EXHIBIT 4.13
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
REGIONS FINANCIAL CORPORATION,
AS GUARANTOR,
AND
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
AS GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
RELATING TO
REGIONS FINANCING TRUST [III/IV]
DATED AS OF ___________, 20__
REGIONS FINANCING TRUST [III/IV]
Certain Sections of this Guarantee Agreement relating to
Sections 310 through 318 of the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939:
Section of
Trust Indenture Section of
Act Agreement Guarantee
--------------- -----------
310 (a)........................................................................................4.1(a)
(b)...................................................................................4.1(c), 2.8
(c)..................................................................................Inapplicable
311 (a)........................................................................................2.2(b)
(b)........................................................................................2.2(b)
(c)..................................................................................Inapplicable
312 (a)........................................................................................2.2(a)
(b)........................................................................................2.2(b)
313 ..............................................................................................2.3
314 (a)...........................................................................................2.4
(b)..................................................................................Inapplicable
(c)...........................................................................................2.5
(d)..................................................................................Inapplicable
(e).................................................................................1.1, 2.5, 3.2
(f)......................................................................................2.1, 3.2
315 (a)........................................................................................3.1(d)
(b)...........................................................................................2.7
(c)...........................................................................................3.1
(d)..........................................................................................1(d)
316 (a).................................................................................1.1, 2.6, 5.4
(b)...........................................................................................5.3
(c)...........................................................................................8.2
317 (a)..................................................................................Inapplicable
(b)..................................................................................Inapplicable
318 (a)........................................................................................2.1(b)
(b)...........................................................................................2.1
(c)........................................................................................2.1(a)
Note: This reconciliation and tie sheet shall not, for any purpose, be deemed
to be a part of the Guarantee Agreement.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1. INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS................................................................2
SECTION 1.1. INTERPRETATION......................................................................2
SECTION 1.2. DEFINITIONS.........................................................................3
ARTICLE 2. TRUST INDENTURE ACT...........................................................................6
SECTION 2.1. TRUST INDENTURE ACT; APPLICATION....................................................6
SECTION 2.2. LIST OF HOLDERS.....................................................................6
SECTION 2.3. REPORTS BY THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE....................................................6
SECTION 2.4. PERIODIC REPORTS TO THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE...........................................6
SECTION 2.5. EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT....................................7
SECTION 2.6. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; WAIVER...........................................................7
SECTION 2.7. EVENT OF DEFAULT; NOTICE............................................................7
SECTION 2.8. CONFLICTING INTERESTS...............................................................7
ARTICLE 3. POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE............................................8
SECTION 3.1. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE..........................................8
SECTION 3.2. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.................................................9
SECTION 3.3. INDEMNITY..........................................................................11
SECTION 3.4. FEES AND EXPENSES..................................................................11
ARTICLE 4. GUARANTEE TRUSTEE............................................................................11
SECTION 4.1. GUARANTEE TRUSTEE: ELIGIBILITY.....................................................11
SECTION 4.2. APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE......................12
ARTICLE 5. GUARANTEE....................................................................................13
SECTION 5.1. GUARANTEE..........................................................................13
SECTION 5.2. WAIVER OF NOTICE AND DEMAND........................................................13
SECTION 5.3. OBLIGATIONS NOT AFFECTED...........................................................13
SECTION 5.4. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS..................................................................14
SECTION 5.5. GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT...............................................................14
SECTION 5.6. SUBROGATION........................................................................14
SECTION 5.7. INDEPENDENT OBLIGATIONS............................................................15
ARTICLE 6. SUBORDINATION................................................................................15
SECTION 6.1. SUBORDINATION......................................................................15
SECTION 6.2. PARI PASSU GUARANTEES..............................................................15
ARTICLE 7. TERMINATION..................................................................................15
SECTION 7.1. TERMINATION........................................................................15
ARTICLE 8. MISCELLANEOUS................................................................................16
SECTION 8.1. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.............................................................16
SECTION 8.2. AMENDMENTS.........................................................................16
SECTION 8.3. NOTICES............................................................................16
SECTION 8.4. BENEFIT............................................................................17
SECTION 8.5. GOVERNING LAW......................................................................17
SECTION 8.6. COUNTERPARTS.......................................................................17
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GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of ____________, 20__, executed and
delivered by REGIONS FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the
"Guarantor") having its principal office at 000 Xxxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000, and BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, a banking corporation organized under
the laws of the State of New York, as trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"), having
a corporate trust office at 0 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx
00000, for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of
the Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of Regions Financing Trust
[III/IV], a Delaware business trust (the "Issuer").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust,
dated as of ____________, 20__ (the "Declaration"), among the Guarantor, as
Depositor, the Property Trustee (as defined below), the Delaware Trustee (as
defined in the Declaration) and the Administrative Trustees named therein and
the Holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets
of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing aggregate Liquidation Amount (as defined
in the Declaration) of its ____% Trust Preferred Securities (Liquidation Amount
$_____ per preferred security) (the "Preferred Securities") representing
preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer and having
the terms set forth in the Declaration;
WHEREAS, the Preferred Securities will be issued by the Issuer and the
proceeds thereof, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the Issuer's
Common Securities (as defined below), will be used to purchase the Debentures
(as defined in the Declaration) of the Guarantor which will be deposited with
Bankers Trust Company, as Property Trustee under the Declaration (the "Property
Trustee"), as trust assets; and
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase Preferred
Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to
the extent set forth herein, to pay to the Holders of the Preferred Securities
the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments
on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit
the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement to
provide as follows for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the
Preferred Securities:
ARTICLE 1.
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1. INTERPRETATION.
For all purposes of this Guarantee Agreement, except as otherwise
expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
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(a) capitalized terms used in this Guarantee Agreement but not
defined in the preamble hereto have the respective meanings assigned to them in
Section 1.2;
(b) all references to "the Guarantee Agreement" or "this
Guarantee Agreement" are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented
or amended from time to time;
(c) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and
Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement unless
otherwise specified;
(d) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same
meaning when used in this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise defined in this
Guarantee Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;
(e) the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words
of similar import refer to this Guarantee Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and
(f) the words "include," "includes" and "including" shall be
deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation."
(g) a reference to the singular includes the plural and
vice-versa; and
(h) the masculine, feminine or neuter genders used herein shall
include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders.
SECTION 1.2. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the terms set forth below shall,
unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings:
"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; provided, however, that the Issuer shall
not be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Guarantor. For the purposes of this
definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the
power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or
indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings
correlative to the foregoing.
"BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means either the board of directors of the
Guarantor or any executive or other committee duly authorized by the board of
directors of the Guarantor to act hereunder.
"COMMON SECURITIES" means the securities representing common undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.
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"EVENT OF DEFAULT" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its
payment or other obligations under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however,
that, except with respect to a default in payment of any Guarantee Payments,
the Guarantor shall have received written notice of default and shall not have
cured such default within 60 days after receipt of such notice.
"GUARANTEE PAYMENTS" means the following payments or distributions,
without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent
not paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accumulated and unpaid
Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) required to be paid on the
Preferred Securities, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available
therefor at such time, (ii) the redemption price, including all accumulated and
unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price"), with
respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, to the
extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor at such time, and (iii)
upon a voluntary or involuntary termination, winding up or liquidation of the
Issuer, unless Debentures are distributed to the Holders, the lesser of (a) the
aggregate of the Liquidation Amount of $____ per Preferred Security plus
accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred Securities to the date of
payment to the extent that the Issuer shall have funds available therefor at
such time and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for
distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (in either case, the
"Liquidation Distribution").
"GUARANTEE TRUSTEE" means Bankers Trust Company, until a Successor
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant
to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement, and thereafter means each such
Successor Guarantee Trustee.
"HOLDER" means any holder, as registered on the books and records of
the Issuer, of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that in determining
whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred Securities have
given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "HOLDER" shall not
include the Guarantor, the Guarantee Trustee, or any Affiliate of the Guarantor
or the Guarantee Trustee.
"INDENTURE" means the Indenture dated as of __________, 20__, as
supplemented and amended between the Guarantor and Bankers Trust Company, as
trustee.
"LIST OF HOLDERS" has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).
"MAJORITY IN LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES" means,
except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by the Holder(s), voting
separately as a class, of more than 50% of the Liquidation Amount of all then
outstanding Preferred Securities issued by the Issuer.
"OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" means, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by the President or a Vice President of such Person, and by
the Treasurer, an Assistant
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Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person, and
delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with
respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this
Guarantee Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers'
Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating
thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination
or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers'
Certificate;
(c) a statement that each officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such
officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each officer,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"PERSON" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever
nature.
"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee,
any Vice President, any Assistant Vice President, the Secretary, any Assistant
Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer, any Trust Officer or Assistant Trust
Officer or any other officer of the Corporate Trust Department of the Guarantee
Trustee and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter,
any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer's
knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
"SENIOR DEBT" has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
"SUCCESSOR GUARANTEE TRUSTEE" means a successor Guarantee Trustee
possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.
"TRUST INDENTURE ACT" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in
force at the date as of which this Guarantee Agreement is 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.
Capitalized or otherwise defined terms used but not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Declaration as in
effect on the date hereof.
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ARTICLE 2.
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1. TRUST INDENTURE ACT; APPLICATION.
(a) This Guarantee Agreement is subject to the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act that are or would be required to be part of this Guarantee
Agreement and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Guarantee
Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections
310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall
control.
SECTION 2.2. LIST OF HOLDERS.
(a) The Guarantor shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the
Guarantee Trustee (a) semi-annually, on or before ______ and ______ of each
year, a list, in such form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of
the names and addresses of the Holders (the "List of Holders") as of a date not
more than 15 days prior to the delivery thereof, and (b) at such other times as
the Guarantee Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt
by the Guarantor of any such request, a List of Holders as of a date not more
than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished, in each case to the
extent such information is in the possession or control of the Guarantor and is
not identical to a previously supplied list of Holders or has not otherwise
been received by the Guarantee Trustee in its capacity as such. The Guarantee
Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a
new List of Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under
Section 311(a), Section 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.3. REPORTS BY THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.
Not later than March 15 of each year, commencing March 15, 20__, the
Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders such reports as are required by
Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner
provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee Trustee shall
also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.4. PERIODIC REPORTS TO THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee, the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the Holders such documents, reports and
information, if any, as required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act and
the compliance certificate required by Section 314(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.
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SECTION 2.5. EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of
compliance with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this
Guarantee Agreement that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section
314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be
given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act
may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.
SECTION 2.6. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; WAIVER.
The Holders of not less than a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the
Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all Preferred
Securities, waive any past default or Event of Default and its consequences.
Upon such waiver, any such default or Event of Default shall cease to exist,
and any default or Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have
been cured, for every purpose of this Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver
shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair
any right consequent therefrom.
SECTION 2.7. EVENT OF DEFAULT; NOTICE.
(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the
occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage
prepaid, to the Holders of all Preferred Securities, notices of all Events of
Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee,
unless such Events of Default have been cured before the giving of such notice,
provided, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of a Guarantee
Payment, the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if
and so long as the Board of Directors and/or Responsible Officers of the
Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice
is in the interests of the Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge
of any Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received
written notice, or a Responsible Officer charged with the administration of
this Guarantee Agreement shall have obtained written notice, of such Event of
Default.
SECTION 2.8. CONFLICTING INTERESTS.
The Declaration and the Indenture shall be deemed to be specifically
described in this Guarantee Agreement for the purposes of clause (i) of the
first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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ARTICLE 3.
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.
(a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee
Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not
transfer this Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising his
or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(iv) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee
on acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as
Successor Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee
Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, upon
acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment hereunder,
and such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not
conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the
appointment of such Successor Guarantee Trustee.
(b) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the
Holders.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of
Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred,
shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in
this Guarantee Agreement, and no implied covenants shall be read into this
Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default
has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6), the
Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by
this Guarantee Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in its
exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(d) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be construed
to relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action,
its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and
after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may
have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee
Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions
of this Guarantee Agreement, and the Guarantee Trustee shall
not be liable except for the performance of such duties and
obligations as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee
Agreement; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of
the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively
rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness
of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or
opinions furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to
the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement; but in the case
of any
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such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof or
of the Trust Indenture Act are specifically required to be
furnished to the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee
shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine
whether or not they conform to the requirements of this
Guarantee Agreement;
(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any
error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the
Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee
Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which
such judgment was made;
(iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with
respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith
in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a
Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities relating to
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement;
and
(iv) no provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall
require the Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or
otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any
of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if
the Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that
the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to
it under the terms of this Guarantee Agreement or adequate indemnity
satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably
assured to it.
SECTION 3.2. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:
(i) The Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely and
shall be full protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any
resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note,
other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or
presented by the proper party or parties.
(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated
by this Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an
Officers' Certificate unless otherwise prescribed herein.
(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee
Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter
be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting to take
any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is
herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on
its part, request and rely upon an Officers' Certificate
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which, upon receipt of such request from the Guarantee Trustee, shall
be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.
(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with legal
counsel, and the advice or opinion of such legal counsel with respect
to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be
taken by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice
or opinion. Such legal counsel may be legal counsel to the Guarantor
or any of its Affiliates and may be one of its employees. The
Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek
instructions concerning the administration of this Guarantee Agreement
from any court of competent jurisdiction.
(v) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation
to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee
Agreement at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such
Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such adequate
security and indemnity satisfactory to it, against the costs, expenses
(including attorneys' fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be
incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including
such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee;
provided that nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(v) shall be
taken to relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers
vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement.
(vi) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any
investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in
its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into
such facts or matters as it may see fit.
(vii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts
or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or
by or through its agents, attorneys custodians or nominees, and the
Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any such agent, attorney custodians or
nominees appointed with due care by it hereunder.
(viii) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee
Agreement the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive
instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking
any other action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request
instructions from the Holders, (B) may refrain from enforcing such
remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions
are received, and (C) shall be fully protected in acting in accordance
with such instructions.
(b) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to
impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or
acts or exercise any
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right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction
in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Guarantee Trustee shall be
unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any
such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No
permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee shall be
construed to be a duty to act in accordance with such power and authority.
SECTION 3.3. INDEMNITY.
The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the Guarantee Trustee for, and to
hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without
negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Guarantee
Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration
of this Guarantee Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending
itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The provisions of this
Section shall survive the termination of this Guarantee Agreement or the
resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee. The Guarantee Trustee will not
claim, set-off or exact any lien or charge on any Guarantee Payments as a
result of any amount due to it under this Guarantee Agreement.
SECTION 3.4. FEES AND EXPENSES.
The Guarantor covenants and agrees to pay to the Guarantee Trustee
from time to time, and the Guarantee Trustee shall be entitled to, the fees and
expenses agreed in writing between the Guarantor and the Guarantee Trustee, and
will further pay or reimburse the Guarantee Trustee upon its request for all
reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the
Guarantee Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions hereof or any other
documents executed in connection herewith (including the reasonable
compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its counsel and
of all persons not regularly in its employ). The obligations of the Guarantor
under this Section 3.4 to compensate the Guarantee Trustee and to pay or
reimburse the Guarantee Trustee for reasonable expenses, disbursements and
advances shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Agreement or the
earlier resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee.
ARTICLE 4.
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.1. GUARANTEE TRUSTEE: ELIGIBILITY.
(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and
(ii) be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of
at least $50,000,000, and
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shall be a corporation meeting the requirements of Section 310(a) of
the Trust Indenture Act. If such corporation publishes reports of
condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of
the supervising or examining authority, then, for the purposes of this
Section 4.1 and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act,
the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed
to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent
report of condition so published.
(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be
eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall
immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).
(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any
"conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply
with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 4.2. APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF THE
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.
(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be
appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed until a Successor
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by
written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered
to the Guarantor.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed hereunder shall hold office
until a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its
removal or resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without
need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed
by the Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation
shall not take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed
and has accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such
Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning
Guarantee Trustee.
(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed
and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after
delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning
Guarantee Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Guarantor, any court of
competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such
court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.
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ARTICLE 5.
GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.1. GUARANTEE.
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to
the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore
paid by or on behalf of the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any
defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the Issuer may have or assert,
except the defense of payment. The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee
Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the
Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the
Holders.
SECTION 5.2. WAIVER OF NOTICE AND DEMAND.
The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of the Guarantee
Agreement and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment,
demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the
Guarantee Trustee, Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the
Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of
redemption and all other notices and demands.
SECTION 5.3. OBLIGATIONS NOT AFFECTED.
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor
under this Guarantee Agreement shall in no way be affected or impaired by
reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of
the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied
agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities to
be performed or observed by the Issuer;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or
any portion of the Distributions (other than an extension of time for payment
of Distributions that results from the extension of any interest payment period
on the Debentures as provided in the Indenture), Redemption Price, Liquidation
Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred
Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation
under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Preferred Securities;
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part
of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or
remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred
Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or
extension of any kind;
(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale
of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the
benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment
of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the
assets of the Issuer;
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(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Preferred
Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed
hereby or hereby incurred; or
(g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise
constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being
the intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder
shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or
obtain the consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of
the foregoing.
SECTION 5.4. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS.
The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that: (i) this Guarantee
Agreement will be deposited with the Guarantee Trustee to be held for the
benefit of the Holders; (ii) the Guarantee Trustee has the right to enforce
this Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Holders; (iii) the Holders of a
Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee Agreement or
exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this
Guarantee Agreement; and (iv) any Holder may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Guarantee
Agreement, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee
Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person.
SECTION 5.5. GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT.
This Guarantee Agreement creates a guarantee of payment and not of
collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not be discharged except by payment
of the Guarantee Payments in full (without duplication of amounts theretofore
paid by the Issuer) or upon distribution of Debentures to Holders as provided
in the Declaration.
SECTION 5.6. SUBROGATION.
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the
Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to the Holders by the
Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement and shall have the right to waive
payment by the Issuer pursuant to Section 5.1; provided, however, that the
Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of
law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights which it may acquire by way
of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases
as a result of payment under this Guarantee Agreement, if, at the time of any
such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee Agreement. If
any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding
sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and
to pay over such amount to the Holders.
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SECTION 5.7. INDEPENDENT OBLIGATIONS.
The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Preferred
Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee
Agreement notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in
subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.
ARTICLE 6.
SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.1. SUBORDINATION.
The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement will
constitute unsecured obligations of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and
junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt of the Guarantor to the extent
and manner set forth in the Indenture. The obligations of the Guarantor under
this Guarantee Agreement do not constitute Senior Debt.
SECTION 6.2. PARI PASSU GUARANTEES.
The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement shall
rank pari passu with its obligations under (i) any similar guarantee agreements
issued by the Guarantor on behalf of the holders of preferred or common
securities issued by any Regions Trust (as defined in the Indenture); (ii) the
Indenture and the Securities (as defined therein) issued thereunder; (iii) the
Expense Agreement (as defined in the Declaration) and any similar expense
agreements entered into by the Guarantor in connection with the offering of
Preferred Securities (as defined in the Indenture) by any Regions Trust (as
defined in the Indenture), and (iv) any other security, guarantee or other
agreement or obligation that is expressly stated to rank pari passu with the
obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement or with any
obligation that ranks pari passu with the obligations of the Guarantor under
this Guarantee Agreement.
ARTICLE 7.
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.1. TERMINATION.
This Guarantee Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force
and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred
Securities, (ii) the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for
all of the Preferred Securities or (iii) full payment of the amounts payable in
accordance with the Declaration upon liquidation of the Issuer. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Guarantee Agreement will continue to be effective or will
be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any
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Holder must restore payment of any sums paid with respect to Preferred
Securities or this Guarantee Agreement.
ARTICLE 8.
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.1. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee Agreement
shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of
the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities then outstanding. Except in connection with a consolidation, merger
or sale involving the Guarantor that is permitted under Article Eight of the
Indenture and pursuant to which the successor or assignee agrees in writing to
perform the Guarantor's obligations hereunder, the Guarantor shall not assign
its obligations hereunder.
SECTION 8.2. AMENDMENTS.
Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the
rights of the Holders in any material respect (in which case no consent of the
Holders will be required), this Guarantee Agreement may only be amended with
the prior approval of the Holders of not less than a Majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Preferred Securities. The provisions of Article VI of the
Declaration concerning meetings of the Holders shall apply to the giving of
such approval.
SECTION 8.3. NOTICES.
Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such
notice, and delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail as follows:
(a) if given to the Guarantor, to the address set forth below or
such other address, facsimile number or to the attention of such other Person
as the Guarantor may give notice to the Holders:
Regions Financial Corporation
000 Xxxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
(b) if given to the Issuer at the Issuer's address set forth
below with a copy to the Guarantee Trustee as set forth below:
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Regions Financial Corporation
000 Xxxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
(c) if given to the Guarantee Trustee:
Bankers Trust Company
0 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Services
(d) if given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the books
and records of the Issuer.
All notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given when received
in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery
or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was
given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on
the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.
SECTION 8.4. BENEFIT.
This Guarantee Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Holders and
is not separately transferable from the Preferred Securities.
SECTION 8.5. GOVERNING LAW.
THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION 8.6. COUNTERPARTS.
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Guarantee
Agreement as of the date first above written.
REGIONS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Guarantee Trustee
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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