GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
Between
EDISON INTERNATIONAL
(as Guarantor)
and
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
(as Trustee)
dated as of
[_________] [___], [____]
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Section of
Trust Indenture Act Section of
of 1939, as amended Guarantee Agreement
------------------- -------------------
310(a).............................................4.1(a)
310(b..............................................4.1(c), 2.8
310(c).............................................Inapplicable
311(a).............................................2.2(b)
311(b).............................................2.2(b)
311(c).............................................Inapplicable
312(a).............................................2.2(a)
312(b).............................................2.2(b)
313................................................2.3
314(a).............................................2.4
314(b).............................................Inapplicable
314(c).............................................2.5
314(d).............................................Inapplicable
314(e).............................................1.1, 2.5, 3.2
314(f).............................................2.1, 3.2
315(a).............................................3.1(d)
315(b).............................................2.7
315(c).............................................3.1
315(d).............................................3.1(d)
316(a).............................................1.1, 2.6, 5.4
316(b).............................................5.3
316(c).............................................8.2
317(a).............................................Inapplicable
317(b).............................................Inapplicable
318(a).............................................2.1(b)
318(b).............................................2.1
318(c).............................................2.1(a)
* This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Guarantee Agreement
and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions................................................2
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
Section 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application...........................4
Section 2.2 List of Holders; Preferential Claims.......................4
Section 2.3 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee...........................4
Section 2.4 Periodic Reports to the Guarantee Trustee..................4
Section 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent...........5
Section 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver..................................5
Section 2.7 Event of Default; Notice...................................5
Section 2.8 Conflicting Interests......................................5
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Section 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.................5
Section 3.2 Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee........................7
Section 3.3 Indemnity..................................................8
ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Section 4.1 Guarantee Trustee: Eligibility.............................9
Section 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of
the Guarantee Trustee.....................................9
ARTICLE V
GUARANTEE
Section 5.1 Guarantee.................................................10
Section 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand...............................10
Section 5.3 Obligations Not Affected..................................10
Section 5.4 Rights of Holders.........................................11
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
Section 5.5 Guarantee of Payment......................................11
Section 5.6 Subrogation...............................................11
Section 5.7 Independent Obligations...................................12
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION
Section 6.1 Subordination.............................................12
Section 6.2 Pari Passu Guarantees.....................................12
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
Section 7.1 Termination...............................................12
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1 Successors and Assigns....................................12
Section 8.2 Amendments................................................13
Section 8.3 Notices...................................................13
Section 8.4 Benefit...................................................14
Section 8.5 Interpretation............................................14
Section 8.6 Governing Law.............................................15
iii
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of [_________] [___], [____], entered
into between EDISON INTERNATIONAL, a California corporation having its principal
office at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000(xxx "Guarantor"),
and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, 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 Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of EIX Trust [ ], a
Delaware statutory business trust (the "Issuer").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as
of [_________] [___], [____] (the "Trust Agreement"), among Edison
International, a California corporation (the "Company"), as Depositor, the
Property Trustee named therein, the Delaware Trustee named therein, the Regular
Trustees named therein and the several Holders as defined therein, the Issuer is
issuing $[___] aggregate Liquidation Amount (as defined in the Trust Agreement)
of its [___]% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series [___]
(Liquidation Amount $25 per Preferred Security) (the "Preferred Securities"),
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer and
having the terms set forth in the Trust Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Preferred Securities will be issued by the Issuer and the
proceeds thereof, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the Common
Securities (as defined in the Trust Agreement), will be used to purchase the
Notes (as defined in the Trust Agreement) of the Company which will be deposited
with The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Property Trustee under the Trust Agreement, as
trust assets; and
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase Preferred Securities
the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent
set forth herein, to pay to the Holders of the Preferred 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
Preferred 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 Preferred Securities.
1
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.
"Event of Default" means (i) a default by the Guarantor on any of its
payment obligations under this Guarantee Agreement and (ii) a default by the
Guarantor on any other obligation hereunder that remains uncured after 30 days
from the occurrence thereof.
"Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions,
without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not
paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accumulated and unpaid
Distributions (as defined in the Trust Agreement) required to be paid on the
Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Notes are distributed to the Holders, the
lesser of (a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount of $25 per Preferred
Security plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred Securities
to the date of payment, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds on hand
available therefor at such time 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 Chase Manhattan Bank, 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 Preferred Securities; provided, however, that in determining
whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred Securities have
given any request, notice,
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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 Subordinated Indenture dated as of July [___],
1999, as supplemented and amended from time to time, between the Company and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee.
"List of Holders" has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).
"Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred 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 Preferred Securities issued by the Issuer.
"Officer's Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
President, a Vice President, the Treasurer, an Associate Treasurer, an Assistant
Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such
Person, and delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any Officer's Certificate
delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for
in this Guarantee Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement that the officer signing the Officer's 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 such officer in rendering the Officer's Certificate;
(c) a statement that such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such officer, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee,
any any Vice President, any Assistant Vice President, any Managing Director, any
Assistant Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer, any Senior Trust Officer, any
Assistant Trust Officer, any Trust Officer or any other officer associated with
the corporate trust department of the Guarantee Trustee customarily performing
functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and
also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other
officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer's knowledge of
and familiarity with the particular subject.
3
"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) This Guarantee
--------------------------------
Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are
required to be part of this Guarantee Agreement and shall, to the extent
applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Guarantee
Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310
to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall
control.
Section 2.2 List of Holders; Preferential Claims. (a) The Guarantor
------------------------------------
shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee (a)
semiannually, on or before June 30 and December 31 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
--------------------------------
following May 15 of each year, commencing May 15, 2000, 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 provide to the Guarantee Trustee, the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the Holders such documents, reports and information, if any, as required by
Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance certificate required
by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, in the form, in the manner and at the
times required by Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act.
4
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
pursuant to such Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officer's
Certificate.
Section 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver. The Holders of a Majority in
-------------------------
Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the
Holders, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver,
any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any 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 actually known to the
Guarantee Trustee, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the
Holders, notices of all such Events of Default, unless such defaults have been
cured or waived 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 the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written
notice, or 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
5
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 or waiving 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, 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, 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;
6
(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 Preferred 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 reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee
Agreement or adequate indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or
liability is not reasonably 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 Officer's
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 Officer's Certificate which, upon
receipt of such request from the Guarantee Trustee, shall be promptly
delivered by the Guarantor.
(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with legal counsel, and the
written 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.
7
(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 adequate 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.
(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 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
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 Indemnity. The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the
---------
Guarantee Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, representatives and
agents for, and to hold it and such persons harmless against, any loss,
liability or expense of whatever kind or nature regardless of their merit,
demanded, asserted or claimed against the Guarantee Trustee and 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 without limitation the costs and expenses of defending itself
(including reasonable attorneys' and consultants' fees and expenses)
8
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 indemnification provided hereunder
shall survive the termination of this Guarantee Agreement and the 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 Guarantor.
(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.
(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
9
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed 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 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 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. 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.
Section 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand. The Guarantor hereby waives
---------------------------
notice of acceptance of this 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 Preferred 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 Notes as provided in the Indenture), Redemption Price, Liquidation
Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred
Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation
under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Preferred Securities;
10
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Holders or the Guarantee Trustee to enforce, assert or exercise any right,
privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the
Preferred 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 Preferred
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, 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 a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred 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 Guarantee
Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person.
Section 5.5 Guarantee of Payment. This Guarantee Agreement creates a
--------------------
guarantee of payment and not of performance or 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 Notes 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, and shall have the
right to waive payment by the Issuer pursuant to Section 5.1; 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 against the Issuer by way
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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 Preferred 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
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Guarantee Agreement will constitute unsecured obligations of the Guarantor and
will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of
the Guarantor except those made pari passu or subordinate to such obligations
expressly by their terms.
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 any similar Guarantee Agreements issued by the Guarantor on
behalf of the holders of preferred securities issued by any other trusts
established by Edison International or its Affiliates.
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 Preferred Securities, (ii) the distribution of Notes to the Holders in
exchange for all of the Preferred 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 restore payment of any sums paid with respect to Preferred
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,
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trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of
the Holders of the Preferred Securities from time to time 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.
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 written approval of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of Preferred 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
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required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by
the party giving such notice, and delivered, telecopied 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:
Edison International
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
Attention: Corporate Secretary
(b) if given to the Issuer, in care of the Guarantee Trustee, at the
Issuer's (and the Guarantee Trustee's) respective addresses set forth below or
such other address as the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the Issuer may give
notice to the Holders:
EIX Trust [ ]
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
Attention: Corporate Governance
with a copy to:
The Chase Manhattan Bank
000 Xxxx 00/xx/ Xxxxxx, 00/xx/ Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000/8178
Attention: Capital Markets Fiduciary Services
zzz
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(c) if given to the Guarantee Trustee, at the Guarantee Trustee's
address set forth below or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee may give
notice to the Holders:
The Chase Manhattan Bank
000 Xxxx 00/xx/ Xxxxxx, 00/xx/ Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000/8178
Attention: Capital Markets Fiduciary Services
(d) 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
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of the Holders and is not separately transferable from the Preferred 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
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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
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AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA, EXCEPT THAT THE RIGHTS, DUTIES, IMMUNITIES AND INDEMNITIES OF THE
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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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.
EDISON INTERNATIONAL
By:_______________________________
Name:
Title:
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
as Guarantee Trustee
By:_______________________________
Name:
Title:
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