Exhibit 4.7
Amended and Restated
Trust Agreement
among
USF&G CORPORATION
(as Depositor)
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
(as Property Trustee)
THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE NAMED HEREIN
and
THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES NAMED HEREIN
Dated as of
__________ __, 1996
USF&G CAPITAL I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I
Defined Terms
Section 1.01. Definitions................................................4
ARTICLE II
Continuation of the Trust
Section 2.01. Name.......................................................13
Section 2.02. Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place of
Business...................................................13
Section 2.03. Initial Contribution of Trust Property; Organizational
Expenses...................................................13
Section 2.04. Issuance of the Preferred Securities.......................14
Section 2.05. Subscription and Purchase of Debentures;
Issuance of the Common Securities..........................14
Section 2.06. Declaration of Trust.......................................15
Section 2.07. Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions...........15
Section 2.08. Assets of Trust............................................18
Section 2.09. Title to Trust Property....................................18
ARTICLE III
Payment Account
Section 3.01. Payment Account............................................19
ARTICLE IV
Distributions; Redemption
Section 4.01. Distributions..............................................19
Section 4.02. Redemption.................................................20
Section 4.03. Subordination of Common Securities.........................22
Section 4.04. Payment Procedures.........................................23
Section 4.05. Tax Returns and Reports....................................23
ARTICLE V
Trust Securities Certificates
Section 5.01. Initial Ownership..........................................23
Section 5.02. The Trust Securities Certificates..........................23
Section 5.03. Delivery of Trust Securities Certificates..................24
Section 5.04. Registration of Transfer and Exchange of
Preferred Securities Certificates..........................24
Section 5.05. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Trust Securities
Certificates...............................................25
Section 5.06. Persons Deemed Securityholders.............................25
Section 5.07. Access to List of Securityholders' Names and Addresses.....25
Section 5.08. Maintenance of Office or Agency............................26
Section 5.09. Appointment of Paying Agent................................26
Section 5.10. Ownership of Common Securities by Depositor................27
Section 5.11. Book-Entry Preferred Securities Certificates;
Common Securities Certificate..............................27
Section 5.12. Notices to Clearing Agency.................................28
Section 5.13. Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates...............28
Section 5.14. Rights of Securityholders..................................29
ARTICLE VI
Acts of Securityholders; Meetings; Voting
Section 6.01. Limitations on Voting Rights...............................29
Section 6.02. Notice of Meetings.........................................30
Section 6.03. Meetings of Preferred Securityholders......................30
Section 6.04. Voting Rights..............................................31
Section 6.05. Proxies, etc...............................................31
Section 6.06. Securityholder Action by Written Consent...................31
Section 6.07. Record Date for Voting and Other Purposes..................31
Section 6.08. Acts of Securityholders....................................32
Section 6.09. Inspection of Records......................................33
ARTICLE VII
Representations and Warranties
Section 7.01. Representations and Warranties of the Trustees ............33
ARTICLE VIII
The Trustees
Section 8.01. Certain Duties and Responsibilities........................34
Section 8.02. Notice of Defaults; Direct Action by Securityholders.......35
Section 8.03. Certain Rights of Property Trustee.........................36
Section 8.04. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.....37
Section 8.05. May Hold Securities........................................37
Section 8.06. Compensation; Indemnity; Fees..............................37
Section 8.07. Corporate Property Trustee Required; Eligibility of
Trustees...................................................38
Section 8.08. Conflicting Interests......................................38
Section 8.09. Co-Trustees and Separate Trustee...........................38
Section 8.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor..........40
Section 8.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.....................41
Section 8.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
Business...................................................42
Section 8.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Depositor or
Trust......................................................42
Section 8.14. Reports by Property Trustee.................................43
Section 8.15. Reports to the Property Trustee.............................43
Section 8.16. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent............43
Section 8.17. Number of Trustees..........................................44
Section 8.18. Delegation of Power.........................................44
Section 8.19. Voting......................................................44
ARTICLE IX
Termination and Liquidation
Section 9.01. Termination Upon Expiration Date............................45
Section 9.02. Early Termination...........................................45
Section 9.03. Termination.................................................45
Section 9.04. Liquidation.................................................45
ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 10.01 Limitation of Rights of Securityholders.....................47
Section 10.02 Amendment...................................................47
Section 10.03 Separability................................................48
Section 10.04 Governing Law...............................................48
Section 10.05 Payments Due on Non-Business Day............................49
Section 10.06 Successors..................................................49
Section 10.07 Headings....................................................49
Section 10.08 Reports, Notices and Demands................................49
Section 10.09 Agreement Not to Petition...................................50
Section 10.10 Trust Indenture Act; Conflict with Trust Indenture Act......50
Section 10.11 Acceptance of Terms of Trust Agreement, Guarantee and
Indenture...................................................50
AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of ________ __, 1996,
among (i) USF&G Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the "Depositor"), (ii) The
Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of the State of New York, as trustee (the "Property Trustee"),
(iii) The Bank of New York (Delaware), a Delaware corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, as Delaware trustee (the
"Delaware Trustee"), (iv) J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, an individual, ________, an
individual and _________, an individual, each of whose address is c/o USF&G
Corporation,, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 (each an
"Administrative Trustee" and collectively the "Administrative Trustees") (the
Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the Administrative Trustees are
referred to collectively as the "Trustees") and (v) the several Holders, as
hereinafter defined.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Depositor, the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and
J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, as a trustee of the Trust have heretofore duly declared and
established a business trust pursuant to the Delaware Business Trust Act by the
entering into of that certain Trust Agreement, dated as of December 28, 1995
(the "Original Trust Agreement"), and by the execution and filing with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of the Certificate of Trust, filed
on December 28, 1995, attached as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Depositor, the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and
the Administrative Trustees desire to amend and restate the Original Trust
Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein to provide for, among other
things, (i) the issuance of the Common Securities by the Trust to the Depositor,
(ii) the issuance and sale of the Preferred Securities by the Trust pursuant to
the Underwriting Agreement and (iii) the acquisition by the Trust from the
Depositor of all of the right, title and interest in the Debentures;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set
forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of
which is hereby acknowledged, each party, for the benefit of the other party and
for the benefit of the Securityholders, hereby amends and restates the Original
Trust Agreement in its entirety and agrees as follows:
ARTICLE I
Defined Terms
Section 1.01. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Trust Agreement, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
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(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned
to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the
singular;
(b) all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust
Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the
meanings assigned to them therein;
(c) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an
"Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the
case may be, of this Trust Agreement; and
(d) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words
of similar import refer to this Trust Agreement as a whole and not to
any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
"Act " has the meaning specified in Section 6.08.
"Additional Amount" means, with respect to Trust Securities of a given
Liquidation Amount and/or a given period, the amount of Additional Interest (as
defined in the Indenture) paid by the Depositor on a Like Amount of Debentures
for such period.
"Administrative Trustee" means each of the individuals identified as an
"Administrative Trustee" in the preamble to this Trust Agreement, solely in his
capacity as Administrative Trustee of the Trust created and continued hereunder
and not in his individual capacity, or such Administrative Trustee's successor
in interest in such capacity, or any successor trustee appointed as herein
provided.
"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.
"Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person:
(a) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises
of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of such Person in an
involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Bankruptcy Law or
(B) a decree or order adjudging such Person a bankrupt or insolvent, or
approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization,
arrangement, adjudication or composition of or in respect of such
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Person under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a
custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or
other similar official of such Person or of any substantial part of its
property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and
the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such
other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90
consecutive days; or
(b) the commencement by such Person of a voluntary case or
proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or
proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or of the consent
by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of such
Person in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable
Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case
or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer
or consent seeking reorganization or relief under Federal or State law,
or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the
appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of such
Person or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it
of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it
in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become
due, or the taking of corporate action by such Person in furtherance of
any such action.
"Bankruptcy Laws" has the meaning specified in Section 10.09.
"Board Resolution" means (i) a copy of a resolution certified by the
Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Depositor to have
been duly adopted by the Depositor's Board of Directors or a committee thereof
and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification or (ii) a
certificate signed by the authorized officer or officers of the Depositor to
whom the board of directors of the Depositor or a committee thereof has
delegated its authority, and in each case, delivered to the Trustee.
"Book Entry Preferred Securities Certificates" means the Preferred
Securities Certificates, ownership and transfers of which shall be made through
book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 5.11.
"Business Day" means a day other than (a) a Saturday or Sunday, (b) a
day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to remain closed, or (c) a day on which the
Property Trustee's Corporate Trust Office or the Debenture Trustee's principal
corporate trust office is closed for business.
"Certificate Depository Agreement" means the agreement among the Trust,
the Property Trustee and The Depository Trust Company, as the initial Clearing
Agency, dated as of the Closing Date, relating to the Preferred Securities
Certificates, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B, as the same may
be amended and supplemented from time to time.
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"Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "clearing
agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. The Depository Trust Company will be the initial Clearing Agency.
"Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other
financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Clearing
Agency effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the
Clearing Agency.
"Closing Date" means the First Time of Delivery as defined in the
Underwriting Agreement, which date is also the date of execution and delivery of
this Trust Agreement.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time
to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such
Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under
the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
"Common Security" means an undivided beneficial interest in the assets
of the Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $25 and having the rights provided
therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive Distributions
and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.
"Common Securities Certificate" means a certificate evidencing
ownership of Common Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the principal corporate trust office of
the Property Trustee located in New York, New York, which at the date hereof is
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00 X, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000.
"Debenture Event of Default" means an "Event of Default" as defined in
the Indenture.
"Debenture Redemption Date" means "Redemption Date" as defined in the
Indenture.
"Debenture Trustee" means The Bank of New York, a New York banking
corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York, as any successor
appointed in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Indenture.
"Debentures" means the $_______ aggregate principal amount (or up to
$______ aggregate principal amount if and to the extent the overallotment option
granted by the Trust to the Underwriters is exercised) of the Depositor's __%
Deferrable Interest Subordinated Debentures, Series A, Due 20__, issued pursuant
to the Indenture.
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"Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates" means Preferred
Securities Certificates issued in certificated, fully registered form as
provided in Section 5.13.
"Delaware Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware
Code, 12 Del. C. ss. 3801, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time.
"Delaware Trustee" means the entity identified as the "Delaware
Trustee" in the preamble to this Trust Agreement solely in its capacity as
Delaware Trustee of the Trust created and continued hereunder and not in its
individual capacity, or its successor in interest in such capacity, or any
successor trustee appointed as herein provided.
"Depositor" has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Trust
Agreement.
"Distribution Date" has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(a).
"Distributions" means amounts payable in respect of the Trust
Securities as provided in Section 4.01.
"Event of Default" means any one of the following events (whatever the
reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or
involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body):
(a) the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default; or
(b) default by the Property Trustee in the payment of any Distribution
when it becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default for a
period of 30 days; or
(c) default by the Property Trustee in the payment of any Redemption
Price of any Trust Security when it becomes due and payable; or
(d) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of
any covenant or warranty of the Trustees in this Trust Agreement (other
than a covenant or warranty, a default in whose performance or breach is
dealt with in clause (b) or (c) above) and continuation of such default or
breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or
certified mail, to the defaulting Trustee or Trustees by the Holders of at
least 10% in Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding Preferred Securities a
written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be
remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder;
or
(e) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Property
Trustee and failure by the Depositor to appoint a successor Property
Trustee within 60 days thereof.
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"Expense Agreement" means the Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities
between the Depositor and the Trust, substantially in the form attached as
Exhibit D, as amended from time to time.
"Grantor Trust Event" has the meaning specified in Section 9.02(b).
"Guarantee" means the Guarantee Agreement executed and delivered by the
Depositor and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as trustee,
contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust Agreement, for
the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities, as amended from time to
time.
"Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of January __, 1996, as
supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January __, 1996,
between the Depositor and the Debenture Trustee, as trustee, as amended or
supplemented from time to time.
"Investment Company Event" means the occurrence of a change in law or
regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by
any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a
"Change in 1940 Act Law") to the effect that the Trust is or will be considered
an "investment company" that is required to be registered under the 1940 Act,
which Change in 1940 Act Law becomes effective on or after the date of original
issuance of the Preferred Securities.
"Lien" means any lien, pledge, charge, encumbrance, mortgage, deed of
trust, adverse ownership interest, hypothecation, assignment, security interest
or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement
of any kind or nature whatsoever.
"Like Amount" means (a) with respect to a redemption of Trust
Securities, Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal
amount of Debentures to be contemporaneously redeemed in accordance with the
Indenture and the proceeds of which will be used to pay the Redemption Price of
such Trust Securities, and (b) with respect to a distribution to Holders of
Trust Securities of Debentures in connection with a termination or liquidation
of the Trust, Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities of the Holder to whom such Debentures
are distributed.
"Liquidation Amount" means the stated amount of $25 per Trust Security.
"Liquidation Date" means the date on which Debentures are to be
distributed to Holders of Trust Securities in connection with a termination and
liquidation of the Trust pursuant to Section 9.04(a).
"Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning specified in Section
9.04(d).
"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
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"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by (i) any two of
the following individuals: the Chairman, the President, an Executive Vice
President or a Vice President of the Depositor, or (ii) by one of the foregoing
individuals and by any other Vice President, the Treasurer, an Assistant
Treasurer, the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Corporate Secretary of the
Depositor, or any other individual authorized by the Depositor's Board of
Directors for such purpose, and delivered to the Trustee. Any Officers'
Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Trust Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate
has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers'
Certificate;
(c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such
officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be
counsel for the Trust, the Property Trustee or the Depositor, but not an
employee of any thereof, and who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
Property Trustee.
"Original Trust Agreement" has the meaning specified in the recitals to
this Trust Agreement.
"Outstanding", when used with respect to Preferred Securities, means,
as of the date of determination, all Preferred Securities theretofore executed
and delivered under this Trust Agreement, except:
(a) Preferred Securities theretofore cancelled by the Administrative
Trustees or delivered
to the Administrative Trustees for cancellation;
(b) Preferred Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the
necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Property Trustee
or any Paying Agent for the Holders of such Preferred Securities; provided
that, if such Preferred Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such
redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Trust Agreement; and
(c) Preferred Securities which have been paid or in exchange for or in
lieu of which other Preferred Securities have been executed and delivered
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pursuant to Section 5.05, other than any such Preferred Securities in
respect of which there shall have been presented to the Property Trustee
proof satisfactory to it that such Preferred Securities are held by a bona
fide purchaser in whose hands such Preferred Securities are valid
obligations of the Company;
provided, however that in determining whether the holders of the requisite
Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding Preferred Securities have given any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder,
Preferred Securities owned by the Depositor, any Trustee or any Affiliate of the
Depositor or any Trustee shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding,
except that (a) in determining whether any Trustee shall be protected in relying
upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or
waiver, only Preferred Securities which such Trustee actually knows to be so
owned shall be so disregarded and (b) the foregoing shall not apply at any time
when all of the Outstanding Preferred Securities are owned by the Depositor, one
or more of the Trustees and/or any such Affiliate. Preferred Securities so owned
which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the
pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Administrative Trustees the
pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Preferred Securities and that the
pledgee is not the Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor.
"Owner" means each Person who is the beneficial owner of a Book Entry
Preferred Securities Certificate as reflected in the records of the Clearing
Agency or, if a Clearing Agency Participant is not the beneficial owner, then as
reflected in the records of a Person maintaining an account with such Clearing
Agency (directly or indirectly, in accordance with the rules of such Clearing
Agency).
"Paying Agent" means the Property Trustee and any co-paying agent
appointed pursuant to Section 5.09.
"Payment Account" means a segregated non-interest-bearing corporate
trust account maintained by the Property Trustee or any other Paying Agent in
its trust department for the benefit of the Securityholders in which all amounts
paid in respect of the Debentures will be held and from which the Property
Trustee or such other Paying Agent shall make payments to the Securityholders in
accordance with Section 4.01.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, limited liability company or corporation, unincorporated organization or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Preferred Security" means an undivided beneficial interest in the
assets of the Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $25 and having rights
provided therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive
Distributions and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.
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"Preferred Securities Certificate" means a certificate evidencing
ownership of Preferred Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit
E.
"Property Trustee" means the commercial bank or trust company
identified as the "Property Trustee" in the preamble to this Trust Agreement
solely in its capacity as Property Trustee of the Trust heretofore created and
continued hereunder and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in
interest in such capacity, or any successor property trustee appointed as herein
provided.
"Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Trust Security to be
redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Trust
Agreement; provided that each Debenture Redemption Date and the stated maturity
of the Debentures shall be a Redemption Date for a Like Amount of Trust
Securities.
"Redemption Price" means, with respect to any Trust Security, the
Liquidation Amount of such Trust Security, plus accumulated and unpaid
Distributions thereon to the date of redemption, plus the amount of the premium,
if any, paid by the Depositor upon the concurrent redemption of a Like Amount of
Debentures.
"Securities Register" and "Securities Registrar" have the respective
meanings specified in Section 5.04.
"Securityholder" or "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Trust
Security or Securities is registered in the Securities Register; any such Person
shall be deemed to be a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Delaware
Business Trust Act.
"Special Event" has the meaning specified in Section 9.02(b).
"Tax Event" means that the Depositor shall have received an Opinion of
Counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any
amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the
laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein affecting taxation, or as a
result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of
original issuance of the Preferred Securities, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or will be, subject to United States
federal income tax with respect to income accrued or received on the Debentures,
(ii) interest payable by the Depositor on the Debentures is not, or will not be,
deductible by the Depositor for United States federal income tax purposes or
(iii) the Trust is, or will be, subject to more than a de minimis amount of
other taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges.
"Trust" means the Delaware business trust created and continued hereby
and identified on the cover page to this Trust Agreement.
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"Trust Agreement" means this Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, as
the same may be modified, amended or supplemented in accordance with the
applicable provisions hereof, including all exhibits hereto, including, for all
purposes of this Trust Agreement and any such modification, amendment or
supplement, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a
part of and govern this Trust Agreement and any such modification, amendment or
supplement, respectively.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force
at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in
the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust
Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
"Trust Property" means (a) the Debentures, (b) any cash on deposit in,
or owing to, the Payment Account and (c) all proceeds and rights in respect of
the foregoing and any other property and assets for the time being held or
deemed to be held by the Property Trustee pursuant to the trusts of this Trust
Agreement.
"Trust Security" means any one of the Common Securities or the Preferred
Securities.
"Trust Securities Certificate" means any one of the Common Securities
Certificates or the Preferred Securities Certificates.
"Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement, dated
_________, 1996, among the Trust, the Depositor and the Underwriters named
therein.
ARTICLE II
Continuation of the Trust
Section 2.01. Name.
The Trust created and continued hereby shall be known as "USF&G Capital
I," as such name may be modified from time to time by the Administrative
Trustees following written notice to the Holders of Trust Securities and the
other Trustees, in which name the Trustees may conduct the business of the
Trust, make and execute contracts and other instruments on behalf of the Trust
and xxx and be sued.
Section 2.02. Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place of
Business.
The address of the Delaware Trustee in the State of Delaware is 00
Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 or such other address in the State of
Delaware as the Delaware Trustee may designate by written notice to the
Securityholders and the Depositor. The principal place of business of the Trust
is c/o USF&G Corporation, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000.
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Section 2.03. Initial Contribution of Trust Property;
Organizational Expenses.
The Property Trustee acknowledges receipt in trust from the Depositor
in connection with the Original Trust Agreement of the sum of $10, which
constituted the initial Trust Property. The Depositor shall pay organizational
expenses of the Trust as they arise or shall, upon request of any Trustee,
promptly reimburse such Trustee for any such expenses paid by such Trustee. The
Depositor shall make no claim upon the Trust Property for the payment of such
expenses.
Section 2.04. Issuance of the Preferred Securities.
On _________, 1996 the Depositor, on behalf of the Trust and pursuant
to the Original Trust Agreement, executed and delivered the Underwriting
Agreement. Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement, at least one Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall
execute in accordance with Section 5.02 and deliver to the Underwriters named
therein Preferred Securities Certificates, registered in the name of the nominee
of the initial Clearing Agency, in an aggregate amount of _________ Preferred
Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of $_________, against receipt
of the aggregate purchase price of such Preferred Securities of $_________,
which amount the Administrative Trustees shall promptly deliver to the Property
Trustee. In the event and to the extent the overallotment option granted by the
Trust pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement is exercised by the Underwriters
named therein, at least one Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust,
shall execute in accordance with Section 5.02 and deliver to the Underwriters
named therein Preferred Securities Certificates, registered in the name of the
nominee of the initial Clearing Agency, in an aggregate amount of up to
_________ Preferred Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of up to
$_________, against receipt of the aggregate purchase price of such Preferred
Securities of up to $_________, which amount the Administrative Trustees shall
promptly deliver to the Property Trustee on the date specified pursuant to the
Underwriting Agreement.
Section 2.05. Subscription and Purchase of Debentures; Issuance of the
Common Securities.
Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement, the Administrative Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, shall subscribe
to and purchase from the Depositor Debentures, registered in the name of the
Trust and having an aggregate principal amount equal to $_________, and, in
satisfaction of the purchase price for such Debentures, the Property Trustee, on
behalf of the Trust, shall deliver to the Depositor the sum of $_________, and
contemporaneously therewith, at least one Administrative Trustee, on behalf of
the Trust, shall execute in accordance with Section 5.02 and deliver to the
Depositor Common Securities Certificates, registered in the name of the
Depositor, in an aggregate amount of _________ Common Securities having an
aggregate Liquidation Amount of $_________, and in satisfaction of the purchase
price of such Common Securities the Depositor shall deliver to the Trust the sum
of $___________. In the event and to the extent the over-allotment option
granted by the Trust pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement is exercised by the
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Underwriters named thereon, the Administrative Trustees, on behalf of the Trust,
shall subscribe to and purchase from the Depositor Debentures, registered in the
name of the Trust and having an aggregate principal amount of up to $_________,
and, in satisfaction of the purchase price for such Debentures, the Property
Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall deliver to the Depositor an amount equal
to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures being purchased and
contemporaneously therewith, at least one Administrative Trustee, on behalf of
the Trust, shall execute in accordance with Section 5.02 and deliver to the
Depositor Common Securities Certificates, registered in the name of the
Depositor, in an aggregate amount (determined on a pro rata basis to the extent
the overallotment option is exercised) of up to _________ Common Securities
having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of up to $_________ and, in satisfaction
of the purchase price for such Common Securities, the Depositor shall deliver to
the Trust up to $_____________.
Section 2.06. Declaration of Trust.
The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and
sell Trust Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the
Debentures, (b) to maintain the status of the Trust as a grantor trust for
federal income tax purposes, and (c) except as otherwise limited herein, to
engage in only those activities necessary or incidental thereto. The Depositor
hereby appoints the Trustees as trustees of the Trust, to have all the rights,
powers and duties to the extent set forth herein, and the Trustees hereby accept
such appointment. The Property Trustee hereby declares that it will hold the
Trust Property in trust upon and subject to the conditions set forth herein for
the benefit of the Securityholders. The Administrative Trustees shall have all
rights, powers and duties set forth herein. The Delaware Trustee shall not be
entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the
duties and responsibilities, of the Property Trustee or the Administrative
Trustees set forth herein. The Delaware Trustee shall be one of the Trustees of
the Trust for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of
Section 3807 of the Delaware Business Trust Act.
Section 2.07. Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions.
(a) The Trustees shall conduct the affairs of the Trust in accordance
with the terms of this Trust Agreement. Subject to the limitations set forth in
paragraph (b) of this Section, and in accordance with the following provisions
(i) and (ii), the Trustees shall have the authority to enter into all
transactions and agreements determined by the Trustees to be appropriate in
exercising the authority, express or implied, otherwise granted to the Trustees
under this Trust Agreement, and to perform all acts in furtherance thereof,
including without limitation, the following:
(i) As among the Trustees, each Administrative Trustee shall
have the power and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the
following matters:
.........(A) issuing and selling the Trust Securities;
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.........(B) causing the Trust to enter into, and to execute,
deliver and perform on behalf of the Trust, the Expense Agreement and
the Certificate Depository Agreement and such other agreements as may
be necessary or desirable in connection with the purposes and function
of the Trust, including the appointment of a successor depositary;
......... (C) assisting in the registration of the Preferred
Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under
state securities or blue sky laws, and the qualification of this Trust
Agreement as a trust indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
.........(D) assisting in the listing of the Preferred Securities
upon such securities exchange or exchanges as shall be determined by
the Depositor and the registration of the Preferred Securities under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the preparation
and filing of all periodic and other reports and other documents
pursuant to the foregoing;
.........(E) to the extent provided in this Trust Agreement,
winding up the affairs of and liquidating the Trust and preparing,
executing and filing of the certificate of cancellation with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
.........(F) sending notices (other than notices of defaults) and
other information regarding the Trust Securities and the Debentures to
Securityholders in accordance with this Trust Agreement; and
.........(G) taking any action incidental to the foregoing as the
Administrative Trustees may from time to time determine is necessary
or advisable to give effect to the terms of this Trust Agreement for
the benefit of the Securityholders (without consideration of the
effect of any such action on any particular Securityholder).
(ii) As among the Trustees, the Property Trustee shall have
the power, duty and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the
following matters:
.........(A) establishing and maintaining the Payment Account and
appointing Paying Agents (subject to Section 5.09);
.........(B) receiving the Debentures;
.........(C) collecting interest, principal and any other
payments made in respect of the Debentures in the Payment Account;
.........(D) distributing amounts owed to the Securityholders in
respect of the Trust Securities;
.........(E) exercising all of the rights, powers and privileges
of a holder of the Debentures;
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.........(F) sending notices of defaults and other information
regarding the Trust Securities and the Debentures to the
Securityholders in accordance with this Trust Agreement;
.........(G) distributing the Trust Property in accordance with
the terms of this Trust Agreement;
.........(H) to the extent provided in this Trust Agreement,
winding up the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust and the
preparing, executing and filing of the certificate of cancellation
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
.........(I) after an Event of Default, taking any action
incidental to the foregoing as the Property Trustee may from time to
time determine is necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms
of this Trust Agreement and protect and conserve the Trust Property
for the benefit of the Securityholders (without consideration of the
effect of any such action on any particular Securityholder); and
.........(J) registering transfers of the Trust Securities in
accordance with this Trust Agreement (if at such time the Property
Trustee shall be the Securities Registrar).
(b) So long as this Trust Agreement remains in effect, the Trust (or
the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust) shall not undertake any business,
activities or transaction except as expressly provided herein or contemplated
hereby. In particular, the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust shall not (i)
acquire any assets or investments (other than the Debentures as provided
herein), reinvest the proceeds derived from investments, possess any power or
otherwise act in such a way as to vary the Trust Property or engage in any
activities not authorized by this Trust Agreement, (ii) sell, assign, transfer,
exchange, mortgage, pledge, set-off or otherwise dispose of any of the Trust
Property or interests therein, including to Securityholders, except as expressly
provided herein, (iii) take any action that would cause the Trust to fail or
cease to qualify as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes, (iv) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any other
debt, (v) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, or
beneficial interests in, the Trust other than the Trust Securities, or (vi) take
or consent to any action that would result in the placement of a Lien on any of
the Trust Property. The Administrative Trustees shall defend all claims and
demands of all Persons at any time claiming any Lien on any of the Trust
Property adverse to the interest of the Trust or the Securityholders in their
capacity as Securityholders.
(c) In connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred Securities,
the Depositor shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Trust with
respect to, or effect on behalf of the Trust, the following (and any actions
taken by the Depositor in furtherance of the following prior to the date of this
Trust Agreement are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects):
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(i) preparing for filing by the Trust with the Commission and
executing on behalf of the Trust a registration statement on Form S-3 in
relation to the Preferred Securities, including any amendments thereto;
(ii) determining the States in which to take appropriate
action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Preferred Securities
and doing any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by or on
behalf of the Trust, and advising the Trustees of actions they must take on
behalf of the Trust, and prepare for execution and filing any documents to be
executed and filed by the Trust or on behalf of the Trust, as the Depositor
deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any
such States;
(iii) preparing for filing by the Trust and executing on
behalf of the Trust an application to the New York Stock Exchange or any other
national stock exchange or the Nasdaq National Market for listing upon notice of
issuance of any Preferred Securities;
(iv) preparing for filing by the Trust with the Commission and
executing on behalf of the Trust a registration statement on Form 8-A relating
to the registration of the Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including any amendments
thereto;
(v) negotiating the terms of, and executing and delivering,
the Underwriting Agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred
Securities; and
(vi) taking any other actions necessary or desirable to carry
out any of the foregoing activities.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative
Trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of the Trust and to
operate the Trust so that the Trust will not be deemed to be an "investment
company" required to be registered under the 1940 Act, or taxed as a corporation
or a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes and so that the
Trust will qualify as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes and the Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Depositor for
United States federal income tax purposes. In this connection, the Depositor and
the Administrative Trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent
with applicable law, the Certificate of Trust, as amended from time to time, or
this Trust Agreement, that each of the Depositor and the Administrative Trustees
determines in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes,
as long as such action does not materially adversely affect the interests of the
holders of the Preferred Securities.
Section 2.08. Assets of Trust.
The assets of the Trust shall consist of the Trust Property.
Section 2.09. Title to Trust Property.
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Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the
Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and administered by
the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Securityholders in accordance with
this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE III
Payment Account
Section 3.01. Payment Account.
(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Property Trustee shall
establish the Payment Account. The Property Trustee and any agent of the
Property Trustee shall have exclusive control and sole right of withdrawal with
respect to the Payment Account for the purpose of making deposits in and
withdrawals from the Payment Account in accordance with this Trust Agreement.
All monies and other property deposited or held from time to time in the Payment
Account shall be held in the Payment Account by the Property Trustee or other
applicable Paying Agent for the exclusive benefit of the Securityholders and for
distribution as herein provided, including (and subject to) any priority of
payments provided for herein.
(b) The Property Trustee shall deposit in the Payment Account, promptly
upon receipt, all payments of principal or interest on, and any other payments
or proceeds with respect to, the Debentures. Amounts held in the Payment Account
shall not be invested pending distribution thereof.
ARTICLE IV
Distributions; Redemption
Section 4.01. Distributions.
(a) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be cumulative, and
will accumulate whether or not there are funds of the Trust available for the
payment of Distributions. Distributions shall accrue from _________, 1996 and,
except in the event that the Depositor exercises its right to extend the
interest payment period for the Debentures pursuant to the Indenture, shall be
payable quarterly in arrears on [March 31, June 30, September 30 and December
31] of each year, commencing on _________, 1996. If any date on which
Distributions are otherwise payable on the Trust Securities is not a Business
Day, then the payment of such Distribution shall be made on the next succeeding
day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in
respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar year, payment of such Distribution shall be made on the
immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect
as if made on such date (each date on which Distributions are payable in
accordance with this Section 4.01(a) a "Distribution Date").
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(b) The Trust Securities represent undivided beneficial interests in
the Trust Property, and, subject to Section 4.03 hereof, all Distributions will
be made pro rata on each of the Trust Securities. Distributions on the Trust
Securities shall be payable at a rate of ___% per annum of the Liquidation
Amount of the Trust Securities. The amount of Distributions payable for any full
quarterly period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months and, for any period shorter than a full month, shall be computed
on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in such period. If the
interest payment period for the Debentures is extended pursuant to the
Indenture, then the rate per annum at which Distributions on the Trust
Securities accumulate shall be increased by an amount such that the aggregate
amount of Distributions that accumulate on all Trust Securities during any such
extended interest payment period is equal to the aggregate amount of interest
(including interest payable on unpaid interest at the percentage rate per annum
set forth above, compounded quarterly) that accrues during any such extended
interest payment period on the Debentures. The amount of Distributions payable
for any period shall include the Additional Amounts, if any.
(c) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be made from the
Payment Account by the Property Trustee or other applicable Paying Agent and
shall be payable on each Distribution Date only to the extent that the Trust has
funds then on hand and available in the Payment Account for the payment of such
Distributions.
(d) Distributions on the Trust Securities with respect to a
Distribution Date shall be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the
Securities Register for the Trust Securities on the relevant record date, which
shall be one Business Day prior to such Distribution Date; provided, however,
that in the event that the Preferred Securities do not remain in book-entry-only
form, the relevant record date shall be the date 15 days prior to the relevant
Distribution Date.
Section 4.02. Redemption.
(a) On each Debenture Redemption Date, the Trust will be required to
redeem a Like Amount of Trust Securities at the Redemption Price.
(b) Notice of redemption shall be given by the Property Trustee by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 20 nor more than 90 days
prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Trust Securities to be redeemed,
at such Holder's address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of
redemption shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price;
(iii) the CUSIP number;
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(iv) if less than all the Outstanding Trust Securities are to be
redeemed, the identification and the total Liquidation Amount of the particular
Trust Securities to be redeemed;
(v) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become
due and payable upon each such Trust Security to be redeemed and that
Distributions thereon will cease to accrue on and after such date; and
(vi) if the Preferred Securities are no longer in book-entry
only form, the place or places where Preferred Securities Certificates are to be
surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price.
(c) The Trust Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date shall be
redeemed at the Redemption Price with the proceeds from the contemporaneous
redemption of Debentures. Redemptions of the Trust Securities shall be made and
the Redemption Price shall be payable on each Redemption Date only to the extent
that the Trust has funds then on hand and available in the Payment Account for
the payment of such Redemption Price.
(d) If the Trust, by action of the Property Trustee, gives a notice of
redemption in respect of any Preferred Securities, then, by 11:00 a.m., New York
time, on the Redemption Date, subject to Section 4.02(c), the Property Trustee
will, so long as the Preferred Securities are in book-entry-only form,
irrevocably deposit with the Clearing Agency for the Preferred Securities funds
sufficient to pay the Redemption Price for the Preferred Securities being
redeemed on such date and will give such Clearing Agency irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the Holders of such
Preferred Securities. If the Preferred Securities are no longer in
book-entry-only form, the Property Trustee, by 11:00 a.m., New York time, on the
Redemption Date, subject to Section 4.02(c), will irrevocably deposit with the
Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price for the Preferred
Securities being redeemed on such date and will give the Paying Agent
irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the Owners
of such Preferred Securities upon surrender of their Preferred Securities
Certificates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions payable on or prior
to the Redemption Date for any Trust Securities called for redemption shall be
payable to the Holders of such Trust Securities as they appear on the Securities
Register for the Trust Securities on the relevant record dates for the related
Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have been given and funds
deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit, all rights of
Securityholders holding Trust Securities so called for redemption will cease,
except the right of such Securityholders to receive the Redemption Price, but
without interest, and such Trust Securities will cease to be Outstanding. In the
event that any date on which any Redemption Price is payable is not a Business
Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on
the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or
other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day
falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case, with the same force and effect as if made
on such date. In the event that payment of the Redemption Price in respect of
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any Trust Securities called for redemption is improperly withheld or refused,
and not paid either by the Trust or by the Depositor pursuant to the Guarantee,
Distributions on such Trust Securities will continue to accrue, at the then
applicable rate, from the Redemption Date originally established by the Trust
for such Trust Securities to the date such Redemption Price is actually paid, in
which case the actual payment date will be the date fixed for redemption for
purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.
(e) If less than all the Outstanding Trust Securities are to be
redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the aggregate Liquidation Amount of Trust
Securities to be redeemed shall be allocated 3% to the Common Securities and 97%
to the Preferred Securities. The particular Preferred Securities to be redeemed
shall be selected not more than 90 days prior to the Redemption Date by the
Property Trustee from the Outstanding Preferred Securities not previously called
for redemption, by such method as the Property Trustee shall deem fair and
appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions
(equal to $25 or an integral multiple thereof) of the aggregate Liquidation
Amount of Preferred Securities of a denomination larger than $25. The Property
Trustee shall promptly notify the Securities Registrar in writing of the
Preferred Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Preferred
Securities selected for partial redemption, the Liquidation Amount thereof to be
redeemed. For all purposes of this Trust Agreement, unless the context otherwise
requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Preferred Securities
shall relate, in the case of any Preferred Securities redeemed or to be redeemed
only in part, to the portion of the Liquidation Amount of Preferred Securities
which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section 4.03. Subordination of Common Securities.
(a) Payment of Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if
applicable) on, and the Redemption Price of, the Trust Securities, as
applicable, shall be made pro rata based on the Liquidation Amount of the Trust
Securities; provided, however, that if on any Distribution Date or Redemption
Date a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, no
payment of any Distribution (including Additional Amounts, if applicable) on, or
Redemption Price of, any Common Security, and no other payment on account of the
redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of Common Securities, shall be made
unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions
(including Additional Amounts, if applicable) on all Outstanding Preferred
Securities for all distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in
the case of payment of the Redemption Price the full amount of such Redemption
Price on all Outstanding Preferred Securities then being redeemed, shall have
been made or provided for, and all funds immediately available to the Property
Trustee shall first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all
Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable) on, or the
Redemption Price of, Preferred Securities then due and payable.
(b) In the case of the occurrence of any Debenture Event of Default,
the Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any right to act
with respect to any related Event of Default under this Trust Agreement until
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the effect of such related Event of Default has been cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated. Until any such Event of Default under this Trust Agreement has been
so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property Trustee shall act solely
on behalf of the Holders of the Preferred Securities and not the Holder of the
Common Securities, and only the Holders of the Preferred Securities will have
the right to direct the Property Trustee to act on their behalf.
Section 4.04. Payment Procedures.
Subject to Section 4.02(d), payments in respect of the Preferred
Securities shall be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled
thereto as such address shall appear on the Securities Register or, if the
Preferred Securities are held by a Clearing Agency, such Distributions shall be
made to the Clearing Agency in immediately available funds, which shall credit
the relevant Persons' accounts at such Clearing Agency on the applicable
distribution dates. Payments in respect of the Common Securities shall be made
in such manner as shall be mutually agreed between the Property Trustee and the
Common Securityholder.
Section 4.05. Tax Returns and Reports.
The Administrative Trustees shall prepare (or cause to be prepared), at
the Depositor's expense, and file all federal, state and local tax and
information returns and reports required to be filed by or in respect of the
Trust. In this regard, the Administrative Trustees shall (a) prepare and file
(or cause to be prepared or filed) the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Form
required to be filed in respect of the Trust in each taxable year of the Trust
and (b) prepare and furnish (or cause to be prepared and furnished) to each
Securityholder the related Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 OID, or any
successor form or the information required to be provided on such form. The
Administrative Trustees shall provide the Depositor and the Property Trustee
with a copy of all such returns, reports and schedules promptly after such
filing or furnishing. The Trustees shall comply with United States federal
withholding and backup withholding tax laws and information reporting
requirements with respect to any payments to Securityholders under the Trust
Securities.
ARTICLE V
Trust Securities Certificates
Section 5.01. Initial Ownership.
Upon the creation of the Trust and the contribution by the Depositor
pursuant to Section 2.03 and until the issuance of the Trust Securities, and at
any time during which no Trust Securities are outstanding, the Depositor shall
be the sole beneficial owner of the Trust.
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Section 5.02. The Trust Securities Certificates.
The Trust Securities Certificates shall be issued in minimum
denominations of $25 Liquidation Amount and integral multiples thereof. The
Trust Securities Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Trust by manual
signature of at least one Administrative Trustee. Trust Securities Certificates
bearing the manual signatures of individuals who were, at the time when such
signatures shall have been affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of the Trust,
shall be validly issued and entitled to the benefits of this Trust Agreement,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them shall have ceased to be so
authorized prior to the delivery of such Trust Securities Certificates or did
not hold such offices at the date of delivery of such Trust Securities
Certificates. A transferee of a Trust Securities Certificate shall become a
Securityholder, and shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the
obligations of a Securityholder hereunder, upon due registration of such Trust
Securities Certificate in such transferee's name pursuant to Section 5.04.
Section 5.03. Delivery of Trust Securities Certificates.
On the Closing Date and on any date on which Preferred Securities are
required to be delivered pursuant to the exercise of the overallotment option
provided for in the Underwriting Agreement, the Administrative Trustees shall
cause Trust Securities Certificates, in an aggregate Liquidation Amount as
provided in Sections 2.04 and 2.05, to be executed on behalf of the Trust as
provided in Section 5.02 and delivered to or upon a written order of the
Depositor signed by its Chairman of the Board, its President, any Executive Vice
President or any Vice President, without further corporate action by the
Depositor, in authorized denominations.
Section 5.04. Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Preferred Securities
Certificates.
A registrar appointed by the Depositor (the "Securities Registrar")
shall keep or cause to be kept, at the office or agency maintained pursuant to
Section 5.08, a register (the "Securities Register") in which, subject to such
reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Securities Registrar shall
provide for the registration of Trust Securities Certificates (subject to
Section 5.10 in the case of the Common Securities Certificates) and registration
of transfers and exchanges of Preferred Securities Certificates as herein
provided. The Property Trustee shall be the initial Securities Registrar; any
successor Security Registrar shall be appointed in accordance with Section 2.07.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Preferred Securities
Certificate at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 5.08, the
Administrative Trustees or any one of them shall execute and deliver, in the
name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Preferred
Securities Certificates in authorized denominations of a like aggregate
Liquidation Amount dated the date of execution by such Administrative Trustee or
Trustees. At the option of a Holder, Preferred Securities Certificates may be
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exchanged for other Preferred Securities Certificates in authorized
denominations of the same class and of a like aggregate Liquidation Amount upon
surrender of the Preferred Securities Certificates to be exchanged at the office
or agency maintained pursuant to Section 5.08. The Securities Registrar shall
not be required to register the transfer of any Preferred Securities that have
been called for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion
of any Preferred Security being redeemed in part.
Every Preferred Securities Certificate presented or surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange shall be accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Administrative Trustees and
the Securities Registrar duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney
duly authorized in writing. Each Preferred Securities Certificate surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange shall be cancelled and subsequently
disposed of by the Administrative Trustees in accordance with their customary
practice.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Preferred Securities Certificates, but the Securities Registrar may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that
may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Preferred
Securities Certificates.
Section 5.05. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Trust Securities
Certificates.
If (a) any mutilated Trust Securities Certificate shall be surrendered
to the Securities Registrar, or if the Securities Registrar shall receive
evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Trust
Securities Certificate and (b) there shall be delivered to the Securities
Registrar and the Administrative Trustees such security or indemnity as may be
required by them to save each of them harmless, then in the absence of notice
that such Trust Securities Certificate shall have been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Administrative Trustees, or any one of them, on behalf of the
Trust shall execute and make available for delivery, in exchange for or in lieu
of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Trust Securities Certificate, a
new Trust Securities Certificate of like class, tenor and denomination. In
connection with the issuance of any new Trust Securities Certificate under this
Section, the Administrative Trustees or the Securities Registrar may require the
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that
may be imposed in connection therewith. Any duplicate Trust Securities
Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute conclusive evidence
of an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust, as if originally
issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Trust Securities
Certificate shall be found at any time.
Section 5.06. Persons Deemed Securityholders.
Prior to due presentation of a Trust Security Certificate for
registration of transfer, the Administrative Trustees or the Securities
Registrar shall treat the Person in whose name any Trust Securities Certificate
shall be registered in the Securities Register as the owner of such Trust
Securities Certificate for the purpose of receiving Distributions and for all
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other purposes whatsoever, and neither the Trustees nor the Securities Registrar
shall be bound by any notice to the contrary.
Section 5.07. Access to List of Securityholders' Names and Addresses.
In the event that the Property Trustee is no longer the Securities
Registrar, the Administrative Trustees or the Depositor shall furnish or cause
to be furnished (a) to the Property Trustee, quarterly not later than 10 days
prior to a Distribution Date, a list, in such form as the Property Trustee may
reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Securityholders as of the
most recent record date and (b) to the Property Trustee, promptly after receipt
by any Administrative Trustee or the Depositor of a request therefor from the
Property Trustee in order to enable the Property Trustee to discharge its
obligations under this Trust Agreement (including, without limitation, its
obligation to pay Distributions in accordance with Section 4.01 hereof), in each
case to the extent such information is in the possession or control of the
Administrative Trustees or the Depositor and is not identical to a previously
supplied list or has not otherwise been received by the Property Trustee. The
rights of Securityholders to communicate with other Securityholders with respect
to their rights under this Trust Agreement or under the Trust Securities, and
the corresponding rights of the Property Trustee shall be as provided in the
Trust Indenture Act. Each Holder, by receiving and holding a Trust Securities
Certificate, and each Owner shall be deemed to have agreed not to hold the
Depositor, the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees accountable by
reason of the disclosure of its name and address, regardless of the source from
which such information was derived.
Section 5.08. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Property Trustee shall maintain in New York, New York, an office or
offices or agency or agencies where Preferred Securities Certificates may be
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and
demands to or upon the Trustees in respect of the Trust Securities Certificates
may be served. The Property Trustee shall give prompt written notice to the
Depositor and to the Securityholders of any change in the location of the
Securities Register or any such office or agency, which shall initially be at
the office of Corporate Trust Trustee Administration of the Property Trustee.
Section 5.09. Appointment of Paying Agent.
The Paying Agent shall make Distributions to Securityholders from the
Payment Account and shall report the amounts of such Distributions to the
Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees. Any Paying Agent shall have
the revocable power to withdraw funds from the Payment Account for the purpose
of making the Distributions referred to above. The Administrative Trustees may
revoke such power and remove the Paying Agent if such Trustees determine in
their sole discretion that the Paying Agent shall have failed to perform its
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obligations under this Trust Agreement in any material respect. The Paying Agent
shall initially be the Property Trustee, and any co-paying agent chosen by the
Property Trustee and acceptable to the Administrative Trustees and the
Depositor. Any Person acting as Paying Agent shall be permitted to resign as
Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Administrative Trustees and the
Depositor, and, if applicable, the Property Trustee . In the event that the
Property Trustee shall no longer be the Paying Agent or a successor Paying Agent
shall resign or its authority to act be revoked, the Administrative Trustee
shall appoint a successor that is acceptable to the Property Trustee (in the
case of any other Paying Agent) and the Depositor to act as Paying Agent (which
shall be a bank or trust company and have a combined capital and surplus of at
least $50,000,000). The Administrative Trustees shall cause such successor
Paying Agent or any additional Paying Agent appointed by the Administrative
Trustees to execute and deliver to the Trustees an instrument in which such
successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustees
that as Paying Agent, such successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agent
will hold all sums, if any, held by it for payment to the Securityholders in
trust for the benefit of the Securityholders entitled thereto until such sums
shall be paid to such Securityholders. The Paying Agent shall return all
unclaimed funds to the Property Trustee and upon removal of a Paying Agent such
Paying Agent shall also return all funds in its possession to the Property
Trustee. The provisions of Sections 8.01, 8.03 and 8.06 shall apply to the
Property Trustee also in its role as Paying Agent, for so long as the Property
Trustee shall act as Paying Agent and, to the extent applicable, to any other
paying agent appointed hereunder. Any reference in this Trust Agreement to the
Paying Agent shall include any co-paying agent unless the context requires
otherwise.
Section 5.10. Ownership of Common Securities by Depositor.
On the Closing Date and on each other date provided for in Section
2.05, the Depositor shall acquire and retain beneficial and record ownership of
the Common Securities. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any attempted
transfer of the Common Securities shall be void. The Administrative Trustees
shall cause each Common Securities Certificate issued to the Depositor to
contain a legend stating "THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE".
Section 5.11. Book-Entry Preferred Securities Certificates; Common
Securities Certificate.
(a) The Preferred Securities Certificates, upon original issuance, will
not be engraved but will be issued in the form of a printed or typewritten
Preferred Securities Certificate or Certificates representing Book-Entry
Preferred Securities Certificates, to be delivered to The Depository Trust
Company, the initial Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Trust. Such
Preferred Securities Certificate or Certificates shall initially be registered
on the Securities Register in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of the initial
Clearing Agency, and no Owner will receive a Definitive Preferred Securities
Certificate representing such Owner's beneficial interest in such Preferred
Securities, except as provided in Section 5.13. Unless and until Definitive
Preferred Securities Certificates have been issued to the Owners thereof
pursuant to Section 5.13:
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(i) the provisions of this Section 5.11(a) shall be in full
force and effect;
(ii) the Securities Registrar, the Paying Agent and the
Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the Clearing Agency for all purposes of
this Trust Agreement relating to the Book-Entry Preferred Securities
Certificates (including the payment of the Redemption Price of and Distributions
on the Book-Entry Preferred Securities and the giving of instructions or
directions to Owners of Book-Entry Preferred Securities) as the sole Holder of
Book-Entry Preferred Securities and shall have no obligations to the Owners
thereof;
(iii) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 5.11
conflict with any other provisions of this Trust Agreement, the provisions of
this Section 5.11 shall control; and
(iv) the rights of the Owners of the Book-Entry Preferred
Securities Certificates shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and
shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such Owners
and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants. Pursuant to the
Certificate Depository Agreement, unless and until Definitive Preferred
Securities Certificates are issued pursuant to Section 5.13, the initial
Clearing Agency will make book-entry transfers among the Clearing Agency
Participants and receive and transmit payments on the Preferred Securities to
such Clearing Agency Participants.
(b) A single Common Securities Certificate representing the Common
Securities shall be issued to the Depositor in the form of a definitive Common
Securities Certificate.
Section 5.12. Notices to Clearing Agency.
To the extent that a notice or other communication to the Owners is
required under this Trust Agreement, unless and until Definitive Preferred
Securities Certificates shall have been issued to Owners pursuant to Section
5.13, the Trustees shall give all such notices and communications specified
herein to be given to Owners to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no
obligations to the Owners.
Section 5.13. Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates.
If (a) the Depositor advises the Trustees in writing that the Clearing
Agency is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities
with respect to the Preferred Securities Certificates, and the Depositor is
unable to locate a qualified successor, (b) the Depositor at its option advises
the Trustees in writing that it elects to terminate the book-entry system
through the Clearing Agency or (c) after the occurrence of a Debenture Event of
Default, Owners of Preferred Securities representing beneficial interests
aggregating at least a majority of the Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding
Preferred Securities advise the Clearing Agency in writing that the continuation
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of a book-entry system through the Clearing Agency is no longer in the best
interest of the Owners of Preferred Securities, then the Clearing Agency shall
notify all Owners of Preferred Securities and the Trustees of the occurrence of
any such event and of the availability of Definitive Preferred Securities
Certificates. Upon surrender to the Administrative Trustees of the Preferred
Securities Certificate or Certificates representing the Book Entry Preferred
Securities Certificates by the Clearing Agency, accompanied by registration
instructions, the Administrative Trustees, or any one of them, shall execute the
Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates in accordance with the instructions
of the Clearing Agency. Neither the Securities Registrar nor the Trustees shall
be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively
rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, such instructions. The Definitive
Preferred Securities Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or
may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Trustees, as evidenced by the execution thereof by the
Administrative Trustees or any one of them.
Section 5.14. Rights of Securityholders.
The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the
Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) in accordance with Section 2.09, and
the Securityholders shall not have any right or title therein other than the
undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust conferred by their
Trust Securities and they shall have no right to call for any partition or
division of property, profits or rights of the Trust except as described below.
The Trust Securities shall be personal property giving only the rights
specifically set forth therein and in this Trust Agreement. The Trust Securities
shall have no preemptive or similar rights and when issued and delivered to
Securityholders against payment of the purchase price therefor will be fully
paid and nonassessable by the Trust. The Holders of the Trust Securities, in
their capacities as such, shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal
liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE VI
Acts of Securityholders; Meetings; Voting
Section 6.01. Limitations on Voting Rights.
(a) Except as provided herein and in the Indenture and as otherwise
required by law, no Holder of Preferred Securities shall have any right to vote
or in any manner otherwise control the administration, operation and management
of the Trust or the obligations of the parties hereto, nor shall anything herein
set forth, or contained in the terms of the Trust Securities Certificates, be
construed so as to constitute the Securityholders from time to time as partners
or members of an association.
(b) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee, the
Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or executing any
trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with respect to such
Debentures, (ii) waive any past default which is waivable under Section 513 of
the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that
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the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable or (iv) consent to
any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures,
where such consent shall be required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior
approval of the Holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of all Outstanding
Preferred Securities; provided, however, that where such consent or approval
under the Indenture would require the consent or approval of each holder of
Debentures affected thereby, no such consent or approval shall be given by the
Property Trustee without the prior written consent of each Holder of Outstanding
Preferred Securities. The Trustees shall not revoke any action previously
authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of Preferred Securities, except
by a subsequent vote of the Holders of Preferred Securities. The Property
Trustee shall notify all Holders of the Preferred Securities of any notice of
default received from the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures. In
addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the Trustees shall, at
the expense of the Depositor, obtain an Opinion of Counsel experienced in such
matters to the effect that the Trust will not be classified as an association
taxable as a corporation or partnership for United States federal income tax
purposes on account of such action and will continue to be classified as a
grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
(c) Subject to Section 10.02(c) hereof, if any proposed amendment to
the Trust Agreement provides for, or the Trustees otherwise propose to effect,
(i) any action that would adversely affect in any material respect the powers,
preferences or special rights of the Preferred Securities, whether by way of
amendment to this Trust Agreement or otherwise, or (ii) the dissolution,
winding-up or termination of the Trust, other than pursuant to the terms of this
Trust Agreement, then the Holders of Outstanding Preferred Securities as a class
will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or
proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of the Holders of a
majority in Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding Preferred Securities.
Section 6.02. Notice of Meetings.
Notice of all meetings of the Preferred Securityholders, stating the
time, place and purpose of the meeting, shall be given by the Property Trustee
pursuant to Section 10.08 to each Preferred Securityholder of record, at his
registered address, at least 15 days and not more than 90 days before the
meeting. At any such meeting, any business properly before the meeting may be so
considered whether or not stated in the notice of the meeting. Any adjourned
meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.
Section 6.03. Meetings of Preferred Securityholders.
No annual meeting of Securityholders is required to be held. The
Administrative Trustees, however, shall call a meeting of Securityholders to
vote on any matter upon the written request of the Holders of 25% of the
aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding Preferred Securities and the
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Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee may, at any time in their
discretion, call a meeting of Preferred Securityholders to vote on any matters
as to which the Preferred Securityholders are entitled to vote.
Holders of 50% of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding
Preferred Securities, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum
at any meeting of Securityholders.
If a quorum is present at a meeting, an affirmative vote of the Holders
of a majority of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding Preferred
Securities present, either in person or by proxy, at such meeting shall
constitute the action of the Securityholders, unless this Trust Agreement
requires a greater number of affirmative votes.
Section 6.04. Voting Rights.
Securityholders shall be entitled to one vote for each $25 of
Liquidation Amount represented by their Trust Securities in respect of any
matter as to which such Securityholders are entitled to vote.
Section 6.05. Proxies, etc.
At any meeting of Securityholders, any Securityholder entitled to vote
thereat may vote by proxy, provided that no proxy shall be voted at any meeting
unless it shall have been placed on file with the Administrative Trustees, or
with such other officer or agent of the Trust as the Administrative Trustees may
direct, for verification prior to the time at which such vote shall be taken.
Pursuant to a resolution of the Property Trustee, proxies may be solicited in
the name of the Property Trustee or one or more officers of the Property
Trustee. Only Securityholders of record shall be entitled to vote. When Trust
Securities are held jointly by several Persons, any one of them may vote at any
meeting in person or by proxy in respect of such Trust Securities, but if more
than one of them shall be present at such meeting in person or by proxy, and
such joint owners or their proxies so present disagree as to any vote to be
cast, such vote shall not be received in respect of such Trust Securities. A
proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Securityholder shall be
deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise, and the burden of
proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger. No proxy shall be valid more
than three years after its date of execution.
Section 6.06. Securityholder Action by Written Consent.
Any action which may be taken by Securityholders at a meeting may be
taken without a meeting if Holders of the proportion of the Outstanding Trust
Securities, or class thereof required to approve such action shall consent to
the action in writing.
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Section 6.07. Record Date for Voting and Other Purposes.
For the purposes of determining the Securityholders who are entitled to
notice of and to vote at any meeting or by written consent, or to participate in
any Distribution on the Trust Securities in respect of which a record date is
not otherwise provided for in this Trust Agreement, or for the purpose of any
other action, the Administrative Trustees may from time to time fix a date, not
more than 90 days prior to the date of any meeting of Securityholders or the
payment of any Distribution or other action, as the case may be, as a record
date for the determination of the identity of the Securityholders for such
purposes.
Section 6.08. Acts of Securityholders.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided or permitted by this Trust Agreement to be given, made
or taken by Securityholders or Owners may be embodied in and evidenced by one or
more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Securityholders
or Owners in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as
otherwise expressly provided herein, such action shall become effective when
such instrument or instruments are delivered to an Administrative Trustee. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Securityholders or
Owners signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such
instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any
purpose of this Trust Agreement and (subject to Section 8.01) conclusive, if
made in the manner provided in this Section.
The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument
or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a
certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by
a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such
certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his
authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing,
or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any
other manner which any Trustee receiving the same deems sufficient.
The ownership of Preferred Securities shall be proved by the Securities
Register.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other act of the Securityholder of any Trust Security shall bind every future
Securityholder of the same Trust Security and the Securityholder of every Trust
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Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange
therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to
be done by the Trustees or the Trust in reliance thereon, whether or not
notation of such action is made upon such Trust Security.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Securityholder entitled hereunder to
take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Trust Security may do so
with regard to all or any part of the Liquidation Amount of such Trust Security
or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such
appointment with regard to all or any part of such Liquidation Amount.
If any dispute shall arise between the Securityholders and the
Administrative Trustees or among such Securityholders or Trustees with respect
to the authenticity, validity or binding nature of any request, demand,
authorization, direction, consent, waiver or other Act of such Securityholder or
Trustee under this Article VI, then the determination of such matter by the
Property Trustee shall be conclusive with respect to such matter.
Section 6.09. Inspection of Records.
Upon reasonable notice to the Administrative Trustees and the Property
Trustee, the records of the Trust shall be open to inspection by Securityholders
during normal business hours for any purpose reasonably related to such
Securityholder's interest as a Securityholder.
ARTICLE VII
Representations and Warranties
Section 7.01. Representations and Warranties of the Trustee and the
Administrative Trustees.
The Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the Administrative
Truetes, each severally on behalf of, and solely as to itself, hereby represents
and warrants for the benefit of the Depositor and the Securityholders that:
(a) the Property Trustee is a New York banking corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
New York and the Delaware Trustee is a Delaware corporation, duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;
(b) each of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee has full
corporate power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under this Trust Agreement and has taken all necessary action to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Trust Agreement;
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(c) this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the Administrative
Trustees in their capacity as such, and constitutes the valid and legally
binding agreement of the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the
Administrative Trustees in their capacity as such, enforceable against them in
accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability
relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles;
(d) the execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee
and the Delaware Trustee of this Trust Agreement and the issuance of the Trust
Securities pursuant to this Trust Agreement have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate or other action on the part of the Property Trustee and the
Delaware Trustee and do not require any approval of stockholders of the Property
Trustee and such execution, delivery and performance will not (i) violate the
Property Trustee's or the Delaware Trustee's charter or by-laws, (ii) violate
any provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of time, a
default under, or result in the creation or imposition of, any Lien on any
properties included in the Trust Property pursuant to the provisions of, any
indenture, mortgage, credit agreement, license or other agreement or instrument
to which the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee is a party or by which it
is bound, or (iii) violate any law, governmental rule or regulation of the
United States or the State of Delaware, as the case may be, governing the
banking or trust powers of, the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee (as
appropriate in context) or any order, judgment or decree applicable to the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee;
(e) neither the authorization, execution or delivery by the Property
Trustee or the Delaware Trustee of this Trust Agreement nor the consummation of
any of the transactions by the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee (as
appropriate in context) contemplated herein pursuant to this Trust Agreement
require the consent or approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration
with or the taking of any other action with respect to any governmental
authority or agency under any existing federal law governing the banking or
trust powers of the Property Trustee or under the laws of the United States or
the State of Delaware;
(f) there are no proceedings pending or, to the best of the Property
Trustee's and the Delaware Trustee's knowledge, threatened against or affecting
the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee in any court or before any
governmental authority, agency or arbitration board or tribunal which,
individually or in the aggregate, would materially and adversely affect the
Trust or would question the right, power and authority of the Property Trustee
or the Delaware Trustee to enter into or perform its obligations as one of the
Trustees under this Trust Agreement.
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ARTICLE VIII
The Trustees
Section 8.01. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The duties and responsibilities of the Trustees shall be as
provided by this Trust Agreement and, in the case of the Property Trustee, by
the Trust Indenture Act. The Property Trustee, other than during the occurrence
and continuance of an Event of Default, undertakes to perform only such duties
as are specifically set forth in this Trust Agreement and, after an Event of
Default, must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person
would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The Trustees
shall have all the privileges, rights, and immunities provided by the Delaware
Business Trust Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Trust
Agreement shall require the Trustees to expend or risk their own funds or
otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of their
duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of their rights or powers, if they
shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to
it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Trust
Agreement relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording
protection to the Trustees shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
Nothing in this Trust Agreement shall be construed to release the Property
Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own failure to act, or
its own willful misconduct. To the extent that, at law or in equity, an
Administrative Trustee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities
relating thereto to the Trust or to the Securityholders, such Administrative
Trustee shall not be liable to the Trust or to any Securityholder for such
Trustee's good faith reliance on the provisions of this Trust Agreement. The
provisions of this Trust Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties
and liabilities of the Administrative Trustees otherwise existing at law or in
equity, are agreed by the Depositor and the Securityholders to replace such
other duties and liabilities of the Administrative Trustees.
(b) All payments made by the Property Trustee or any other Paying Agent
in respect of the Trust Securities shall be made only from the income and
proceeds from the Trust Property. Each Securityholder, by its acceptance of a
Trust Security, agrees that it will look solely to the income and proceeds from
the Trust Property to the extent legally available for distribution to it as
herein provided and that the Trustees are not personally liable to it for any
amount distributable in respect of any Trust Security or for any other liability
in respect of any Trust Security. This Section 8.01(b) does not limit the
liability of the Trustees expressly set forth elsewhere in this Trust Agreement
or, in the case of the Property Trustee, in the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 8.02. Notice of Defaults; Direct Action by Securityholders.
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Within [five] days after the occurrence of any Event of Default actually
known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall transmit, in the
manner and to the extent provided in Section 10.08, notice of such Event of
Default to the Securityholders, the Administrative Trustees and the Depositor,
unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived. If the Property
Trustee fails to enforce its rights under this Trust Agreement or the Indenture,
to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the terms of this Trust
Agreement, any Securityholder may, after such Securityholder's written request
to the Property Trustee to enforce such rights, institute a legal proceeding
directly against any Person to enforce the Property Trustee's rights under this
Trust Agreement or the Indenture without first instituting a legal proceeding
against the Property Trustee or any other Person. In addition, to the extent
that any action under the Indenture is entitled to be taken by the holders of a
specified percentage of the principal amount of the outstanding Debentures,
Holders of the same percentage of the Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding
Preferred Securities may also take such action if such action is not taken by
the Property Trustee after written notice from such Holders of a demand for such
action satisfying any requirements of the Indenture or this Trust Agreement,
including the requirements of Section 8.03(d) hereof. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, the foregoing shall be in addition to and not in limitation of
any direct rights provided to the holders of the Preferred Securities under the
terms of the Indenture including the right, without any notice or other demand
on the Property Trustee, to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of
the principal of and any premium and interest on Debentures related to such
series Preferred Security as provided in Section 508 of the Indenture.
Section 8.03. Certain Rights of Property Trustee. Subject to the provisions
of Section 8.01.
(a) the Property Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution, Opinion of Counsel,
certificate, written representation of a Holder or transferee, certificate of
auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, other
evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) if, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an Event
of Default, (i) in performing its duties under this Trust Agreement the Property
Trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action or (ii) in
construing any of the provisions in this Trust Agreement the Property Trustee
finds the same ambiguous or inconsistent with any other provisions contained
herein or (iii) the Property Trustee is unsure of the application of any
provision of this Trust Agreement, then, except as to any matter as to which the
Preferred Securityholders are entitled to vote under the terms of this Trust
Agreement, the Property Trustee shall deliver a notice to the Depositor
requesting written instructions of the Depositor as to the course of action to
be taken. The Property Trustee shall take such action, or refrain from taking
such action, as the Property Trustee shall be instructed in writing to take, or
to refrain from taking, by the Depositor; provided, however, that if the
Property Trustee does not receive such instructions of the Depositor within ten
Business Days after it has delivered such notice, or such reasonably shorter
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period of time set forth in such notice (which to the extent practicable shall
not be less than two Business Days), it may, but shall be under no duty to, take
or refrain from taking such action not inconsistent with this Trust Agreement as
it shall deem advisable and in the best interests of the Securityholders, in
which event the Property Trustee shall have no liability except for its own bad
faith, negligence or willful misconduct;
(c) the Property Trustee may consult with counsel or other experts of
its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel or other experts with
respect to legal matters or advice within the scope of such experts' area of
expertise shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of
any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in
reliance thereon;
(d) the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement at the request or
direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to this Trust Agreement, unless
such Securityholders shall have offered to the Property Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be
incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(e) the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
approval, bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or other paper
or document, but the Property Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further
inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit; and
(f) the Property 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 Property Trustee shall not be responsible for any
misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due
care by it hereunder.
Section 8.04. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
Except as provided in Article VII, the recitals contained herein and in
the Trust Securities Certificates shall be taken as the statements of the Trust,
and the Trustees do not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The
Trustees shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Depositor of
the proceeds of the Debentures.
Section 8.05. May Hold Securities.
Except as provided in the definition of the term "Outstanding" in
Article I, any Trustee or any other agent of any Trustee or the Trust, in its
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Trust
Securities and, subject to Sections 8.08 and 8.13, may otherwise deal with the
Trust with the same rights it would have if it were not a Trustee or such other
agent.
Section 8.06. Compensation; Indemnity; Fees.
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Xxx Xxxxxxxxx agrees:
(a) to pay to the Trustees from time to time such compensation as
shall have been agreed in writing with the Depositor for all services rendered
by them hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of
law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
Trustees upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances
incurred or made by the Trustees in accordance with any provision of this Trust
Agreement (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement
or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and
(c) to indemnify each of the Trustees or any predecessor Trustee for,
and to hold the Trustees harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims,
liability, penalty or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the
income of such Trustee) incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part,
arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this
Trust Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against
any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of
its powers or duties hereunder.
No Trustee may claim any Lien or charge on any Trust Property as a
result of any amount due pursuant to this Section 8.06.
The provisions of this Section 8.06 shall survive the termination of
this Trust Agreement.
Section 8.07. Corporate Property Trustee Required; Eligibility of Trustees.
(a) There shall at all times be a Property Trustee hereunder. The
Property Trustee shall 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. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and
surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time
the Property Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this
Article.
(b) There shall at all times be one or more Administrative Trustees
hereunder. Each Administrative Trustee shall be either a natural person who is
at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through one or more
persons authorized to bind that entity.
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(c) There shall at all times be a Delaware Trustee. The Delaware
Trustee shall either be (i) a natural person who is at least 21 years of age and
a resident of the State of Delaware or (ii) a legal entity with its principal
place of business in the State of Delaware and that otherwise meets the
requirements of applicable Delaware law that shall act through one or more
persons authorized to bind such entity.
Section 8.08. Conflicting Interests.
If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest
within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Property Trustee shall either
eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by,
and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Trust
Agreement.
Section 8.09. Co-Trustees and Separate Trustee.
Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, at any time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal
requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part
of the Trust Property may at the time be located, the Depositor and the
Administrative Trustees, by agreed action of the majority of such Trustees,
shall have power to appoint, and upon the written request of the Administrative
Trustees, the Depositor shall for such purpose join with the Administrative
Trustees in the execution, delivery, and performance of all instruments and
agreements necessary or proper to appoint, one or more Persons approved by the
Property Trustee either to act as co-trustee, jointly with the Property Trustee,
of all or any part of such Trust Property, or to the extent required by law to
act as separate trustee of any such property, in either case with such powers as
may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or
Persons in the capacity aforesaid, any property, title, right or power deemed
necessary or desirable, subject to the other provisions of this Section. If the
Depositor does not join in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by
it of a request so to do, or in case a Debenture Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, the Property Trustee alone shall have power to make such
appointment. Any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed pursuant to this
Section shall either be (i) a natural person who is at least 21 years of age and
a resident of the United States or (ii) a legal entity with its principal place
of business in the United States that shall act through one or more persons
authorized to bond such entity.
Should any written instrument from the Depositor be required by any
co-trustee or separate trustee so appointed for more fully confirming to such
co-trustee or separate trustee such property, title, right, or power, any and
all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged, and delivered
by the Depositor.
Every co-trustee or separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted by
law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following terms,
namely:
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(a) The Trust Securities shall be executed and delivered and all
rights, powers, duties, and obligations hereunder in respect of the custody of
securities, cash and other personal property held by, or required to be
deposited or pledged with, the Trustees specified hereunder, shall be exercised,
solely by such Trustees and not by such co-trustee or separate trustee.
(b) The rights, powers, duties, and obligations hereby conferred or
imposed upon the Property Trustee in respect of any property covered by such
appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the
Property Trustee or by the Property Trustee and such co-trustee or separate
trustee jointly, as shall be provided in the instrument appointing such
co-trustee or separate trustee, except to the extent that under any law of any
jurisdiction in which any particular act is to be performed, the Property
Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act, in which event
such rights, powers, duties, and obligations shall be exercised and performed by
such co-trustee or separate trustee.
(c) The Property Trustee at any time, by an instrument in writing
executed by it, with the written concurrence of the Depositor, may accept the
resignation of or remove any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed under this
Section, and, in case an Event of Default under the Indenture has occurred and
is continuing, the Property Trustee shall have power to accept the resignation
of, or remove, any such co-trustee or separate trustee without the concurrence
of the Depositor. Upon the written request of the Property Trustee, the
Depositor shall join with the Property Trustee in the execution, delivery, and
performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to effectuate
such resignation or removal. A successor to any co-trustee or separate trustee
so resigned or removed may be appointed in the manner provided in this Section.
(d) No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be personally
liable by reason of any act or omission of the Property Trustee, or any other
trustee hereunder.
(e) The Property Trustee shall not be liable by reason of any act
of a co-trustee or separate trustee.
(f) Any Act of Holders delivered to the Property Trustee shall be
deemed to have been delivered to each such co-trustee and separate trustee.
Section 8.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of any Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 8.11.
Any Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Trust Securities
by giving written notice thereof to the Securityholders.
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Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, any Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Common
Securityholder. If a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, or both of them, may
be removed at such time only by Act of the Holders of a majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Preferred Securities, delivered to the Trustee (in its individual
capacity and on behalf of the Trust). An Administrative Trustee may be removed
by the Holder of Common Securities at any time.
If the instrument of acceptance by the successor Trustee required by
Section 8.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after
the giving of such notice of resignation, the Trustee may petition, at the
expense of the Depositor, any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Trustee.
If any Trustee shall resign or become incapable of acting as Trustee,
or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of any Trustee for any cause, at a
time when no Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
the Holder of Common Securities, by Act of the Holder of Common Securities
delivered to the retiring Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or
Trustees and the Trust, and the retiring Trustee shall comply with the
applicable requirements of Section 8.11. If the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee shall resign or become incapable of continuing to act as the Property
Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, at a time when a Debenture
Event of Default is continuing, the Holder of Preferred Securities, by Act of
the Securityholders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred
Securities then Outstanding delivered to the retiring Trustee, shall promptly
appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees, and such successor Trustee shall comply
with the applicable requirements of Section 8.11. If an Administrative Trustee
shall resign or become incapable of acting as Administrative Trustee, at a time
when a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Holder of Common Securities shall appoint a successor Administrative Trustee. If
no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holder of Common
Securities or the Holder Preferred Securitiues and accepted appointment in the
manner required by Section 8.11, any Securityholder who has been a
Securityholder of Trust Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of
himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
The Property Trustee shall give notice of each resignation and each
removal of a Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all
Securityholders in the manner provided in Section 10.08 and shall give notice to
the Depositor. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and
the address of its Corporate Trust Office if it is the Property Trustee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Trust
Agreement, in the event any Administrative Trustee or a Delaware Trustee who is
a natural person dies or becomes, in the opinion of the Depositor, incompetent
or incapacitated, the vacancy created by such death, incompetence or incapacity
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may be filled by (a) the unanimous act of the remaining Administrative Trustees
if there are at least two of them or (b) otherwise by the Depositor (with the
successor in each case being a Person who satisfies the eligibility requirement
for Administrative Trustees set forth in Section 8.07).
Section 8.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee, the
retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities
shall execute and deliver an amendment hereto wherein each successor Trustee
shall accept such appointment and which (a) shall contain such provisions as
shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each
successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring
Trustee and (b) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Trust
Agreement as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration
of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that
nothing herein or in such amendment shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees
of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or
trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder
administered by any other such Trustee and upon the execution and delivery of
such amendment the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become
effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee,
without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the
rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee and the Trust; but, on
request of the Trust or any successor Trustee such retiring Trustee shall duly
assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all Trust Property, all
proceeds thereof and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Trust shall execute any
and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to
such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the
first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of
such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.
Section 8.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any Person into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any
Administrative Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be
consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which such Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding
to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of such Trustee, shall
be the successor of such Trustee hereunder, provided such Person shall be
otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or
filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
Section 8.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Depositor or Trust.
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If and when the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall be or
become a creditor of the Depositor or the Trust (or any other obligor upon the
Debentures or the Trust Securities), the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, shall be subject to and shall take all actions
necessary in order to comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act
regarding the collection of claims against the Depositor or Trust (or any such
other obligor).
Section 8.14. Reports by Property Trustee.
(a) Within 60 days after December 31 of each year commencing with
December 31, 1996 the Property Trustee shall transmit to all Securityholders in
accordance with Section 10.08, and to the Depositor, a brief report dated as of
such December 31 with respect to:
(i) its eligibility under Section 8.07 or, in lieu thereof, if
to the best of its knowledge it has continued to be eligible under said Section,
a written statement to such effect;
(ii) a statement that the Property Trustee has complied with
all of its obligations under this Trust Agreement during the twelve-month period
(or, in the case of the initial report, the period since the Closing Date)
ending with such December 31 or, if the Property Trustee has not complied in any
material respect with such obligations, a description of such non-compliance;
and
(iii) any change in the property and funds in its possession
as Property Trustee since the date of its last report and any action taken by
the Property Trustee in the performance of its duties hereunder which it has not
previously reported and which in its opinion materially affects the Trust
Securities.
(b) In addition the Property Trustee shall transmit to Securityholders
such reports concerning the Property Trustee and its actions under this Trust
Agreement as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times
and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission
to Holders, be filed by the Property Trustee with each stock exchange upon which
the Trust Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Depositor.
Section 8.15. Reports to the Property Trustee.
The Depositor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and information as
required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act (if any) and the compliance
certificate required by Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act in the form,
in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture
Act. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Property Trustee
is for informational purposes only and the Property Trustee's receipt of such
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shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or
determinable from information contained therein, including the Depositor's
compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Property Trustee
is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).
Section 8.16. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
Each of the Depositor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the
Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Trust Agreement that relate
to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to
Section 314(c)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate.
Section 8.17. Number of Trustees.
(a) The number of Trustees shall be five, provided that the Holder of
all of the Common Securities by written instrument may increase or decrease the
number of Administrative Trustees.
(b) If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of
Administrative Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 8.17(a), or if the
number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 8.17(a), a vacancy shall
occur. The vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with
Section 8.10.
(c) The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy,
incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall not operate
to annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Administrative Trustees
shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of an
Administrative Trustee in accordance with Section 8.10, the Administrative
Trustees in office, regardless of their number (and notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement), shall have all the powers granted to the
Administrative Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the
Administrative Trustees by this Trust Agreement.
Section 8.18. Delegation of Power.
(a) Any Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent
with applicable law, delegate to any natural person over the age of 21 his or
her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section
2.07(a), including any registration statement or amendment thereto filed with
the Commission, or making any other governmental filing; and
(b) the Administrative Trustees shall have power to delegate from time
to time to such of their number or to the Depositor the doing of such things and
the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names
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of the Administrative Trustees or otherwise as the Administrative Trustees may
deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable
law or contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.
Section 8.19. Voting.
Except as otherwise provided in this Trust Agreement, the consent or
vote of the Trustees shall be approved by not less than a majority of the
Administrative Trustees.
ARTICLE IX
Termination and Liquidation
Section 9.01. Termination Upon Expiration Date.
Unless earlier terminated, the Trust shall automatically terminate on
December 31, 2045 (the "Expiration Date"), following the distribution of the
Trust Property in accordance with Section 9.04.
Section 9.02. Early Termination.
The first to occur of any of the following events is an "Early
Termination Event":
(a) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event in respect of, or the
dissolution or liquidation of, the Depositor;
(b) the occurrence of a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event
(each, a "Special Event"), or the Trust is not or will not be taxed as a grantor
trust for United States federal income tax purposes but a Tax Event has not
occurred (a "Grantor Trust Event"), and written direction to the Property
Trustee from the Depositor within 90 days of such Special Event or Grantor Trust
Event (which direction is optional and wholly within the discretion of the
Depositor) to terminate the Trust and distribute Debentures to Securityholders
in accordance with Section 9.04;
(c) the redemption of all of the Preferred Securities; and
(d) an order for dissolution of the Trust shall have been entered by a
court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 9.03. Termination.
The respective obligations and responsibilities of the Trustees and the
Trust created and continued hereby shall terminate upon the latest to occur of
the following: (a) the distribution by the Property Trustee to Securityholders
upon the liquidation of the Trust pursuant to Section 9.04, or upon the
redemption of all of the Trust Securities pursuant to Section 4.02, of all
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amounts required to be distributed hereunder upon the final payment of the Trust
Securities; (b) the payment of any expenses owed by the Trust; and (c) the
discharge of all administrative duties of the Administrative Trustees, including
the performance of any tax reporting obligations with respect to the Trust or
the Securityholders.
Section 9.04. Liquidation.
(a) If an Early Termination Event specified in clause (a), (b) or (d)
of Section 9.02 occurs or upon the Expiration Date, the Trust shall be
liquidated by the Trustees as expeditiously as the Trustees determine to be
possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the
Trust as provided by applicable law, to each Securityholder a Like Amount of
Debentures, subject to Section 9.04(d). Notice of liquidation shall be given by
the Property Trustee by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not later than
30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Liquidation Date to each Holder of Trust
Securities at such Holder's address appearing in the Securities Register. All
notices of liquidation shall:
(i) state the Liquidation Date;
(ii) state that from and after the Liquidation Date, the Trust
Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and any Trust Securities
Certificates not surrendered for exchange will be deemed to represent a Like
Amount of Debentures; and
(iii) provide such information with respect to the mechanics
by which Holders may exchange Trust Securities Certificates for certificates
evidencing Debentures, or, if Section 9.04(d) applies, receive a Liquidation
Distribution, as the Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee shall deem
appropriate.
(b) Except where Section 9.02(c) or 9.04(d) applies, in order to effect
the liquidation of the Trust and distribution of the Debentures to
Securityholders, the Property Trustee shall establish a record date for such
distribution (which shall be not more than 45 days prior to the Liquidation
Date) and, either itself acting as exchange agent or through the appointment of
a separate exchange agent, shall establish such procedures as it shall deem
appropriate to effect the distribution of Debentures in exchange for the
Outstanding Trust Securities Certificates.
(c) Except where Section 9.02(c) or 9.04(d) applies, after the
Liquidation Date, (i) the Trust Securities will no longer be deemed to be
Outstanding, (ii) certificates representing a Like Amount of Debentures will be
issued to Holders of Trust Securities Certificates, upon surrender of such
certificates to the Administrative Trustees or their agent for exchange, (iii)
the Depositor shall use its reasonable efforts to have the Securities listed on
the New York Stock Exchange or such other exchange as the Preferred Securities
are then listed and shall take any reasonable action necessary to effect the
distribution of the Securities, (iv) any Trust Securities Certificates not so
surrendered for exchange will be deemed to represent a Like Amount of
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Debentures, accruing interest at the rate provided for in the Debentures from
the last Distribution Date on which a Distribution was made on such Trust
Certificates until such certificates are so surrendered (and until such
certificates are so surrendered, no payments or interest or principal will be
made to Holders of Trust Securities Certificates with respect to such
Debentures) and (v) all rights of Securityholders holding Trust Securities will
cease, except the right of such Securityholders to receive Debentures upon
surrender of Trust Securities Certificates.
(d) In the event that, notwithstanding the other provisions of this
Section 9.04, whether because of an order for dissolution entered by a court of
competent jurisdiction or otherwise, distribution of the Debentures in the
manner provided herein is determined by the Property Trustee not to be
practical, the Trust Property shall be liquidated, and the Trust shall be
dissolved, wound-up or terminated, by the Property Trustee in such manner as the
Property Trustee determines. In such event, on the date of the dissolution,
winding-up or other termination of the Trust, Securityholders will be entitled
to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to
Securityholders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as
provided by applicable law, an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount per Trust
Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment
(such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). If, upon any such
dissolution, winding up or termination, the Liquidation Distribution can be paid
only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full
the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then, subject to the next succeeding
sentence, the amounts payable by the Trust on the Trust Securities shall be paid
on a pro rata basis (based upon Liquidation Amounts). The Holder of the Common
Securities will be entitled to receive Liquidation Distributions upon any such
dissolution, winding-up or termination pro rata (determined as aforesaid) with
Holders of Preferred Securities, except that, if a Debenture Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Securities shall have a priority
over the Common Securities, and no Liquidation Distribution will be paid to the
Holders of the Common Securities unless and until receipt by the Holder of the
Preferred Securities of the entire Liquidation Distribution payable in respect
thereof.
ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 10.01. Limitation of Rights of Securityholders.
The death or incapacity of any Person having an interest, beneficial or
otherwise, in Trust Securities shall not operate to terminate this Trust
Agreement, nor entitle the legal representatives or heirs of such Person or any
Securityholder for such Person, to claim an accounting, take any action or bring
any proceeding in any court for a partition or winding up of the arrangements
contemplated hereby, nor otherwise affect the rights, obligations and
liabilities of the parties hereto or any of them.
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Section 10.02. Amendment.
(a) This Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the
Trustees and the Depositor, without the consent of any Securityholders, to cure
any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or make any other change which does not
adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any Holder of
Preferred Securities. Any amendments of this Trust Agreement pursuant to Section
10.02(a) shall become effective when notice thereof is given to the
Securityholders.
(b) Except as provided in Section 10.02(a) and 10.02(c) hereof, any
provision of this Trust Agreement may be amended by the Trustees and the
Depositor with the consent of Holders of a majority of the Liquidation Amount of
the Outstanding Preferred Securities.
(c) In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this
Trust Agreement, without the consent of each affected Securityholder (such
consent being obtained in accordance with Section 6.03 or 6.06 hereof), this
Trust Agreement may not be amended to (i) change the amount, timing, or currency
of any Distribution or Liquidation Distribution on the Trust Securities or
otherwise adversely affect the amount or method of payment of any Distribution
or Liquidation Distribution required to be made in respect of the Trust
Securities as of a specified date; (ii) restrict the right of a Securityholder
to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date;
(iii) modify the first sentence of Section 2.06 hereof; (iv) authorize or issue
any interest in the Trust other than as contemplated by this Trust Agreement as
of the date hereof; (v) change the Redemption Price; or (vi) affect the limited
liability of any Holder of Preferred Securities, and notwithstanding any other
provision herein without the unanimous consent of the Securityholders (such
consent being obtained in accordance with Section 6.03 or 6.06 hereof),
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 10.02 may not be amended.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Trust Agreement, no
amendment to this Trust Agreement shall be made without receipt by the Trust of
an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the
Trust's status as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes
or its exemption from regulation as an "investment company" under the 1940 Act.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Trust Agreement to the contrary,
without the consent of the Depositor, this Trust Agreement may not be amended in
a manner which imposes any additional obligation on the Depositor.
(f) In the event that any amendment to this Trust Agreement is made,
the Administrative Trustees shall promptly provide to the Depositor a copy of
such amendment.
(g) In executing any amendment to the Trust Agreement, the Property
Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 8.01) shall be
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fully protected in relying upon an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution
of such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Trust Agreement. The
Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any amendment to this
Trust Agreement which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities
under this Trust Agreement or otherwise.
Section 10.03. Separability.
In case any provision in this Trust Agreement or in the Trust
Securities Certificates shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in
any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 10.04. Governing Law.
THIS TRUST AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF EACH OF THE
SECURITYHOLDERS, THE TRUST AND THE TRUSTEES WITH RESPECT TO THIS TRUST AGREEMENT
AND THE TRUST SECURITIES SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES.
Section 10.05. Payments Due on Non-Business Day.
If the date fixed for any payment on any Trust Security shall be a day
which is not a Business Day, then such payment need not be made on such date but
may be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (except as
otherwise provided therein, with the same force and effect as though made on the
date fixed for such payment, and no interest shall accrue thereon for the period
after such date.
Section 10.06. Successors.
This Trust Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of any successor to the Trust or successor Trustee or both, including
any successor by operation of law.
Section 10.07. Headings.
The Article and Section headings are for convenience only and shall not
affect the construction of this Trust Agreement.
Section 10.08. Reports, Notices and Demands.
Any report, notice, demand or other communication which by any
provision of this Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served
to or upon any Securityholder or the Depositor may be given or served in writing
by deposit thereof, first-class postage prepaid, in the United States mail, hand
delivery or facsimile transmission, in each case, addressed, (a) in the case of
a Holder of a Preferred Security, to such Holder of a Preferred Security as such
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Securityholder's name and address may appear on the Securities Register; and (b)
in the case of the Holder of a Common Security or the Depositor, to USF&G
Corporation, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention:
[Treasurer], facsimile no.: (410) 547-____. Any notice to Holders of Preferred
Securities shall also be given to such Owners as have, within two years
preceding the giving of such notice, filed their names and addresses with the
Property Trustee for that purpose. Such notice, demand or other communication to
or upon a Securityholder shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or
made, for all purposes, upon hand delivery, mailing or transmission.
Any notice, demand or other communication which by any provision of
this Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served to or upon
the Trust, the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees shall be given in
writing addressed (until another address is published by the Trust) as follows:
(a) with respect to the Property Trustee to The Bank of New York, 000 Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx. 00X, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee
Administration; (b) with respect to the Delaware Trustee, to The Bank of New
York (Delaware), 00 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000; and (c) with
respect to the Administrative Trustees, to them at the address above for notices
to the Depositor, marked "Attention: Administrative Trustees of USF&G Capital I
[c/o Treasury Department.]" Such notice, demand or other communication to or
upon the Trust or the Property Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently
given or made only upon actual receipt of the writing by the Trust or the
Property Trustee.
Section 10.09. Agreement Not to Petition.
Each of the Trustees and the Depositor agree for the benefit of the
Securityholders that, until at least one year and one day after the Trust has
been terminated in accordance with Article IX, they shall not file, or join in
the filing of, a petition against the Trust under any bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, liquidation or other similar law
(including, without limitation, the United States Bankruptcy Code)
(collectively, "Bankruptcy Laws") or otherwise join in the commencement of any
proceeding against the Trust under any Bankruptcy Law. In the event the
Depositor or any of the Trustees takes action in violation of this Section
10.09, the Property Trustee agrees, for the benefit of Securityholders, that at
the expense of the Depositor, it shall file an answer with the bankruptcy court
or otherwise properly contest the filing of such petition by the Depositor or
any of the Trustees, as applicable, against the Trust or the commencement of
such action and raise the defense that the Depositor has agreed in writing not
to take such action and should be stopped and precluded therefrom and such other
defenses, if any, as counsel for the Property Trustee or the Trust may assert.
The provisions of this Section 10.09 shall survive the termination of this Trust
Agreement.
Section 10.10. Trust Indenture Act; Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
-50-
(a) This Trust Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Trust Agreement and shall, to
the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a trustee
for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another
provision hereof which is required to be included in this Trust Agreement by any
of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall
control. If any provision of this Trust Agreement modifies or excludes any
provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the
latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Trust Agreement as so modified
or excluded, as the case may be.
(d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Trust Agreement
shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
Section 10.11. Acceptance of Terms of Trust Agreement, Guarantee and
Indenture.
THE RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE OF A TRUST SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN BY
OR ON BEHALF OF A SECURITYHOLDER OR ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, WITHOUT ANY SIGNATURE
OR FURTHER MANIFESTATION OF ASSENT, SHALL CONSTITUTE THE UNCONDITIONAL
ACCEPTANCE BY THE SECURITYHOLDER AND ALL OTHERS HAVING A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN
SUCH TRUST SECURITY OF ALL THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS TRUST AGREEMENT AND
AGREEMENT TO THE SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS AND OTHER TERMS OF THE GUARANTEE AND
THE INDENTURE, AND SHALL CONSTITUTE THE AGREEMENT OF THE TRUST, SUCH
SECURITYHOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS THAT THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS TRUST
AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING, OPERATIVE AND EFFECTIVE AS BETWEEN THE TRUST AND
SUCH SECURITYHOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS.
USF&G CORPORATION
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
-00-
XXX XXXX XX XXX XXXX, as Property Trustee
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE),
as Delaware Trustee
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
---------------------------
J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx,
as Administrative Trustee
---------------------------
as Administrative Trustee
---------------------------
as Administrative Trustee
-52-
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
OF
USF&G CAPITAL I
THIS CERTIFICATE OF TRUST of USF&G Capital I (the "Trust"), dated
December 28, 1995, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as
trustees, to form a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act (12
Del. C. (S) 3801 et seq.).
(i) Name.The name of the business trust being formed hereby is USF&G
Capital I.
(ii) Delaware Trustee. The name and business address of the trustee of
the Trust with a principal place of business in the State of Delaware are The
Bank of New York (Delaware), 00 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000.
(iii) Counterparts. This Certificate of Trust may be executed in one or
more counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
(iv) Effective Date. This Certificate of Trust shall be effective as of
its filing.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the trustees of the Trust,
have executed this Certificate of Trust as of the date first above written.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
___________________________ By__________________________________
J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, as Trustee Name: _______________________
Title: _______________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE), as Trustee
By__________________________________
Name: _______________________
Title: _______________________
__________, 1996
The Depository Trust Company,
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx,
00xx Xxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000.
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
General Counsel's Office
Re: USF&G Capital I Preferred Securities
------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The purpose of this letter is to set forth certain matters relating to the
issuance and deposit with The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") of the USF&G
Capital I __% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series A (the
"Preferred Securities"), of USF&G Capital Trust I, a Delaware business trust
(the "Issuer"), created pursuant to a Trust Agreement between USF&G Corporation
("USF&G"), The Bank of New York, as Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and
the Administrative Trustees named therein. The payment of distributions on the
Preferred Securities to the extent the Issuer has funds available for the
payment thereof, and payments due upon liquidation of the Issuer or redemption
of the Preferred Securities are guaranteed by USF&G to the extent set forth in a
Guarantee Agreement dated ________, 1996 by USF&G with respect to the Preferred
Securities. USF&G and the Issuer propose to sell the Preferred Securities to
certain Underwriters (the "Underwriters") pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement
dated ________, 1996 by and among the Underwriters, the Issuer and USF&G and the
Underwriters wish to take delivery of the Preferred Securities through DTC. The
Bank of New York is acting as transfer agent and registrar with respect to the
Preferred Securities (the "Transfer Agent and Registrar").
To induce DTC to accept the Preferred Securities as eligible for deposit at
DTC, and to act in accordance with DTC's Rules with respect to the Preferred
Securities, the Issuer, the Transfer Agent and Registrar make the following
representations to DTC:
1. Prior to the closing of the sale of the Preferred Securities to the
Underwriters, which is expected to occur on or about ________, 1996, there shall
be deposited with DTC one or more global certificates (individually and
collectively, the "Global Certificate") registered in the name of DTC's nominee,
Cede & Co., representing an aggregate of ___________ Preferred Securities and
bearing the following legend:
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York
corporation ("DTC"), to Issuer or its agent for registration
of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any certificate issued
is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name
as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and
any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as
is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE
BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered
owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
2. The Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Issuer provides for the
voting by holders of the Preferred Securities under certain limited
circumstances. The Issuer shall establish a record date for such purposes and
shall, to the extent possible, give DTC notice of such record date not less than
15 calendar days in advance of such record date.
3. In the event of a stock split, conversion, recapitalization,
reorganization or any other similar transaction resulting in the cancellation of
all or any part of the Preferred Securities outstanding, the Issuer or the
Transfer Agent and Registrar shall send DTC a notice of such event at least 5
business days prior to the effective date of such event.
4. In the event of distribution on, or an offering or issuance of rights
with respect to, the Preferred Securities outstanding, the Issuer or the
Transfer Agent and Registrar shall send DTC a notice specifying: (a) the amount
of and conditions, if any, applicable to the payment of any such distribution or
any such offering or issuance of rights; (b) any applicable expiration or
deadline date, or any date by which any action on the part of the holders of
Preferred Securities is required; and (c) the date any required notice is to be
mailed by or on behalf of the Issuer to holders of Preferred Securities or
published by or on behalf of the Issuer (whether by mail or publication, the
"Publication Date"). Such notice shall be sent to DTC by a secure means (e.g.,
legible telecopy, registered or certified mail, overnight delivery) in a timely
manner designed to assure that such notice is in DTC's possession no later than
the close of business on the business day before the Publication Date. The
Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar will forward such notice either in a
separate secure transmission for each CUSIP number or in a secure transmission
of multiple CUSIP numbers (if applicable) that includes a manifest or list of
each CUSIP number submitted in that transmission. (The party sending such notice
shall have a method to verify subsequently the use of such means and the
timeliness of such notice.) The Publication Date shall be not less than 20
calendar days nor more than 90 calendar days prior to the payment of any such
distribution or any such offering or issuance of rights with respect to the
Preferred Securities. After establishing the amount of payment to be made on the
Preferred Securities, the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar will notify
DTC's Dividend Department of such payment 5 business days prior to payment date.
Notices to DTC's Dividend Department by telecopy shall be sent to (212)
709-1723. Such notices by mail or by any other means shall be sent to:
-2-
Manager, Announcements
Dividend Department
The Depository Trust Company
0 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
The Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall confirm DTC's receipt
of such telecopy by telephoning the Dividend Department at (000) 000-0000.
5. In the event of a redemption by the Issuer of the Preferred Securities,
notice specifying the terms of the redemption and the Publication Date of such
notice shall be sent by the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar to DTC
not less than 20 calendar days prior to such event by a secure means in the
manner set forth in paragraph 4. Such redemption notice shall be sent to DTC's
Call Notification Department at (000) 000-0000 or (000) 000-0000, and receipt of
such notice shall be confirmed by telephoning (000) 000-0000. Notice by mail or
by any other means shall be sent to:
Call Notification Department
The Depository Trust Company
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
6. In the event of any invitation to tender the Preferred Securities,
notice specifying the terms of the tender and the Publication Date of such
notice shall be sent by the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar to DTC by
a secure means and in a timely manner as described in paragraph 4. Notices to
DTC pursuant to this paragraph and notices of other corporate actions (including
mandatory tenders, exchanges and capital changes), shall be sent, unless
notification to another department is expressly provided for herein, by telecopy
to DTC's Reorganization Department at (000) 000-0000 or (000) 000-0000 and
receipt of such notice shall be confirmed by telephoning (000) 000-0000, or by
mail or any other means to:
Manager, Reorganization Department
Reorganization Window
The Depository Trust Company
0 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
7. All notices and payment advances sent to DTC shall contain the CUSIP
number or numbers of the Preferred Securities and the accompanying designation
of the Preferred Securities, which, as of the date of this letter, is "USF&G
Capital I __% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series A".
-3-
8. Distribution payments or other cash payments with respect to the
Preferred Securities evidenced by the Global Certificate shall be received by
Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, or its registered assigns in next day funds on
each payment date (or in accordance with existing arrangements between the
Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar and DTC). Such payments shall be made
payable to the order of Cede & Co., and shall be addressed as follows:
NDFS Redemption Department
The Depository Trust Company
0 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
9. DTC may by prior written notice direct the Issuer and the Transfer Agent
and Registrar to use any other telecopy number or address of DTC as the number
or address to which notices or payments may be sent.
10. In the event of a conversion, redemption, or any other similar
transaction (e.g., tender made and accepted in response to the Issuer's or the
Transfer Agent and Registrar's invitation) necessitating a reduction in the
aggregate number of Preferred Securities outstanding evidenced by the Global
Certificate, DTC, in its discretion: (a) may request the Issuer or the Transfer
Agent and Registrar to issue and countersign a new Global certificate; or (b)
may make an appropriate notation on the Global Certificate indicating the date
and amount of such reduction.
11. DTC may discontinue its services as a securities depositary with
respect to the Preferred Securities at any time by giving reasonable prior
written notice to the Issuer and the Transfer Agent and Registrar (at which time
DTC will confirm with the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar the
aggregate number of Preferred Securities deposited with it) and discharging its
responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such
circumstances, the Issuer may determine to make alternative arrangements for
book-entry settlement for the Preferred Securities, make available one or more
separate global certificates evidencing Preferred Securities to any Participant
having Preferred Securities credited to its DTC account, or issue definitive
Preferred Securities to the beneficial holders thereof, and in any such case,
DTC agrees to cooperate fully with the Issuer and the Transfer Agent and
Registrar and to return the Global certificate, duly endorsed for transfer as
directed by the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar, together with any
other documents of transfer reasonably requested by the Issuer or the Transfer
Agent and Xxxxxxxxx.
00. In the event that the Issuer determines that beneficial owners of
Preferred Securities shall be able to obtain definitive Preferred Securities,
the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall notify DTC of the
availability of certificates. In such event, the Issuer or the Transfer Agent
and Registrar shall issue, transfer and exchange certificates in appropriate
amounts, as required by DTC and others, and DTC agrees to cooperate fully with
the Issuer and the Transfer Agent and Registrar and to return the Global
Certificate, duly endorsed for transfer as directed by the Issuer or the
Transfer Agent and Registrar, together with any other documents of transfer
reasonably requested by the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
-4-
13. This letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Transfer Agent and Registrar
to advance funds on behalf of the Issuer.
Very truly yours,
USF&G CAPITAL I
(As Issuer)
By
---------------------------
Name: J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Administrative Trustee
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
(As Transfer Agent and Registrar)
By
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
RECEIVED AND ACCEPTED:
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
By
---------------------------
Authorized Officer
THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE
Certificate Number
C-1
Number of Common Securities
--------
Certificate Evidencing Common Securities
of
USF&G Capital I
__% Common Securities
(liquidation amount $25 per Common Security)
USF&G Capital I, a statutory business trust created under the laws of the
State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that USF&G Corporation (the
"Holder") is the registered owner of ____________________ (_______) common
securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust and designated the __% Common Securities (liquidation amount
$25 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). In accordance with Section
5.10 of the Trust Agreement (as defined below) the Common Securities are not
transferable and any attempted transfer hereof shall be void. The designations,
rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of
the Common Securities are set forth in, and this certificate and the Common
Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to
the terms and provisions of, the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the
Trust dated as of __________, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time
(the "Trust Agreement"). The Trust will furnish a copy of the Trust Agreement to
the Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal
place of business or registered office.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, at least one of the Administrative Trustees of the
Trust has executed this certificate this __th day of ___________, 1996.
USF&G CAPITAL I
By: --------------------------
Name: J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Administrative Trustee
AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES
AGREEMENT dated as of ___________, 1996, between USF&G Corporation, a
Maryland Corporation ("USF&G"), and USF&G Capital I, a Delaware business trust
(the "Trust").
WHEREAS, the Trust intends to issue and sell ___% Cumulative Quarterly
Income Preferred Securities, Series A (the "Preferred Securities") with such
powers, preferences and special rights and restrictions as are set forth in the
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust dated as of ___________, 1996
as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust Agreement") and
purchase debentures from USF&G (the "Debentures");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each holder of the
Preferred Securities, the proceeds from which shall be used to purchase the
Debentures, which purchase USF&G hereby agrees shall benefit USF&G and which
purchase USF&G acknowledges will be made in reliance upon the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, USF&G and the Trust hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Section 1.01. Guarantee by USF&G. Subject to the terms and conditions
hereof, USF&G hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each person
or entity to whom the Trust is now or hereafter becomes indebted or liable (the
"Beneficiaries") the full payment, when and as due, of any and all Obligations
(as hereinafter defined) to such Beneficiaries. As used herein, "Obligations"
means any costs, expenses or liabilities of the Trust, other than obligations of
the Trust to pay to holders of any Preferred Securities the amounts due such
holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Securities. This Agreement is
intended to be for the benefit of, and to be enforceable by, all such
Beneficiaries, whether or not such Beneficiaries have received notice hereof.
Section 1.02. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate and be of
no further force and effect upon the later of (a) the date on which full payment
has been made of all amounts payable to all holders of all the Preferred
Securities (whether upon redemption, liquidation, exchange or otherwise) and (b)
the date on which there are no Beneficiaries remaining; provided, however, that
this Agreement shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the
case may be, if at any time any holder of Preferred Securities or any
Beneficiary must restore payment of any sums paid under the Preferred
Securities, under any Obligation, under the Guarantee Agreement dated the date
hereof by USF&G and The Bank of New York as guarantee trustee or under this
Agreement for any reason whatsoever. This Agreement is continuing, irrevocable,
unconditional and absolute.
Section 1.03. Waiver of Notice. USF&G hereby waives notice of acceptance of
this Agreement and of any Obligation to which it applies or may apply, and USF&G
hereby waives presentment, demand for payment, protest, notice of nonpayment,
notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.
Section 1.04. No Impairment. The obligations, covenants, agreements and
duties of USF&G under this Agreement shall in no way be affected or impaired by
reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the extension of time for the payment by the Trust of all or any
portion of the Obligations or for the performance of any other obligation under,
arising out of, or in connection with, the Obligations;
(b) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the
Beneficiaries to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or
remedy conferred on the Beneficiaries with respect to the Obligations or any
action on the part of the Trust granting indulgence or extension of any kind; or
(c) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Trust or any of the assets of the
Trust.
There shall be no obligation of the Beneficiaries to give notice to, or
obtain the consent of, USF&G with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.
Section 1.05. Enforcement. A Beneficiary may enforce this Agreement
directly against USF&G and USF&G waives any right or remedy to require that any
action be brought against the Trust or any other person or entity before
proceeding against USF&G.
ARTICLE II
Section 2.01. Binding Effect. All guarantees and agreements contained in
this Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of USF&G and shall inure to the benefit of the Beneficiaries.
Section 2.02. Amendment. So long as there remains any Beneficiary or any
Preferred Securities are outstanding, this Agreement shall not be modified or
amended in any manner adverse to such Beneficiary or to the holders of the
Preferred Securities.
Section 2.03. Notices. Any notice, request or other communication required
or permitted to be given hereunder shall be given in writing by delivering the
same against receipt therefor by facsimile transmission (confirmed by mail),
-2-
telex or by registered or certified mail, addressed as follows (and if so given,
shall be deemed given when mailed or upon receipt of an answer-back, if sent by
telex):
USF&G Capital I
c/o
Facsimile No.:
Attention: Corporate Trust Services Division
USF&G Corporation
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (410) _______
Attention:
Section 2.04 THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
THIS AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above written.
USF&G CORPORATION
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
USF&G CAPITAL I
By: ---------------------------
Name: J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Administrative Trustee
-3-
Certificate Number
--
Number of Preferred Securities
CUSIP NO. __________
Certificate Evidencing Preferred Securities
of
USF&G Capital I
____% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities,
Series A
(liquidation amount $25 per Preferred Security)
USF&G Capital I, a statutory business trust created under the laws of the
State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that Cede & Co. (the "Holder")
is the registered owner of _____ million (__,000,000) preferred securities of
the Trust representing an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the
Trust and designated the USF&G Capital I __% Cumulative Quarterly Income
Preferred Securities, Series A (liquidation amount $25 per Preferred Security)
(the "Preferred Securities"). The Preferred Securities are transferable on the
books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer as
provided in Section 5.04 of the Trust Agreement (as defined below). The
designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and
provisions of the Preferred Securities are set forth in, and this certificate
and the Preferred Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all
respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Amended and Restated
Trust Agreement of the Trust dated as of __________, 1996, as the same may be
amended from time to time (the "Trust Agreement") including the designation of
the terms of Preferred Securities as set forth therein. The Holder is entitled
to the benefits of the Guarantee Agreement entered into by USF&G Corporation, a
Maryland corporation, and The Bank of New York as guarantee trustee, dated as of
__________, 1996 (the "Guarantee") to the extent provided therein. The Trust
will furnish a copy of the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee to the Holder
without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of
business or registered office.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, at least one of the Administrative Trustees of the
Trust has executed this certificate this __th day of __________, 1996.
USF&G CAPITAL I
By:
---------------------------
Name: J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Administrative Trustee
This Preferred Security is a Book-Entry Preferred Securities Certificate within
the meaning of the Trust Agreement hereinafter referred to and is registered in
the name of The Depository Trust Company (the "Depository") or a nominee of the
Depository. This Preferred Security is exchangeable for Preferred Securities
registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only
in the limited circumstances described in the Trust Agreement and no transfer of
this Preferred Security (other than a transfer of this Preferred Security as a
whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the
Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository) may be
registered except in limited circumstances.
Unless this Preferred Security is presented by an authorized representative of
The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation, (55 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx) to USF&G Capital I or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or
payment, and any Preferred Security issued is registered in the name of Cede &
Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The
Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co. or to such
other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of The Depository
Trust Company, ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE
BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has
an interest herein.
-2-
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Preferred
Security to:
(Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number)
(Insert address and zip code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoints
agent to transfer this Preferred Security Certificate on the books of the Trust.
The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:
Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Preferred Security
Certificate)
-2-
