DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
4.1
THIS
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, dated as of September 25, 2007, is entered into by and among
XXXXXXXXXX REALTY INVESTORS, a Texas real estate investment trust (the
"Company"), Mellon Investor Services LLC ("MIS"), as Depositary,
and all holders from time to time of Receipts (as hereinafter defined) issued
hereunder.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,
it is desired to provide, as hereinafter set forth in this Deposit Agreement
for
the deposit of the Company's Preferred Shares (as hereinafter defined) with
the
Depositary for the purposes set forth in this Deposit Agreement and for the
issuance hereunder of the Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares representing
a
fractional interest in the Preferred Shares deposited; and
WHEREAS,
the Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit B annexed to
this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and
omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises contained herein, it is agreed
by
and among the parties hereto as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
The
following definitions shall apply to the respective terms (in the singular
and
plural forms of such terms) used in this Deposit Agreement and the
Receipts:
SECTION
1.01. "Amendment
to the Declaration" shall mean the Statement of Designation to the
Declaration of Trust of the Company, as amended from time to time, establishing
the Adjustable Rate Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of the
Company.
SECTION
1.02. "Common
Shares" shall mean the Company's Common Shares, $0.03 par value per
share.
SECTION
1.03. "Company"
shall mean Xxxxxxxxxx Realty Investors, a Texas real estate investment trust,
and its successors.
SECTION
1.04. "Declaration
of Trust" shall mean the Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended from time
to time, of the Company.
SECTION
1.05. "Deposit
Agreement" shall mean this agreement, as the same may be amended, modified
or supplemented from time to time.
SECTION
1.06. "Depositary"
shall mean Mellon Investor Services LLC ("MIS") having its principal
office in the United States.
SECTION
1.07. "Depositary
Share" shall mean a fractional interest of 1/100 of a Preferred Share
deposited with the Depositary hereunder and the same proportionate interest
in
any and all other property received by the Depositary in respect of such
Preferred Share and held under this Deposit Agreement, all as evidenced by
the
Receipts issued hereunder. Subject to the terms of this Deposit
Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Share is entitled, proportionately, to
all
the rights, preferences and privileges of the Preferred Share represented by
such Depositary Share, including the dividend, voting, redemption, conversion
and liquidation rights contained in the Statement of Designation to the
Declaration of Trust.
SECTION
1.08. "Depositary's
Agent" shall mean an agent appointed by the Depositary as provided, and for
the purposes specified, in Section 7.05.
SECTION
1.09. "Office"
shall mean the office of the Depositary at which at any particular time its
business in respect of matters governed by this Deposit Agreement shall be
administered, which at the date of this Deposit Agreement is located at Newport
Office Center VII, 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000.
SECTION
1.10. "Preferred
Shares" shall mean the Company's Adjustable Rate Series G Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Shares, $0.03 par value per share, heretofore validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and as more fully described in Exhibit
A hereto.
SECTION
1.11. "Receipt"
shall mean a Depositary Receipt issued hereunder to evidence one or more
Depositary Shares, whether in definitive or temporary form, substantially in
the
form set forth as Exhibit B hereto, and as more fully described in
Exhibit A hereto.
SECTION
1.12. "record
date" shall mean the date fixed pursuant to Section 4.04.
SECTION
1.13. "record
holder" or "holder" as applied to a Receipt shall mean the person in whose
name a Receipt is registered on the books maintained by the Depositary for
such
purpose.
SECTION
1.14. "Registrar"
shall mean MIS.
SECTION
1.15. "Securities
Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
SECTION
1.16. "Transfer
Agent" shall mean MIS, who has been appointed to transfer the Receipts or
the deposited Preferred Shares, as the case may be, as herein
provided.
ARTICLE
II
FORM
OF
RECEIPTS; DEPOSIT OF PREFERRED SHARES; EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER,
SURRENDER AND REDEMPTION OF RECEIPTS
SECTION
2.01. Form
and Transferability of Receipts. (a) Definitive
Receipts shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B
annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions,
modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided. Pending the
preparation of definitive Receipts, the Depositary, upon the written order
of
the Company, delivered in compliance with Section 2.02, shall execute and
deliver temporary Receipts which
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may
be
printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise substantially
of
the tenor of the definitive Receipts in lieu of which they are issued and with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations
as
the persons executing such Receipts may determine, as evidenced by their
execution of such Receipts. If temporary Receipts are issued, the
Company will cause definitive Receipts to be prepared without unreasonable
delay. After the preparation of definitive Receipts, the temporary
Receipts shall be exchangeable for definitive Receipts upon surrender of the
temporary Receipts at the Office or such other offices, if any, as the
Depositary may designate, without charge to the holder. Upon
surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Receipts, the Depositary
shall execute and deliver in exchange therefor definitive Receipts representing
the same number of Depositary Shares as represented by the surrendered temporary
Receipt or Receipts. Such exchange shall be made at the Company's
expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the
temporary Receipts shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under
this Deposit Agreement, and with respect to the Preferred Shares deposited,
as
definitive Receipts.
(b) Receipts
shall be executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of
a
duly authorized signatory of the Depositary, provided that if a Registrar
(other than the Depositary) shall have been appointed then such Receipts shall
also be countersigned by manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized
signatory of the Registrar. No Receipt shall be entitled to any
benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose
unless it shall have been executed as provided in the preceding
sentence. The Depositary shall record on its books each Receipt
executed as provided above and delivered as hereinafter provided. The
Company hereby appoints the Depositary to act as the depositary for the Company
in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Depositary hereby
accepts such appointment.
(c) Except
as
the Depositary may otherwise determine, Receipts shall be in denominations
of
any number of whole Depositary Shares. All Receipts shall be dated
the date of their issuance.
(d) Receipts
may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends
or
recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit
Agreement as may be required by the Depositary or required to comply with any
applicable law or regulation or with the rules and regulations of any securities
exchange upon which the Preferred Shares, the Depositary Shares or the Receipts
may be listed or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate
any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts are
subject.
(e) Title
to
any Receipt (and the beneficial ownership of the Depositary Shares evidenced
by
such Receipt) that is properly endorsed or accompanied by a properly executed
instrument of transfer or endorsement shall be transferable by delivery with
the
same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument; provided,
however, that until a Receipt shall be transferred on the books of
the
Depositary as provided in Section 2.04, the Depositary may, notwithstanding
any
notice to the contrary, treat the record holder thereof at such time as the
absolute owner thereof for all purposes, including without limitation, for
the
purpose of determining the person entitled to (i) distribution of dividends
or
other distributions, (ii) the
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exercise
of any redemption or voting rights or (iii) any notice provided for in this
Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes.
SECTION
2.02. Deposit
of Preferred Shares; Execution and Delivery of Receipts in Respect
Thereof. (a) Concurrently with the execution of this
Deposit Agreement, the Company is delivering to the Depositary a certificate
or
certificates, registered in the name of the Depositary and evidencing 80,000
Preferred Shares, properly endorsed or accompanied, if required by the
Depositary, by a duly executed instrument of transfer or endorsement, in form
satisfactory to the Depositary, together with (i) all such certifications and
other documents as may be required by the Depositary in accordance with the
provisions of this Deposit Agreement and (ii) a written order of the Company
directing the Depositary to execute and deliver to, or upon the written order
of, the person or persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the
Depositary Shares representing such deposited Preferred Shares. The
Depositary acknowledges receipt of the deposited Preferred Shares and related
documentation and agrees to hold such deposited Preferred Shares in an account
to be established by the Depositary at the Office or at such
other office as the Depositary shall determine. The
Company hereby appoints the Depositary as the Company's Registrar and Transfer
Agent for the Preferred Shares deposited hereunder, and the Depositary hereby
accepts such appointment and, as such, will reflect changes in the number of
deposited Preferred Shares (including any fractional shares) held by it by
notation, book-entry or other appropriate method.
(b) If
required by the Depositary, Preferred Shares presented for deposit by the
Company at any time, whether or not the register of shareholders of the Company
is closed, shall also be accompanied by an agreement or assignment, or other
instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, that will provide for the prompt
transfer to the Depositary or its nominee of any dividend or any right to
subscribe for additional Preferred Shares or to receive other property that
any
person in whose name the Preferred Shares is or has been registered may
thereafter receive upon or in respect of such deposited Preferred Shares, or
in
lieu thereof such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be
satisfactory to the Depositary.
(c) Upon
receipt by the Depositary of a certificate or certificates for Preferred Shares
deposited hereunder, together with the other documents specified above, and
upon
registering such Preferred Shares in the name of the Depositary, the Depositary,
subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall execute
and
deliver to, or upon the order of, the person or persons in the written order
delivered to the Depositary referred to in the first paragraph of this Section
2.02, a Receipt or Receipts for the number of whole Depositary Shares
representing the Preferred Shares so deposited and registered in such name
or as
may be requested in writing by such person or persons. The Depositary
shall execute and deliver such Receipt or Receipts at the Office, except that,
at the request, risk and expense of any person requesting such delivery, such
delivery may be made at such other place as may be designated in writing by
such
person.
(d) Other
than in the case of splits, combinations or other reclassifications affecting
the Preferred Shares, or in the case of dividends or other distributions of
Preferred Shares, if any, there shall be deposited hereunder not more than
the
number of Preferred Shares as set forth in a written order delivered by the
Company, as such may be amended.
4
(e) The
Company shall deliver to the Depositary from time to time such quantities of
Receipts as the Depositary may request to enable the Depositary to perform
its
obligations under this Deposit Agreement.
(f) The
Company shall deliver to the Depositary the documentation and notifications
listed in Exhibit C hereto with respect to the Preferred Shares and the
Receipts according to the requirements set forth therein.
SECTION
2.03. Optional
Redemption of Preferred Shares For Cash. (a) Whenever
the Company shall elect to redeem deposited Preferred Shares for cash, it shall
(unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Depositary) give the Depositary
not
less than 30 days' prior written notice of the date of such proposed redemption
and of the number of such Preferred Shares held by the Depositary to be redeemed
and the applicable redemption price, including the amount, if any, of accrued
and unpaid dividends to the date of such redemption. The Depositary
shall mail, first-class postage prepaid, notice of the redemption of Preferred
Shares and the proposed simultaneous redemption of the Depositary Shares
representing the Preferred Shares to be redeemed, not less than 30 and not
more
than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of such Preferred Shares
and
Depositary Shares (the "cash redemption date"), to the holders of record on
the
record date fixed for such redemption pursuant to Section 4.04 of the Receipts
evidencing the Depositary Shares to be so redeemed, at the addresses of such
holders as the same appear on the records of the Depositary; but neither failure
to mail any such notice to one or more such holders nor any defect in any such
notice shall affect the sufficiency of the proceedings for redemption as to
other holders. The Company shall provide the Depositary with such
notice, and each such notice shall state: the cash redemption date;
the cash redemption price; the number of deposited Preferred Shares and
Depositary Shares to be redeemed; if fewer than all the Depositary Shares held
by any holder are to be redeemed, the number of such Depositary Shares held
by
such holder to be so redeemed; the place or places where Receipts evidencing
Depositary Shares to be redeemed are to be surrendered for payment of the cash
redemption price; and that from and after the cash redemption date dividends
in
respect of the Preferred Shares represented by the Depositary Shares to be
redeemed will cease to accrue. If fewer than all the outstanding
Depositary Shares are to be redeemed the Depositary Shares to be redeemed shall
be selected by lot. In selecting the Depositary Shares to redeemed by
lot, the Company will conduct a lottery to determine which Depositary Shares
will be redeemed and will communicate the results of such lottery to the
Depositary. The Company shall also cause notice of redemption to be
published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York at
least
once a week for two successive weeks commencing not less than 30 days nor more
than 60 days prior to the cash redemption date.
(b) In
the
event that notice of redemption has been made as described in Section 2.03(a)
and the Company shall then have paid in full to the Depositary the cash
redemption price of the Preferred Shares deposited with the Depositary to be
redeemed (including any accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption),
the Depositary shall redeem the number of Depositary Shares representing such
Preferred Shares so called for redemption by the Company and from and after
the
cash redemption date (unless the Company shall have failed to redeem the
Preferred Shares to be redeemed by it as set forth in the Company's notice
provided for in Section 2.03(a)), all dividends in respect of the Preferred
Shares called for redemption shall cease to accrue, the Depositary Shares called
for redemption
5
shall
be
deemed no longer to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of Receipts
evidencing such Depositary Shares (except the right to receive the cash
redemption price and any money or other property to which holders of such
Receipts were entitled upon such redemption) shall, to the extent of such
Depositary Shares, cease and terminate. Upon surrender in accordance
with said notice of the Receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares (properly
endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Depositary shall so require), such
Depositary Shares shall be redeemed at a cash redemption price of $25.00 per
Depositary Share plus any other money and other property payable in respect
of
such Preferred Shares.
(c) If
fewer
than all of the Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt are called for
redemption, the Depositary will deliver to the holder of such Receipt upon
its
surrender to the Depositary, together with payment of the cash redemption price
for and all other amounts payable in respect of the Depositary Shares called
for
redemption, a new Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares evidenced by such
prior Receipt and not called for redemption.
SECTION
2.04. Registration
of Transfers of Receipts. The Company hereby appoints the
Depositary as the Company's Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Receipts,
and
the Depositary hereby accepts such appointment and, as such, shall register
on
its books from time to time transfers of Receipts upon any surrender thereof
by
the holder in person or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or
accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer or endorsement,
together with evidence of the payment of any transfer taxes as may be required
by law. Upon such surrender, the Depositary shall execute a new
Receipt or Receipts and deliver the same to or upon the order of the person
entitled thereto evidencing the same aggregate number of Depositary Shares
evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
SECTION
2.05. Combinations
and Split-Ups of Receipts. Upon surrender of a Receipt or
Receipts at the Office or such other office as the Depositary may designate
for
the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of Receipts, subject to
the
terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall execute
and
deliver a new Receipt or Receipts in the authorized denominations requested
evidencing the same aggregate number of Depositary Shares evidenced by the
Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
SECTION
2.06. Surrender
of Receipts and Withdrawal of Preferred
Shares. (a) Any holder of a Receipt or Receipts may
withdraw any or all of the deposited Preferred Shares represented by the
Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt or Receipts and all money and other
property, if any, represented by such Depositary Shares by surrendering such
Receipt or Receipts at the Office or at such other office as the Depositary
may
designate for such withdrawals, provided that a holder of a Receipt or
Receipts may not withdraw such Preferred Shares (or money and other property,
if
any, represented thereby) which have previously been called for
redemption. After such surrender, without unreasonable delay, the
Depositary shall deliver to such holder, or to the person or persons designated
by such holder as hereinafter provided, the number of whole or fractional
Preferred Shares and all such money and other property, if any, represented
by
the Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts so surrendered for
withdrawal, but holders of such whole or fractional Preferred Shares will not
thereafter be entitled to deposit such Preferred Shares hereunder or to receive
Depositary Shares therefor. If the Receipt or Receipts delivered by
the holder to the Depositary in connection with such withdrawal shall evidence
a
number of Depositary Shares in excess of the number of
6
Depositary
Shares representing the number of whole or fractional shares of deposited
Preferred Shares to be withdrawn, the Depositary shall at the same time, in
addition to such number of whole or fractional Preferred Shares and such money
and other property, if any, to be withdrawn, deliver to such holder, or (subject
to Section 2.04) upon his order, a new Receipt or Receipts evidencing such
excess number of Depositary Shares. Delivery of such Preferred Shares
and such money and other property being withdrawn may be made by the delivery
of
such certificates, documents of title and other instruments as the Depositary
may deem appropriate, which, if required by the Depositary, shall be properly
endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer.
(b) If
the
deposited Preferred Shares and the money and other property being withdrawn
are
to be delivered to a person or persons other than the record holder of the
Receipt or Receipts being surrendered for withdrawal of Preferred Shares, such
holder shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order so directing
the Depositary and the Depositary may require that the Receipt or Receipts
surrendered by such holder for withdrawal of such Preferred Shares be properly
endorsed in blank or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer
or endorsement in blank.
(c) The
Depositary shall deliver the deposited Preferred Shares and the money and other
property, if any, represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts
surrendered for withdrawal at the Office, except that, at the request, risk
and
expense of the holder surrendering such Receipt or Receipts and for the account
of the holder thereof, such delivery may be made at such other place as may
be
designated by such holder.
SECTION
2.07. Limitations
on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, Split-Up, Combination, Surrender and
Exchange of Receipts. (a) As a condition precedent to
the execution and delivery, transfer, split-up, combination, surrender or
exchange of any Receipt, the Depositary, any of the Depositary's Agents or
the
Company may require any or all of the following: (i) payment to it of
a sum sufficient for the payment (or, in the event that the Depositary or the
Company shall have made such payment, the reimbursement to it) of any tax or
other governmental charge with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge
with respect to the Preferred Shares being deposited or withdrawn); (ii) the
production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of
any
signature (or the authority of any signature); and (iii) compliance with
such regulations, if any, as the Depositary or the Company may establish
consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be required
by
any securities exchange upon which the deposited Preferred Shares, the
Depositary Shares or the Receipts may be included for quotation or
listed.
(b) The
deposit of Preferred Shares may be refused, the delivery of Receipts against
Preferred Shares may be suspended, the transfer of Receipts may be refused,
and
the transfer, split-up, combination, surrender, exchange or redemption of
outstanding Receipts may be suspended (i) during any period when the register
of
shareholders of the Company is closed or (ii) if any such action is deemed
reasonably necessary or advisable by the Depositary, any of the Depositary's
Agents or the Company at any time or from time to time because of any
requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission,
or
under any provision of this Deposit Agreement.
7
SECTION
2.08. Lost
Receipts, etc. In case any Receipt or Preferred Shares shall be
mutilated or destroyed or lost or stolen, the Depositary in its discretion
may
execute and deliver a Receipt or Preferred Share of like form and tenor in
exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt or in lieu of and in
substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt or Preferred Share,
provided that the holder thereof provides the Depositary with (i)
evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary of such destruction, loss
or
theft of such Receipt or Preferred Share, of the authenticity thereof and of
his
ownership thereof, (ii) a bond of indemnity or other form of indemnity in
form and substance satisfactory to MIS and (iii) payment of all applicable
fees. Such holders may obtain such a bond of indemnity from a surety
company of the holder's choice, provided the surety company satisfies MIS's
minimum requirements
SECTION
2.09. Cancellation
and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts. All Receipts surrendered
to the Depositary or any Depositary's Agent shall be cancelled by the
Depositary. Except as prohibited by applicable law or regulation, the
Depositary is authorized to destroy such Receipts so cancelled.
ARTICLE
III
CERTAIN
OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS OF RECEIPTS AND THE COMPANY
SECTION
3.01. Filing
Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting
Preferred Shares for deposit or any holder of a Receipt may be required from
time to time to file such proof of residence or other information, to execute
such certificates and to make such representations and warranties as the
Depositary or the Company may reasonably deem necessary or
proper. The Depositary or the Company may withhold or delay the
delivery of any Receipt, the transfer, redemption or exchange of any Receipt,
the withdrawal of the deposited Preferred Shares represented by the Depositary
Shares evidenced by any Receipt, the distribution of any dividend or other
distribution or the sale of any rights or of the proceeds thereof, until such
proof or other information is filed, such certificates are executed or such
representations and warranties are made.
SECTION
3.02. Payment
of Fees and Expenses. Holders of Receipts shall be obligated to
make payments to the Depositary of certain fees and expenses, as provided in
Sections 2.08 and 5.07, or provide evidence reasonably satisfactory to the
Depositary that such fees and expenses have been paid. Until such
payment is made, transfer of any Receipt or any withdrawal of the Preferred
Shares or money or other property, if any, represented by the Depositary Shares
evidenced by such Receipt may be refused, any dividend or other distribution
may
be withheld, and any part or all of the Preferred Shares or other property
represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt may be sold
for
the account of the holder thereof (after attempting by reasonable means to
notify such holder a reasonable number of days prior to such
sale). Any dividend or other distribution so withheld and the
proceeds of any such sale may be applied to any payment of such fees or
expenses, the holder of such Receipt remaining liable for any
deficiency.
SECTION
3.03. Representations
and Warranties as to Preferred Shares. In the case of the initial
deposit of the Preferred Shares hereunder, the Company and, in the case of
subsequent deposits thereof, each person so depositing Preferred Shares under
this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that
such Preferred Shares and each
8
certificate
therefor are valid and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized
to
do so. The Company hereby further represents and warrants that: (a)
such Preferred Shares, when issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable; and (b) such Preferred Shares, when issued,
will
be duly registered under the Securities Act or will be exempt from such
registration and will be duly registered under the Securities Exchange Act
of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") or will be exempt from such
registration. Such representations and warranties shall survive the
deposit of the Preferred Shares and the issuance of Receipts.
SECTION
3.04. Representation
and Warranties as to Receipts and Depositary Shares. The Company
hereby represents and warrants that the Receipts, when issued, will evidence
legal and valid interests in the Depositary Shares and each Depositary Share
will represent a legal and valid 1/100 fractional interest in a deposited
Preferred Share. The Company hereby further represents and warrants
that: (a) such Depositary Shares, when issued, will be duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and (b) such Depositary Shares, when
issued, will be duly registered under the Securities Act or will be exempt
from
such registration and will be duly registered under the Exchange Act or will
be
exempt from such registration. Such representation and warranty shall
survive the deposit of the Preferred Shares and the issuance of Receipts
evidencing the Depositary Shares.
SECTION
3.05. Other
Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby
represents and warrants that the execution and delivery of this Deposit
Agreement, and the issuance and any subsequent transfer of the Preferred Shares
or Receipts in accordance with this Deposit Agreement, do not and will not
conflict with, violate, or result in a breach of, the terms, conditions or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, the charter or the by-laws of
the
Company, any law or regulation, any order or decree of any court or public
authority having jurisdiction, or any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement
or undertaking to which the Company is a party or by which it is
bound. This Deposit Agreement is enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium, reorganization and other similar laws affecting the enforcement
of
creditors' rights generally.
SECTION
3.06. Representations and Warranties of MIS. MIS
hereby represents and warrants that: (a) MIS is, and for the term of
this Deposit Agreement shall remain, duly registered as a transfer agent under
the Exchange Act and (b) MIS shall comply with its obligations as a transfer
agent under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder. This Deposit Agreement is enforceable against MIS in
accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium, reorganization and other similar laws affecting the enforcement
of
creditors' rights generally.
ARTICLE
IV
THE
PREFERRED SHARES; NOTICES
SECTION
4.01. Cash
Distributions. Whenever the Depositary shall receive any cash
dividend or other cash distribution on the deposited Preferred Shares, including
any cash received upon redemption of any Preferred Shares pursuant to Section
2.03, the Depositary shall, subject to Section 3.02, distribute to record
holders of Receipts on the record date fixed pursuant
9
to
Section 4.04 such amounts of such dividend or distribution as are, as nearly
as
practicable, in proportion to the respective numbers of Depositary Shares
evidenced by the Receipts held by such holders; provided, however,
that in case the Company or the Depositary shall be required to and shall
withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of the
Preferred Shares represented by the Receipts held by any holder an amount on
account of taxes, the amount made available for distribution or distributed
in
respect of Depositary Shares represented by such Receipts subject to such
withholding shall be reduced accordingly. The Depositary shall
distribute or make available for distribution, as the case may be, such amount
as can be distributed without attributing to any holder of Receipts a fraction
of one cent, and any balance not so distributable shall be held by the
Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and shall be added to and
be
treated as part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution
to
record holders of Receipts then outstanding. Each holder of a Receipt
shall provide the Depositary with its certified tax identification number on
a
properly completed Form W-8 or W-9, as may be applicable. Each holder
of a Receipt acknowledges that, in the event of non-compliance with the
preceding sentence the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended, may require
withholding by the Depositary of a portion of any of the distribution to be
made
hereunder.
SECTION
4.02. Distributions
Other Than Cash. Whenever the Depositary shall receive any
distribution other than cash on the deposited Preferred Shares, the Depositary
shall, subject to Section 3.02, distribute to record holders of Receipts on
the
record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.04 such amounts of the securities or
property received by it as are, as nearly as practicable, in proportion to
the
respective numbers of Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts held by such
holders, in any manner that the Depositary and the Company may deem equitable
and practicable for accomplishing such distribution. If, in the
opinion of the Depositary after consultation with the Company, such distribution
cannot be made proportionately among such record holders, or if for any other
reason (including any requirement that the Company or the Depositary withhold
an
amount on account of taxes), the Depositary deems, after consultation with
the
Company, such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may, with the
written approval of the Company, adopt such method as it deems equitable and
practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including the sale
(at public or private sale) of the securities or property thus received, or
any
part thereof, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem
proper. The net proceeds of any such sale shall, subject to Section
3.02, be distributed or made available for distribution, as the case may be,
by
the Depositary to record holders of Receipts as provided by Section 4.01 in
the
case of a distribution received in cash. The Company shall not make
any distribution of such securities or property to the holders of Receipts
unless the Company shall have provided to the Depositary an opinion of counsel
stating that the distribution of such securities or property has been registered
under the Securities Act or that registration is not required. The
Company shall advise the Depositary of the nature of any property, and if the
Depositary in its reasonable judgment determines that it may incur liability
by
reason of being deemed an owner thereof, the Depositary shall have the right
to
refuse such property, but the Depositary shall assist the Company in determining
an appropriate means of distributing such property.
SECTION
4.03. Subscription
Rights, Preferences or Privileges. (a) If the Company
shall at any time offer or cause to be offered to the persons in whose names
deposited Preferred Shares are registered on the books of the Company any
rights, preferences or privileges
10
to
subscribe for or to purchase any securities or any rights, preferences or
privileges of any other nature, such rights, preferences or privileges shall
in
each such instance be made available by the Depositary to the record holders
of
Receipts in such manner as the Company shall instruct (including by the issue
to
such record holders of warrants representing such rights, preferences or
privileges); provided, however, that (a) if at the time of issue
or offer of any such rights, preferences or privileges the Company determines
upon advice of its legal counsel that it is not lawful or feasible to make
such
rights, preferences or privileges available to the holders of Receipts (by
the
issue of warrants or otherwise) or (b) if and to the extent instructed by
holders of Receipts who do not desire to exercise such rights, preferences
or
privileges, the Depositary shall then, if so instructed by the Company, and
if
applicable laws or the terms of such rights, preferences or privileges so
permit, sell such rights, preferences or privileges of such holders at public
or
private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem
proper. The net proceeds of any such sale shall, subject to Section
3.01 and Section 3.02, be distributed by the Depositary to the record holders
of
Receipts entitled thereto as provided by Section 4.01 in the case of a
distribution received in cash. The Company shall not make any
distribution of such rights, preferences or privileges, unless the Company
shall
have provided to the Depositary an opinion of counsel stating that the
distribution of such rights, preferences or privileges has been registered
under
the Securities Act or that registration is not required.
(b) If
registration under the Securities Act of the securities to which any rights,
preferences or privileges relate is required in order for holders of Receipts
to
be offered or sold the securities to which such rights, preferences or
privileges relate, the Company agrees that it will promptly notify the
Depositary of such requirement and will promptly file a registration statement
pursuant to the Securities Act with respect to such rights, preferences or
privileges and securities and use its reasonable best efforts and take all
steps
available to it to cause such registration statement to become effective
sufficiently in advance of the expiration of such rights, preferences or
privileges to enable such holders to exercise such rights, preferences or
privileges. In no event shall the Depositary make available to the
holders of Receipts any right, preference or privilege to subscribe for or
to
purchase any securities unless and until such a registration statement shall
have become effective or unless the offering and sale of such securities to
such
holders are exempt from registration under the provisions of the Securities
Act
and the Company shall have provided to the Depositary an opinion of counsel
to
such effect.
(c) If
any
other action under the law of any jurisdiction or any governmental or
administrative authorization, consent or permit is required in order for such
rights, preferences or privileges to be made available to holders of Receipts,
the Company agrees that it will promptly notify the Depositary of such
requirement and will to use its reasonable best efforts to take such action
or
obtain such authorization, consent or permit sufficiently in advance of the
expiration of such rights, preferences or privileges to enable such holders
to
exercise such rights, preferences or privileges.
The
Depositary will not be deemed to have any knowledge of any item for which it
is
supposed to receive notification under any Section of this Deposit Agreement
unless and until it has received such notification.
SECTION
4.04. Notice
of Dividends; Fixing of Record Date for Holders of
Receipts. Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution
shall become payable, any
11
distribution
other than cash shall be made, or any rights, preferences or privileges shall
at
any time be offered, with respect to the deposited Preferred Shares, or whenever
the Depositary shall receive written notice of (i) any meeting at which holders
of such Preferred Shares are entitled to vote or of which holders of such
Preferred Shares are entitled to notice or (ii) any election on the part of
the
Company to redeem any such Preferred Shares, the Depositary shall in each such
instance fix a record date (which shall be the same date as the record date
fixed by the Company with respect to the Preferred Shares) for the determination
of the holders of Receipts who shall be entitled to receive such dividend,
distribution, rights, preferences or privileges or the net proceeds of the
sale
thereof, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such
meeting or to receive notice of such meeting or the determination of which
Depositary Shares are to be so redeemed.
SECTION
4.05. Voting
Rights. Upon receipt of written notice of any meeting at which
the holders of deposited Preferred Shares are entitled to vote, the Depositary
shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the record holders of Receipts
a notice, which shall be provided by the Company and which shall contain (i)
such information as is contained in such notice of meeting, (ii) a statement
that the holders of Receipts at the close of business on a specified record
date
fixed pursuant to Section 4.04 will be entitled, subject to any applicable
provision of law, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting
rights pertaining to the amount of Preferred Shares represented by their
respective Depositary Shares and (iii) a brief statement as to the manner in
which such instructions may be given. Upon the written request of a
holder of a Receipt on such record date, the Depositary shall vote or cause
to
be voted the amount of Preferred Shares represented by the Depositary Shares
evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with the instructions set forth in
such
request. To the extent any such instructions request the voting of a
fractional interest of a share of deposited Preferred Shares, the Depositary
shall aggregate such interest with all other fractional interests resulting
from
requests with the same voting instructions and shall vote the number of whole
votes resulting from such aggregation in accordance with the instructions
received in such requests. Each Preferred Share is entitled to one
vote on all matters as to which the Preferred Shares vote and, accordingly,
each
Depositary Share is entitled to 1/100 of a vote on such matters. The
Company hereby agrees to take all such action that may be deemed necessary
by
the Depositary in order to enable the Depositary to vote such Preferred Shares
or cause such Preferred Shares to be voted. In the absence of
specific instructions from the holder of a Receipt, the Depositary will abstain
from voting (but, at its discretion, not from appearing at any meeting with
respect to the applicable Preferred Shares unless directed to the contrary
by
the record holders of all the related Receipts) to the extent of the Preferred
Shares represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such
Receipt. The Depositary shall not be required to exercise discretion
in voting any Preferred Shares represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced
by
such Receipt.
SECTION
4.06. Changes
Affecting Preferred Shares and Reclassifications, Recapitalizations,
etc. Upon any change in par or stated value, split-up,
combination or any other reclassification of Preferred Shares, or upon any
recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation affecting the Company
or to which it is a party or sale of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets, the Depositary shall, upon the written instructions of the Company,
(i)
make such adjustments in (a) the fraction of an interest represented by one
Depositary Share in one Preferred Share and (b) the ratio of the redemption
price per Depositary Share to the redemption price of a Preferred Share, in
each
case to fully reflect the effects of such change in
12
par
or
stated value, split-up, combination or other reclassification, or of such
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale and (ii) treat
any shares or other securities or property (including cash) that shall be
received by the Depositary in exchange for or upon conversion of or in respect
of the Preferred Shares as new deposited property under this Deposit Agreement,
and Receipts then outstanding shall thereafter represent the proportionate
interests of holders thereof in the new deposited property so received in
exchange for or upon conversion or in respect of such Preferred
Shares. In any such case the Depositary may, in its discretion, with
the written approval of the Company, execute and deliver additional Receipts,
or
may call for the surrender of all outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for
new
Receipts specifically describing such new deposited
property. Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, holders of
Receipts shall have the right from and after the effective date of any such
change in par or stated value, split-up, combination or other reclassification
of the Preferred Shares or any such recapitalization, reorganization, merger
or
consolidation or sale of substantially all the assets of the Company to
surrender such Receipts to the Depositary with instructions to convert, exchange
or surrender the Preferred Shares represented thereby only into or for, as
the
case may be, the kind and amount of shares and other securities and property
and
cash into which the deposited Preferred Shares evidenced by such Receipts might
have been converted or for which such Preferred Shares might have been exchanged
or surrendered immediately prior to the effective date of such
transaction. The Company shall cause an effective provision to be
made in the corporate charter of the resulting or surviving corporation (if
other than the Company) for protection of such rights as may be applicable
upon
exchange of the deposited Preferred Shares for securities or property or cash
of
the surviving corporation in connection with the transactions set forth
above. The Company shall cause any such surviving corporation (if
other than the Company) expressly to assume the obligations of the Company
hereunder.
SECTION
4.07. Inspection
of Reports. The Depositary shall make available for inspection by
holders of Receipts at the Office and at such other places as it may from time
to time deem advisable during normal business hours any reports and
communications received from the Company that are both received by the
Depositary as the holder of deposited Preferred Shares and made generally
available to the holders of the Preferred Shares. In addition, the
Depositary shall transmit certain notices and reports to the holders of Receipts
as provided in Section 5.05.
SECTION
4.08. Lists
of Receipt Holders. Promptly upon request from time to time by
the Company, the Depositary shall furnish to the Company a list, as of a recent
date specified by the Company, of the names, addresses and holdings of
Depositary Shares of all persons in whose names Receipts are registered on
the
books of the Depositary.
SECTION
4.09. Tax
and Regulatory Compliance. The Depositary shall be responsible
for (i) preparation and mailing of 1099 forms for all open and closed accounts,
(ii) foreign tax withholding, (iii) withholding 31% (or any withholding as
may be required at the then applicable rate) of dividends from holders of
Receipts subject to back-up withholding, (iv) mailing W-9 forms to new
holders of Receipts without a certified taxpayer identification number, (v)
processing certified W-9 forms, (vi) preparation and filing of state information
returns and (vii) escheatment services.
13
SECTION
4.10. Withholding. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Deposit Agreement, in the event that the Depositary
determines that any distribution in property is subject to any tax which the
Depositary is obligated by law to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all
or
a portion of such property in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary
deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes, by public or private sale,
and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale or the
balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the holders of
Receipts entitled thereto in proportion to the number of Depositary Shares
held
by them, respectively.
ARTICLE
V
THE
DEPOSITARY AND THE COMPANY
SECTION
5.01. Maintenance
of Offices, Agencies and Transfer Books by the Depositary and the
Registrar. (a) The Depositary shall maintain at the
Office facilities for the execution and delivery, transfer, surrender and
exchange, split-up, combination and redemption of Receipts and for the deposit
and withdrawal of Preferred Shares and at the offices of the Depositary's
Agents, if any, facilities for the delivery, transfer, surrender and exchange,
split-up, combination and redemption of Receipts and for the deposit and
withdrawal of Preferred Shares, all in accordance with the provisions of this
Deposit Agreement.
(b) The
Depositary shall keep books at the Office for the registration and
transfer of Receipts, which books at all reasonable times shall be open for
inspection by the record holders of Receipts as provided by applicable
law. The Depositary may close such books, at any time or from time to
time, when deemed expedient by it in connection with the performance of its
duties hereunder.
(c) If
the
Receipts or the Depositary Shares evidenced thereby or the Preferred Shares
represented by such Depositary Shares shall be listed on the New York Stock
Exchange or any other stock exchange, the Depositary may, with the written
approval of the Company, appoint a Registrar (acceptable to the Company) for
registration of such Receipts or Depositary Shares in accordance with the
requirements of such exchange. Such Registrar (which may be the
Depositary if so permitted by the requirements of such exchange) may be removed
and a substitute registrar appointed by the Depositary upon the request or
with
the approval of the Company. If the Receipts, such Depositary Shares
or such Preferred Shares are listed on one or more other stock exchanges, the
Depositary will, at the request and expense of the Company, arrange such
facilities for the delivery, transfer, surrender, redemption and exchange of
such Receipts, such Depositary Shares or such Preferred Shares as may be
required by law or applicable stock exchange regulations.
SECTION
5.02. Prevention
or Delay in Performance by the Depositary, the Depositary's Agents, the
Registrar or the Company. Neither the Depositary, any
Depositary's Agent, any Registrar nor the Company shall incur any liability
to
any holder of any Receipt, if by reason of any provision of any present or
future law or regulation thereunder of the United States of America or of any
other governmental authority or, in the case of the Company, the Depositary,
the
Depositary's Agent or the Registrar, by reason of any provision, present or
future, of the Declaration of Trust or the Amendment to the Declaration or,
in
the case of the Company, the Depositary, the Depositary's Agent or the
Registrar, by reason of any act of God
14
or
war or
other circumstance beyond the control of the relevant party, the Depositary,
any
Depositary's Agent, the Registrar or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden
from doing or performing any act or thing that the terms of this Deposit
Agreement provide shall be done or performed; nor shall the Depositary, any
Depositary's Agent, any Registrar or the Company incur any liability to any
holder of a Receipt by reason of any nonperformance or delay, caused as
aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing that the terms of this Deposit
Agreement provide shall or may be done or performed, or by reason of any
exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit
Agreement.
SECTION
5.03. Obligations
of the Depositary, the Depositary's Agents, the Registrar and the
Company. (a) Neither the Depositary, any Depositary's
Agent, any Registrar nor the Company assumes any obligation or shall be subject
to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or any Receipt to holders of
Receipts other than from acts or omissions arising out of conduct constituting
bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct (which bad faith, gross
negligence or willful misconduct must be determined by a final, non-appealable
order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction) in
the
performance of such duties as are specifically set forth in this Deposit
Agreement. Any liability of the Depositary, any Depositary's Agent
and any Registrar shall be limited to the amount of fees paid by the Company,
hereunder, and in no event shall the Depositary, any Depositary's Agent and
any
Registrar be liable for special, indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive
or exemplary loss or damage of any kind whatsoever ( including but not limited
to lost profits) even if such entities have been advised of the likelihood
of
such damages and regardless of the form of action.
(b) Neither
the Depositary, any Depositary's Agent, any Registrar nor the Company shall
be
under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or
other
proceeding with respect to the deposited Preferred Shares, Depositary Shares
or
Receipts that in its reasonable opinion may involve it in expense or liability,
unless indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against all expense and liability
be furnished as often as may be required.
(c) Neither
the Depositary, any Depositary's Agent, any Registrar nor the Company shall
be
liable for any action, or any failure to act by it in reliance upon
the advice of legal counsel or accountants, or information provided
by any person presenting Preferred Shares for deposit, any holder of a Receipt
or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such
information. The Depositary, any Depositary's Agent, any Registrar
and the Company may each rely and shall each be protected in acting upon any
written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or
parties.
(d) In
the
event the Depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions
from any holders of Receipts, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other
hand, the Depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or
instructions received from the Company and shall be entitled to the full
indemnification set forth in Section 5.06 hereof in connection with any action
so taken.
(e) In
the
event any question or dispute arises with respect to the Depositary's duties
hereunder, the Depositary shall not be required to act or be held liable or
responsible for its failure or refusal to act until the question or dispute
has
been (i) judicially settled (and, if
15
appropriate,
the Depositary may file a suit in interpleader or for a declaratory judgment
for
such purpose) by final judgment rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction
that is binding on all parties interested in the matter and is no longer subject
to review or appeal, or (ii) settled by a written document in form and substance
satisfactory to the Depositary and executed by the Company. In
addition, the Depositary may require for such purpose, but shall not be
obligated to require, the execution of such written settlement by parties that
may have an interest in the settlement.
(f) The
Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction
to vote any of the deposited Preferred Shares or for the manner or effect of
any
such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action does not result from
bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct (which bad faith, gross
negligence or willful misconduct must be determined by a final, non-appealable
order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction) of
the
Depositary. The Depositary undertakes, and any Registrar shall be
required to undertake, to perform such duties and only such duties as are
specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement, and no implied covenants
or
obligations shall be read into this Agreement or imposed upon the Depositary
or
any Registrar.
(g) The
Depositary, its parent, affiliate, or subsidiaries, any Depositary's Agent,
and
any Registrar may own, buy, sell or deal in any class of securities of the
Company and its affiliates and in Receipts or Depositary Shares or become
pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company or its affiliates
may be interested or contract with or lend money to or otherwise act as fully
or
as freely as if it were not the Depositary or the Depositary's Agent
hereunder. The Depositary may also act as transfer agent or registrar
of any of the securities of the Company and its affiliates or act in any other
capacity for the Company or its affiliates.
(h) It
is
intended that neither the Depositary nor any Depositary's Agent shall be deemed
to be an "issuer" of the securities under the federal securities laws or
applicable state securities laws, it being expressly understood and agreed
that
the Depositary and any Depositary's Agent are acting only in a ministerial
capacity as the Company's Depositary for the deposited Preferred Shares;
provided, however, that the Depositary agrees to comply with all
information reporting and withholding requirements applicable to it under law
or
this Deposit Agreement in its capacity as Depositary.
(i) Neither
the Depositary (or its officers, directors, employees or agents) nor any
Depositary's Agent makes any representation or has any responsibility as to
the
validity of any registration statement pursuant to which the Depositary Shares
may be registered under the Securities Act, the deposited Preferred Shares,
the
Depositary Shares, the Receipts (except its countersignature thereon) or any
instruments referred to therein or herein, or as to the correctness of any
statement made in any such registration statement or herein; provided,
however, that the Depositary is responsible for its representations
in
this Deposit Agreement made by it and for the validity of any action taken
or
required to be taken by the Depositary in connection with this Deposit
Agreement.
(j) The
Company agrees that it will register the issuance of the Preferred Shares and
the Depositary Shares to the extent required by applicable securities
laws.
16
(k) Any
instructions given by the Company to the Depositary orally shall be confirmed
in
writing by the Company as soon as practical. The Depositary shall not
be liable for responsible and shall be fully authorized and protected for
acting, or failing to act, in accordance with any oral instructions that do
not
conform with the written confirmation received in accordance with this Section
5.03(k).
(l) In
the
event the Depositary, the Depositary’s Agent or any Registrar believes any
ambiguity or uncertainty exists in any notice, instruction, direction, request
or other communication, paper or document received by it pursuant to this
Deposit Agreement, the Depositary, the Depositary’s Agent or Registrar shall
promptly notify the Company of the details of such alleged ambiguity or
uncertainty, and may, in its sole discretion, refrain from taking any action,
and the Depositary, the Depositary’s Agent or Registrar shall be fully protected
and shall incur no liability to any person from refraining from taking such
action, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct (which gross negligence
or
willful misconduct must be determined by a final, non-appealable order,
judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction), unless and
until (i) the rights of all parties have been fully and finally adjudicated
by a
court of appropriate jurisdiction or (ii) the Depositary, the Depositary’s Agent
or Registrar receives written instructions with respect to such matter signed
by
the Company that eliminates such ambiguity or uncertainty to the satisfaction
of
the Depositary, the Depositary’s Agent or Registrar.
SECTION
5.03a. Protections.
Depositary
hereunder:
(a) shall
only act solely as agent for the Company under this Deposit Agreement and owes
no duties hereunder to any other person;
(b) shall
have no duties or obligations other than those specifically set forth herein
(and no implied duties or obligations), or as may subsequently be agreed to
in
writing by the parties;
(c) shall
have no obligation to make payment hereunder unless the Company shall have
provided the necessary federal or other immediately available funds or
securities or property, as the case may be, to pay in full amounts due and
payable with respect thereto;
(d) shall
not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder; if, however, Depositary
determines to take any legal action hereunder, and, where the taking of such
action might in Depositary's judgment subject or expose it to any expense or
liability, Depositary shall not be required to act unless it shall have been
furnished with an indemnity satisfactory to it;
(e) may
rely on and shall be authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon
any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, telegram, telex, facsimile
transmission, or other document or security delivered to Depositary and believed
by Depositary to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper party or
parties and shall have no responsibility for the accuracy thereof;
17
(f) may
rely on and shall be authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon
the written, telephonic, electronic and oral instructions, with respect to
any
matter relating to Depositary's actions as depositary covered by this Agreement
(or supplementing or qualifying any such actions) of officers of the
Company;
(g) may
consult counsel satisfactory to it, and the advice of such counsel shall be
full
and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken,
suffered, or omitted by Depositary hereunder in accordance with the advice
of
such counsel;
(h) shall
not be called upon at any time to advise any person with respect to the
Preferred Shares or Receipts; and
(i) shall
not be liable or responsible for any recital or statement contained in any
documents relating hereto or the Preferred Shares or Receipts.
SECTION
5.04. Resignation
and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor
Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary
hereunder by notice of its election to do so delivered to the Company, such
resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and
its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided. The
Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by notice of such removal
delivered to the Depositary, such removal to take effect upon the appointment
of
a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter
provided.
(a) In
case
at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the
Company shall, within 60 days after the delivery of the notice of resignation
or
removal, as the case may be, appoint a successor depositary, which shall be
a
bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States of
America and having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000. If a successor depositary shall not have been appointed
in 60 days, the resigning Depositary at the expense of the Company may petition
a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor
depositary. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to
its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its
appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any
further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers,
duties and obligations of its predecessor and for all purposes shall be the
Depositary under this Deposit Agreement, and such predecessor, upon payment
of
all sums due it and on the written request of the Company, shall promptly
execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights
and
powers of such predecessor hereunder, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver
all rights, title and interest in the deposited Preferred Shares and any moneys
or property held hereunder to such successor and shall deliver to such successor
a list of the record holders of all outstanding Receipts. Any
successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to the record
holders of Receipts.
(b) Any
corporation or association into or with which the Depositary may be merged,
consolidated or converted shall be the successor of such Depositary without
the
execution or filing of any document or any further act. Such
successor depositary may execute the Receipts either in the name of the
predecessor depositary or in the name of the successor depositary.
18
SECTION
5.05. Notices,
Reports and Documents. The Company agrees that it will deliver to
the Depositary, and the Depositary will, promptly after receipt thereof,
transmit to the record holders of Receipts, in each case at the address recorded
in the Depositary's books, copies of all notices and reports (including
financial statements) required by law, by the rules of any national securities
exchange upon which the Preferred Shares, the Depositary Shares or the Receipts
are included for quotation or listed or pursuant to a written instruction from
the Company to be furnished by the Company to holders of the deposited Preferred
Shares and, if requested by the holder of any Receipt, a copy of this Deposit
Agreement, the form of Receipt, the Declaration of Trust as amended, and the
form of Preferred Shares. Such transmission will be at the Company's
expense and the Company will provide the Depositary with such number of copies
of such documents as the Depositary may reasonably request. In
addition, the Depositary will transmit to the record holders of Receipts at
the
Company's expense such other documents as may be requested by the
Company.
SECTION
5.06. Indemnification
by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary,
any Depositary's Agent and any Registrar against, and hold each of them harmless
from, any loss, liability, damage, costs and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees) that may arise out of, or in connection with actions taken,
suffered or omitted by it as Depositary, Depositary's Agent or Registrar,
respectively, under this Deposit Agreement and the Receipts, except to the
extent such liability shall have been determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction by a final non-appealable order, judgment or decree to be a result
of the willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith on the part
of any such person or persons. The obligations of the Company set
forth in this Section 5.06 shall survive any succession of any Depositary,
Registrar or Depositary's Agent or termination of this Deposit
Agreement.
SECTION
5.07. Fees,
Charges and Expenses. No charges and expenses of the Depositary
or any Depositary's Agent hereunder shall be payable by any person, except
as
provided in this Section 5.07. The Company shall pay all transfer and
other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of this
Deposit Agreement. The Company shall also pay all fees and expenses
of the Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the Preferred Shares
and the initial issuance of the Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts,
any
redemption of the Preferred Shares at the option of the Company and all
withdrawals of the Preferred Shares by holders of Depositary
Shares. All other fees and expenses of the Depositary and any
Depositary's Agent hereunder and of any Registrar (including, in each case,
fees
and expenses of counsel) incident to the performance of their respective
obligations hereunder including those incurred in the preparation, delivery,
amendment and execution of this Deposit Agreement will be promptly paid as
previously agreed between the Depositary and the Company. The
Depositary shall present its statement for fees and expenses to the Company
every quarter or at such other intervals as the Company and the Depositary
may
agree.
ARTICLE
VI
AMENDMENT
AND TERMINATION
SECTION
6.01. Amendment. The
form of the Receipts and any provision of this Deposit Agreement may at any
time
and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Company and upon
the
delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company
19
stating
that the proposed amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section
6.01, the Depositary in any respect that they may deem necessary or desirable;
provided, however, that no such amendment (other than any change
in the fees of any Depositary, Registrar or Transfer Agent) which (i) shall
materially and adversely alter the rights of the holders of Receipts or (ii)
would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the
holders of the Preferred Shares pursuant to the Declaration of Trust as amended
by the Amendment to the Declaration shall be effective unless such amendment
shall have been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the Depositary
Shares then outstanding. In no event shall any amendment impair the
right, subject to the provisions of Section 2.06 and Section 2.07 and Article
III, of any holder of any Depositary Shares to surrender the Receipt evidencing
such Depositary Shares with instructions to the Depositary to deliver to the
holder the deposited Preferred Shares and all money and other property, if
any,
represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of
applicable law. Every holder of an outstanding Receipt at the time
any such amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold
such
Receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by this Deposit
Agreement as amended thereby.
SECTION
6.02. Termination. (a) This
Deposit Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon not less than 30 days'
prior written notice to the Depositary if (i) such termination is necessary
to
preserve the Company's status as a real estate investment trust under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor provision), or
(ii)
the holders of a majority of the Preferred Shares consent to such termination,
whereupon the Depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of
a
Receipt, upon surrender of the Receipt held by such holder, such number of
whole
or fractional deposited Preferred Shares as are represented by the Depositary
Shares evidenced by such Depositary Receipt, together with any other property
held by the Depositary in respect of such Receipt. In the event that
this Deposit Agreement is terminated pursuant to clause (i) of the immediately
preceding sentence, the Company hereby agrees to use its reasonable best efforts
to list the Preferred Shares issued upon surrender of the Receipt evidencing
the
Depositary Shares represented thereby on a national securities
exchange. This Deposit Agreement will automatically terminate if (x)
all outstanding Depositary Shares shall have been redeemed pursuant to Section
2.03 or (y) there shall have been made a final distribution in respect of the
deposited Preferred Shares in connection with any liquidation, dissolution
or
winding up of the Company and such distribution shall have been distributed
to
the holders of Receipts entitled thereto.
(b) Upon
the
termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from
all
obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the
Depositary, any Depositary's Agent and any Registrar under Section 5.06 and
Section 5.07.
ARTICLE
VII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION
7.01. Counterparts. This
Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by each
of
the parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when
so
executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts
taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
20
SECTION
7.02. Exclusive
Benefits of Parties. This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive
benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective successors hereunder, and
shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim to
any
other person whatsoever.
SECTION
7.03. Invalidity
of Provisions. In case any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be or become
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall
in
no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
SECTION
7.04. Notices. (a) Any
and all notices to be given to the Company hereunder or under the Receipts
shall
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally
delivered or sent by mail, or by telegram or facsimile transmission (once
receipt of such notice by mail, telegram or facsimile is confirmed by the
Company), addressed to the Company at:
XXXXXXXXXX
REALTY INVESTORS
0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Corporate
Secretary
Telephone
Number: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000)
000-0000
or
at any
other address of which the Company shall have notified the Depositary in
writing.
(b) Any
notices to be given to the Depositary hereunder or under the Receipts shall
be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered
or sent by mail, or by telegram or telex or telecopier (once receipt of such
notice by mail, telegram or facsimile is confirmed by the Depositary), addressed
to the Depositary at the Office to the attention of the Legal Department
(telephone: (000) 000-0000; facsimile: (000) 000-0000) with a copy
to: Mellon Investor Services LLC, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xx., Xxxxx 0000,
Xxxxxx, XX 00000, Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxx (telephone: (000) 000-0000; facsimile:
(000) 000-0000).
(c) Any
notices given to any record holder of a Receipt hereunder or under the Receipts
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally
delivered or sent by mail, or by telegram or telex or telecopier confirmed
by
letter, addressed to such record holder at the address of such record holder
as
it appears on the books of the Depositary or, if such holder shall have filed
with the Depositary in a timely manner a written request that notices intended
for such holder be mailed to some other address, at the address designated
in
such request.
(d) Delivery
of a notice to the Company or the Depositary sent by mail, or by telegram or
telex or telecopier shall be deemed to be effected at the time when verbal
or
written confirmation is received by the person or entity delivering such
notice. The Depositary or the Company may, however, act upon any
notice sent by mail, telegram, telex or telecopier received
21
by
it
from the other or from any holder of a Receipt, notwithstanding that such notice
shall not subsequently be confirmed as aforesaid.
SECTION
7.05. Depositary's
Agents. The Depositary may from time to time appoint Depositary's
Agents to act in any respect for the Depositary for the purposes of this Deposit
Agreement and may at any time appoint additional Depositary's Agents and vary
or
terminate the appointment of such Depositary's Agents. The Depositary
will notify the Company of any such action.
SECTION
7.06. Holders
of Receipts Are Parties. The holders of Receipts from time to
time shall be deemed to be parties to this Deposit Agreement and shall be bound
by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Receipts by acceptance
of
delivery thereof.
SECTION
7.07. Governing
Law. This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts and all rights
hereunder and thereunder, provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without
regard to conflicts of laws.
SECTION
7.08. Inspection
of Deposit Agreement. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be
filed with the Depositary and the Depositary's Agents and shall be open to
inspection during business hours at the Office and the respective offices of
the
Depositary's Agents, if any, by any holder of any Receipt.
SECTION
7.09. Assignment. This
Deposit Agreement may not be assigned, or otherwise transferred, in whole or
in
part, by either party without the prior written consent of the other party,
which the other party will not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay; except
that consent will not be required for an assignment to an MIS affiliate. Any
attempted assignment in violation of the foregoing will be void.
SECTION
7.10. Headings. The headings of articles and
sections in this Deposit Agreement and in the form of the Receipt set forth
in
Exhibit B hereto have been inserted for convenience only and are not to
be regarded as a part of this Deposit Agreement or to have any bearing upon
the
meaning or interpretation of any provision contained herein or in the
Receipts.
22
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Xxxxxxxxxx Realty Investors and Mellon Investor Services LLC
have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first above
set
forth and all holders of Receipts shall become parties hereto by and upon
acceptance by them of delivery of Receipts issued in accordance with the terms
hereof.
XXXXXXXXXX
REALTY INVESTORS
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
|
Executive VP/CFO |
MELLON
INVESTOR SERVICES LLC
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx |
Authorized
Signatory
|
|
23
EXHIBIT
A
STOCK
SUBJECT TO THE AGREEMENT
Class
of Stock
|
Number
of Authorized Shares/Receipts
|
Number
of Authorized Shares/Receipts Issued and Outstanding (including
Treasury
Shares/Receipts)
|
Number
of Authorized Shares/Receipts Reserved for Future Issuance Under
Existing
Agreements
|
|||
Adjustable
Rate Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares
|
80,000
|
80,000
|
0
|
|||
Depositary
Shares
|
8,000,000
|
8,000,000
|
0
|
24
EXHIBIT
B
Form
of Depositary Receipt
Attached.
EXHIBIT
C
DOCUMENTS
AND NOTIFICATIONS TO BE DELIVERED TO MIS
Concurrently
with the execution of this Deposit Agreement, to the extent not previously
provided by the Company to MIS, the Company shall provide MIS with the
following:
1. An
adequate supply of Preferred Share certificates and Receipts.
2. A
copy of the resolutions adopted by the Board of Trust Managers of the Company
appointing or authorizing the appointment of MIS as Registrar, Transfer Agent
and Registrar and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the Preferred Shares and the
Receipts, duly certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company
under the corporate seal.
3. A
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, under
its
corporate seal, stating as follows:
a) this
Deposit Agreement has been executed and delivered pursuant to the authority
of the Company's Board of Trust Managers;
b) the
attached specimen Preferred Share certificate(s) and Receipt(s) are in
substantially the form submitted to and approved by the Company's Board of
Trust
Managers for current use;
c) no
Preferred Shares or Receipts have been reserved for future issuance except
as
set forth on the attached list of existing agreements pursuant to which
Preferred Shares or Receipts have been reserved for future issuance, which
list
specifies the number of reserved Preferred Shares and Receipts subject to each
such existing agreement and the substantive provisions thereof.
d) no
Preferred Shares or Receipts are outstanding;
e) the
name of each stock exchange upon which any of the Preferred Shares or Receipts
are listed and the number and identity of the Preferred Shares or Receipts
so
listed;
f) the
name and address of each co-Transfer Agent, Registrar (other than MIS) or
co-Registrar for any of the Preferred Shares or Receipts and the extent of
its
appointment, or there are no co-Transfer Agents, Registrars (other than MIS)
or
co-Registrars for any of the Preferred Shares or Receipts; and
g) the
officer(s) of the Company, who executed this Deposit Agreement as well as any
certificates or papers delivered to MIS pursuant to this Deposit Agreement,
were
validly elected or appointed to, and are the incumbents of, the offices they
purported to hold at the time of such execution and delivery, are authorized
to
execute this Deposit Agreement as well as all other certificates or papers
delivered hereunder, and that their signatures on all such documentation are
genuine.
Such
Secretary's certificate shall contain a certificate of an officer of the
Company, other than the officer executing the Secretary's certificate, stating
that the person executing the Secretary's certificate was validly elected to,
and is the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and that his
signature on the certificate is genuine.
4. Opinion
of counsel for the Company, addressed to MIS, to the effect that:
a) the
Preferred Shares and Receipts issued and outstanding on the date hereof have
been duly authorized, validly issued and are fully paid and are
non-assessable;
b) the
Preferred Shares and Receipts issued and outstanding on the date hereof have
been duly registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such
registration has become effective, or are exempt from such registration; and
have been duly registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
or are exempt from such registration; and
c) the
execution and delivery of this Deposit Agreement do not and will not conflict
with, violate, or result in a breach of, the terms, conditions or provisions
of,
or constitute a default under, the charter or the by-laws of the Company, any
law or regulation, any order or decree of any court or public authority having
jurisdiction, or any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or undertaking
to
which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and this Agreement is
enforceable against the Company in accordance with it terms, except as limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization and other similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
The
Company further agrees to deliver an opinion of counsel as provided in this
Exhibit C, Sections 4(a) and (b), upon any future original issuance of Preferred
Shares or Receipts for which MIS will act as transfer agent
hereunder.