as contained in any notice of redemption and related material.
(c) The Trust Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date shall be redeemed
at the Redemption Price with the applicable proceeds from the contemporaneous
redemption of Junior Subordinated Debentures. Redemptions of the Trust
Securities shall be made and the Redemption Price shall be payable on each
Redemption Date only to the extent that the Issuer Trust has funds then on hand
and available in the Payment Account for the payment of such Redemption Price.
(d) If the Property Trustee gives a notice of redemption in respect of any
Capital Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption
Date, subject to Section 4.2(c), the Property Trustee will, with respect to
Capital Securities held in global form, irrevocably deposit with the Clearing
Agency for such Capital Securities, to the extent available therefor, funds
sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and will give such Clearing
Agency irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the
Holders of the Capital Securities. With respect to Capital Securities that are
not held in global form, the Property Trustee, subject to Section 4.2(c), will
irrevocably deposit with the Paying Agent, to the extent available therefor,
funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and will give the Paying
Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the
Holder of the Capital Securities upon surrender of their Capital Securities
Certificates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions payable on or prior
to the Redemption Date for any Trust Securities called for redemption shall be
payable to the Holders of such Trust Securities as they appear on the Securities
Register for the Trust Securities on the relevant record dates for the related
Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have been given and funds
deposited as required, then, upon the date of such deposit, all rights of
Holders holding Trust Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the
right of such Holders to receive the Redemption Price and any Distribution
payable in respect of the Trust Securities on or prior to the Redemption Date,
but without interest, and such Securities will cease to be Outstanding. In the
event that any date on which any applicable Redemption Price is payable is not a
Business Day, then payment of the applicable Redemption Price payable on such
date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (without any
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such
Business Day falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the
immediately preceding Business Day, in each case, with the same force and effect
as if made on the date such payment was originally payable. In the event that
payment of the Redemption Price in respect of any Trust Securities called for
redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Issuer
Trust or by the Depositor pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement, Distributions on
such Trust Securities will continue to accumulate, as set forth in Section 4.1,
from the Redemption Date originally established by the Issuer Trust for such
Trust Securities to the date such applicable Redemption Price is actually paid,
in which case the actual payment date will be the date fixed for redemption for
purposes of calculating the applicable Redemption Price.
(e) Subject to Section 4.3(a), if less than all the Outstanding Trust
Securities are to be redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of such Trust Securities to be redeemed shall be allocated
pro rata to the Common Securities and the Capital Securities based on the
relative Liquidation Amounts of such classes. The particular Capital Securities
to be redeemed shall be selected on a pro rata basis based on their respective
Liquidation Amounts not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the
Property Trustee from the Outstanding Capital Securities not previously called
for redemption, or if the Capital Securities are then held in the form of a
Global Capital Security in accordance with the customary procedures for the
Clearing Agency. The Property Trustee shall promptly notify the Securities
Registrar in writing of the Capital Securities selected for redemption and, in
the case of any Capital Securities selected for partial redemption, the
Liquidation Amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Trust
Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the
redemption of Capital Securities shall relate, in the case of any Capital
Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the
aggregate Liquidation Amount of Capital Securities that has been or is to be
redeemed.
Section 4.3. Subordination of Common Securities
(a) Payment of Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable)
on, the Redemption Price of, and the Liquidation Distribution in respect of, the
Trust Securities, as applicable, shall be made, subject to Section 4.2(e), pro
rata among the Common Securities and the Capital Securities based on the
Liquidation Amount of such Trust Securities; provided, however, that if on any
Distribution Date or Redemption Date any Event of Default resulting from a
Debenture Event of Default in Section 5.1(1) or 5.1(2) of the Indenture shall
have occurred and be continuing, no payment of any Distribution (including any
Additional Amounts) on, Redemption Price of, or Liquidation Distribution in
respect of, any Common Security, and no other payment on account of the
redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of Common Securities, shall be made
unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions
(including any Additional Amounts) on all Outstanding Capital Securities for all
Distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or, in the case of payment
of the Redemption Price, the full amount of such Redemption Price on all
Outstanding Capital Securities then called for redemption, or in the case of
payment of the Liquidation Distribution the full amount of such Liquidation
Distribution on all Outstanding Capital Securities, shall have been made or
provided for, and all funds immediately available to the Property Trustee shall
first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions (including
any Additional Amounts) on, the Redemption Price of, or the Liquidation
Distribution in respect of Capital Securities then due and payable. The
existence of an Event of Default does not entitle the Holders of Trust
Securities to accelerate the maturity thereof.
(b) In the case of the occurrence of any Event of Default resulting from
any Debenture Event of Default, the Holder of the Common Securities shall have
no right to act with respect to any such Event of Default under this Trust
Agreement until the effects of all such Events of Default with respect to the
Capital Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until all
such Events of Default under this Trust Agreement with respect to the Capital
Securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property
Trustee shall act solely on behalf of the Holders of the Capital Securities and
not on behalf of the Holder of the Common Securities, and only the Holders of
the Capital Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee to act
on their behalf.
Section 4.4 Payment Procedures
Payments of Distributions (including any Additional Amounts) in respect of
the Capital Securities shall be made by check mailed to the address of the
Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the Securities Register
or, if the Capital Securities are held by a Clearing Agency, such Distributions
shall be made to the Clearing Agency in immediately available funds, which will
credit the relevant accounts on the applicable Distribution Dates. Payments of
Distributions to Holders of $1,000,000 or more in aggregate Liquidation Amount
of Capital Securities may be made by wire transfer of immediately available
funds upon written request of such Holder to the Securities Registrar not later
than 15 calendar days prior to the date on which the Distribution is payable.
Payments in respect of the Common Securities shall be made in such manner as
shall be mutually agreed between the Property Trustee and the Holder of the
Common Securities.
Section 4.5. Tax Returns and Reports
The Administrators shall prepare (or cause to be prepared), at the
Depositor's expense, and file all United States Federal, state and local tax and
information returns and reports required to be filed by or in respect of the
Issuer Trust. In this regard, the Administrators shall (a) prepare and file (or
cause to be prepared and filed) all Internal Revenue Service forms required to
be filed in respect of the Issuer Trust in each taxable year of the Issuer Trust
and (b) prepare and furnish (or cause to be prepared and furnished) to each
Holder all Internal Revenue Service forms required to be provided by the Issuer
Trust. The Administrators shall provide the Depositor and the Property Trustee
with a copy of all such returns and reports promptly after such filing or
furnishing. The Issuer Trustees shall comply with United States Federal
withholding and backup withholding tax laws and information reporting
requirements with respect to any payments to Holders under the Trust Securities.
On or before December 15 of each year during which any Capital
Securities are Outstanding, the Administrators shall furnish to the Property
Trustee such information as may be necessary by the Property Trustee in order
that the Property Trustee may prepare the information which it is required to
report for such year on Internal Revenue Service Forms 1096 and 1099 pursuant to
Section 6049 of the Code. Such information shall include the amount of original
issue discount includible in income for each Outstanding Capital Security during
such year.
Section 4.6. Payment of Taxes, Duties, Etc. of the Issuer Trust
Upon receipt under the Junior Subordinated Debentures of Additional
Sums, the Property Trustee shall promptly pay, or cause the Administrators to
pay in connection with the filing of any tax returns or reports pursuant to
Section 4.5, any taxes, duties or governmental charges of whatsoever nature
(other than withholding taxes) imposed on the Issuer Trust by the United States
or any other taxing authority.
Section 4.7. Payments under Indenture or Pursuant to Direct Actions
Any amount payable hereunder to any Holder of Capital Securities shall
be reduced by the amount of any corresponding payment such Holder has directly
received pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Indenture or Section 5.13 of this Trust
Agreement.
Section 4.8. Liability of the Holder of Common Securities
The Holder of Common Securities shall be liable for the debts and
obligations of the Issuer Trust as set forth in Section 6.7 of the Indenture
regarding allocation of expenses.
ARTICLE V.
TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES
Section 5.1 Initial Ownership
Upon the creation of the Issuer Trust and the contribution by the
Depositor pursuant to Section 2.3 and until the issuance of the Trust
Securities, and at any time during which no Trust Securities are Outstanding,
the Depositor shall be the sole beneficial owner of the Issuer Trust.
Section 5.2. The Trust Securities Certificates
(a) The Trust Securities Certificates shall be issued in multiples of $25
and shall be executed on behalf of the Issuer Trust by manual or facsimile
signature of at least one Administrator. Trust Securities Certificates bearing
the manual signatures of individuals who were, at the time when such signatures
shall have been affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of the Issuer Trust, shall
be validly issued and entitled to the benefits of this Trust Agreement,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them shall have ceased to be so
authorized prior to the delivery of such Trust Securities Certificates or did
not hold such offices at the date of delivery of such Trust Securities
Certificates. A transferee of a Trust Securities Certificate shall become a
Holder, and shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a
Holder hereunder, upon due registration of such Trust Securities Certificate in
such transferee's name pursuant to Section 5.5.
(b) Upon their original issuance, Capital Securities Certificates shall be
issued in the form of one or more fully registered Global Capital Securities
Certificates which will be deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary and
registered in the name of the Depositary's nominee. Unless and until it is
exchangeable in whole or in part for the Capital Securities in definitive form,
a global 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 such Depositary or a nominee of such successor.
(c) A single Common Securities Certificate representing the Common
Securities shall be issued to the Depositor in the form of a definitive Common
Securities Certificate.
Section 5.3. Execution and Delivery of Trust Securities Certificates
At the Closing Date, at least one of the Administrators shall cause
Trust Securities Certificates, in an aggregate Liquidation Amount as provided in
Sections 2.4 and 2.5, to be executed on behalf of the Issuer Trust by manual or
facsimile signature. The Capital Securities so executed shall be delivered to
the Property Trustee and upon such delivery the Property Trustee shall manually
authenticate upon the written order of the Depositor such Capital Securities
Certificates and deliver such Capital Securities Certificates upon the written
order of the Depositor, executed by two authorized officers thereof, without
further corporate action by the Depositor, in authorized denominations.
Section 5.4. Global Capital Security
(a) Any Global Capital Security issued under this Trust Agreement shall be
registered in the name of the nominee of the Clearing Agency and delivered to
such custodian therefor, and such Global Capital Security shall constitute a
single Capital Security for all purposes of this Trust Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Trust Agreement, a Global
Capital Security may not be exchanged in whole or in part for Capital Securities
registered, and no transfer of the Global Capital Security in whole or in part
may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Clearing Agency for
such Global Capital Security, or its nominee thereof unless (i) such Clearing
Agency advises the Property Trustee or the Depositor in writing that such
Clearing Agency is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its
responsibilities as Clearing Agency with respect to such Global Capital Security
or if it ceases to be a Clearing Agency under the Exchange Act, and the
Depositor is unable to locate a qualified successor within 90 days after
receiving such notice or becoming aware that the Depository is no longer so
registered, (ii) the Issuer Trust at its option advises the Depositary in
writing that it elects to terminate the book-entry system through the Clearing
Agency, or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of
Default.
(c) If a Capital Security is to be exchanged in whole or in part for a
beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security, then either (i) such Global
Capital Security shall be so surrendered for exchange or cancellation as
provided in this Article V or (ii) the aggregate Liquidation Amount thereof
shall be reduced or increased by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so
exchanged or cancelled or equal to the Liquidation Amount of such other Capital
Security to be so exchanged for a beneficial interest therein, as the case may
be, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Security
Registrar, whereupon the Property Trustee, in accordance with the Applicable
Procedures, shall instruct the Clearing Agency or its authorized representative
to make a corresponding adjustment to its records. Upon any such surrender or
adjustment of a Global Capital Security by the Clearing Agency, accompanied by
registration instructions, the Property Trustee shall, subject to Section 5.4(b)
and as otherwise provided in this Article V, authenticate and deliver any
Capital Securities issuable in exchange for such Global Capital Security (or any
portion thereof) in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. The
Property Trustee shall not 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.
(d) Every Capital Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of
transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Capital Security or any
portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Article V or Article IV or otherwise,
shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global
Capital Security, unless such Global Capital Security is registered in the name
of a Person other than the Clearing Agency for such Global Capital Security or a
nominee thereof.
(e) The Clearing Agency or its nominee, as the registered owner of a Global
Capital Security, shall be considered the Holder of the Capital Securities
represented by such Global Capital Security for all purposes under this Trust
Agreement and the Capital Securities, and owners of beneficial interests in such
Global Capital Security shall hold such interests pursuant to the Applicable
Procedures and, except as otherwise provided herein, shall not be entitled to
receive physical delivery of any such Capital Securities in definitive form and
shall not be considered the Holders thereof under this Trust Agreement.
Accordingly, any such owner's beneficial interest in the Global Capital Security
shall be shown only on, and the transfer of such interest shall be effected only
through, records maintained by the Clearing Agency or its nominee. Neither the
Property Trustee nor the Securities Registrar shall have any liability in
respect of any transfers effected by the Clearing Agency.
(f) The rights of owners of beneficial interests in a Global Capital
Security shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be
limited to those established by law and agreements between such owners and the
Clearing Agency.
Section 5.5 Registration of Transfer and Exchange Generally; Certain
Transfers and Exchanges; Capital Securities Xxxxxxxxx.xx
(a) The Property Trustee shall keep or cause to be kept at its Corporate
Trust Office a register or registers for the purpose of registering Capital
Securities Certificates and transfers and exchanges of Capital Securities
Certificates in which the registrar and transfer agent with respect to the
Capital Securities (the "Securities Registrar"), subject to such reasonable
regulations as it may prescribe, shall provide for the registration of Capital
Securities Certificates and Common Securities Certificates (subject to Section
5.11 in the case of Common Securities Certificates) and registration of
transfers and exchanges of Capital Securities Certificates as herein provided.
Such register is herein sometimes referred to as the "Securities Register." The
Property Trustee is hereby appointed "Securities Registrar" for the purpose of
registering Capital Securities and transfers of Capital Securities as herein
provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Capital Security at
the offices or agencies of the Property Trustee designated for that purpose an
Administrator shall execute, and the Property Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more
new Capital Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations of
like tenor and aggregate Liquidation Amount and bearing such legends as may be
required by this Trust Agreement.
At the option of the Holder, Capital Securities may be exchanged for
other Capital Securities of any authorized denominations, of like tenor and
aggregate Liquidation Amount and bearing such legends as may be required by this
Trust Agreement, upon surrender of the Capital Securities to be exchanged as
such office or agency. Whenever any securities are so surrendered for exchange,
an Administrator shall execute and the Property Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver the Capital Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled
to receive.
All Capital Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Capital
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer Trust, evidencing the
same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Trust Agreement, as the
Capital Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
Every Capital Security presented or surrendered for transfer or
exchange shall (if so required by the Property Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Property Trustee and the Securities Registrar, duly executed by the Holder
thereof or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any transfer or
exchange of Capital Securities, but the Property Trustee may require payment of
a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be
imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Capital Securities.
Neither the Issuer Trust nor the Property Trustee shall be required,
pursuant to the provisions of this Section, (i) to issue, register the transfer
of or exchange any Capital Security during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of selection for redemption of Capital
Securities pursuant to Article IV and ending at the close of business on the day
of mailing of the notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or
exchange any Capital Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part,
except, in the case of any such Capital Security to be redeemed in part, any
portion thereof not to be redeemed.
(b) Certain Transfers and Exchanges. Trust Securities may only be
transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions
set forth in this Trust Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any
transfer or purported transfer of any Trust Security not made in accordance with
this Trust Agreement shall be null and void.
(i) Non Global Security to Non Global Security. A Capital
Security that is not a Global Capital Security may be transferred, in whole
or in part, to a Person who takes delivery in the form of another Trust
Security that is not a Global Security as provided in Section 5.5(a).
(ii) Free Transferability. Subject to this Section 5.5, Capital
Securities shall be freely transferable.
(iii) Exchanges Between Global Capital Security and Non-Global
Capital Security. A beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security may be
exchanged for a Capital Security that is not a Global Capital Security a
providedin Section 5.4.
Section 5.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Trust Securities Certificates
If (a) any mutilated Trust Securities Certificate shall be surrendered
to the Securities Registrar, or if the Securities Registrar shall receive
evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Trust
Securities Certificate and (b) there shall be delivered to the Securities
Registrar and the Administrators such security or indemnity as may be required
by them to save each of them harmless, then in the absence of notice that such
Trust Securities Certificate shall have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser,
the Administrators, or any one of them, on behalf of the Issuer Trust shall
execute and make available for delivery, and the Property Trustee shall
authenticate, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost
or stolen Trust Securities Certificate, a new Trust Securities Certificate of
like class, tenor and denomination. In connection with the issuance of any new
Trust Securities Certificate under this Section, the Administrators or the
Securities Registrar may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
Any duplicate Trust Securities Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall
constitute conclusive evidence of an undivided beneficial interest in the assets
of the Issuer Trust corresponding to that evidenced by the lost, stolen or
destroyed Trust Certificate, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost,
stolen or destroyed Trust Securities Certificate shall be found at any time.
Section 5.7. Persons Deemed Holders
The Issuer Trustees or the Securities Registrar shall treat the Person
in whose name any Trust Securities are issued as the owner of such Trust
Securities for the purpose of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes
whatsoever, and none of the Issuer Trustees, the Administrators nor the
Securities Registrar shall be bound by any notice to the contrary.
Section 5.8. Access to List of Holders' Names and Addresses
Each Holder and each Owner shall be deemed to have agreed not to hold
the Depositor, the Property Trustee, or the Administrators accountable by reason
of the disclosure of its name and address, regardless of the source from which
such information was derived.
Section 5.9. Maintenance of Office or Agency
The Property Trustee shall designate, with the consent of the
Administrators, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, an office or
offices or agency or agencies where Capital Securities Certificates may be
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and
demands to or upon the Issuer Trustees in respect of the Trust Securities
Certificates may be served. The Property Trustee initially designates its
Corporate Trust Xxxxxx xx Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, Attention:
Corporate Trust and Agency Group, as its corporate trust office for such
purposes. The Property Trustee shall give prompt written notice to the
Depositor, the Administrators and to the Holders of any change in the location
of the Securities Register or any such office or agency.
Section 5.10 Appointment of Paying Agent.
The Paying Agent shall make Distributions to Holders from the Payment
Account and shall report the amounts of such Distributions to the Property
Trustee and the Administrators. Any Paying Agent shall have the revocable power
to withdraw funds from the Payment Account solely for the purpose of making the
Distributions referred to above. The Property Trustee may revoke such power and
remove any Paying Agent in its sole discretion. The Paying Agent shall initially
be the Property Trustee. Any Person acting as Paying Agent shall be permitted to
resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Administrators, and
the Property Trustee. In the event that the Property Trustee shall no longer be
the Paying Agent or a successor Paying Agent shall resign or its authority to
act be revoked, the Property Trustee shall appoint a successor (which shall be a
bank or trust company) that is reasonably acceptable to the Administrators to
act as Paying Agent. Such successor Paying Agent or any additional Paying Agent
appointed by the Administrators shall execute and deliver to the Issuer Trustees
an instrument in which such successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agent
shall agree with the Issuer Trustees that as Paying Agent, such successor Paying
Agent or additional Paying Agent will hold all sums, if any, held by it for
payment to the Holders in trust for the benefit of the Holders entitled thereto
until such sums shall be paid to such Holders. The Paying Agent shall return all
unclaimed funds to the Property Trustee and upon removal of a Paying Agent such
Paying Agent shall also return all funds in its possession to the Property
Trustee. The provisions of Sections 8.1, 8.3 and 8.6 herein shall apply to the
Bank also in its role as Paying Agent, for so long as the Bank shall act as
Paying Agent and, to the extent applicable, to any other paying agent appointed
hereunder. Any reference in this Trust Agreement to the Paying Agent shall
include any co-paying agent chosen by the Property Trustee unless the context
requires otherwise.
Section 5.11. Ownership of Common Securities by Depositor.
At the Closing Date, the Depositor shall acquire and retain beneficial
and record ownership of the Common Securities. Neither the Depositor nor any
successor Holder of the Common Securities may transfer less than all the Common
Securities, and the Depositor or any such successor Holder may transfer the
Common Securities only (i) in connection with a consolidation or merger of the
Depositor into another Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease by the
Depositor of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
Person, pursuant to Section 8.1 of the Indenture, or (ii) to an Affiliate of the
Depositor in compliance with applicable law (including the Securities Act and
applicable state securities and blue sky laws). To the fullest extent permitted
by law, any attempted transfer of the Common Securities, other than as set forth
in the immediately preceding sentence, shall be void. The Administrators shall
cause each Common Securities Certificate issued to the Depositor to contain a
legend stating "THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE EXCEPT TO THE DEPOSITOR OR
AN AFFILIATE OF THE DEPOSITOR IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW AND SECTION 5.11
OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT."
Section 5.12 Notices to Clearing Agency.
To the extent that a notice or other communication to the Holders is
required under this Trust Agreement, for so long as Capital Securities are
represented by a Global Capital Securities Certificate, the Administrators and
the Issuer Trustees shall give all such notices and communications specified
herein to be given to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no obligations to the
Owners.
Section 5.13. Rights of Holders
(a) The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the
Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) in accordance with Section 2.9, and
the Holders shall not have any right or title therein other than the undivided
beneficial ownership interest in the assets of the Issuer Trust conferred by
their Trust Securities and they shall have no right to call for any partition or
division of property, profits or rights of the Issuer Trust except as described
below. The Trust Securities shall be personal property giving only the rights
specifically set forth therein and in this Trust Agreement. The Trust Securities
shall have no preemptive or similar rights and when issued and delivered to
Holders against payment of the purchase price therefor, as provided herein, will
be fully paid and nonassessable by the Issuer Trust. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 4.8, the Holders of the Trust Securities, in their
capacities as such, shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal
liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
(b) For so long as any Capital Securities remain Outstanding, if, upon a
Debenture Event of Default, the Debenture Trustee fails or the holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Junior Subordinated
Debentures fail to declare the principal of all of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be immediately due and payable, the Holders of at least 25% in
Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities then Outstanding shall have such
right to make such declaration by a notice in writing to the Property Trustee,
the Depositor and the Debenture Trustee.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
the Junior Subordinated Debentures has been made and before a judgment or decree
for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Debenture Trustee as
provided in the Indenture, the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of
the Capital Securities, by written notice to the Property Trustee, the Depositor
and the Debenture Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its
consequences if:
(i) the Depositor has paid or deposited with the Debenture
Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(A) all overdue installments of interest on all
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures,
(B) any accrued Additional Interest on all of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures,
(C) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any
Junior Subordinated Debentures which have become due otherwise than by such
declaration of acceleration and interest and Additional Interest thereon
at the rate borne by the Junior Subordinated Debentures, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Debenture
Trustee under the Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Debenture Trustee and the Property Trustee,
their agents and counsel; and
(ii) all Events of Default with respect to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures,
other than the non-payment of the principal of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures which has become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or
waived as provided in Section 5.13 of the Indenture.
If the Property Trustee fails to annul any such declaration and waive
such default, the Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the
Capital Securities shall also have the right to rescind and annul such
declaration and its consequences by written notice to the Depositor, the
Property Trustee and the Debenture Trustee, subject to the satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in Clause (i) and (ii) of this Section 5.13.
The Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Capital Securities, waive
any past default under the Indenture, except a default in the payment of
principal or interest (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient
to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by
acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee) or a default in
respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified
or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Junior
Subordinated Debentures. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default
or impair any right consequent thereon.
Upon receipt by the Property Trustee of written notice declaring such
an acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, by Holders of the Capital
Securities all or part of which is represented by Global Capital Securities, a
record date shall be established for determining Holders of Outstanding Capital
Securities entitled to join in such notice, which record date shall be at the
close of business on the day the Property Trustee receives such notice. The
Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such
Persons, shall be entitled to join in such notice, whether or not such Holders
remain Holders after such record date; provided, that, unless such declaration
of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall have
become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having joined in such
notice prior to the day which is 90 days after such record date, such notice of
declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be,
shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of
no further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy
of a Holder, from giving, after expiration of such 90-day period, a new written
notice of declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, as
the case may be, that is identical to a written notice which has been canceled
pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, in which event a new record
date shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.13(b).
(c) For so long as any Capital Securities remain Outstanding, to the
fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the terms of this Trust Agreement
and the Indenture, upon a Debenture Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(1)
or 5.1(2) of the Indenture, any Holder of Capital Securities shall have the
right to institute a proceeding directly against the Depositor, pursuant to
Section 5.8 of the Indenture, for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the
principal amount of or interest on Junior Subordinated Debentures having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
Capital Securities of such Holder (a "Direct Action"). Except as set forth in
Sections 5.13(b) and 5.13(c), the Holders of Capital Securities shall have no
right to exercise directly any right or remedy available to the holders of, or
in respect of, the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
ARTICLE VI.
ACTS OF HOLDERS; MEETINGS; VOTING
Section 6.1. Limitations on Holder's Voting Rights
(a) Except as provided in this Trust Agreement and in the Indenture and as
otherwise required by law, no Holder of Capital Securities shall have any right
to vote or in any manner otherwise control the administration, operation and
management of the Issuer Trust or the obligations of the parties hereto, nor
shall anything herein set forth or contained in the terms of the Trust
Securities Certificates be construed so as to constitute the Holders from time
to time as members of an association.
(b) So long as any Junior Subordinated Debentures are held by the Property
Trustee on behalf of the Issuer Trust, the Property Trustee shall not (i) direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the Debenture Trustee, or executing any trust or power conferred on the
Property Trustee with respect to such Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) waive
any past default that may be waived under Section 5.13 of the Indenture, (iii)
exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all
the Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be due and payable or (iv) consent to
any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without, in each
case, obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities, provided, however, that where a
consent under the Indenture would require the consent of each Holder of Junior
Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by the
Property Trustee without the prior written consent of each Holder of Capital
Securities. The Property Trustee shall not revoke any action previously
authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of Capital Securities, except by
a subsequent vote of the Holders of Capital Securities. The Property Trustee
shall notify all Holders of the Capital Securities of any notice of default
received with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. In addition to
obtaining the foregoing approvals of the Holders of the Capital Securities,
prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the Issuer Trustees shall, at the
expense of the Depositor, obtain an Opinion of Counsel experienced in such
matters to the effect that such action will not cause the Issuer Trust to be
taxable as a corporation for United States Federal income tax purposes. (c) If
any proposed amendment to the Trust Agreement provides for, or the Issuer Trust
otherwise proposes to effect, (i) any action that would adversely affect in any
material respect the interests, powers, preferences or special rights of the
Capital Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Trust Agreement or
otherwise, or (ii) the dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Issuer
Trust, other than pursuant to the terms of this Trust Agreement, then the
Holders of Outstanding Capital Securities as a class will be entitled to vote on
such amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective
except with the approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Capital Securities.
Section 6.2. Notice of Meetings
Notice of all meetings of the Holders, stating the time, place and
purpose of the meeting, shall be given by the Property Trustee pursuant to
Section 10.8 to each Holder of record, at his registered address, at least 15
days and not more than 90 days before the meeting. At any such meeting, any
business properly before the meeting may be so considered whether or not stated
in the notice of the meeting. Any adjourned meeting may be held as adjourned
without further notice.
Section 6.3. Meetings of Holders
No annual meeting of Holders is required to be held. The Property
Trustee, however, shall call a meeting of Holders to vote on any matter upon the
written request of the Holders of record of 25% of the aggregate Liquidation
Amount of the Capital Securities and the Administrators or the Property Trustee
may, at any time in their discretion, call a meeting of Holders of Capital
Securities to vote on any matters as to which Holders are entitled to vote.
Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum
at any meeting of Holders of the Capital Securities.
If a quorum is present at a meeting, an affirmative vote by the Holders
of record present, in person or by proxy, holding Capital Securities
representing at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities
held by the Holders present, either in person or by proxy, at such meeting shall
constitute the action of the Holders of Capital Securities, unless this Trust
Agreement requires a greater number of affirmative votes.
Section 6.4. Voting Rights
Holders shall be entitled to one vote for each $25 of Liquidation
Amount represented by their Outstanding Trust Securities in respect of any
matter as to which such Holders are entitled to vote.
Section 6.5 Proxies, etc.
At any meeting of Holders, any Holder entitled to vote thereat may vote
by proxy, provided that no proxy shall be voted at any meeting unless it shall
have been placed on file with the Property Trustee, or with such other officer
or agent of the Issuer Trust as the Property Trustee may direct, for
verification prior to the time at which such vote shall be taken. Pursuant to a
resolution of the Property Trustee, proxies may be solicited in the name of the
Property Trustee or one or more officers of the Property Trustee. Only Holders
of record shall be entitled to vote. When Trust Securities are held jointly by
several Persons, any one of them may vote at any meeting in person or by proxy
in respect of such Trust Securities, but if more than one of them shall be
present at such meeting in person or by proxy, and such joint owners or their
proxies so present disagree as to any vote to be cast, such vote shall not be
received in respect of such Trust Securities. A proxy purporting to be executed
by or on behalf of a Holder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior
to its exercise, and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the
challenger. No proxy shall be valid more than three years after its date of
execution.
Section 6.6. Holder Action by Written Consent.
Any action which may be taken by Holders at a meeting may be taken
without a meeting if Holders holding at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount
of all Trust Securities entitled to vote in respect of such action (or such
larger proportion thereof as shall be required by any other provision of this
Trust Agreement) shall consent to the action in writing.
Section 6.7. Record Date for Voting and Other Purposes
For the purposes of determining the Holders who are entitled to notice
of and to vote at any meeting or by written consent, or to participate in any
distribution on the Trust Securities in respect of which a record date is not
otherwise provided for in this Trust Agreement, or for the purpose of any other
action, the Administrators or Property Trustee may from time to time fix a date,
not more than 90 days prior to the date of any meeting of Holders or the payment
of a distribution or other action, as the case may be, as a record date for the
determination of the identity of the Holders of record for such purposes.
Section 6.8. Acts of Holders
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided or permitted by this Trust Agreement to be given, made
or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments
of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent
duly appointed in writing; and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are
delivered to the Property Trustee. Such instrument or instruments (and the
action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to
as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of
execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall
be sufficient for any purpose of this Trust Agreement and (subject to Section
8.1) conclusive in favor of the Issuer Trustees, if made in the manner provided
in this Section.
The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument
or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a
certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by
a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such
certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his
authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing,
or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any
other manner which any Issuer Trustee or Administrator receiving the same deems
sufficient.
The ownership of Trust Securities shall be proved by the Securities
Register.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other Act of the Holder of any Trust Security shall bind every future Holder
of the same Trust Security and the Holder of every Trust Security issued upon
the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof
in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Issuer
Trustees, the Administrators or the Issuer Trust in reliance thereon, whether or
not notation of such action is made upon such Trust Security.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any
action hereunder with regard to any particular Trust Security may do so with
regard to all or any part of the Liquidation Amount of such Trust Security or by
one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such
appointment with regard to all or any part of such Liquidation Amount.
If any dispute shall arise among the Holders, the Administrators or the
Issuer Trustees with respect to the authenticity, validity or binding nature of
any request, demand, authorization, direction, consent, waiver or other Act of
such Holder or Issuer Trustee under this Article VI, then the determination of
such matter by the Property Trustee shall be conclusive with respect to such
matter.
Section 6.9. Inspection of Records
Upon reasonable notice to the Administrators and the Property Trustee,
the records of the Issuer Trust shall be open to inspection by Holders during
normal business hours for any purpose reasonably related to such Holder's
interest as a Holder.
ARTICLE VII.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 7.1. Representations and Warranties of the Property Trustee and the
Delaware Trustee
The Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, each severally on behalf
of and as to itself, hereby represents and warrants for the benefit of the
Depositor and the Holders that:
(a) The Property Trustee is a banking corporation with trust powers, duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of New York,
with trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and
perform its obligations under the terms of this Trust Agreement.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee of this
Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of the Property Trustee; and this Trust Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by the Property Trustee, and constitutes a legal, valid
and binding obligation of the Property Trustee, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization,
moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and to general principles of equity and the discretion of the court
(regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law).
(c) The Delaware Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing as a banking corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware, with
trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform
its obligations under the terms of, the Trust Agreement.
(d) The execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware Trustee of this
Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of the Delaware Trustee; and this Trust Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by the Delaware Trustee, and constitutes a legal, valid
and binding obligation of the Delaware Trustee, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization,
moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' right
generally and to general principles of equity and the discretion of the court
(regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law).
(e) The Delaware Trustee is an entity which has its principal place of
business in the State of Delaware.
(f) The Property Trustee is a national or state-chartered bank and at the
time of appointment has securities rated in one of the three highest categories
by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization and has capital and
surplus of at least $50,000,000.
Section 7.2. Representations and Warranties of Depositor
The Depositor hereby represents and warrants for the benefit of the
Holders that:
(a) the Trust Securities Certificates issued at the Closing Date on behalf
of the Issuer Trust have been duly authorized and will have been duly and
validly executed, issued and delivered by the Issuer Trustees pursuant to the
terms and provisions of, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Trust
Agreement, and the Holders will be, as of each such date, entitled to the
benefits of this Trust Agreement; and
(b) there are no taxes, fees or other governmental charges payable by the
Issuer Trust (or the Issuer Trustees on behalf of the Issuer Trust) under the
laws of the State of Delaware or any political subdivision thereof in connection
with the execution, delivery and performance by either the Property Trustee or
the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, of this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII.
THE ISSUER TRUSTEES; THE ADMINISTRATORS
Section 8.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities
(a) The duties and responsibilities of the Issuer Trustees and the
Administrators shall be as provided by this Trust Agreement and, in the case of
the Property Trustee, by the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no provision of this Trust Agreement shall require the Issuer Trustees or the
Administrators to expend or risk their own funds or otherwise incur any
financial liability in the performance of any of their duties hereunder, or in
the exercise of any of their rights or powers, if they shall have reasonable
grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against
such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein
expressly so provided, every provision of this Trust Agreement relating to the
conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Issuer
Trustees or the Administrators shall be subject to the provisions of this
Section. Nothing in this Trust Agreement shall be construed to release an
Administrator from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent
failure to act, or its own willful misconduct. To the extent that, at law or in
equity, an Issuer Trustee or Administrator has duties and liabilities relating
to the Issuer Trust or to the Holders, such Issuer Trustee or Administrator
shall not be liable to the Issuer Trust or to any Holder for such Issuer
Trustee's or Administrator's good faith reliance on the provisions of this Trust
Agreement. The provisions of this Trust Agreement, to the extent that they
restrict the duties and liabilities of the Issuer Trustees and Administrators
otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Depositor and the
Holders to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Issuer Trustees and
Administrators.
(b) All payments made by the Property Trustee or a Paying Agent in respect
of the Trust Securities shall be made only from the revenue and proceeds from
the Trust Property and only to the extent that there shall be sufficient revenue
or proceeds from the Trust Property to enable the Property Trustee or a Paying
Agent to make payments in accordance with the terms hereof. Each Holder, by its
acceptance of a Trust Security, agrees that it will look solely to the revenue
and proceeds from the Trust Property to the extent legally available for
distribution to it as herein provided and that neither the Issuer Trustees nor
the Administrators are personally liable to it for any amount distributable in
respect of any Trust Security or for any other liability in respect of any Trust
Security. This Section 8.1(b) does not limit the liability of the Issuer
Trustees expressly set forth elsewhere in this Trust Agreement or, in the case
of the Property Trustee, in the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) The Property Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and
after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall
undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this
Trust Agreement (including pursuant to Section 10.10), and no implied covenants
shall be read into this Trust Agreement against the Property Trustee. If an
Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to
Section 5.13 of the Indenture), the Property Trustee shall enforce this Trust
Agreement for the benefit of the Holders and shall exercise such of the rights
and powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement, and use the same degree of care
and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use
under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(d) No provision of this Trust Agreement shall be construed to relieve the
Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent
failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after
the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Property
Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions
of this Trust Agreement (including pursuant to Section 10.10),
and the Property Trustee shall not be liable except for the
performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically
set forth in this Trust Agreement (including pursuant to
Section 10.10); and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
Property Trustee, the Property Trustee may conclusively rely,
as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions
furnished to the Property Trustee and conforming to the
requirements of this Trust Agreement; but in the case of any
such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof or
of the Trust Indenture Act are specifically required to be
furnished to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall
be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or
not they conform to the requirements of this Trust Agreement;
(ii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in
good faith by an authorized officer of the Property Trustee, unless it shall be
proved that the Property Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent
facts;
(iii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action taken
or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of
the Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred upon the Property Trustee under this Trust Agreement;
(iv) the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody,
safe keeping and
physical preservation of the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Payment
Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar manner as the Property
Trustee deals with similar property for its own account, subject to the
protections and limitations on liability afforded to the Property Trustee under
this Trust Agreement and the Trust Indenture Act;
(v) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any interest
on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree with the
Depositor; and money held by the Property Trustee need not be segregated
from other funds held by it except in relation to the Payment Account
maintained by the Property Trustee pursuant to Section 3.1 and except to
the extent otherwise required by law;
(vi) the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the
compliance by the Administrators or the Depositor with their respective duties
under this Trust Agreement, nor shall the Property Trustee be liable for the
default or misconduct of any other Issuer Trustee, the Administrators or the
Depositor; and
(vii) no provision of this Trust Agreement shall require the Property
Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial
liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of
its rights or powers, if the Property Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for
believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably
assured to it under the terms of this Trust Agreement or adequate indemnity
against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(e) The Administrators shall not be responsible for monitoring the
compliance by the Issuer Trustees or the Depositor with their respective
duties under this Trust Agreement, nor shall either Administrator be liable
for the default or misconduct of any other Administrator, the Issuer
Trustees or the Depositor.
SECTION 8.2. Certain Notices
Within five Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default
actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee, the Property
Trustee shall transmit, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section
10.8, notice of such Event of Default to the Holders and the Administrators,
unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived.
Within five Business Days after the receipt of notice of the
Depositor's exercise of its right to defer the payment of interest on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures pursuant to the Indenture, the Property Trustee shall
transmit, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 10.8, notice of
such exercise to the Holders and the Administrators, unless such exercise shall
have been revoked.
Section 8.3. Certain Rights of Property Trustee
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.1:
(a) the Property Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected
in acting or refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution, Opinion
of Counsel, certificate, written representation of a Holder or transferee,
certificate of auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, bond, debenture,
note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it
to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or
parties;
(b) any direction or act of the Depositor contemplated by this Trust
Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate;
(c) the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing
or registration of any instrument (including any financing or continuation
statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any re-recording,
refiling or reregistration thereof;
(d) the Property Trustee may consult with counsel of its own choosing
(which counsel may be counsel to the Depositor or any of its Affiliates, and may
include any of its employees) and the advice of such counsel shall be full and
complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken suffered or
omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon and in accordance
with such advice, such counsel may be counsel to the Depositor or any of its
Affiliates, and may include any of its employees; the Property Trustee shall
have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of
this Trust Agreement from any court of competent jurisdiction;
(e) the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
the rights or powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement at the request or
direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Trust Agreement, unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Property Trustee security or indemnity
satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be
incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction; provided that,
nothing contained in this Section 8.3(e) shall be taken to relieve the Property
Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to
exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement;
(f) the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into
the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond,
debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document,
unless requested in writing to do so by one or more Holders, but the Property
Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or
matters as it may see fit;
(g) the Property Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder
or perform any of its duties hereunder either directly or by or through its
agents or attorneys, provided that the Property Trustee shall not be responsible
for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed
with due care by it hereunder;
(h) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement the Property
Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to
enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Property
Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders (which instructions may
only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in Liquidation Amount of the
Trust Securities as would be entitled to direct the Property Trustee under the
terms of the Trust Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action), (ii)
may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action
until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be fully protected in
acting in accordance with such instructions;
(i) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Trust Agreement, the
Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is
discretionary under the provisions of this Trust Agreement. No provision of this
Trust Agreement shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on any Issuer
Trustee or Administrator to perform any act or acts or exercise any right,
power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in
which it shall be illegal, or in which the Property Trustee shall be unqualified
or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or
acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive
power or authority available to any Issuer Trustee or Administrator shall be
construed to be a duty;
(j) if (i) in performing its duties under this Trust Agreement the Property
Trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action or (ii) in
construing any of the provisions of this Trust Agreement the Property Trustee
finds the same ambiguous or inconsistent with any other provisions contained
herein or (iii) the Property Trustee is unsure of the application of any
provision of this Trust Agreement, then, except as to any matter as to which the
Holders are entitled to vote under the terms of this Trust Agreement, the
Property Trustee shall deliver a notice to the Depositor requesting written
instructions of the Depositor as to the course of action to be taken and the
Property Trustee shall take such action, or refrain from taking such action, as
the Property Trustee shall be instructed in writing to take, or to refrain from
taking, by the Depositor; provided, however, that if the Property Trustee does
not receive such instructions of the Depositor within ten Business Days after it
has delivered such notice, or such reasonably shorter period of time set forth
in such notice (which to the extent practicable shall not be less than two
Business Days), it may, but shall be under no duty to, take or refrain from
taking such action not inconsistent with this Trust Agreement as it shall deem
advisable and in the best interests of the Holders, in which event the Property
Trustee shall have no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or
willful misconduct;
(k) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement, the Property
Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be established before
undertaking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Property Trustee
(unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence
of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers'
Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered
by the Depositor or the Administrators;
(l) when the Property Trustee incurs expenses or renders
services in connection with a Bankruptcy Event, such expenses (including the
fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are
intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law or
law relating to creditors rights generally; and
(m) the Property Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of an
Event of Default unless such Event of Default has occurred as a result of
the act or failure to act of the Property Trustee, a Responsible Officer of
the Property Trustee obtains actual knowledge of such event or the Property
Trustee receives written notice of such event from Securityholders at least 25%
of the Outstanding Trust Securities (based upon Liquidation Amount).
Section 8.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities
The recitals contained herein and in the Trust Securities Certificates
shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer Trust, and the Issuer Trustees
and the Administrators do not assume any responsibility for their correctness.
The Issuer Trustees and the Administrators shall not be accountable for the use
or application by the Depositor of the proceeds of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures.
Section 8.5. May Hold Securities
The Administrators, any Issuer Trustee or any other agent of any Issuer
Trustee or the Issuer Trust, in its individual or any other capacity, may become
the owner or pledgee of Trust Securities and, subject to Sections 8.8 and 8.13,
and except as provided in the definition of the term "Outstanding" in Article I,
may otherwise deal with the Issuer Trust with the same rights it would have if
it were not an Administrator, Issuer Trustee or such other agent.
Section 8.6. Compensation; Indemnity; Fees
The Depositor, as borrower, agrees:
(a) to pay to the Issuer Trustees from time to time such reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by them hereunder as the parties shall
agree from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any
provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express
trust);
(b) to reimburse the Issuer Trustees upon request for all reasonable
expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Issuer Trustees in
accordance with any provision of this Trust Agreement (including the reasonable
compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel),
except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to their
negligence or willful misconduct; and
(c) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to indemnify and
hold harmless (i) each Issuer Trustee, (ii) each Administrator, (iii) any
Affiliate of any Issuer Trustee, (iv) any officer, director, shareholder,
employee, representative or agent of any Issuer Trustee, and (v) any employee or
agent of the Issuer Trust, (referred to herein as an "Indemnified Person") from
and against any loss, damage, liability, tax, penalty, expense or claim of any
kind or nature whatsoever incurred by such Indemnified Person arising out of or
in connection with the creation, operation or dissolution of the Issuer Trust or
any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good
faith on behalf of the Issuer Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person
reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such
Indemnified Person by this Trust Agreement, except that no Indemnified Person
shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim
incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason of negligence or willful
misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.
The provisions of this Section 8.6 shall survive the termination of
this Trust Agreement or the earlier resignation or removal of any Issuer
Trustee.
No Issuer Trustee may claim any lien or charge on any Trust Property as
a result of any amount due pursuant to this Section 8.6.
The Depositor, any Administrator and any Issuer Trustee (subject to
Section 8.8) may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of
any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar
to the business of the Issuer Trust, and the Issuer Trust and the Holders of
Trust Securities shall have no rights by virtue of this Trust Agreement in and
to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the
pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Issuer
Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. Neither the Depositor, any
Administrator, nor any Issuer Trustee shall be obligated to present any
particular investment or other opportunity to the Issuer Trust even if such
opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Issuer Trust, could be
taken by the Issuer Trust, and the Depositor, any Administrator or any Issuer
Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a
partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment
or other opportunity. Any Issuer Trustee may engage or be interested in any
financial or other transaction with the Depositor or any Affiliate of the
Depositor, or may act as depository for, trustee or agent for, or act on any
committee or body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the
Depositor or its Affiliates.
In the event that the Property Trustee is also acting as Paying Agent
or Securities Registrar hereunder, the rights and protections afforded to the
Property Trustee pursuant to this Article VIII shall also be afforded to such
Paying Agent or Securities Registrar.
Section 8.7. Corporate Property Trustee Required; Eligibility of Trustees and
Administrators
(a) There shall at all times be a Property Trustee hereunder with respect
to the Trust Securities. The Property Trustee shall be a Person that is a
national or state chartered bank and eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture
Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and
surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time
the Property Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this
Article. At the time of appointment, the Property Trustee must have securities
rated in one of the three highest rating categories by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization.
(b) There shall at all times be one or more Administrators hereunder. Each
Administrator shall be either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age
or a legal entity that shall act through one or more persons authorized to bind
that entity. An employee, officer or Affiliate of the Depositor may serve as an
Administrator.
(c) There shall at all times be a Delaware Trustee. The Delaware Trustee
shall either be (i) a natural person who is at least 21 years of age and a
resident of the State of Delaware or (ii) a legal entity with its principal
place of business in the State of Delaware and that otherwise meets the
requirements of applicable Delaware law that shall act through one or more
persons authorized to bind such entity.
Section 8.8. Conflicting Interests
(a) If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest
within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Property Trustee shall either
eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by,
and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Trust
Agreement.
(b) The Guarantee Agreement and the Indenture shall be deemed to be
sufficiently described in this Trust Agreement for the purposes of clause (i) of
the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 8.9. Co-Trustees and Separate Trustee
Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at
anytime or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust
Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust Property may
at the time be located, the Property Trustee shall have power to appoint, and
upon the written request of the Property Trustee, the Depositor and the
Administrators shall for such purpose join with the Property Trustee in the
execution, delivery, and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary
or proper to appoint, one or more Persons approved by the Property Trustee
either to act as co-trustee, jointly with the Property Trustee, of all or any
part of such Trust Property, or to the extent required by law to act as separate
trustee of any such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided
in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons in the
capacity aforesaid, any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or
desirable, subject to the other provisions of this Section. Any co-trustee or
separate trustee appointed pursuant to this Section shall either be (i) a
natural person who is at least 21 years of age and a resident of the United
States or (ii) a legal entity with its principal place of business in the United
States that shall act through one or more persons authorized to bind such
entity.
Should any written instrument from the Depositor be required by any
co-trustee or separate trustee so appointed for more fully confirming to such
co-trustee or separate trustee such property, title, right, or power, any and
all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged and delivered
by the Depositor.
Every co-trustee or separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted
bylaw, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following terms,
namely:
(a) The Trust Securities shall be executed by one or more Administrators,
and the Trust Securities shall be authenticated and delivered and all rights,
powers, duties, and obligations hereunder in respect of the custody of
securities, cash and other personal property held by, or required to be
deposited or pledged with, the Property Trustees specified hereunder, shall be
exercised, solely by the Property Trustee and not by such co-trustee or separate
trustee.
(b) The rights, powers, duties, and obligations hereby conferred or imposed
upon the Property Trustee in respect of any property covered by such appointment
shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Property
Trustee and such co-trustee or separate trustee jointly, as shall be provided in
the instrument appointing such co-trustee or separate trustee, except to the
extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act is to
be performed, the Property Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to
perform such act, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations
shall be exercised and performed by such co-trustee or separate trustee.
(c) The Property Trustee at any time, by an instrument in writing executed
by it, with the written concurrence of the Depositor, may accept the resignation
of or remove any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed under this Section,
and, in case a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Property Trustee shall have power to accept the resignation of, or remove, any
such co-trustee or separate trustee without the concurrence of the Depositor.
Upon the written request of the Property Trustee, the Depositor shall join with
the Property Trustee in the execution, delivery and performance of all
instruments and agreements necessary or proper to effectuate such resignation or
removal. A successor to any co-trustee or separate trustee so resigned or
removed may be appointed in the manner provided in this Section.
(d) No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be personally liable
by reason of any act or omission of the Property Trustee or any other trustee
hereunder.
(e) The Property Trustee shall not be liable by reason of any act of a
co-trustee or separate trustee or any employees or agents of a co-trustee and
separate trustee nor shall it be liable for the supervision of a co-trustee or
separate trustee or employees or agents of a co-trustee and separate trustee.
(f) Any Act of Holders delivered to the Property Trustee shall be deemed to
have been delivered to each such co-trustee and separate trustee.
Section 8.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor
No resignation or removal of any Issuer Trustee (the "Relevant
Trustee") and no appointment of a successor Issuer Trustee pursuant to this
Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the
successor Issuer Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of
Section 8.11.
Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, a Relevant Trustee may
resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Depositor and the
Issuer Trust. The Relevant Trustee shall appoint a successor by requesting from
at least three Persons meeting the eligibility requirements its expenses and
charges to serve as the Relevant Trustee on a form provided by the
Administrators, and selecting the Person who agrees to the lowest expenses and
charges. If the instrument of acceptance by the successor Issuer Trustee
required by Section 8.11 shall not have been delivered to the Relevant Trustee
within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the Relevant
Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Issuer Trust, any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee.
The Holders of at least a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of
the outstanding Capital Securities may remove an Issuer Trustee if a Debenture
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. If an Issuer Trustee is removed
at a time when a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of Capital
Securities may appoint a successor Issuer Trustee, and such successor Issuer
Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 8.11. If no
Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at such time, the
Depositor, as Holder of the Common Securities, may remove the Issuer Trustee and
appoint a successor. If an Administrator is removed, resigns or otherwise
vacates office, the Depositor, as Holder of the Common Securities, shall
promptly appoint a successor. In no event shall the Holders of the Capital
Securities have the right to vote to remove an Administrator. The Depositor, as
Holder of the Common Securities, shall have the exclusive right to vote to
remove an Administrator.
If no successor Relevant Trustee shall have been so appointed by the
Holders of the Capital Securities or the Depositor, as Holder of the Common
Securities, as the case may be, and accepted appointment in the manner required
by Section 8.11, any Holder, on behalf of himself and all others similarly
situated, or any removed Issuer Trustee, may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee.
The Property Trustee shall give notice of each resignation and each
removal of an Issuer Trustee and each appointment of a successor Issuer Trustee
to all Holders in the manner provided in Section 10.8 and shall give notice to
the Depositor and to the Administrators. Each notice shall include the name of
the successor Relevant Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office if
it is the Property Trustee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Trust
Agreement, in the event any Delaware Trustee who is a natural person dies or
becomes, in the opinion of the Holders of the Common Securities, incompetent or
incapacitated, the vacancy created by such death, incompetence or incapacity may
be filled by the Property Trustee following the procedures regarding expenses
and charges set forth above (with the successor in each case being a Person who
satisfies the eligibility requirements for Administrators or Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be, set forth in Section 8.7).
Section 8.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Relevant Trustee,
the retiring Relevant Trustee and each such successor Relevant Trustee with
respect to the Trust Securities shall execute, acknowledge and deliver an
amendment hereto wherein each successor Relevant Trustee shall accept such
appointment and which (a) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or
desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Relevant
Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Relevant
Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities and the Issuer Trust, and (b) shall
add to or change any of the provisions of this Trust Agreement as shall be
necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Issuer Trust by
more than one Relevant Trustee and upon the execution and delivery of such
amendment the resignation or removal of the retiring Relevant Trustee shall
become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Relevant
Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with
all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee; but,
on request of the Issuer Trust or any successor Relevant Trustee such retiring
Relevant Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, duly assign, transfer and
deliver to such successor Relevant Trustee all Trust Property, all proceeds
thereof and money held by such retiring Relevant Trustee hereunder with respect
to the Trust Securities and the Issuer Trust.
Upon request of any such successor Relevant Trustee, the Issuer Trust
shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in
and confirming to such successor Relevant Trustee all such rights, powers and
trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may
be.
No successor Relevant Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at
the time of such acceptance such successor Relevant Trustee shall be qualified
and eligible under this Article.
Section 8.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business
Any Person into which the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee may
be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person
resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Relevant
Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all
the corporate trust business of such Relevant Trustee, shall be the successor of
such Relevant Trustee hereunder, provided that such Person shall be otherwise
qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of
any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
Section 8.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Depositor or Issuer
Trust
If and when the Property Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the
Depositor (or any other obligor upon the Trust Securities), the Property Trustee
shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the
collection of claims against the Depositor (or any such other obligor) as is
required by the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 8.14. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other similar judicial
proceeding relative to the Issuer Trust or any other obligor upon the Trust
Securities or the property of the Issuer Trust or of such other obligor, the
Property Trustee (irrespective of whether any Distributions on the Trust
Securities shall then be due and payable and irrespective of whether the
Property Trustee shall have made any demand on the Issuer Trust for the payment
of any past due Distributions) shall be entitled and empowered, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of any Distributions
owing and unpaid in respect of the Trust Securities and to file such other
papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims
of the Property Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Property Trustee, its agents and
counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian,
receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official
in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such
payments to the Property Trustee and, in the event the Property Trustee shall
consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the
Property Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Property Trustee, its agents and counsel, and
any other amounts due the Property Trustee.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Property
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder
any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or compensation affecting
the Trust Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the
Property Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such
proceeding.
Section 8.15. Reports by Property Trustee
(a) Not later than January 31 of each year commencing with January 31,
1999, the Property Trustee shall transmit to all Holders in accordance with
Section 10.8, and to the Depositor, a brief report dated as of the immediately
preceding November 30 with respect to:
(i) its eligibility under Section 8.7 or, in lieu thereof, if
to the best of its knowledge it has continued to be eligible
under said Section, a written statement to such effect; and
(ii) any change in the property and funds in its possession
as Property Trustee since the date of its last report and any
action taken by the Property Trustee in the performance of
its duties hereunder which it has not previously reported and
which in its opinion materially affects the Trust Securities.
(b) In addition, the Property Trustee shall transmit to Holders such
reports concerning the Property Trustee and its actions under this Trust
Agreement as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times
and in the manner provided pursuant thereto as set forth in Section 10.10 of
this Trust Agreement.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
Holders, be filed by the Property Trustee with the Depositor.
Section 8.16. Reports to the Property Trustee
The Depositor and the Administrators on behalf of the Issuer Trust
shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and information as
required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance
certificate required by Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act in the form,
in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture
Act, as set forth in Section 10.10 of this Trust Agreement. The Depositor and
the Administrators shall annually file with the Property Trustee a certificate
specifying whether such Person is in compliance with all the terms and covenants
applicable to such Person hereunder.
Section 8.17. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent
Each of the Depositor and the Administrators on behalf of the Issuer
Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Trust Agreement that relate
to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act as
set forth in Section 10.10 of this Trust Agreement. Any certificate or opinion
required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) of the Trust
Indenture Act shall be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.
Section 8.18. Number of Issuer Trustees
(a) The number of Issuer Trustees shall be two. The Property Trustee and
the Delaware Trustee may be the same Person, in which case the number of Issuer
Trustees may be one.
(b) If an Issuer Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason, a vacancy
shall occur. The vacancy shall be filled with an Issuer Trustee appointed in
accordance with Section 8.10.
(c) The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution,
termination, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of an Issuer
Trustee shall not operate to dissolve, terminate or annul the Issuer Trust or
terminate this Trust Agreement.
Section 8.19. Delegation of Power
(a) Any Administrator may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable
law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power
for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 2.7(a) or
making any governmental filing; and
(b) The Administrators shall have power to delegate from time to time to
such of their number the doing of such things and the execution of such
instruments either in the name of the Issuer Trust or the names of the
Administrators or otherwise as the Administrators may deem expedient, to the
extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the
provisions of this Trust Agreement.
Section 8.20. Appointment of Administrators
(a) The Administrators shall be appointed by the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities and may be removed by the Holders of
a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities or may resign at
anytime. Upon any resignation or removal, the Depositor shall appoint a
successor Administrator. Each Administrator shall execute this Trust Agreement
thereby agreeing to comply with, and be legally bound by, all of the terms,
conditions and provisions of this Trust Agreement. If at any time there is no
Administrator, the Property Trustee or any Holder who has been a Holder of Trust
Securities for at least six months may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of one or more Administrators.
(b) Whenever a vacancy in the number of Administrators shall occur, until
such vacancy is filled by the appointment of an Administrator in accordance with
this Section 8.20, the Administrators in office, regardless of their number (and
notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement), shall have all the
powers granted to the Administrators and shall discharge all the duties imposed
upon the Administrators by this Trust Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, or any other provision of this Trust
Agreement, in the event any Administrator or a Delaware Trustee who is a natural
person dies or becomes, in the opinion of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities, incompetent, or incapacitated, the
vacancy created by such death, incompetence or incapacity may be filled by the
remaining Administrators, if there were at least two of them prior to such
vacancy, and by the Depositor, if there were not two such Administrators
immediately prior to such vacancy (with the successor in each case being a
Person who satisfies the eligibility requirement for Administrators or Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, set forth in Section 8.7).
ARTICLE IX.
DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND MERGER
Section 9.1. Dissolution Upon Expiration Date
Unless earlier dissolved, the Issuer Trust shall automatically dissolve
on April 15, 2039 (the "Expiration Date"), and thereafter the Trust Property
shall be distributed in accordance with Section 9.4.
Section 9.2. Early Termination
The first to occur of any of the following events is an "Early
Termination Event" and the occurrence of which shall cause the dissolution of
the Issuer Trust:
(a) the occurrence of the appointment of a receiver or other similar
official in any liquidation, insolvency or similar proceeding with respect to
the Depositor or all or substantially all of its property, or a court or other
governmental agency shall enter a decree or order and such decree or order shall
remain unstayed and undischarged for a period of 60 days, unless the Depositor
shall transfer the Common Securities as provided by Section 5.11, in which case
this provision shall refer instead to any such successor Holder of the Common
Securities;
(b) the written direction to the Property Trustee from the Holder of the
Common Securities at any time to dissolve the Issuer Trust and to distribute the
Junior Subordinated Debentures to Holders in exchange for the Capital Securities
(which direction, subject to Section 9.4(a), is optional and wholly within the
discretion of the Holders of the Common Securities);
(c) the redemption of all of the Capital Securities in connection with the
redemption of all the Junior Subordinated Debentures; and
(d) the entry of an order for dissolution of the Issuer Trust by a court of
competent jurisdiction.
Section 9.3. Termination
As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to
in Section 9.1 or 9.2, and upon the completion of the winding up and liquidation
of the Issuer Trust, the Administrators (each of whom is hereby authorized to
take such action) shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware terminating the Trust and, upon such filing, the
respective obligations and responsibilities of the Issuer Trustees, the
Administrators and the Issuer Trust shall terminate.
Section 9.4. Liquidation
(a) If an Early Termination Event specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of
Section 9.2 occurs or upon the Expiration Date, the Issuer Trust shall be wound
up and liquidated by the Property Trustee as expeditiously as the Property
Trustee determines to be possible by distributing, after paying or making
reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations of the Issuer Trust in
accordance with Section 3808(e) of the Delaware Business Trust Act, to each
Holder a Like Amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures, subject to Section
9.4(d). Notice of liquidation shall be given by the Property Trustee by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not later than 15 nor more than 45
days prior to the Liquidation Date to each Holder of Trust Securities at such
Holder's address appearing in the Securities Register. All notices of
liquidation shall:
(i) state the Liquidation Date;
(ii) state that, from and after the Liquidation Date, the
Trust Securities will no longer be deemed to be Outstanding
and any Trust Securities Certificates not surrendered for
exchange will be deemed to represent a Like Amount of Junior
Subordinated Debentures; and
(iii) provide such information with respect to the mechanics by
which Holders may exchange Trust Securities Certificates for
Junior Subordinated Debentures, or if Section 9.4(d) applies
receive a Liquidation Distribution, as the Administrators
or the Property Trustee shall deem appropriate.
(b) Except where Section 9.2(c) or 9.4(d) applies, in order to effect the
liquidation of the Issuer Trust and distribution of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures to Holders, the Property Trustee shall establish a record date for
such distribution (which shall be not more than 30 days prior to the Liquidation
Date) and, either itself acting as exchange agent or through the appointment of
a separate exchange agent, shall establish such procedures as it shall deem
appropriate to effect the distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures in
exchange for the Outstanding Trust Securities Certificates.
(c) Except where Section 9.2(c) or 9.4(d) applies, after the Liquidation
Date, (i) the Trust Securities will no longer be deemed to be Outstanding, (ii)
the Clearing Agency for the Capital Securities or its nominee, as the registered
holder of the Global Capital Securities Certificate, shall receive a registered
global certificate or certificates representing the Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution with respect to Capital
Securities held by the Clearing Agency or its nominee, and, (iii) any Trust
Securities Certificates not held by the Clearing Agency for the Capital
Securities or its nominee as specified in clause (ii) above will be deemed to
represent Junior Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the
stated Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities represented thereby and
bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accumulated and
unpaid Distributions on such Trust Securities until such certificates are
presented to the Securities Registrar for transfer or reissuance.
(d) If, notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 9.4, whether
because of an order for dissolution entered by a court of competent jurisdiction
or otherwise, distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures is not
practical, or if any Early Termination Event specified in clause (c) of Section
9.2 occurs, the Issuer Trust shall be dissolved and wound up and the Trust
Property shall be liquidated by the Property Trustee in such manner as the
Property Trustee determines. In such event, on the date of the dissolution of
the Issuer Trust, unless the Trust Securities have been redeemed or are to be
redeemed on such date pursuant to Article IV, Holders will be entitled to
receive out of the assets of the Issuer Trust available for distribution to
Holders, after paying or making reasonable provision to pay all claims and
obligations of the Issuer Trust in accordance with Section 3808(e) of the
Delaware Business Trust Act, an amount equal to the aggregate of Liquidation
Amount per Trust Security plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to
the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). If, upon
any such dissolution, the Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part
because the Issuer Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full the
aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then, subject to the next succeeding
sentence, the amounts payable by the Issuer Trust on the Trust Securities shall
be paid on a pro rata basis (based upon Liquidation Amounts). The Holders of the
Common Securities will be entitled to receive Liquidation Distributions upon any
such dissolution pro rata (determined as aforesaid) with Holders of Capital
Securities, except that, if a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a priority over the Common
Securities as provided in Section 4.3.
Section 9.5. Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of
the Issuer Trust
The Issuer Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate,
or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to, any entity, except pursuant to this Section 9.5
or Section 9.4. At the request of the Holders of the Common Securities, and with
the consent of the Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the
Capital Securities, the Issuer Trust may merge with or into, consolidate,
amalgamate, or be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to a trust organized as such under the laws
of any State; provided, however, that (i) such successor entity either (a)
expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Issuer Trust with respect to the
Capital Securities or (b) substitutes for the Capital Securities other
securities having substantially the same terms as the Capital Securities
(the"Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities have the same
priority as the Capital Securities with respect to distributions and payments
upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise, (ii) a trustee of such successor
entity possessing the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee is
appointed to hold the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (iii) such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not
cause the Capital Securities (including any Successor Securities) to be
downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, (iv)
such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or
lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the
holders of the Capital Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any
material respect, (v) such successor entity has a purpose substantially
identical to that of the Issuer Trust, (vi) prior to such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, the Issuer Trustee has
received an Opinion of Counsel from counsel experienced in such matters to the
effect that (a) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights preferences
and privileges of the holders of the Capital Securities (including any Successor
Securities) in any material respect, and (b) following such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither
the Issuer Trust nor such successor entity will be required to register as
an"investment company" under the Investment Company Act and (vii) the Depositor
or any permitted transferee to whom it has transferred the Common Securities
hereunder own all of the common securities of such successor entity and
guarantees the obligations of such successor entity under the Successor
Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer Trust shall not, except with the
consent of holders of 100% in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities,
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by or convey,
transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with
or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the Issuer Trust or the successor
entity to be taxable as a corporation for United States Federal income tax
purposes.
ARTICLE X.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 10.1. Limitation of Rights of Holders
Except as set forth in Section 9.2, the death, incapacity, dissolution,
termination or bankruptcy of any Person having an interest, beneficial or
otherwise, in Trust Securities shall not operate to terminate this Trust
Agreement, nor dissolve or terminate the Issuer Trust, nor entitle the legal
representatives, successors or heirs of such Person or any Holder for such
Person, to claim an accounting, take any action or bring any proceeding in any
court for a partition or winding-up of the arrangements contemplated hereby, nor
otherwise affect the rights, obligations and liabilities of the parties hereto
or any of them. Any merger or similar agreement authorized in accordance with
this Trust Agreement shall be executed by one or more of the Administrators on
behalf of the Issuer Trust.
Section 10.2. Amendment
(a) This Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Property
Trustee and the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common
Securities, without the consent of any Holder of the Capital Securities (i) to
cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision herein which may be
inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions
with respect to matters or questions arising under this Trust Agreement,
provided, however, that such amendment shall not adversely affect in any
material respect the interests of any Holder or (ii) to modify, eliminate or add
to any provisions of this Trust Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary
to ensure that the Issuer Trust will not be taxable as a corporation for United
States Federal income tax purposes at any time that any Trust Securities are
Outstanding or to ensure that the Issuer Trust will not be required to register
as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
(b) Except as provided in Section 10.2(c) hereof, any provision of this
Trust Agreement may be amended by the Property Trustee and the Holders of a
Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities with (i) the consent of
Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities
and (ii) receipt by the Issuer Trustees of an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the Issuer Trustees
in accordance with such amendment will not cause the Issuer Trust to be taxable
as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes or affect the
Issuer Trust's exemption from status of an "investment company" under the
Investment Company Act
(c) In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this Trust
Agreement, without the consent of each affected Holder, this Trust Agreement may
not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the
Trust Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution
required to be made in respect of the Trust Securities as of a specified date or
(ii) restrict the right of a Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any
such payment on or after such date.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Trust Agreement, no Issuer
Trustee shall enter into or consent to any amendment to this Trust Agreement
which would cause the Issuer Trust to fail or cease to qualify for the exemption
from status as an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act or be
taxable as a corporation for United States Federal income tax purposes.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Trust Agreement to the contrary,
without the consent of the Depositor and the Administrators, this Trust
Agreement may not be amended in a manner which imposes any additional obligation
on the Depositor or the Administrators.
(f) In the event that any amendment to this Trust Agreement is made, the
Administrators or the Property Trustee shall promptly provide to the Depositor a
copy of such amendment.
(g) Neither the Property Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee shall be required
to enter into any amendment to this Trust Agreement which affects its own
rights, duties or immunities under this Trust Agreement. The Property Trustee
shall be entitled to receive an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers' Certificate
stating that any amendment to this Trust Agreement is in compliance with this
Trust Agreement and all conditions precedent have been met.
(h) Any amendments to this Trust Agreement, pursuant to Section 10.2(a),
shall become effective when notice of such amendment is given to the Holders of
the Trust Securities.
(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Agreement, no
amendment to this Trust Agreement may be made if, as a result of such amendment,
it would cause the Issuer Trust to be taxable as a corporation for United States
Federal income tax purposes.
Section 10.3. Separability
In case any provision in this Trust Agreement or in the Trust
Securities Certificates shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in
any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 10.4. Governing Law
THIS TRUST AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF EACH OF THE
HOLDERS, THE ISSUER TRUST, THE DEPOSITOR, THE ISSUER TRUSTEES AND THE
ADMINISTRATORS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS
OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND ALL RIGHTS AND REMEDIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY SUCH
LAWS WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS OF THE STATE OF
DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION THAT WOULD CALL FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE
LAW OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE HOLDERS, THE ISSUER TRUST, THE
DEPOSITOR, THE ISSUER TRUSTEES, THE ADMINISTRATORS OR THIS TRUST AGREEMENT ANY
PROVISION OF THE LAWS (STATUTORY OR COMMON) OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE PERTAINING
TO TRUSTS THAT RELATE TO OR REGULATE, IN A MANNER INCONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS
HEREOF (A) THE FILING WITH ANY COURT OR GOVERNMENTAL BODY OR AGENCY OF TRUSTEE
ACCOUNTS OR SCHEDULES OF TRUSTEE FEES AND CHARGES, (B) AFFIRMATIVE REQUIREMENTS
TO POST BONDS FOR TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES OF A TRUST, (C) THE
NECESSITY FOR OBTAINING COURT OR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL CONCERNING THE
ACQUISITION, HOLDING OR DISPOSITION OF REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, (D) FEES OR
OTHER SUMS PAYABLE TO TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES OF A TRUST, (E)
THE ALLOCATION OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES TO INCOME OR PRINCIPAL, (F)
RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS ON THE PERMISSIBLE NATURE, AMOUNT OR CONCENTRATION
OF TRUST INVESTMENTS OR REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE TITLING, STORAGE OR OTHER
MANNER OF HOLDING OR INVESTING TRUST ASSETS OR (G) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
FIDUCIARY OR OTHER STANDARDS OF RESPONSIBILITY OR LIMITATIONS ON THE ACTS OR
POWERS OF TRUSTEES THAT ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THE LIMITATIONS OR LIABILITIES OR
AUTHORITIES AND POWERS OF THE ISSUER TRUSTEES OR THE ADMINISTRATORS AS SET FORTH
OR REFERENCED IN THIS TRUST AGREEMENT. SECTION 3540 OF TITLE 12 OF THE DELAWARE
CODE SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE ISSUER TRUST.
Section 10.5. Payments Due on Non-Business Day
If the date fixed for any payment on any Trust Security shall be a day
that is not a Business Day, then such payment need not be made on such date but
may be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (except as
otherwise provided in Sections 4.2(d)), and no Distributions shall accumulate on
such unpaid amount for the period after such date, except that, if such Business
Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the
immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect
as if made on the date on which such payment was originally payable.
Section 10.6. Successors
This Trust Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of any successor to the Depositor, the Issuer Trust, the Administrators
and any Issuer Trustee, including any successor by operation of law. Except in
connection with a consolidation, merger or sale involving the Depositor that is
permitted under Article VIII of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee
agrees in writing to perform the Depositor's obligations hereunder, the
Depositor shall not assign its obligations hereunder.
Section 10.7. Headings
The Article and Section headings are for convenience only and shall not
affect the construction of this Trust Agreement.
Section 10.8. Reports, Notices and Demands
Any report, notice, demand or other communication that by any provision
of this Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served to or
upon any Holder or the Depositor may be given or served in writing by deposit
thereof, first class postage prepaid, in the United States mail, hand delivery
or facsimile transmission, in each case, addressed, (a) in the case of a Holder
of Capital Securities, to such Holder as such Holder's name and address may
appear on the Securities Register; and (b) in the case of the Holder of Common
Securities or the Depositor, to Equitable Resources, Inc., 420 Boulevard of the
Allies, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: Office of the Secretary,
facsimile no.:(000) 000-0000 or to such other address as may be specified in a
written notice by the Depositor to the Property Trustee. Such notice, demand or
other communication to or upon a Holder shall be deemed to have been
sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, upon hand delivery, mailing or
transmission. Such notice, demand or other communication to or upon the
Depositor shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made only upon
actual receipt of the writing by the Depositor.
Any notice, demand or other communication which by any provision of
this Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served to or upon
the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, the Administrators, or the Issuer
Trust shall be given in writing addressed (until another address is published by
the Issuer Trust) as follows: (a) with respect to the Property Trustee to
Bankers Trust Company, Four Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000,
Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Group Public Utilities; (b) with respect
to the Delaware Trustee to Bankers Trust (Delaware), E.A. Delle Donne Corporate
Center, Xxxxxxxxxx Building, 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000,
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxx; (c) with respect to the Administrators, to them at the
address above for notices to the Depositor, marked "Attention: Office of the
Secretary"; and (d) with respect to the Issuer Trust, to c/o Equitable
Resources, Inc., 420 Boulevard of the Allies, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000,
Attention: office of the Secretary. Such notice, demand or other communication
to or upon the Issuer Trust or the Property Trustee shall be deemed to have been
sufficiently given or made only upon actual receipt of the writing by the Issuer
Trust, the Property Trustee, or such Administrator.
Section 10.9. Agreement Not to Petition
Each of the Issuer Trustees, the Administrators and the Depositor agree
for the benefit of the Holders that, until at least one year and one day after
the Issuer Trust has been terminated in accordance with Article IX, they shall
not file, or join in the filing of, a petition against the Issuer Trust under
any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law (including,
without limitation, the United States Bankruptcy Code) (collectively,
"Bankruptcy Laws") or otherwise join in the commencement of any proceeding
against the Issuer Trust under any Bankruptcy Law. In the event the Depositor
takes action in violation of this Section 10.9, the Property Trustee agrees, for
the benefit of Holders, that at the expense of the Depositor, it shall file an
answer with the bankruptcy court or otherwise properly contest the filing of
such petition by the Depositor against the Issuer Trust or the commencement of
such action and raise the defense that the Depositor has agreed in writing not
to take such action and should be estopped and precluded therefrom and such
other defenses, if any, as counsel for the Issuer Trustee or the Issuer Trust
may assert. If any Issuer Trustee or Administrator takes action in violation of
this Section 10.9, the Depositor agrees, for the benefit of the Holders, that at
the expense of the Depositor, it shall file an answer with the bankruptcy court
or otherwise properly contest the filing of such petition by such Person against
the Depositor or the commencement of such action and raise the defense that such
Person has agreed in writing not to take such action and should be estopped and
precluded therefrom and such other defenses, if any, as counsel for the Issuer
Trustee or the Issuer Trust may assert. The provisions of this Section 10.9
shall survive the termination of this Trust Agreement.
Section 10.10. Trust Indenture Act; Conflict with Trust Indenture Act
(a) Trust Indenture Act; Application. (i) This Trust Agreement is subject
to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be a part of
this Trust Agreement and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such
provisions; (ii) if and to the extent that any provision of this Trust Agreement
limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control; (iii)
for purposes of this Trust Agreement, the Property Trustee, to the extent
permitted by applicable law and/or the rules and regulations of the Commission,
shall be the only Issuer Trustee which is a trustee for the purposes of the
Trust Indenture Act; and (iv) the application of the Trust Indenture Act to this
Trust Agreement shall not affect the nature of the Capital Securities and the
Common Securities as equity securities representing undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Issuer Trust.
(b) Lists of Holders of Capital Securities. (i) Each of the Depositor and
the Administrators on behalf of the Trust shall provide the Property Trustee
with such information as is required under Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture
Act at the times and in the manner provided in Section 312(a) and (ii) the
Property Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Sections 310(b), 311
and 312(b)of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) Reports by the Property Trustee. Within 60 days after November 30 of
each year, the Property Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Trust
Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture
Act, if any, in the form, in the manner and at the times provided by Section 313
of the Trust Indenture Act. The Property Trustee shall also comply with the
requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(d) Periodic Reports to Property Trustee. Each of the Depositor and the
Administrators on behalf of the Issuer Trust shall provide to the Property
Trustee, the Commission and the Holders of the Trust Securities, as applicable,
such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314(a)(1) - (3)
(if any) of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance certificates required by
Section 314(a)(4) and (c) of the Trust Indenture Act (provided that any
certificate to be provided pursuant to Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture
Act shall be provided within 120 days of the end of each fiscal year of the
Issuer Trust).
(e) Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Each of the Depositor
and the Administrators on behalf of the Issuer Trust shall provide to the
Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if
any, provided for in this Trust Agreement which relate to any of the matters set
forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion
required to be given pursuant to Section 314(c) shall comply with Section 314(e)
of the Trust Indenture Act.
(f) Disclosure of Information. The disclosure of information as to the
names and addresses of the Holders of Trust Securities in accordance with
Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such
information was derived, shall not be deemed to be a violation of any existing
law or any law hereafter enacted which does not specifically refer to Section
312 of the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall the Property Trustee be held
accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under
Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 10.11. Acceptance of Terms of Trust Agreement, Guarantee and Indenture
THE RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE OF A TRUST SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN
BY OR ON BEHALF OF A HOLDER OR ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, WITHOUT ANY SIGNATURE OR
FURTHER MANIFESTATION OF ASSENT, SHALL CONSTITUTE THE UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE
BY THE HOLDER AND ALL OTHERS HAVING A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN SUCH TRUST SECURITY
OF ALL THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS TRUST AGREEMENT, THE GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
AND THE INDENTURE, AND THE AGREEMENT TO THE SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS AND OTHER
TERMS OF THE GUARANTEE AGREEMENT AND THE INDENTURE, AND SHALL CONSTITUTE THE
AGREEMENT OF THE ISSUER TRUST, SUCH HOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS THAT THE TERMS AND
PROVISIONS OF THIS TRUST AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING, OPERATIVE AND EFFECTIVE AS
BETWEEN THE ISSUER TRUST AND SUCH HOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS.
Section 10.12. Counterparts
This instrument may be executed in any number or counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
EQUITABLE RESOURCES, INC.,
as Depositor
By:___________________________________________
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Vice president - Finance and Treasurer
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Property Trustee, and
not in its individual capacity
By:___________________________________________
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Assistant Vice President
BANKERS TRUST (DELAWARE),
as Delaware Trustee, and not
in its individual capacity
By:__________________________________________
Name: M. Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Assistant Secretary
Agreed to and Accepted by,
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Administrator
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Administrator
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF LETTER OF REPRESENTATIONS
Exhibit C
THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE EXCEPT TO THE
DEPOSITOR OR AN AFFILIATE OF THE DEPOSITOR IN COMPLIANCE
WITH APPLICABLE LAW AND SECTION 5.11 OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT
Certificate Number Number of Common Securities
C-1 154,640
Certificate Evidencing Common Securities
of
Equitable Resources Capital Trust I
7.35% Common Securities
(liquidation amount $25 per Common Security)
Equitable Resources Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust created
under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Issuer Trust"), hereby certifies
that Equitable Resources, Inc. (the "Holder") is the registered owner of One
Hundred Fifty Four Thousand Six Hundred Forty (154,640) common securities of the
Issuer Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in assets of the Issuer
Trust and has designated the 7.35% Common Securities (liquidation amount $25 per
Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). Except in accordance with Section
5.11 of the Trust Agreement (as defined below) the Common Securities are not
transferable and any attempted transfer hereof other than in accordance
therewith shall be void. The designations, rights, privileges, restrictions,
preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities are set
forth in, and this certificate and the Common Securities represented hereby are
issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Issuer Trust, dated as of April 23,
1998, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust Agreement") among
Equitable Resources, Inc., as Depositor, Bankers Trust Company, as Property
Trustee, Bankers Trust (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, two individuals selected
by the holders of the Common Securities to act as administrators with respect to
the Issuer Trust (the "Administrators") and the holders of Trust Securities,
including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth
therein. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee Agreement entered
into by Equitable Resources, Inc., dated April 23, 1998 (the " Guarantee
Agreement"), to the extent provided therein. The Issuer Trust will furnish a
copy of the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee Agreement to the Holder without
charge upon written request to the Issuer Trust at its principal place of
business or registered office.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
Terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the
Trust Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, one of the Administrators of the Issuer Trust has
executed this certificate this 23rd day of April, 1998.
EQUITABLE RESOURCES CAPITAL TRUST I
By:_______________________________________
Name:
Administrator
Exhibit D
[IF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES CERTIFICATE IS TO BE A GLOBAL CAPITAL
SECURITIES CERTIFICATE, INSERT -- THIS CAPITAL SECURITIES CERTIFICATE IS A
GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITIES CERTIFICATE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR
CAPITAL SECURITIES CERTIFICATES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN
THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCE DESCRIBED IN THE
TRUST AGREEMENT AND 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, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE TRUST AGREEMENT.
UNLESS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"),
TO EQUITABLE RESOURCES CAPITAL TRUST I OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF
TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF SUCH NOMINEE AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO SUCH ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF
FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO A PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED
OWNER HEREOF, HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]
NO EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OR OTHER PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS
AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS
AMENDED (THE "CODE") (EACH, A "PLAN"), NO ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE
"PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY (A "PLAN ASSET
ENTITY"), AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY PLAN, MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD
THIS CAPITAL SECURITIES CERTIFICATE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASE
AND HOLDING IS COVERED BY THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION ("PTCE") 96-23, 95-60, 91-38,
90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE AND
HOLDING AND, IN THE CASE OF ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER RELYING ON ANY EXEMPTION
OTHER THAN PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14, HAS COMPLIED WITH ANY
REQUEST BY THE DEPOSITOR OR THE ISSUER TRUST FOR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER
EVIDENCE WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICABILITY OF SUCH EXEMPTION. ANY PURCHASER OR
HOLDER OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES CERTIFICATE OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE
DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING HEREOF THAT EITHER (A)
THE PURCHASER AND HOLDER ARE NOT A PLAN OR A PLAN ASSET ENTITY AND IS NOT
PURCHASING SUCH SECURITIES ON BEHALF OF OR WITH "PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY PLAN, OR
(B) THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES IS COVERED BY THE
EXEMPTIVE RELIEF PROVIDED BY PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER
APPLICABLE EXEMPTION.
CERTIFICATE NUMBER NUMBER OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
1 5,000,000
$125,000,000 AGGREGATE LIQUIDATION AMOUNT
CUSIP NO. 000000000
CERTIFICATE EVIDENCING CAPITAL SECURITIES OF
EQUITABLE RESOURCES CAPITAL TRUST I
7.35% CAPITAL SECURITIES
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $25 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
Equitable Resources Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust created
under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Issuer Trust"), hereby certifies
that Cede & Co. (the "Holder") is the registered owner of $125,000,000 in
aggregate liquidation amount of capital securities of the Issuer Trust
representing a preferred undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the
Issuer Trust and designated the Equitable Resources Capital Trust I 7.35%
Capital Securities (liquidation amount $25 per Capital Security) (the "Capital
Securities"). The Capital Securities are transferable on the books and records
of the Issuer Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender
of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer as provided in
Section 5.5 of the Trust Agreement (as defined below). The designations, rights,
privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the
Capital Securities are set forth in, and this certificate and the Capital
Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to
the terms and provisions of, the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the
Issuer Trust, dated as of April 23, 1998, as the same may be amended from time
to time (the "Trust Agreement"), among Equitable Resources, Inc., as Depositor,
Bankers Trust Company, as Property Trustee, Bankers Trust (Delaware), as
Delaware Trustee, two individuals selected by the holders of the Common
Securities to act as administrators with respect to the Issuer Trust (the
"Administrators") and the Holders of Trust Securities, including the designation
of the terms of the Capital Securities as set forth therein. The Holder is
entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee Agreement entered into by Equitable
Resources, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, and Bankers Trust Company, as
guarantee trustee, dated as of April 23, 1998 (the "Guarantee Agreement"), to
the extent provided therein. The Issuer Trust will furnish a copy of the Issuer
Trust Agreement and the Guarantee Agreement to the Holder without charge upon
written request to the Issuer Trust at its principal place of business or
registered office.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
Terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the
Trust Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, one of the Administrators of the Issuer Trust has
executed this certificate this 23rd day of April, 1998.
EQUITABLE RESOURCES CAPITAL TRUST I
By:_________________________________________
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Administrator
AUTHENTICATED, COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Property Trustee
By:_________________________________________
Name:
Authorized Officer
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Capital
Security to:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert address and zip code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoints ______________________________________________________
agent to transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Issuer
Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:______________ Signature:________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other
side of this Capital Security Certificate)
The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution
(banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with
membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to
SEC Rule 17Ad-15.
Exhibit E
[FORM OF EXPENSE AGREEMENT]
AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES
AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES, dated as of April 23, 1998,
between Equitable Resources, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, as Depositor (the
"Depositor"), and Equitable Resources Capital Trust I, a Delaware business trust
(the "Issuer Trust").
WHEREAS, the Issuer Trust intends to issue its Common Securities (the
"Common Securities") to and acquire Debentures from the Depositor, and to issue
and sell 7.35% Capital Securities, (the "Capital Securities") with such powers,
preferences and special rights and restrictions as are set forth in the Amended
and Restated Trust Agreement of the Issuer Trust, dated as of April 23, 1998,
among Equitable Resources, Inc., as Depositor, Bankers Trust Company, as
Property Trustee, Bankers Trust (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, two individuals
selected by holders of the Common Securities to act as administrators with
respect to the Issuer Trust (the "Administrators"), and holders of the Trust
Securities, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust
Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Depositor will own all of the Common Securities of the
Trust;
WHEREAS, capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the
meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I.
SECTION 1.1. Guarantee by the Depositor. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, the Depositor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
guarantees to each person or entity to whom the Issuer Trust is now or hereafter
becomes indebted or liable (the "Beneficiaries") the full payment, when and as
due, of any and all Obligations (as hereinafter defined) to such Beneficiaries.
As used herein, "Obligations" means any costs, expenses or liabilities of the
Issuer Trust, other than obligations of the Issuer Trust to pay to holders of
any Trust Securities the amounts due such holders pursuant to the terms of the
Trust Securities. This Agreement is intended to be for the benefit of, and to be
enforceable by, all such Beneficiaries, whether or not such Beneficiaries have
received notice hereof.
Section 1.2. Subordination of Guarantee. The guarantee and other
liabilities and obligations of the Depositor under this Agreement shall
constitute unsecured obligations of the Depositor and shall rank subordinate and
junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the
Indenture) of the Depositor to the extent and in the manner set forth in the
Indenture with respect to the Debentures, and the provisions of Article XIII of
the Indenture will apply, mutatis mutandis, to the obligations of the Depositor
hereunder. The obligations of the Depositor hereunder do not constitute Senior
Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) of the Depositor.
Section 1.3. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate and be of no
further force and effect upon the dissolution of the Issuer Trust, provided,
however, that this Agreement shall continue to be effective or shall be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of Capital Securities
or any Beneficiary must restore payment of any sums paid under the Capital
Securities, under any Obligation, under the Guarantee Agreement dated the date
hereof by the Depositor and Bankers Trust Company, as guarantee trustee, or
under this Agreement for any reason whatsoever. This Agreement is continuing,
irrevocable, unconditional and absolute.
Section 1.4. Waiver of Notice. The Depositor hereby waives notice of
acceptance of this Agreement and of any Obligation to which it applies or may
apply, and the Depositor hereby waives presentment, demand for payment, protest,
notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other
notices and demands
Section 1.5. No Impairment. The obligations, covenants, agreements and
duties of the Depositor under this Agreement shall in no way be affected or
impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer Trust of all or any
portion of the Obligations or for the performance of any other obligation under,
arising out of, or in connection with, the Obligations;
(b) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the
Beneficiaries to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or
remedy conferred on the Beneficiaries with respect to the Obligations or any
action on the part of the Issuer Trust granting indulgence or extension of any
kind; or
(c) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer Trust or any of the assets of
the Issuer Trust (other than the dissolution of the Issuer Trust in accordance
with the terms thereof).
There shall be no obligation of the Beneficiaries to give notice to, or
obtain the consent of, the Depositor with respect to the happening or any of the
foregoing.
Section 1.6. Enforcement. A Beneficiary may enforce this Agreement directly
against the Depositor and the Depositor waives any right or remedy to require
that any action be brought against the Issuer Trust or any other person or
entity before proceeding against the Depositor.
Section 1.7. Subrogation. The Depositor shall be subrogated to all rights
(if any) of any Beneficiary against the Issuer Trust in respect of any amounts
paid to the Beneficiaries by the Depositor under this Agreement; provided,
however, that the Depositor shall not (except to the extent required by
mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights that
it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Agreement, if, at the
time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Agreement or
any payments are due to the holders of Capital Securities under the Trust
Agreement.
ARTICLE II.
SECTION 2.1. Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party
hereto without the consent of the other, and any purported assignment without
such consent shall be void; except that upon any transfer of the Common
Securities, this Agreement shall be assigned and delegated by the Depositor to
its successor with such transfer without any action by either party hereto.
Section 2.2. Binding Effect. All guarantees and agreements contained in
this Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Depositor and shall inure to the benefit of the
Beneficiaries.
Section 2.3. Amendment. So long as there remains any Beneficiary or any
Capital Securities are outstanding, this Agreement shall not be modified or
amended in any manner adverse to such Beneficiary or to the holders of the
Capital Securities without the consent of such Beneficiary or the holders of the
Capital Securities, as the case may be.
Section 2.4. Notices. Any notice, request or other communication required
or permitted to be given hereunder shall be given in writing by delivering the
same against receipt therefor by facsimile transmission (confirmed by mail),
telex or by registered or certified mail, addressed as follows (and if so given,
shall be deemed given when mailed or upon receipt of an answer-back, if sent by
telex):
Equitable Resources Capital Trust I
c/o Bankers Trust Company
Four Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Group
With a copy to:
Equitable Resources, Inc.
420 Boulevard of the Allies
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Secretary
Section 2.5. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
THIS AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above written.
EQUITABLE RESOURCES, INC.
By:_______________________________________
Name:
Title:
EQUITABLE RESOURCES CAPITAL TRUST I
By:_______________________________________
Name:
Administrator
