EXHIBIT 4.6
[EXECUTION COPY]
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GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
PROVIDIAN BANCORP, INC.
(AS GUARANTOR)
AND
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
(AS TRUSTEE)
DATED AS OF
FEBRUARY 4, 1997
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS....................................... 1
Section 1.1. Definitions....................................... 1
ARTICLE II. TRUST INDENTURE ACT............................... 3
Section 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application.................. 3
Section 2.2. List of Holders................................... 3
Section 2.3. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee.................. 3
Section 2.4. Periodic Reports to the Guarantee Trustee......... 4
Section 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.. 4
Section 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver......................... 4
Section 2.7. Event of Default; Notice.......................... 4
Section 2.8. Conflicting Interests............................. 4
ARTICLE III. POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE 4
Section 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee........ 4
Section 3.2. Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee............... 6
Section 3.3. Compensation; Indemnity; Fees..................... 7
ARTICLE IV. GUARANTEE TRUSTEE................................. 7
Section 4.1. Guarantee Trustee: Eligibility.................... 7
Section 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the
Guarantee Trustee........................... 8
ARTICLE V. GUARANTEE......................................... 8
Section 5.1. Guarantee......................................... 8
Section 5.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand....................... 8
Section 5.3. Obligations Not Affected.......................... 8
Section 5.4. Rights of Holders................................. 9
Section 5.5. Guarantee of Payment.............................. 9
Section 5.6. Subrogation....................................... 9
Section 5.7. Independent Obligations........................... 10
ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION....................... 10
Section 6.1. Subordination..................................... 10
Section 6.2. Pari Passu Guarantees............................. 10
ARTICLE VII. TERMINATION....................................... 10
Section 7.1. Termination....................................... 10
ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS..................................... 10
Section 8.1. Successors and Assigns............................ 10
Section 8.2. Amendments........................................ 11
Section 8.3. Notices........................................... 11
Section 8.4. Benefit........................................... 12
Section 8.5. Interpretation.................................... 12
Section 8.6. Governing Law..................................... 12
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of February 4, 1997, is executed and
delivered by PROVIDIAN BANCORP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor")
having its principal office at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx
00000, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the
"Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from
time to time of the Capital Securities (as defined herein) of Providian Capital
I, a Delaware statutory business trust (the "Issuer").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of
February 4, 1997 (the "Trust Agreement"), among the Guarantor, as Depositor, the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee named therein and the Holders from
time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the
Issuer is issuing $160,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount (as defined in the
Trust Agreement) of its 9.525% Capital Securities, Series A, (Liquidation Amount
$1,000 per capital security) (the "Capital Securities") representing preferred
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer and having the terms
set forth in the Trust Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Capital Securities will be issued by the Issuer and the
proceeds thereof, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the Issuer's
Common Securities (as defined below), will be used to purchase the Debentures
(as defined in the Trust Agreement) of the Guarantor which will be deposited
with The Bank of New York, as Property Trustee under the Trust Agreement, as
trust assets; and
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase Capital Securities, the
Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set
forth herein, to pay to the Holders of the Capital Securities the Guarantee
Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and
conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of Capital
Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the
Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for the
benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Capital Securities.
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Definitions.
As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the terms set forth below shall,
unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings. Capitalized
or otherwise defined terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Agreement as in effect on the date
hereof.
"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.
"Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Guarantor
or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder.
"Common Securities" means the securities representing common undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.
"Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment
or other obligations under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that,
except with respect to a default in payment of any Guarantee Payments, the
Guarantor shall have received notice of default and shall not have cured such
default within 60 days after receipt of such notice.
"Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without
duplication, with respect to the Capital Securities, to the extent not paid or
made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as
defined in the Trust Agreement) required to be paid on the Capital Securities,
to the extent the Issuer shall have funds on hand available therefor at such
time; (ii) the redemption price, including all accumulated and unpaid
Distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price"), with respect
to any Capital Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, to the extent the
Issuer shall have funds on hand available therefor at such time; and (iii) upon
a voluntary or involuntary termination, winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer,
unless Debentures are distributed to the Holders, the lesser of (a) the
aggregate amount of the Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per Capital Security plus
accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the Capital Securities to the date of
payment plus any accrued but unpaid premium and (b) the amount of assets of the
Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the
Issuer (in either case, the "Liquidation Distribution").
"Guarantee Trustee" means The Bank of New York, until a Successor Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the
terms of this Guarantee Agreement, and thereafter means each such Successor
Guarantee Trustee.
"Holder" means any holder, as registered on the books and records of the
Issuer, of any Capital Securities; provided, however, that in determining
whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Capital Securities have given
any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not include the
Guarantor, the Guarantee Trustee, or any Affiliate of the Guarantor or the
Guarantee Trustee.
"Indenture" means the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of February 4,
1997, as supplemented and amended, between the Guarantor and The Bank of New
York, as trustee.
"List of Holders" has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).
"Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities" means, except as
provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by the Holder(s), voting separately
as a class, of more than 50% of the Liquidation Amount of all then outstanding
Capital Securities issued by the Issuer.
"Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate
signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer,
the President, the Chief Administrative Officer or a Vice President of such
Person, and by the Senior Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant
Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person, and, in each
case including any other officers of such Person performing the same or similar
duties, and delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any Officers' Certificate
delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for
in this Guarantee Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate 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 each officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;
(c) a statement that each 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 officer, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof or any other entity of whatever nature.
"Responsible Officer" means, when used with respect to the Guarantee
Trustee, 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 Guarantee Trustee
customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above
designated officers, 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.
"Rule 144A Information" shall be such information with respect to the
Guarantor or the Issuer as is specified pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act (or any successor provisions thereto).
"Successor Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Guarantee Trustee
possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
ARTICLE II. TRUST INDENTURE ACT
Section 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application.
(a) The Trust Indenture Act shall apply as a matter of contract to this
Trust Agreement for purposes of interpretation, construction and defining the
rights and obligations hereunder and this Guarantee Agreement, the Guarantor and
the Guarantee Trustee shall be deemed for all purposes hereof to be subject to
and governed by the Trust Indenture Act, except as provided in Section 2.4.
(b) Except as provided in Section 2.4, if and to the extent that any
provision of this Guarantee Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with the
duties imposed by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture
Act, such imposed duties shall control.
Section 2.2. List of Holders.
(a) The Guarantor shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Guarantee
Trustee (a) semiannually, on or before February 1 and August 1 of each year, a
list, in such form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names
and addresses of the Holders ("List of Holders") as of a date not more than 15
days prior to the delivery thereof, and (b) at such other times as the Guarantee
Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the
Guarantor of any such request, a List of Holders as of a date not more than 15
days prior to the time such list is furnished, in each case to the extent such
information is in the possession or control of the Guarantor and is not
identical to a previously supplied list of Holders or has not otherwise been
received by the Guarantee Trustee in its capacity as such. The Guarantee Trustee
may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List
of Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section
311(a), Section 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 2.3. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee.
Not later than 60 days after December 31 of each year, commencing 60 days
after December 31, 1997, the Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders such
reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in
the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act.
The Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d)
of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 2.4. Periodic Reports to the Guarantee Trustee.
The Guarantor shall only be required to provide to the Guarantee Trustee
the compliance certificates required by Section 314(a)(3) of the Trust Indenture
Act. Upon the request of a Holder or beneficial owner of a Security, the
Guarantor or the Issuer shall promptly furnish Rule 144A Information, or cause
such information to be furnished, to such Holder or beneficial owner or to a
prospective purchaser of such Security designated by such
Holder or beneficial owner in order to permit compliance by such Holder or
beneficial owner with Rule 144A under the Securities Act in connection with the
resale of such Security by such Holder or beneficial owner.
Section 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of
compliance with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this
Guarantee Agreement that 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 by an officer of the Guarantor pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given
in the form of an Officers' Certificate.
Section 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver.
The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities
may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders, waive any past default or Event of
Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such default or Event of
Default shall cease to exist, and any default or Event of Default arising
therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent therefrom.
Section 2.7. Event of Default; Notice.
(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an
Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders,
notices of all Events of Default known to the Guarantee Trustee, unless such
Events of Default have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided,
that, except in the case of a default in the payment of a Guarantee Payment, the
Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long
as the Board of Directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of
directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith
determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any
Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer charged with the administration of
this Guarantee Agreement shall have obtained written notice, of such Event of
Default.
Section 2.8. Conflicting Interests.
The Trust Agreement and the Indenture shall be deemed to be specifically
described in this Guarantee Agreement for the purposes of clause (i) of the
first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
ARTICLE III. POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Section 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.
(a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the
benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this
Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her rights
pursuant to Section 5.4(iv) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by
such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor
Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall
automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, upon acceptance by such
Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment hereunder, and such vesting and
cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have
been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor
Guarantee Trustee.
(b) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee
Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.
(c) The Guarantee 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
Guarantee Agreement including pursuant to Section 2.1, and no implied covenants
shall be read into this Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee. In
case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived
pursuant to Section 2.6), the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the
rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee 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 Guarantee Agreement shall be construed to relieve
the Guarantee 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 Guarantee Trustee shall be
determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee
Agreement including pursuant to Section 2.1, and the Guarantee Trustee
shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and
obligations as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement;
and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee
Trustee, the Guarantee 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 Guarantee
Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Guarantee
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 Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee
Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether
or not they conform to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement;
(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee was negligent
in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;
(iii) the Guarantee 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 not less than 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 Guarantee
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee
Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and
(iv) no provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall require the
Guarantee 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 Guarantee Trustee shall
have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or
liability is not assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee Agreement
or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not
assured to it.
Section 3.2. Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:
(i) The Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully
protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be
genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or
parties.
(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this
Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers'
Certificate unless otherwise prescribed herein.
(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement, the
Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or
established before taking, suffering or omitting to take any action
hereunder, the Guarantee 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.
(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with legal counsel, and the
advice or opinion of such legal counsel with respect to legal matters shall
be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action
taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in
accordance with such advice or opinion. Such legal counsel may be legal
counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may be one of its
employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek
instructions concerning the administration of this Guarantee Agreement from
any court of competent jurisdiction.
(v) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement at the
request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided
to the Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity satisfactory to it,
against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) and
liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or
direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the
Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section
3.2(a)(v) shall be taken to relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights
and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement.
(vi) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any
investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its
discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts
or matters as it may see fit.
(vii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
its agents or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible
for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney
appointed with due care by it hereunder.
(viii) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement the
Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with
respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action
hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request and shall be entitled to
receive instructions from the Holders, (B) may refrain from enforcing such
remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are
received, and (C) shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with
such instructions.
(b) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to impose any
duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee 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 Guarantee 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 the Guarantee Trustee
shall be construed to be a duty to act in accordance with such power and
authority.
Section 3.3. Compensation; Indemnity; Fees.
The Guarantor agrees:
(a) to pay to the Guarantee Trustee from time to time reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as may be agreed by the
Guarantor and the Guarantee Trustee 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) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
Guarantee Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and
advances incurred or made by the Guarantee Trustee in accordance with any
provision of this Guarantee 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 its negligence or bad
faith; and
(c) to indemnify the Guarantee Trustee and its directors, officers, agents
and employees for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or
expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Guarantee
Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration
of this Guarantee Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending
itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Guarantee Trustee will
not claim or exact any lien or charge on any Guarantee Payments as a result of
any amount due to it under this Guarantee Agreement.
The provisions of this Section 3.3 shall survive the termination of this
Guarantee Agreement or the earlier resignation or removal of the Guarantee
Trustee.
ARTICLE IV. GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Section 4.1. Guarantee Trustee: Eligibility.
(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and
(ii) be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act
to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000, and shall be a corporation meeting the requirements of Section
310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. If such corporation publishes reports of
condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the
supervising or examining authority, then, for the purposes of this Section
and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined
capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined
capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
published.
(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so
act under Section 4.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the
manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).
(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions
of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee
Trustee.
(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or
removed without cause at any time by the action of (i) if an Issuer Trust
Default has not occurred or has occurred and is not continuing the holders of a
majority (based on Liquidation Amounts) of the outstanding Common Securities or
if (ii) (x) an Issuer Trust Default has occurred and is continuing, or (y) for
cause, the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed until a Successor Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written
instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the
Guarantor. The Successor Guarantee Trustee shall be appointed by the same action
which removed the Guarantee Trustee.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed hereunder shall hold office until a
Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or
resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for
prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the
Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not
take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed by the
holders of a majority (based on Liquidation Amounts) of the outstanding Common
Securities (or if an Issuer Trust Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities) and has
accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor
Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee
Trustee.
(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and
accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after
delivery to the Holders and the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the
resigning Guarantee Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Guarantor, any
court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee
Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it
may deem proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.
ARTICLE V. GUARANTEE
Section 5.1. Guarantee.
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees, subject to Section
6.1, to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication
of amounts theretofore paid by or on behalf of the Issuer), as and when due,
regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the Issuer may
have or assert other than the defense of payment. The Guarantor's obligation to
make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required
amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such
amounts to the Holders. The Guarantor shall notify the Guarantee Trustee of any
such payment.
Section 5.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand.
The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of the Guarantee Agreement
and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for
payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Guarantee Trustee,
Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest,
notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other
notices and demands.
Section 5.3. Obligations Not Affected.
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under
this Guarantee 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 release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Capital Securities to be performed
or observed by the Issuer;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
portion of the Distributions (other than an extension of time for payment of
Distributions that results from the extension of any interest payment period on
the Debentures as provided in the Indenture), Redemption Price, Liquidation
Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Capital Securities
or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under,
arising out of, or in connection with, the Capital Securities;
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the
Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Capital Securities, or any
action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;
(d) 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 or any of the assets of the
Issuer;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Capital Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or
hereby incurred; or
(g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a
legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor (other than payment of
the underlying obligation), it being the intent of this Section 5.3 that the
obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under
any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain the
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.
Section 5.4. Rights of Holders.
The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that: (i) this Guarantee Agreement
will be deposited with the Guarantee Trustee to be held for the benefit of the
Holders; (ii) the Guarantee Trustee has the right to enforce this Guarantee
Agreement on behalf of the Holders; (iii) the Holders of not less than a
Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee Agreement or
exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this
Guarantee Agreement; and (iv) any Holder may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Guarantee
Agreement, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer or
any other Person.
Section 5.5. Guarantee of Payment.
This Guarantee Agreement creates a guarantee of payment and not of
collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not be discharged except by payment of
the Guarantee Payments in full (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid
by the Issuer) or upon distribution of Debentures to Holders as provided in the
Trust Agreement.
Section 5.6. Subrogation.
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders
against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to the Holders by the
Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that the Guarantor
shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be
entitled to enforce or exercise any rights which it may acquire by way of
subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as
a result of payment under this Guarantee Agreement, if, at the time of any such
payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee Agreement. If any
amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence,
the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay
over such amount to the Holders.
Section 5.7. Independent Obligations.
The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent
of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Capital Securities and that
the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make
Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement
notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a)
through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.
ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION
Section 6.1. Subordination.
The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement will
constitute unsecured obligations of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and
junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the
Indenture) to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Indenture and the
provisions of Article XIII of the Indenture will apply mutatis mutandis to the
obligations of the Guarantor hereunder. The obligations of the Guarantor under
this Guarantee Agreement do not constitute Senior Indebtedness (as defined in
the Indenture) of the Guarantor.
Section 6.2. Pari Passu Guarantees.
The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement shall rank
pari passu with the obligations of the Guarantor under (i) any similar guarantee
agreements issued by the Guarantor on behalf of the holders of preferred or
capital securities issued by any Providian Trust (as defined in the Indenture),
(ii) the Indenture and the Securities (as defined therein) issued thereunder,
and (iii) any other security, guarantee or other agreement or obligation that is
expressly stated to rank pari passu with the obligations of the Guarantor under
this Guarantee Agreement or with any obligation that ranks pari passu with the
obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement.
ARTICLE VII. TERMINATION
Section 7.1. Termination.
This Guarantee Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and
effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Capital Securities,
(ii) the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for all of the
Capital Securities or (iii) full payment of the amounts payable in accordance
with the Trust Agreement upon liquidation of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, this Guarantee Agreement will continue to be effective or will be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder must repay any sums
paid with respect to Capital Securities or this Guarantee Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1. Successors and Assigns.
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee Agreement shall
bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the
Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Capital
Securities then outstanding. Except in connection with a consolidation, merger
or sale involving the Guarantor that is permitted under Article VIII of the
Indenture and pursuant to which the successor or assignee agrees in writing to
perform the Guarantor's obligations hereunder, the Guarantor shall not assign
its obligations hereunder and any purported assignment other than in accordance
with this provision shall be void.
Section 8.2. Amendments.
Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the rights
of the Holders in any material respect (in which case no consent of the Holders
will be required), this Guarantee Agreement may only be amended with the prior
approval of the Holders of not less than a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the
Capital Securities. The provisions of Article VI of the Trust Agreement
concerning meetings of the Holders shall apply to the giving of such approval.
Section 8.3. Notices.
Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such
notice, and delivered, telecopied (confirmed by delivery of the original) or
mailed by first class mail as follows:
(a) if given to the Guarantor, to the address set forth below or such other
address, facsimile number or to the attention of such other Person as the
Guarantor may give notice to the Holders:
Providian Bancorp, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: 000 000-0000
Attention: Secretary
(b) if given to the Guarantee Trustee or the Issuer, in care of the
Guarantee Trustee, at the Issuer's (and the Guarantee Trustee's) address set
forth below or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the
Issuer may give notice to the Holders:
Providian Capital I
c/o Providian Bancorp, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: 000 000-0000
Attention: Secretary
and:
The Bank of New York
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: 000 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Guarantee Trustee
The Bank of New York
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: 000 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
(c) if given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the books and
records of the Issuer.
All notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery
or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was
given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on
the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.
Section 8.4. Benefit.
This Guarantee Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Holders and is
not separately transferable from the Capital Securities.
Section 8.5. Interpretation.
In this Guarantee Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Guarantee Agreement but not defined in
the preamble hereto have the respective meanings assigned to them in Section
1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the same
meaning throughout;
(c) all references to "the Guarantee Agreement" or "this Guarantee
Agreement" are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented or amended
from time to time;
(d) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and Sections are
to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise specified;
(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when
used in this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee
Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;
(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and
(g) the masculine, feminine or neuter genders used herein shall include the
masculine, feminine and neuter genders.
Section 8.6. Governing Law.
THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD
TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
This instrument may be executed in any number of 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.
THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above
written.
PROVIDIAN BANCORP, INC.
By: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President and
Senior Financial Officer
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
as Guarantee Trustee
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Assistant Vice President
