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Exhibit 4.6
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of November 27, 1996
Among
PROVIDENT CAPITAL TRUST I,
PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC.,
and
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
and the other purchasers named within,
as Initial Purchasers
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This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of November 27, 1996 by and among Provident Capital Trust I, a Delaware
statutory business trust (the "Trust"), Provident Bancorp, Inc., an Ohio
corporation (the "Company") and Xxxxxx Brothers Inc., Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx &
Xxxxxxxx Securities Corporation, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx, Inc. and XxXxxxxx &
Company Securities, Inc. (collectively, the "Initial Purchasers").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase Agreement,
dated as of November 22, 1996, among the Company, the Trust and the Initial
Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement"), which provides for the sale by the Trust
to the Initial Purchasers of $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the
Trust's 8.60% Capital Securities, liquidation amount $1,000 per security (the
"Capital Securities"). The Company will be the owner of all of the beneficial
ownership interests represented by the common securities (the "Common
Securities") of the Trust. The Capital Securities and the Common Securities will
be guaranteed (the "Guarantee") by the Company, to the extent of funds held by
the Trust. Concurrently with the issuance of the Capital Securities, the
Guarantee and the Common Securities, the Trust will invest the proceeds of each
thereof in the Company's 8.60% Junior Subordinated Debentures (the "Junior
Subordinated Debentures" and, together with the Capital Securities and the
Guarantee, the "Securities"). In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter
into the Purchase Agreement, the Trust and the Company have agreed to provide
the registration rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the
Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees and assigns. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the Initial
Purchasers' obligations to purchase the Capital Securities under the Purchase
Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms
shall have the following meanings:
BROKER-DEALER: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.
CLOSING DATE: November 27, 1966.
COMMISSION: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONSUMMATE: A Registered Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated"
for purposes of this Agreement upon the delivery by the Company and the
Trust of the New Securities in the same aggregate principal amount as the
aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities that were
tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
DAMAGES PAYMENT DATE: With respect to the Securities, each
Distribution Date until the earlier of (i) the date on which Liquidated
Damages no longer are payable or (ii) maturity of the Securities.
DECLARATION: The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as
of November 27, 1996, among The Bank of New York, as Property Trustee, The
Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee and the other trustees
named therein, pursuant to which the Capital Securities are being issued,
as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof.
EFFECTIVENESS TARGET DATE: As defined in Section 5.
EXCHANGE ACT: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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EXCHANGE OFFER: The registration by the Company and the Trust under
the Securities Act of the New Securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement pursuant to which the Company and the Trust offer the Holders of
all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities the opportunity to exchange
all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holders
for New Securities in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered
in such exchange offer by such Holders.
EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT: The Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Offer, including the Prospectus which forms a part
thereof.
EXEMPT RESALES: The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers
propose to sell the Securities to certain "qualified institutional buyers,"
as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to certain
institutional "accredited investors," as such term is defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act
("Accredited Institutions") and to certain non-U.S. persons.
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT: The Guarantee Agreement, dated as of November 27,
1996, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Guarantee Trustee,
pursuant to which the Guarantee is being issued, as amended or supplemented
from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
HOLDERS: As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.
INDENTURE: The Indenture, dated as of November 27, 1996, between the
Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Trustee"), pursuant to
which the Junior Subordinated Debentures are to be issued, as such
Indenture is amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with
the terms thereof.
INITIAL PURCHASERS: As defined in the preamble hereto.
DISTRIBUTION: As defined in the Declaration.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
NEW JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES: The Company's Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be issued pursuant to the Indenture in the Exchange Offer.
NEW SECURITIES: The Securities to be issued pursuant to the Indenture,
the Declaration and the Guarantee Agreement in the Exchange Offer.
PERSON: An individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability
company, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or
political subdivision thereof.
PROSPECTUS: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other
amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material
incorporated by reference into such Prospectus.
REGISTRATION DEFAULT: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any registration statement of the Company and
the Trust relating to (a) an offering of New Securities pursuant to an
Exchange Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement which is filed
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, in either case including the
Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto
(including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material
incorporated by reference therein.
SECURITIES ACT: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
SHELF FILING DEADLINE: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb),
as amended.
TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES: Each Security, until the earliest to
occur of (a) the date on which such Security has been exchanged by a person
other than a Broker-Dealer for New Securities in the Exchange Offer, (b)
following the exchange by a Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer of such
Securities for one or more New Securities, the date on which such New
Securities are sold to a purchaser who receives from such Broker-Dealer on
or prior to the date of such sale a copy of the prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, (c) the date on which such
Securities has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and
disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement or (d) the
date on which such Securities is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule
144 under the Securities Act;
UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATION or UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING: A registration in
which securities of the Company and the Trust are sold to an underwriter
for reoffering to the public.
2. Securities Subject to This Agreement.
(a) TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES. The securities entitled to the
benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.
(b) HOLDERS OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES. A Person is deemed to
be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a "Holder") whenever
such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
3. Registered Exchange Offer.
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permissible under
applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in
Section 6(a) below have been complied with), the Company and the Trust
shall (i) cause to be filed with the Commission as soon as practicable
after the Closing Date, but in no event later than 150 days after the
Closing Date, a Registration Statement under the Securities Act relating to
the New Securities and the Exchange Offer, (ii) use their respective best
efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective at the
earliest possible time, but in no event later than 180 days after the
Closing Date, (iii) in connection with the foregoing, file (A) all
pre-effective amendments to such Registration Statement as may be necessary
in order to cause such Registration Statement to become effective,
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(B) if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act and (C) cause all
necessary filings in connection with the registration and qualification of
the New Securities to be made under the Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions
as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iv)
unless the Exchange Offer would not be permitted by applicable law or
Commission policy, the Company will commence the Exchange Offer and use its
best efforts to issue on or prior to 30 business days after the date on
which such Registration Statement was declared effective by the Commission,
New Securities in exchange for all Securities tendered prior thereto in the
Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate form
permitting registration of the New Securities to be offered in exchange for
the Transfer Restricted Securities and to permit resales of New Securities
held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c) below.
(b) The Company and the Trust shall cause the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to be effective continuously and shall keep the
Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period
required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate
the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period
be less than 20 business days. The Company and the Trust shall cause the
Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable federal and state securities
laws. No securities other than the New Securities shall be included in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company and the Trust shall use
its best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on the
earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
has become effective, but in no event later than 30 business days
thereafter.
(c) The Company and the Trust shall indicate in a "Plan of
Distribution" section contained in the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement that any Broker-Dealer who holds Securities
that are Transfer Restricted Securities and that were acquired for its own
account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities
(other than Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the
Company and the Trust), may exchange such Securities pursuant to the
Exchange Offer; however, such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore,
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resales of the New Securities received by such
Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, which prospectus delivery requirement
may be satisfied by the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. Such "Plan of
Distribution" section shall also contain all other information with respect
to such resales by Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order
to permit such resales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of Distribution"
shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of New
Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the extent required by
the Commission as a result of a change in policy announced after the date
of this Agreement.
The Company and the Trust shall use their respective best efforts to keep
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented
and amended as required by the provisions of Section 6(b) below to the extent
necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of New Securities acquired
by Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities
or other trading activities, and to ensure that it conforms with the
requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and
regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of
180 days from the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is
declared effective.
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The Company and the Trust shall provide sufficient copies of the latest
version of such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any time
during such 180-day period in order to facilitate such resales.
4. Shelf Registration.
(a) SHELF REGISTRATION. If (i) the Company and the Trust are not
required to file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to consummate
the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by
applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in
Section 6(a) below have been complied with), (ii) the Company has received
an opinion of counsel, rendered by a law firm having a nationally
recognized tax practice, to the effect that, as a result of the
consummation of the Exchange Offer there is more than an insubstantial risk
that (x) the Trust would be subject to United States federal income tax
with respect to income received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures or New Junior Subordinated Debentures, (y) interest payable by
the Company on such Junior Subordinated Debentures or New Junior
Subordinated Debentures would not be deductible by the Company, in whole or
in part, for United States federal income tax purposes, or (z) the Trust
would be subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or
other governmental charges or (iii) if any Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities that is a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule
144A under the Securities Act) or an "accredited investor" (as defined in
Rule 501(A)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) shall notify the
Company at least 20 business days prior to the Consummation of the Exchange
Offer (A) that such Holder is prohibited by applicable law or Commission
policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, or (B) that such Holder
may not resell the New Securities acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to
the public without delivering a prospectus and that the Prospectus
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate
or available for such resales by such Holder, or (C) that such Holder is a
Broker-Dealer and holds Securities acquired directly from the Trust and the
Company or one of its affiliates, then the Trust and the Company shall use
their respective best efforts to:
(x) cause to be filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which may be an amendment to the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement (in either event, the "Shelf
Registration Statement"), on or prior to the earliest to occur of (1)
the 150th day after the date on which the Trust and the Company
determines that they are not required to file the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or (2) the 150th day after the date on which
the Trust and the Company receive notice from a Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities as contemplated by clause (iii) above (such
earliest date being the "Shelf Filing Deadline"), which Shelf
Registration Statement shall provide for resales of all Transfer
Restricted Securities the Holders of which shall have provided the
information required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof; and
(y) cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared
effective by the Commission on or before the 180th day after the Shelf
Filing Deadline.
The Trust and the Company shall use their respective best efforts to keep
such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and
amended as required by the provisions of
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Section 6(b) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available
for resales of Securities by the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities
entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a), and to ensure that it
conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and
the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from
time to time, for a period ending on the third anniversary of the Closing
Date.
(b) PROVISION BY HOLDERS OF CERTAIN INFORMATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf
Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such
Holder furnishes to the Trust and the Company in writing, within 20
business days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the
Trust and the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any
Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus
included therein. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall be
entitled to Liquidated Damages pursuant to Section 5 hereof unless and
until such Holder shall have used its best efforts to provide all such
reasonably requested information. Each Holder as to which any Shelf
Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the
Trust and the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to
make the information previously furnished to the Trust and the Company by
such Holder not materially misleading.
5. Liquidated Damages.
(a) If (a) any of the Registration Statements required by this Agreement is
not filed with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such filing
in this Agreement, (b) any of such Registration Statements has not been declared
effective by the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such
effectiveness in this Agreement (the "Effectiveness Target Date"), (c) the
Exchange Offer has not been Consummated within 30 business days after the
Effectiveness Target Date with respect to the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or (d) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed
and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be
usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded within two business days
by a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such
failure and that is itself immediately declared effective (each such event
referred to in clauses (a) through (d), a "Registration Default"), the Trust and
the Company will pay liquidated damages ("Liquidated Damages") to each Holder of
Capital Securities (in its capacity as such and not in its capacity as an
indirect holder of a pro rata share of the Junior Subordinated Debentures) with
respect to the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of such
Registration Default in an amount equal to $.25 per week per $1,000 liquidation
amount of Capital Securities held by such Holder for each week or portion
thereof that the Registration Default continues. The amount of the Liquidated
Damages payable to any Holder of Capital Securities shall increase by an
additional $.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Capital Securities
held by such Holder with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all
Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of Liquidated
Damages of $.50 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Capital Securities. All
accrued Liquidated Damages shall be paid to Holders by the Trust and the Company
by wire transfer of immediately available funds or by federal funds check on the
last day of each such 90-day period. Following the cure of all Registration
Defaults relating to any particular Transfer Restricted Securities, the accrual
of Liquidated Damages with respect to such Transfer Restricted Securities will
cease.
All obligations of the Trust and the Company set forth in the preceding
paragraph that are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted Security
at the time such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security shall
survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such Transfer
Restricted Security shall have been satisfied in full.
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(b) the Trust and the Company shall notify the Property Trustee within one
business day after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of
which Liquidated Damages are required to be paid (an "Event Date"). Liquidated
Damages shall be paid by depositing with the Property Trustee, in trust, for the
benefit of the Holders thereof, on or before the applicable Interest Payment
Date (whether or not any payment other than Liquidated Damages is payable on the
Capital Securities), immediately available funds in sums sufficient to pay the
Liquidated Damages then due to Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities with
respect to which the Property Trustee serves. Each obligation to pay Liquidated
Damages shall be deemed to accrue from the applicable date of the occurrence of
the Registration Default.
6. Registration Procedures.
(a) EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT. In connection with the
Exchange Offer, the Trust and the Company shall comply with all of the
provisions of Section 6(b) below, shall use their best efforts to effect
such exchange to permit the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities being
sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution
thereof, and shall comply with all of the following provisions:
(i) If in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Trust and the
Company there is a question as to whether the Exchange Offer is
permitted by applicable law, the Trust and the Company hereby agrees
to seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the
Commission allowing the Trust and the Company to Consummate an
Exchange Offer for such Securities. The Trust and the Company hereby
agree to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission
staff level but shall not be required to take commercially
unreasonable action to effect a change of Commission policy. The Trust
and the Company hereby agree, however, to (A) participate in
telephonic conferences with the Commission, (B) deliver to the
Commission staff an analysis prepared by counsel to the Trust and the
Company setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which such counsel
has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be permitted and (C)
diligently pursue a resolution (which need not be favorable) by the
Commission staff of such submission.
(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall furnish, upon the request of the Trust or
the Company, prior to the Consummation thereof, a written
representation to the Trust or the Company (which may be contained in
the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an affiliate
of the Trust or the Company, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not
intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in, a distribution of the New Securities to be
issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the New
Securities in its ordinary course of business. In addition, all such
Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall otherwise cooperate in
the Company's and the Trust's preparations for the Exchange Offer.
Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any Broker-Dealer and
any such Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a
distribution of the securities to be acquired in the Exchange Offer
(1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this
Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in XXXXXX
XXXXXXX AND CO., INC. (available June 5, 1991) and EXXON CAPITAL
HOLDINGS CORPORATION (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the
Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and
similar no-
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action letters (including any no-action letter obtained pursuant to
clause (i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection
with a secondary resale transaction and that such a secondary resale
transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement
containing the selling security holder information required by Item
507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K if the resales are of New
Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange for Securities acquired
by such Holder directly from the Trust or the Company.
(iii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company and the Trust shall provide a supplemental
letter to the Commission (A) stating that the Company and the Trust
are registering the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the
Commission enunciated in EXXON CAPITAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION (available
May 13, 1988), XXXXXX XXXXXXX AND CO., INC. (available June 5, 1991)
and, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause
(i) above and (B) including a representation that the Company and the
Trust have not entered into any arrangement or understanding with any
Person to distribute the New Securities to be received in the Exchange
Offer and that, to the best of the Company's and the Trust's
information and belief, each Holder participating in the Exchange
Offer is acquiring the New Securities in its ordinary course of
business and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to
participate in the distribution of the New Securities received in the
Exchange Offer.
(iv) In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the
Company and the Trust shall comply with all the provisions of Section
6(b) below and shall use their best efforts to effect such
registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities
being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company and the Trust
will as expeditiously as possible prepare and file with the Commission
a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any
appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form shall be
available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in
accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution
thereof.
(b) GENERAL PROVISIONS. In connection with any Registration Statement
and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale
of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any
Registration Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit
resales of Securities by Broker-Dealers), the Company and the Trust shall:
(i) use their best efforts to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements
for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement, as
applicable; upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such
Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to
contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective
and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the
period required by this Agreement, the Company and the Trust shall
file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement,
in the case of clause (A), correcting any such misstatement or
omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or (B), use their best
efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective and such
Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable for
their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter;
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(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement as may be
necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the
applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable,
or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold;
cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus
supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424
under the Securities Act, and to comply fully with the applicable
provisions of Rule 424 under the Securities Act in a timely manner;
and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to
the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration
Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended
method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in
such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders
promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in
writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when
the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission
for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or
supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating
thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the
Securities Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission
of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for
offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any
proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of
any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a
material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any
amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by
reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions
to or changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order
to make the statements therein not misleading. If at any time the
Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or
other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the
qualification or exemption from qualification of the Transfer
Restricted Securities under state securities or Blue Sky laws, the
Trust and the Company shall use their best efforts to obtain the
withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;
(iv) furnish to each of the selling or exchanging Holders and
each of the underwriter(s), if any, before filing with the Commission,
copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included
therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration
Statement or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by
reference after the initial filing of such Registration Statement),
which documents will be subject to the review of such Holders and
underwriter(s), if any, for a period of at least five business days,
and the Trust and the Company will not file any such Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such
Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents
incorporated by reference) to which a selling Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement or the
underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object within five business
days after the receipt thereof. A selling Holder or underwriter, if
any, shall be deemed to have reasonably objected to such filing if
such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus
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or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a
material misstatement or omission;
(v) make available at reasonable times for inspection by the
selling Holders, any underwriter participating in any disposition
pursuant to such Registration Statement, and any attorney or
accountant retained by such selling Holders or any of the
underwriter(s), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate
documents and properties of the Trust and the Company and cause the
Trust's and the Company's officers, directors, managers and employees
to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder,
underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such
Registration Statement subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to
its effectiveness;
(vi) if requested by any selling Holders or the underwriter(s),
if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration Statement or
Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if
necessary, such information as such selling Holders and
underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included
therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the
"Plan of Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted Securities,
information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase
price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the
Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; and make
all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment as soon as practicable after the Trust and the Company are
notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment;
(vii) will use its best efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be rated with the
appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities covered thereby
or the underwriter(s), if any;
(viii) furnish to each selling Holder and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the
Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of
each amendment thereto, including all documents incorporated by
reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated
therein by reference);
(ix) deliver to each selling Holder and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the
Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment
or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the
Trust and the Company hereby consent to the use of the Prospectus and
any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and
each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering
and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;
(x) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting
agreement), and make such representations and warranties, and take all
such other actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or
facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement,
all to such extent as may be requested by any Purchaser or by any
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities or underwriter in connection
with any sale or resale pursuant to any
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Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; and in
connection with an Underwritten Registration, the Trust and the
Company shall:
(A) upon request, furnish to each selling Holder and each
underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may
request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in
primary underwritten offerings, upon the date of the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement:
(1) a certificate, dated
the date of the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, signed by (y) the
Chairman of the Board its President or a
Vice President and (z) the Chief Financial
Officer of the Company, confirming, as of
the date thereof, such matters as such
parties may reasonably request;
(2) an opinion, dated the
date of the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, of counsel for the
Company and the Trust, covering such matters
as such parties may reasonably request, and
in any event including a statement to the
effect that such counsel has participated in
conferences with officers and other
representatives of the Company and the
Trust, representatives of the independent
public accountants for the Company, the
Initial Purchasers' representatives and the
Initial Purchasers' counsel in connection
with the preparation of such Registration
Statement and the related Prospectus and
have considered the matters required to be
stated therein and the statements contained
therein, although such counsel has not
independently verified the accuracy,
completeness or fairness of such statements;
and that such counsel advises that, on the
basis of the foregoing (relying as to
materiality upon facts provided to such
counsel by officers and other
representatives of the Company and the Trust
and without independent check or
verification), no facts came to such
counsel's attention that caused such counsel
to believe that the applicable Registration
Statement, at the time such Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment
thereto became effective, contained an
untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, or that
the Prospectus contained in such
Registration Statement as of its date,
contained an untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
Without limiting the foregoing, such counsel
may state further that such counsel assumes
no responsibility for, and has not
independently verified, the accuracy,
completeness or fairness of the financial
statements, notes and schedules and other
financial data included in any Registration
Statement contemplated by this Agreement or
the related Prospectus; and
(3) a customary comfort
letter, dated the date of the effectiveness
of the Shelf Registration Statement, from
the Company's independent accountants, in
the customary form and covering matters of
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the type customarily covered in comfort
letters by underwriters in connection with
primary underwritten offerings.
(B) set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the
underwriting agreement, if any, the indemnification provisions
and procedures of Section 8 hereof with respect to all parties to
be indemnified pursuant to said Section; and
(C) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be
reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with
clause (A) above and with any customary conditions contained in
the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the
Company and the Trust pursuant to this clause (x), if any.
If at any time the representations and warranties of the Company
contemplated in clause (A)(1) above cease to be true and correct, the
Company shall so advise the Initial Purchasers and the underwriter(s),
if any, and each selling Holder promptly and, if requested by such
Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;
(xi) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if
any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration
and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling
Holders or underwriter(s) may reasonably request and do any and all
other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition
in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by
the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however, that neither the
Company nor the Trust shall not be required to register or qualify as
a foreign corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take any
action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to
taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the
Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so
subject;
(xii) shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of Securities
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, New Securities in the
same amount as the Securities surrendered to the Company and the Trust
by such Holder in exchange therefor or being sold by such Holder; such
New Securities to be registered in the name of such Holder or in the
name of the purchaser(s) of such Securities, as the case may be; in
return, the Securities held by such Holder shall be surrendered to the
Company and the Trust for cancellation;
(xiii) cooperate with the selling Holders and the underwriter(s),
if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold
and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer
Restricted Securities to be in such denominations and registered in
such names as the Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, may request
at least two business days prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities made by such underwriter(s);
(xiv) use its best efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with
or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may
be necessary to enable the seller or sellers
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thereof or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition
of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso
contained in clause (xi) above;
(xv) if any fact or event contemplated by clause (b)(iii)(D)
above shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related
Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file
any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the
purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
(xvi) provide CUSIP numbers for all Transfer Restricted
Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration
Statement and provide certificates for the Transfer Restricted
Securities;
(xvii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made
with the NASD and in the performance of any due diligence
investigation by any underwriter (including any "qualified independent
underwriter") that is required to be retained in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the NASD, and use its best efforts to cause
such Registration Statement to become effective and approved by such
governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the
Holders selling Transfer Restricted Securities to consummate the
disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities;
(xviii) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally
available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, a
consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158
(which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing
at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted
Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm or best efforts
Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an
offering, beginning with the first month of the Company's first fiscal
quarter commencing after the effective date of the Registration
Statement;
(xix) cause the Indenture and the Declaration to be qualified
under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first
Registration Statement required by this Agreement, and, in connection
therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders of Securities to
effect such changes to the Indenture and the Declaration as may be
required for such Indenture and the Declaration to be so qualified in
accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute and use their best
efforts to cause the Indenture Trustee, Guarantee Trustee and the
Property Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to
effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be
filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified
in a timely manner; and
(xx) during the period that a Prospectus must be delivered in
connection with the sale or resale of Transfer Restricted Securities,
provide promptly to each Holder upon request each document filed with
the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and Section
15 of the Exchange Act.
Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security
that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company or the Trust of the
existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(b)(iii)(D) hereof,
such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
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Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration
Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(b)(xv) hereof, or until it is
advised in writing (the "Advice") by the Company or the Trust that the use
of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional
or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus. If so directed by the Company or the Trust, each Holder will
deliver to the Company or the Trust (at the Company's and the Trust's
expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's
possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities
that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the
Company or the Trust shall give any such notice, the time period regarding
the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or
4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the
period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to
Section 6(b)(iii)(D) hereof to and including the date when each selling
Holder covered by such Registration Statement shall have received the
copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section
6(b)(xv) hereof or shall have received the Advice.
7. Registration Expenses.
All expenses incident to the Company's and the Trust's performance of
or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company and the
Trust, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective,
including without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and
expenses (including filings made by any Purchaser or Holder with the NASD
(and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any "qualified independent
underwriter" and its counsel that may be required by the rules and
regulations of the NASD)); (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with
federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii) all
expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the New
Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of
Prospectuses), and associated messenger and delivery services and
telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and
the Trust; (v) all application and filing fees in connection with listing
Securities on a national securities exchange or automated quotation system
pursuant to the requirements hereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of
independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Trust
(including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required
by or incident to such performance).
The Company and the Trust will, in any event, bear their internal
expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of their
officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses
of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including
special experts, retained by the Company or the Trust.
8. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) In connection with a Shelf Registration Statement or in connection with
any delivery of a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration
Statement by any participating Broker-Dealer or Initial Purchaser, as
applicable, who seeks to sell New Securities, the Company and the Trust shall
indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
included within any such Shelf Registration Statement and each participating
Broker-Dealer or Initial Purchaser selling New Securities, and each person, if
any, who controls any such person within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act (each, a "Participant") from and against any loss, claim, damage
or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof (including, but
not limited to, any loss, claim, damage, liability or action
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relating to purchases and sales of Securities) to which such Participant or
controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise,
insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is
based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in any such Registration Statement or any prospectus forming part
thereof or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (ii) the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse
each Participant promptly upon demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by such Participant in connection with investigating or defending or
preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as
such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that (i) the Company and the
Trust shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in
any such Registration Statement or any prospectus forming part thereof or in any
such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company and the Trust by or on behalf of any
Participant specifically for inclusion therein; and provided further that as to
any preliminary Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section
8(a) shall not inure to the benefit of any such Participant or any controlling
person of such Participant on account of any loss, claim, damage, liability or
action arising from the sale of the New Securities to any person by that
Participant if (i) that Participant failed to send or give a copy of the
Prospectus, as the same may be amended or supplemented, to that person within
the time required by the Securities Act and (ii) the untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact in such preliminary Prospectus was corrected in the Prospectus,
unless, in each case, such failure resulted from non-compliance by the Company
and the Trust with Section 6(b). The foregoing indemnity agreement is in
addition to any liability which the Company and the Trust may otherwise have to
any Participant or to any controlling person of that Participant.
(b) Each Participant, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold
harmless the Company and the Trust, each of its directors, officers, employees
or agents and each person, if any, who controls the Company and the Trust within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, from and against any loss,
claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof,
to which the Company and the Trust or any such director, officer, employees or
agents or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or
otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out
of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any preliminary Prospectus, Registration Statement or
Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (ii) the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but in each case
only to the extent that the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company and the Trust by or on behalf of
that Participant specifically for inclusion herein, and shall reimburse the
Company and the Trust and any such director, officer, employees or agents or
controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the
Company and the Trust or any such director, officer, employees or agents or
controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or preparing to
defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such
expenses are incurred. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any
liability which any Participant may otherwise have to the Company and the Trust
or any such director, officer or controlling person.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of
notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the indemnified party
shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying
party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the
claim or the commencement of that action; provided, however, that the failure to
notify the
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indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have
under this Section 8 except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by
such failure and, provided further, that the failure to notify the indemnifying
party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to an
indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 8. If any such claim or
action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall have notified
the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to
participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other
similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense thereof with
counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party. After notice from the
indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the
defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to
the indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that
the Initial Purchasers shall have the right to employ counsel to represent
jointly the Initial Purchasers and those other Participants and their respective
officers, employees and controlling persons who may be subject to liability
arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought by the
Participants against the Company and the Trust under this Section 8 if, in the
reasonable judgment of the Initial Purchasers it is advisable for the Initial
Purchasers and those Participants, officers, employees and controlling persons
to be jointly represented by separate counsel, and in that event the fees and
expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by the Trust and the Company.
Each indemnified party, as a condition of the indemnity agreements contained in
Section 8, shall use its best efforts to cooperate with the indemnifying party
in the defense of any such action or claim. No indemnifying party shall (i)
without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the
entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action,
suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be
sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential
parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent
includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability
arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) be liable for any
settlement of any such action effected without its written consent (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with its written
consent or if there be a final judgment of the plaintiff in any such action, the
indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party
from and against any loss of liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 shall for any
reason be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party
under Section 8(a) or 8(b) in respect of any loss, claim, damage or liability,
or any action in respect thereof, referred to therein, then each indemnifying
party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss,
claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, in such proportion as
shall be appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Trust and the Company
on the one hand and the Participants on the other with respect to the statements
or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action
in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact relates to information supplied by the Trust and the Company or
the Participants, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access
to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company and the Trust and the Participants agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 8(d) were to be
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Participants were treated as one
entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount
paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage
or liability, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section
8(d) shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 8(d), any legal or
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other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Section 8(d), no Participant shall be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the amount by which proceeds received by such
Participant from an offering of the Notes exceeds the amount of any damages
which such Participant has otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of
any untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Participants'
obligations to contribute as provided in this Section 8(d) are several and not
joint.
9. Rule 144A.
The Company and the Trust hereby agrees with each Holder, for so long as
any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding, to make available to any
Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with
any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted
Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by
Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act in order to permit resales of such
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A.
10. Participation in Underwritten Registrations.
No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless
such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Transfer Restricted Securities on
the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons
entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes
all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting
agreements, lockup letters and other documents required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.
11. Selection of Underwriters.
The Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf
Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted
Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the
investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will
administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in
such offering; provided, that such investment bankers and managers must be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) REMEDIES. The Company and the Trust agree that monetary damages
(including the Liquidated Damages contemplated hereby) would not be
adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of
the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in
any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Company and the Trust will not on
or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect
to their securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the
Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions
hereof. The Company and the Trust have not previously entered into any
agreement granting any registration rights with respect to their securities
to any Person other than
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the Stock Registration Rights Agreement contemplated in connection with the
Company's acquisition of Information Leasing Corporation and Procurement
Alternatives Corporation and pertaining to the Company's common stock. The
rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and
are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Trust's
and the Company's securities under any agreement in effect on the date
hereof.
(c) ADJUSTMENTS AFFECTING THE NOTES. The Company and the Trust will
not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to
Securities that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the
Holders to Consummate any Exchange Offer.
(d) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement may not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or
departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company
and the Trust have obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of
the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the
provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose
securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and that does
not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose
securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be
given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered or registered.
(e) NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class
mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex,
telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of
the Declaration; and
(ii) if to the Company and the Trust:
Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Provident Bancorp, Inc.
Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
With a copy to:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx
1800 Provident Tower
Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five
business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if
mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged,
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if telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered to an air
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(f) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties,
including without limitation and without the need for an express
assignment, subsequent Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided,
however, that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be
binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent
such successor or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities from such
Holder.
(g) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning thereof.
(i) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
(j) SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the
remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired
thereby.
(k) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement together with the other
transaction documents is intended by the parties as a final expression of
their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of
the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the
subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to
herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company and
the Trust with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the
parties with respect to such subject matter.
(l) REQUIRED CONSENTS. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of
a specified percentage of Transfer Restricted Securities is required
hereunder, Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Company or its
affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act)
shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was
given by the Holders of such required percentage.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC.
By:
-------------------------
Name:
Title:
PROVIDENT CAPITAL TRUST I
By:
-------------------------
TITLE: Regular Trustee
Accepted as of the date thereof
Xxxxxx Brothers Inc.
Acting on behalf of
itself and the several
Purchasers named herein
By XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
By:
-------------------------
Name:
Title:
