Exhibit 4(d)
HOUSEHOLD INTERNATIONAL, INC.
As Depositary
AND
THE HOLDERS FROM TIME TO TIME OF
THE DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS DESCRIBED HEREIN
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Deposit Agreement
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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PARTIES .................................................................. 1
RECITALS ................................................................. 1
ARTICLE I
Definitions
Certificate............................................................... 1
Company................................................................... 1
Deposit Agreement......................................................... 1
Depositary................................................................ 1
Depositary Shares......................................................... 1
Depositary's Agent........................................................ 2
Depositary's Office....................................................... 2
Receipt................................................................... 2
Record Holder............................................................. 2
Registrar................................................................. 2
Stock..................................................................... 2
ARTICLE II
Form of Receipts, Deposit of Stock, Execution and Delivery,
Transfer, Surrender and Redemption of Receipts
SECTION 2.01. Form and Transfer of Receipts.............................. 2
SECTION 2.02. Deposit of Stock; Execution and Delivery
of Receipts in Respect Thereof............................. 4
SECTION 2.03. Redemption of Stock........................................ 4
SECTION 2.04. Registration of Transfer of Receipts....................... 6
SECTION 2.05. Split-ups and Combinations of Receipts;
Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of
Stock...................................................... 6
SECTION 2.06. Limitations on Execution and Delivery,
Transfer, Surrender and Exchange of
Receipts................................................... 7
SECTION 2.07. Lost Receipts, etc......................................... 8
SECTION 2.08. Cancellation and Destruction of
Surrendered Receipts....................................... 8
ARTICLE III
Certain Obligations of Holders
of Receipts and the Company
SECTION 3.01. Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other
Information................................................ 8
SECTION 3.02. Payment of Taxes or Other Governmental
Charges.................................................... 8
SECTION 3.03 Warranty as to Stock....................................... 9
ARTICLE IV
The Deposited Securities; Notices
SECTION 4.01. Cash Distributions......................................... 9
SECTION 4.02. Distributions Other Than Cash, Rights,
Preferences or Privileges.................................. 9
SECTION 4.03. Subscription Rights, Preferences or
Privileges................................................. 10
SECTION 4.04. Notice of Dividends; Fixing of Record
Date for Holders of Receipts............................... 11
SECTION 4.05. Voting Rights.............................................. 11
SECTION 4.06. Changes Affecting Deposited Securities and
Reclassifications, Recapitalizations, etc.................. 12
SECTION 4.07. Inspection of Reports...................................... 13
SECTION 4.08. Lists of Receipt Holders................................... 13
ARTICLE V
The Depositary, the Depositary's Agents,
the Registrar and the Company
SECTION 5.01. Maintenance of Offices, Agencies and
Transfer Books by the Depositary;
Registrar ................................................. 13
SECTION 5.02. Prevention of or Delay in Performance
by the Depositary, the Depositary's
Agents, the Registrar or the Company....................... 14
SECTION 5.03. Obligations of the Depositary, the
Depositary's Agents, the Registrar and
the Company................................................ 15
SECTION 5.04. Resignation and Removal of the Depositary;
Appointment of Successor Depositary........................ 15
SECTION 5.05. Corporate Notices and Reports.............................. 16
SECTION 5.06. Indemnification by the Company............................. 17
SECTION 5.07. Charges and Expenses....................................... 17
ARTICLE VI
Amendment and Termination
SECTION 6.01. Amendment ................................................ 17
SECTION 6.02. Termination .............................................. 18
ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous
SECTION 7.01. Counterparts............................................... 18
SECTION 7.02. Exclusive Benefit of Parties............................... 18
SECTION 7.03. Invalidity of Provisions................................... 18
SECTION 7.04. Notices.................................................... 19
SECTION 7.05. Depositary's Agents........................................ 19
SECTION 7.06. Holders of Receipts Are Parties............................ 19
SECTION 7.07. Governing Law.............................................. 20
SECTION 7.08. Inspection of Deposit Agreement............................ 20
SECTION 7.09. Headings................................................... 20
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of ____________________, 199____,
among HOUSEHOLD INTERNATIONAL, INC. a Delaware
corporation, ______________________________, a
_____________ corporation, and the holders from
time to time of the Receipts described herein.
WHEREAS it is desired to provide, as hereinafter set forth in
this Deposit Agreement, for the deposit of shares of ____% Cumulative Preferred
Stock, ___________________, without par value, of Household International, Inc.
with the Depositary for the purposes set forth in this Deposit Agreement and for
the issuance hereunder of Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares in respect of
the Stock so deposited; and
WHEREAS the Receipts are to be substantially in the form of
Exhibit A annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and
omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions
The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless
otherwise indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit
Agreement:
"Certificate" shall mean the certificate of designation filed
with the Secretary of State of Delaware establishing the Stock as a series of
preferred stock of the Company.
"Company" shall mean Household International, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and its successors.
"Deposit Agreement" shall mean this Deposit Agreement, as amended
or supplemented from time to time.
"Depositary" shall mean __________________________, and any
successor as Depositary hereunder.
"Depositary Shares" shall mean Depositary Shares, each
representing 1/3,000 of a share of Stock and evidenced by a Receipt.
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"Depositary's Agent" shall mean an agent appointed by the Depositary
pursuant to Section 7.05.
"Depositary's Office" shall mean the principal office of the
Depositary in ___________________________, at which at any particular time its
depositary receipt business shall be administered.
"Receipt" shall mean one of the Depositary Receipts (each evidencing
one Depositary Share) issued hereunder, whether in definitive or temporary form.
"Record Holder" as applied to a Receipt shall mean the person in whose
name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for such
purpose.
"Registrar" shall mean any bank or trust company which shall be
appointed to register ownership and transfers of Receipts as herein provided.
"Stock" shall mean shares of the Company's ____% Cumulative Preferred
Stock, _________________________, without par value.
ARTICLE II
Form of Receipts, Deposit of Stock, Execution and
Delivery, Transfer, Surrender and Redemption of Receipts
SECTION 2.01. Form and Transfer of Receipts. Definitive Receipts
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shall be engraved or lithographed on steel-engraved borders and shall be
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A annexed to this Deposit
Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as
hereinafter provided. Pending the preparation of definitive Receipts, the
Depositary, upon the written order of the Company or any holder of Stock, as the
case may be, delivered in compliance with Section 2.02, shall execute and
deliver temporary Receipts which are printed, litho graphed, typewritten,
mimeographed or otherwise substantially of the tenor of the definitive Receipts
in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions,
omissions, substitutions and other variations as the persons executing such
Receipts may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Receipts. If
temporary Receipts are issued, the Company will cause definitive Receipts to be
prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive
Receipts, the temporary Receipts shall be exchangeable for definitive Receipts
upon surrender of the temporary Receipts at an office described in the last
paragraph of Section 2.02, without charge to the holder. Upon surrender for
cancellation of any one or more temporary Receipts, the Depositary shall execute
and deliver in
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exchange therefor definitive Receipts representing the same number of Depositary
Shares as represented by the surrendered temporary Receipt or Receipts. Such
exchange shall be made at the Company's expense and without any charge therefor.
Until so exchanged, the temporary Receipts shall in all respects be entitled to
the same benefits under this Agreement, and with respect to the Stock, as
definitive Receipts.
Receipts shall be executed by the Depositary by the manual signature
of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary; provided, that such signature
may be a facsimile if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed and
such Receipts are countersigned by manual signature of a duly authorized officer
of the Registrar. No Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this
Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless it shall have
been executed manually by a duly authorized officer of the Depositary or, if a
Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, by manual or facsimile
signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary and countersigned
manually by a duly authorized officer of such Registrar. The Depositary or the
Registrar, as applicable, shall record on its books each Receipt so signed and
delivered as hereinafter provided.
Receipts shall be in denominations of any number of whole Depositary
Shares up to but not in excess of __________ Depositary Shares for any
particular Receipt.
Receipts may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof
such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of this
Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Company or the Depositary or
required to comply with any applicable law or any regulation thereunder or with
the rules and regulations of any securities exchange upon which the Stock, the
Depositary Shares or the Receipts may be listed or to conform with any usage
with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to
which any particular Receipts are subject.
Title to Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt which is properly
endorsed, or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer, shall be
transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable
instrument; provided, however, that until transfer of a Receipt shall be
registered on the books of the Depositary as provided in Section 2.04, the
Depositary shall, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, treat the record
holder thereof at such time as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of
determining the person entitled to distributions of dividends or other
distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for
all other purposes.
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SECTION 2.02. Deposit of Stock; Execution and Delivery of Receipts in
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Respect Thereof. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement,
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the Company or any holder of Stock may from time to time deposit shares of the
Stock under this Deposit Agreement by delivery to the Depositary of a
certificate or certificates for the Stock to be deposited, properly endorsed or
accompanied, if required by the Depositary, by a duly executed instrument of
transfer or endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Depositary, together with
all such certifications as may be required by the Depositary in accordance with
the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, and together with a written order of
the Company or such holder, as the case may be, directing the Depositary to
execute and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons
stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of Depositary Shares
representing such deposited Stock.
Deposited Stock shall be held by the Depositary at the Depositary's
Office or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine.
Upon receipt by the Depositary of a certificate or certificates for
Stock deposited in accordance with the provisions of this Section, together with
the other documents required as above specified, and upon proper registration of
the Stock on the books of the Company in the name of the Depositary or its
nominee, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit
Agreement, shall execute and deliver, to or upon the order of the person or
persons named in the written order delivered to the Depositary referred to in
the first paragraph of this Section, a Receipt or Receipts for the number of
Depositary Shares representing the Stock so deposited and registered in such
name or names as may be requested by such person or persons. The Depositary
shall execute and deliver such Receipt or Receipts at the Depositary's Office or
such other offices, if any, as the Depositary may designate. Delivery at other
offices shall be at the risk and expense of the person requesting such delivery.
Other than in the case of splits, combinations or other
reclassifications affecting the Stock, or in the case of dividends or other
distributions of stock, if any, there shall be deposited hereunder not more than
______ shares of Stock.
SECTION 2.03. Redemption of Stock. Whenever the Company shall
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mandatorily redeem the shares of Stock in accordance with the provisions of the
Certificate, it shall (unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Depositary)
give the Depositary not less than 46 nor more than 91 days' notice of the date
of such proposed redemption of Stock and of the number of shares held by the
Depositary to be so redeemed, which notice shall be accompanies by a certificate
from the Company stating
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that such redemption of Stock is in accordance with the provisions of the
Certificate. Such notice, if given more than 90 days prior to the redemption
date, shall be in addition to the notice required to be given for redemption
pursuant to the Certificate. On the date of such redemption, provided that the
Company shall then have paid in full to the Depositary the redemption price of
the Stock to be redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, the
Depositary shall redeem the number of Depositary Shares representing such Stock.
The Depositary shall mail notice of such redemption and the proposed
simultaneous redemption of the number of Depositary Shares representing the
Stock to be redeemed, first-class postage prepaid, not less than 45 and not more
than 90 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of such Stock and Depositary
Shares (the "Redemption Date") to the record holders of the Receipts evidencing
the Depositary Shares to be so redeemed, at the addresses of such holders as
they appear on the records of the Depositary; but neither the failure to mail
any such notice to one or more such holders nor any defect in any notice to one
or more such holders shall affect the sufficiency of the proceedings for
redemption as to other holders. Each such notice shall state: (i) the Redemption
Date; (ii) the number of Depositary Shares to be redeemed and, if less than all
the Depositary Shares held by any such holder are to be redeemed, the number of
such Depositary Shares held by such holder to be so redeemed; (iii) the
redemption price; (iv) the place or places where Receipts evidencing Depositary
Shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; and (v) that
dividends in respect of the Stock represented by the Depositary Shares to be
redeemed will cease to accumulate on such Redemption Date. In case less than all
the outstanding Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to
be so redeemed shall be selected by lot or pro rata as may be determined by the
Depositary to be equitable.
Notice having been mailed by the Depositary as aforesaid, from and
after the Redemption Date (unless the Company shall have failed to redeem the
shares of Stock to be redeemed by it as set forth in the Company's notice
provided for in the preceding paragraph) all dividends in respect of the shares
of Stock so called for redemption shall cease to accumulate, the Depositary
Shares being redeemed from such proceeds shall be deemed no longer to be
outstanding, all rights of the holders of Receipts evidencing such Depositary
Shares (except the right to receive the redemption price) shall, to the extent
of such Depositary Shares, cease and terminate and, upon surrender in accordance
with such notice of the Receipts evidencing any such Depositary Shares (properly
endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Depositary shall so require), such
Depositary Shares shall be redeemed by the Depositary at a redemption price per
Depositary Share equal to ____________ of the redemption price per share paid in
respect of the shares of Stock plus all money and other property, if any,
represented by such Depositary Shares,
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including all amounts paid by the Company in respect of dividends which on the
Redemption Date have accumulated on the shares of Stock to be so redeemed and
have not theretofore been paid.
If less than all the Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt are
called for redemption, the Depositary will deliver to the holder of such Receipt
upon its surrender to the Depositary, together with the redemption payment, a
new Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares evidenced by such prior Receipt and
not called for redemption.
SECTION 2.04. Registration of Transfer of Receipts. Subject to the
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terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall register on
its books from time to time transfers of Receipts upon any surrender thereof by
the holder in person or by duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or
accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer. Thereupon the
Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts evidencing the same aggregate
number of Depositary Shares as those evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts
surrendered and deliver such new Receipt or Receipts to or upon the order of the
person entitled thereto.
SECTION 2.05. Split-ups and Combinations of Receipts; Surrender of
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Receipts and Withdrawal of Stock. Upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts at the
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Depositary's Office or at such other offices as it may designate for the purpose
of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, and subject
to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall
execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts in the authorized denomination or
denominations requested, evidencing the aggregate number of Depositary Shares
evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
Any holder of a Receipt or Receipts representing any number of whole
shares of Stock may withdraw the Stock and all money and other property, if any,
represented thereby by surrendering such Receipt or Receipts, at the
Depositary's Office or at such other offices as the Depositary may designate for
such withdrawals. Thereafter, without unreasonable delay, the Depositary shall
deliver to such holder, or to the person or persons designated by such holder as
hereinafter provided, the number of whole shares of Stock and all money and
other property, if any, represented by the Receipt or Receipts for such whole
shares of Stock so surrendered for withdrawal, but holders of such whole shares
of Stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such Stock hereunder or to
receive Depositary Shares therefor. If a Receipt delivered by the holder to the
Depositary in connection with such withdrawal shall evidence a number of
Depositary Shares in excess of the number of Depositary Shares representing the
number of whole shares of Stock to be so withdrawn, the Depositary shall at the
same time, in addition to
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such number of whole shares of Stock and such money and other property, if any,
to be so withdrawn, deliver to such holder, or (subject to Section 2.03) upon
his order, a new Receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares.
Delivery of the Stock and money and other property being withdrawn may be made
by the delivery of such certificates, documents of title and other instruments
as the Depositary may deem appropriate.
If the Stock and the money and other property being withdrawn are to
be delivered to a person or persons other than the record holder of the Receipt
or Receipts being surrendered for withdrawal of Stock, such holder shall execute
and deliver to the Depositary a written order so directing the Depositary and
the Depositary may require that the Receipt or Receipts surrendered by such
holder for withdrawal of such shares of Stock be properly endorsed in blank or
accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer.
Delivery of the Stock and the money and other property, if any,
represented by Receipts surrendered for withdrawal shall be made by the
Depositary at the Depositary's Office, except that, at the request, risk and
expense of the holder surrendering such Receipt or Receipts and for the account
of the holder thereof, such delivery may be made at such other place as may be
designated by such holder.
SECTION 2.06. Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer,
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Surrender and Exchange of Receipts. As a condition precedent to the execution
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and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, surrender or
exchange of any Receipt, the Depositary, any of the Depositary's Agents or the
Company may require payment to it of a sum sufficient for the payment (or, in
the event that the Depositary or the Company shall have made such payment, the
reimbursement to it) of any charges or expenses payable by the holder of a
Receipt pursuant to Section 5.07, may require the production of evidence
satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may
also require compliance with such regulations, if any, as the Depositary or the
Company may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
The deposit of Stock may be refused, the delivery of Receipts against
Stock may be suspended, the registration of transfer of Receipts may be refused
and the registration of transfer, surrender or exchange of outstanding Receipts
may be suspended (i) during any period when the register of stockholders of the
Company is closed or (ii) if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by
the Depositary, any of the Depositary's Agents or the Company at any time or
from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or
governmental body or commission or under any provision of this Deposit
Agreement. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not
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knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any shares of Stock
which are required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, unless a
registration statement under such Act is in effect as to such shares of Stock.
SECTION 2.07. Lost Receipts, etc. In case any Receipt shall be
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mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary in its discretion may
execute and deliver a Receipt of like form and tenor in exchange and
substitution for such mutilated Receipt, or in lieu of and in substitution for
such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, upon (i) the filing by the holder
thereof with the Depositary of evidence satisfactory to the Depositary of such
destruction or loss or theft of such Receipt, of the authenticity thereof and of
his or her ownership thereof and (ii) the furnishing of the Depositary with
reasonable indemnification satisfactory to it.
SECTION 2.08. Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts.
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All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary or any Depositary's Agent shall be
canceled by the Depositary. Except as prohibited by applicable law or
regulation, the Depositary is authorized to destroy all Receipts so canceled.
ARTICLE III
Certain Obligations of Holders
of Receipts and the Company
SECTION 3.01. Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any
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holder of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file such proof of
residence, or other matters or other information, to execute such certificates
and to make such representations and warranties as the Depositary or the Company
may reasonably deem necessary or proper. The Depositary or the Company may
withhold the delivery, or delay the registration of transfer, redemption or
exchange, of any Receipt or the withdrawal of the Stock represented by the
Depositary Shares evidenced by any Receipt or the distribution of any dividend
or other distribution or the sale of any rights or of the proceeds thereof until
such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed or
such representations and warranties are made.
SECTION 3.02. Payment of Taxes or Other Governmental Charges.
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Holders of Receipts shall be obligated to make payments to the Depositary of
certain charges and expenses, as provided in Section 5.07. Registration of
transfer of any Receipt or any withdrawal of Stock and all money or other
property, if any, represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt
may be refused until any such payment due is made, and any dividends, interest
payments or other distributions
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may be withheld or any part of or all the Stock or other property represented by
the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt and not theretofore sold may be
sold for the account of the holder thereof (after attempting by reasonable means
to notify such holder prior to such sale), and such dividends, interest payments
or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale may be applied to any
payment of such charges or expenses, the holder of such Receipt remaining liable
for any deficiency.
SECTION 3.03. Warranty as to Stock. The Company hereby represents
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and warrants that the Stock, when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. Such representation and warranty shall survive the deposit of
the Stock and the issuance of Receipts.
ARTICLE IV
The Deposited Securities; Notices
SECTION 4.01. Cash Distributions. Whenever the Depositary shall
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receive any cash dividend or other cash distribution on Stock, the Depositary
shall, subject to Sections 3.01 and 3.02, distribute to record holders of
Receipts pursuant to Section 4.04 such amounts of such dividend or distribution
as are, as nearly as practicable, in proportion to the respective numbers of
Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts held by such holders; provided,
however, that in case the Company or the Depositary shall be required to
withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in
respect of the Stock an amount on account of taxes, the amount made available
for distribution or distributed in respect of Depositary Shares shall be reduced
accordingly. The Depositary shall not be required to attribute to any holder of
Depositary Shares a fraction of one cent, and any amounts held by the Depositary
in such event will be distributed to holders of Receipts in such reasonable
manner as the Company and the Depositary determine.
SECTION 4.02. Distributions Other Than Cash, Rights, Preferences or
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Privileges. Whenever the Depositary shall receive any distribution other than
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cash, rights, preferences or privileges upon Stock, the Depositary shall,
subject to Sections 3.01 and 3.02, distribute to record holders of Receipts
pursuant to Section 4.04 such amounts of the securities or property received by
it as are, as nearly as practicable, in proportion to the respective numbers of
Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts held by such holders, in any manner
that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such
distribution. If in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be
made proportionately among such record holders, or if for any other reason
(including any requirement that the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount
on account
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of taxes) the Depositary deems, after consultation with the Company, such
distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may, with the approval of the
Company, adopt such method as it deems equitable and practicable for the purpose
of effecting such distribution, including the sale (at public or private sale)
of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, at such place
or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper. The net proceeds of any
such sale shall, subject to Sections 3.01 and 3.02, be distributed or made
available for distribution, as the case may be, by the Depositary to record
holders of Receipts as provided by Section 4.01 in the case of a distribution
received in cash. The Company shall not make any distribution of such securities
unless the Company shall have provided an opinion of counsel stating that such
securities have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or do not need
to be registered.
SECTION 4.03. Subscription Rights, Preferences or Privileges. If the
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Company shall at any time offer or cause to be offered to the persons in whose
names Stock is recorded on the books of the Company any rights, preferences or
privileges to subscribe for or to purchase any securities or any rights,
preferences or privileges of any other nature, such rights, preferences or
privileges shall in each such instance be made available by the Depositary to
the record holders of Receipts in such manner as the Depositary may determine,
either by the issue to such record holders of warrants representing such rights,
preferences or privileges or by such other method as may be approved by the
Depositary in its discretion with the approval of the Company; provided,
however, that (i) if at the time of issue or offer of any such rights,
preferences or privileges the Depositary determines that it is not lawful or
(after consultation with the Company) not feasible to make such rights,
preferences or privileges available to holders of Receipts by the issue of
warrants or otherwise, or (ii) if and to the extent so instructed by holders of
Receipts who do not desire to exercise such rights, preferences or privileges,
then the Depositary, in its discretion (with the approval of the Company, in any
case where the Depositary has determined that it is not feasible to make such
rights, preferences or privileges available), may, if applicable laws or the
terms of such rights, preferences or privileges permit such transfer, sell such
rights, preferences or privileges at public or private sale, at such place or
places and upon such terms as it may deem proper. The net proceeds of any such
sale shall, subject to Sections 3.01 and 3.02, be distributed by the Depositary
to the record holders of Receipts entitled thereto as provided by Section 4.01
in the case of a distribution received in cash. The Company shall not make any
distribution of any such rights, preferences or privileges unless the Company
shall have provided an opinion of counsel stating that such rights, preferences
or privileges have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or do not
need to be registered.
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If in order for holders of Receipts to be offered or sold the
securities to which any rights, preferences or privileges relate, registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 of the securities to which such rights,
preferences or privileges relate is required, the Company will promptly file a
registration statement pursuant to such Act with respect to such rights,
preferences or privileges and securities and use its best efforts and take all
steps available to it to cause such registration statement to become effective
sufficiently in advance of the expiration of such rights, preferences or
privileges to enable such holders to exercise such rights, preferences or
privileges. In no event shall the Depositary make available to the holders of
Receipts any right, preference or privilege to subscribe for or to purchase any
securities unless and until such a registration statement shall have become
effective, or unless the offering and sale of such securities to such holders
are exempt from registration under the provisions of such Act.
If any other action under the laws of any jurisdiction or any
governmental or administrative authorization, consent or permit is required in
order for such rights, preferences or privileges to be made available to holders
of Receipts, the Company will use its best efforts to take such action or obtain
such authorization, consent or permit sufficiently in advance of the expiration
of such rights, preferences or privileges to enable such holders to exercise
such rights, preferences or privileges.
SECTION 4.04. Notice of Dividends; Fixing of Record Date for Holders
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of Receipts. Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become
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payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or if rights,
preferences or privileges shall at any time be offered, with respect to Stock,
or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting at which holders
of Stock are entitled to vote or any meeting of which holders of Stock are
entitled to notice, or whenever the Depositary and the Company shall decide it
is appropriate, the Depositary shall in each such instance fix a record date
(which shall be the same date as the record date fixed by the Company with
respect to the Stock) for the determination of the holders of Receipts who shall
be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or
privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof, or to give instructions for
the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or who shall be entitled to
notice of such meeting or for any other appropriate reason.
SECTION 4.05. Voting Rights. Upon receipt of notice of any meeting
-------------
at which the holders of Stock are entitled to vote, the Depositary shall, as
soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the record holders of Receipts a notice
which shall contain (i) such information as is contained in such notice of
11
meeting and (ii) a statement that the holders may, subject to any applicable
restrictions, instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights
pertaining to the amount of Stock represented by their respective Depositary
Shares (including an express indication that instructions may be given to the
Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company)
and a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given.
Upon the written request of the holders of Receipts on the relevant record date,
the Depositary shall endeavor insofar as practicable to vote or cause to be
voted, in accordance with the instructions set forth in such requests, the
maximum number of whole shares of Stock represented by the Depositary Shares
evidenced by all Receipts as to which any particular voting instructions are
received. The Company hereby agrees to take all action which may be deemed
necessary by the Depositary in order to enable the Depositary to vote such Stock
or cause such Stock to be voted. In the absence of specific instructions from
the holder of a Receipt, the Depositary will abstain from voting (but, at its
discretion, not from appearing at any meeting with respect to such Stock unless
directed to the contrary by the holders of all the Receipts) to the extent of
the Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt.
SECTION 4.06. Changes Affecting Deposited Securities and
------------------------------------------
Reclassifications, Recapitalizations, etc. Upon any change in par or stated
-----------------------------------------
value, split-up, combination or any other reclassification of the Stock, or upon
any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation
affecting the Company or to which it is a party, the Depositary may in its
discretion with the approval of, and shall upon the instructions of, the
Company, and (in either case) in such manner as the Depositary may deem
equitable, (i) make such adjustments as are certified by the Company in (x) the
fraction of an interest represented by one Depositary Share in one share of
Stock and (y) the ratio of the redemption price per Depositary Share to the
redemption price of a share of Stock, in each case as may be necessary fully to
reflect the effects of such change in par or stated value, split-up, combination
or other reclassification of Stock, or of such recapitalization, reorganization,
merger, amalgamation or consolidation and (ii) treat any securities which shall
be received by the Depositary in exchange for or upon conversion of or in
respect of the Stock as new deposited securities under this Deposit Agreement,
and Receipts then outstanding shall thenceforth represent the new deposited
securities so received in exchange for or upon conversion or in respect of such
Stock. In any such case the Depositary may in its discretion, with the approval
of the Company, execute and deliver additional Receipts, or may call for the
surrender of all outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts
specifically describing such new deposited securities. Anything to the contrary
herein notwithstanding, holders of Receipts shall
12
have the right from and after the effective date of any such change in par or
stated value, split-up, combination or other reclassification of the Stock or
any such recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation
to surrender such Receipts to the Depositary with instructions to convert,
exchange or surrender the Stock represented thereby only into or for, as the
case may be, the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and
property and cash into which the Stock represented by such Receipts might have
been converted or for which such Stock might have been exchanged or surrendered
immediately prior to the effective date of such transaction.
SECTION 4.07. Inspection of Reports. The Depositary shall make
---------------------
available for inspection by holders of Receipts at the Depositary's Office, and
at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any reports and
communications received from the Company which are received by the Depositary as
the holder of Stock.
SECTION 4.08. Lists of Receipt Holders. Promptly upon request from
------------------------
time to time by the Company, the Depositary shall furnish to it a list, as of a
recent date, of the names, addresses and holdings of Depositary Shares of all
persons in whose names Receipts are registered on the books of the Depositary.
ARTICLE V
The Depositary, the Depositary's Agents,
the Registrar and the Company
SECTION 5.01. Maintenance of Offices, Agencies and Transfer Books by
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the Depositary; Registrar. Upon execution of this Deposit Agreement, the
-------------------------
Depositary shall maintain at the Depositary's Office, or at the Registrar's
Office, at which the Depositary shall have complete access to all books and
records maintained on the Company's behalf, facilities for the execution and
delivery, registration and registration of transfer, surrender and exchange of
Receipts, and at the offices of the Depositary's Agents, if any, facilities for
the delivery, registration of transfer, surrender and exchange of Receipts, all
in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary shall keep books at the Depositary's Office for the
registration and registration of transfer of Receipts, which books at all
reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the record holders of Receipts;
provided, that any such holder requesting to exercise such right shall certify
to the Depositary that such inspection shall be for a proper purpose reasonably
related to such person's interest as an owner of Depositary Shares evidenced by
the Receipts.
13
The Depositary may close such books, at any time or from time to time,
when deemed expedient by it in connection with the performance of its duties
hereunder.
The Depositary may, with the approval of the Company, appoint a
Registrar for registration of the Receipts or the Depositary Shares evidenced
thereby. If the Receipts or the Depositary Shares evidenced thereby or the
Stock represented by such Depositary Shares shall be listed on the New York
Stock Exchange, the Depositary will appoint a Registrar (acceptable to the
Company) for registration of such Receipts or Depositary Shares in accordance
with any requirements of such Exchange. Such Registrar (which may be the
Depositary if so permitted by the requirements of such Exchange) may be removed
and a substitute registrar appointed by the Depositary upon the request or with
the approval of the Company. If the Receipts, such Depositary Shares or such
Stock are listed on one or more other stock exchanges, the Depositary will, at
the request of the Company, arrange such facilities for the delivery,
registration, registration of transfer, surrender and exchange of such Receipts,
such Depositary Shares or such Stock as may be required by law or applicable
stock exchange regulation.
SECTION 5.02. Prevention of or Delay in Performance by the
--------------------------------------------
Depositary, the Depositary's Agents, the Registrar or the Company. Neither the
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Depositary nor any Depositary's Agent nor any Registrar nor the Company shall
incur any liability to any holder of any Receipt if by reason of any provision
of any present or future law, or regulation thereunder, of the United States of
America or of any other governmental authority or, in the case of the
Depositary, the Depositary's Agent or the Registrar, by reason of any provision,
present or future, of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation (including the
Certificate) or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstance beyond
the control of the relevant party, the Depositary, the Depositary's Agent, the
Registrar or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to
any penalty on account of, doing or performing any act or thing which the terms
of this Deposit Agreement provide shall be done or performed; nor shall the
Depositary, any Depositary's Agent, any Registrar or the Company incur any
liability to any holder of a Receipt (i) by reason of any nonperformance or
delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which the
terms of this Deposit Agreement provide shall or may be done or performed, or
(ii) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion
provided for in this Deposit Agreement except, in case of any such exercise or
failure to exercise discretion not caused as aforesaid, if caused by the
negligence or willful misconduct of the party charged with such exercise or
failure to exercise.
14
SECTION 5.03. Obligations of the Depositary, the Depositary's Agents,
-------------------------------------------------------
the Registrar and the Company. Neither the Depositary nor any Depositary's
-----------------------------
Agent nor any Registrar nor the Company assumes any obligation or shall be
subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to holders of Receipts
other than for its negligence or willful misconduct.
Neither the Depositary nor any Depositary's Agent nor any Registrar
nor the Company shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend
any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of the Stock, the Depositary
Shares or the Receipts which in its opinion may involve it in expense or
liability unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense and liability
be furnished as often as may be required.
Neither the Depositary nor any Depositary's Agent nor any Registrar
nor the Company shall be liable for any action or any failure to act by it in
reliance upon the written advice of legal counsel or accountants, or information
from any person presenting Stock for deposit, any holder of a Receipt or any
other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such
information. The Depositary, any Depositary's Agent, any Registrar and the
Company may each rely and shall each be protected in acting upon any written
notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to
have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out
any instruction to vote any of the shares of Stock or for the manner or effect
of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action is in good
faith. The Depositary undertakes, and any Registrar shall be required to
undertake, to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set
forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read
into this Agreement against the Depositary or any Registrar. The Depositary
will indemnify the Company against any liability which may arise out of acts
performed or omitted by the Depositary or its agents due to its or their
negligence or bad faith. The Depositary, the Depositary's Agents, and any
Registrar may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its
affiliates and in Receipts. The Depositary may also act as transfer agent or
registrar of any of the securities of the Company and its affiliates.
SECTION 5.04. Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment
------------------------------------------------------
of Successor Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary
-----------------------
hereunder by having notice of its election to do so delivered to the Company,
such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor Depositary
and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.
15
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by notice of
such removal delivered to the Depositary, such removal to take effect upon the
appointment of a successor Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as
hereinafter provided.
In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or
be removed, the Company shall, within 60 days after the delivery of the notice
of resignation or removal, as the case may be, appoint a successor Depositary,
which shall be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United
States of America and having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000. If no successor Depositary shall have been so appointed and have
accepted appointment within 60 days after delivery of such notice, the resigning
or removed Depositary may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Depositary. Every successor Depositary shall execute
and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing
accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Depositary,
without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights,
powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor and for all purposes shall be
the Depositary under this Deposit Agreement, and such predecessor, upon payment
of all sums due it and on the written request of the Company, shall execute and
deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of
such predecessor hereunder, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver all right,
title and interest in the Stock and any moneys or property held hereunder to
such successor, and shall deliver to such successor a list of the record holders
of all outstanding Receipts. Any successor Depositary shall promptly mail
notice of its appointment to the record holders of Receipts.
Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged,
consolidated or converted shall be the successor of such Depositary without the
execution or filing of any document or any further act, and notice thereof shall
not be required hereunder. Such successor Depositary may authenticate the
Receipts in the name of the predecessor Depositary or in the name of the
successor Depositary.
SECTION 5.05. Corporate Notices and Reports. The Company agrees that
-----------------------------
it will transmit to the record holders of Receipts, in each case at the
addresses furnished to it pursuant to Section 4.08, all notices and reports
(including without limitation financial statements) required by law, by the
rules of any national securities exchange upon which the Stock, the Depositary
Shares or the Receipts are listed or by the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation (including the Certificate) to be furnished by the Company to
holders of Stock. Such transmission will be at the Company's expense.
16
SECTION 5.06. Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall
------------------------------
indemnify the Depositary, any Depositary's Agent and any Registrar against, and
hold each of them harmless from, any loss, liability or expense (including the
costs and expenses of defending itself) which may arise out of (a) acts
performed or omitted in connection with this Agreement and the Receipts (i) by
the Depositary, any Registrar or any of their respective agents (including any
Depositary's Agent), except for any liability arising out of negligence or bad
faith on the respective parts of any such person or persons, or (ii) by the
Company or any of its agents, or (b) the offer, sale or registration of the
Receipts, Depositary Shares or the Stock pursuant to the provisions hereof. The
obligations of the Company set forth in this Section 5.06 shall survive any
succession of any Depositary, Registrar or Depositary's Agent.
SECTION 5.07. Charges and Expenses. The Company shall pay all
--------------------
transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the
existence of the depositary arrangements. The Company shall pay all charges of
the Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the Stock and the
initial issuance of the Depositary Shares, redemption of the Stock at the option
of the Company and all withdrawals of shares of the Stock by owners of
Depositary Shares. All other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges
shall be at the expense of holders of Depositary Shares. If, at the request of
a holder of Receipts, the Depositary incurs charges or expenses for which it is
not otherwise liable hereunder, such holder will be liable for such charges and
expenses. All other charges and expenses of the Depositary and any Depositary's
Agent hereunder and of any Registrar (including, in each case, fees and expenses
of counsel) incident to the performance of their respective obligations
hereunder will be paid upon consultation and agreement between the Depositary
and the Company as to the amount and nature of such charges and expenses. The
Depositary shall present its statement for charges and expenses to the Company
once every three months or at such other intervals as the Company and the
Depositary may agree.
ARTICLE VI
Amendment and Termination
SECTION 6.01. Amendment. The form of the Receipts and any provisions
---------
of this Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by
agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may
deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that no such amendment (other
than any change in the fees of any Depositary or Registrar, which shall go into
effect not sooner than three months after notice thereof to the holders of the
Receipts) which
17
shall materially and adversely alter the rights of the holders of Receipts shall
be effective unless such amendment shall have been approved by the holders of at
least a majority of the Depositary Shares then outstanding. Every holder of an
outstanding Receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective shall be
deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt, to consent and agree to such
amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby.
SECTION 6.02. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the
-----------
Company or the Depositary only after (i) all outstanding Depositary Shares shall
have been redeemed pursuant to Section 2.03 or (ii) there shall have been made a
final distribution in respect of the Stock in connection with any liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company and such distribution shall have been
distributed to the holders of Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 4.01 or
4.02, as applicable.
Upon the termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be
discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its
obligations to the Depositary, any Depositary's Agent and any Registrar under
Sections 5.06 and 5.07.
ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous
SECTION 7.01. Counterparts. This Deposit Agreement may be executed
------------
in any number of counterparts, and by each of the parties hereto on separate
counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall
be deemed an original, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
SECTION 7.02. Exclusive Benefit of Parties. This Deposit Agreement is
----------------------------
for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective successors
hereunder, and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy
or claim to any other person whatsoever.
SECTION 7.03. Invalidity of Provisions. In case any one or more of
------------------------
the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be
or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or
therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
18
SECTION 7.04. Notices. Any and all notices to be given to the Company
-------
hereunder or under the Receipts shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or telegram or telex
confirmed by letter, addressed to the Company at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, to the attention of the Office of the Secretary, or at
any other address of which the Company shall have notified the Depositary in
writing.
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary hereunder or under
the Receipts shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if
personally delivered or sent by mail or by telegram or telex confirmed by
letter, addressed to the Depositary at the Depositary's Office, at _________
__________, or at any other address of which the Depositary shall have notified
the Company in writing.
Any and all notices to be given to any record holder of a Receipt
hereunder or under the Receipts shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or by telegram or telex
confirmed by letter, addressed to such record holder at the address of such
record holder as it appears on the books of the Depositary, or if such holder
shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for
such holder be mailed to some other address, at the address designated in such
request.
Delivery of a notice sent by mail or by telegram or telex shall be
deemed to be effected at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the
same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a telegram or telex message) is
deposited, postage prepaid, in a post office letter box. The Depositary or the
Company may, however, act upon any telegram or telex message received by it from
the other or from any holder of a Receipt, notwithstanding that such telegram or
telex message shall not subsequently be confirmed by letter or as aforesaid.
SECTION 7.05. Depositary's Agents. The Depositary may from time to
-------------------
time appoint, with the prior approval of the Company, Depositary's Agents to act
in any respect for the Depositary for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement and
may at any time appoint additional Depositary's Agents and vary or terminate the
appointment of such Depositary's Agents.
The Company has also requested that the Depositary act as Registrar
and Transfer Agent.
SECTION 7.06. Holders of Receipts Are Parties. The holders of
-------------------------------
Receipts from time to time shall be parties to this Deposit Agreement and shall
be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Receipts by
acceptance of delivery thereof.
19
SECTION 7.07. Governing Law. This Deposit Agreement and the
-------------
Receipts and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and
thereof shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the
State of Illinois.
SECTION 7.08. Inspection of Deposit Agreement. Copies of this
-------------------------------
Deposit Agreement shall be filed with the Depositary and the Depositary's Agents
and shall be open to inspection during business hours at the Depositary's Office
and the respective offices of the Depositary's Agents, if any, by any holder of
a Receipt.
SECTION 7.09. Headings. The headings of articles and sections in
--------
this Deposit Agreement and in the form of the Receipt set forth in Exhibit A
hereto have been inserted for convenience only and are not to be regarded as a
part of this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts or to have any bearing upon the
meaning or interpretation of any provision contained herein or in the Receipts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Depositary have duly executed
this Agreement as of the day end year first above set forth, and all holders of
Receipts shall become parties hereto by and upon acceptance by them of delivery
of Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof.
HOUSEHOLD INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By___________________________
Attested by
_________________________
[SEAL]
___________________________
as Depositary,
By_________________________
Attested by
_________________________
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