EXHIBIT 4.8
JDRP Draft of March 19, 1999
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
Between
FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION
(as Guarantor)
and
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
(as Trustee)
dated as of
________ 1, 1999
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Section of
Trust Indenture Act Section of
of 1939, as amended Guarantee Agreement
------------------- -------------------
310(a).................................................... 4.1(a)
310(b).................................................... 4.1(c), 2.8
310(c).................................................... Inapplicable
311(a).................................................... 2.2(b)
311(b).................................................... 2.2(b)
311(c).................................................... Inapplicable
312(a).................................................... 2.2(a)
312(b).................................................... 2.2(b)
313....................................................... 2.3
314(a).................................................... 2.4
314(b).................................................... Inapplicable
314(c).................................................... 2.5
314(d).................................................... Inapplicable
314(e).................................................... 1.1, 2.5, 3.2
314(f).................................................... 2.1, 3.2
315(a).................................................... 3.1(d)
315(b).................................................... 2.7
315(c).................................................... 3.1
315(d).................................................... 3.1(d)
316(a).................................................... 1.1, 2.6, 5.4
316(b).................................................... 5.3
316(c).................................................... 8.2
317(a).................................................... Inapplicable
317(b).................................................... Inapplicable
318(a).................................................... 2.1(b)
318(b).................................................... 2.1
318(c).................................................... 2.1(a)
* This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Guarantee
Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
provisions.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS................................................ 2
Section 1.1. Definitions............................................ 2
ARTICLE II. TRUST INDENTURE ACT........................................ 4
Section 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application....................... 4
Section 2.2. List of Holders........................................ 4
Section 2.3. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee....................... 5
Section 2.4. Periodic Reports to Guarantee Trustee.................. 5
Section 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent....... 5
Section 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver.............................. 5
Section 2.7. Event of Default; Notice............................... 5
Section 2.8. Conflicting Interests.................................. 6
ARTICLE III. POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE......... 6
Section 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee............. 6
Section 3.2. Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.................... 8
Section 3.3. Indemnity.............................................. 9
ARTICLE IV. GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.......................................... 10
Section 4.1. Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility......................... 10
Section 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee.. 10
Trustee..............................................
ARTICLE V. GUARANTEE.................................................. 11
Section 5.1. Guarantee.............................................. 11
Section 5.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand............................ 11
Section 5.3. Obligations Not Affected............................... 11
Section 5.4. Rights of Holders...................................... 12
Section 5.5. Guarantee of Payment................................... 12
Section 5.6. Subrogation............................................ 13
Section 5.7. Independent Obligations................................ 13
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ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION............................... 13
Section 6.1. Subordination.......................................... 13
Section 6.2. Pari Passu Guarantees.................................. 13
ARTICLE VII. TERMINATION............................................... 14
Section 7.1. Termination............................................ 14
ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS............................................. 14
Section 8.1. Successors and Assigns................................. 14
Section 8.2. Amendments............................................. 14
Section 8.3. Notices................................................ 14
Section 8.4. Benefit................................................ 16
Section 8.5. Interpretation......................................... 16
Section 8.6. Governing Law.......................................... 16
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GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of 1, 1999 is executed and delivered
by FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION, a Florida corporation (the "Guarantor") having
its principal office at Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xx. Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000, and
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, a national banking association duly
organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the
"Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from
time to time of the Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of FPC Capital I, a
Delaware statutory business trust (the "Issuer").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of
1, 1999 (the "Trust Agreement"), among Florida Progress Funding Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), as Depositor, the Property Trustee, the
Administrative Trustee and the Delaware Trustee 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
Trust Agreement) of its % Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities,
Series A, (Liquidation Amount $25 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 Trust Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Preferred Securities will be issued by the Issuer and the
proceeds thereof, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the Issuer's
Common Securities (as defined below), will be used to purchase the Notes (as
defined in the Trust Agreement) of the Company which will be deposited with The
First National Bank of Chicago, as Property Trustee under the Trust Agreement,
as trust assets; and
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase Preferred Securities the
Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set
forth herein, to pay to the Holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee
Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and
conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of Preferred
Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the
Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for the
benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Preferred Securities.
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Definitions.
As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the terms set forth below shall, unless
the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings. Capitalized or
otherwise defined terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Agreement as in effect on the date
hereof.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person; provided, however, that an Affiliate of the
Guarantor shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Issuer. 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
the Guarantee Trustee, as the case may be, or any committee of that board duly
authorized to act hereunder.
"Common Securities" means the securities representing common undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.
"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 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 accrued and unpaid Distributions (as
defined in the Trust Agreement) required to be paid on the Preferred Securities,
to the extent the Issuer shall have funds on hand available therefor at such
time, (ii) the redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid Distributions
to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price"), with respect to any
Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, to the extent the
Issuer shall have funds on hand available therefor at such time, and (iii) upon
a voluntary or involuntary termination, winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer,
unless Notes are distributed to the Holders, the lesser of (a) the aggregate of
the Liquidation Amount of $25 per Preferred Security plus accrued and unpaid
Distributions on the Preferred Securities to the date of payment, to the extent
the Issuer shall have funds on hand available therefor at such time and (b) the
amount of assets of the Issuer remaining
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available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (in either
case, the "Liquidation Distribution").
"Guarantee Trustee" means The First National Bank of Chicago, 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 Company, the Guarantee Trustee, or any Affiliate of
the Guarantor, the Company or the Guarantee Trustee.
"Indenture" means the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of
1, 1999, as supplemented and amended among the Company, the Guarantor, as
guarantor and The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee.
"List of Holders" has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).
"Majority in Liquidation Amount of the 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 Chairman or a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of such
Person or the President or a Vice President of such Person, and by the
Treasurer, an Assistant 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.
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"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 Senior
Vice President, any Vice President, any Assistant Vice President, the Secretary,
any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, 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.
"Successor Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Guarantee Trustee possessing
the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
ARTICLE II. TRUST INDENTURE ACT
Section 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application.
(a) This Guarantee Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Guarantee Agreement and
shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Guarantee Agreement
limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.
Section 2.2. List of Holders.
(a) The Guarantor shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Guarantee
Trustee (a) semiannually, on or before January 15 and July 15 of each year, a
list, in such form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names
and addresses of the Holders ("List of Holders") as of a date not more than 15
days prior to the delivery thereof, and (b) at such other times as the Guarantee
Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the
Guarantor of any such request, a List of Holders as of a date not more than 15
days prior to the time such list is furnished, in each case to the extent such
information is in the possession or control of the Guarantor and is not
identical to a previously supplied list of Holders or has not otherwise been
received by the Guarantee
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Trustee in its capacity as such. The Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of
Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section
311(a), Section 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 2.3. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee.
Not later than 60 days following May 15 of each year, commencing May 15, 2000,
the Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders such reports as are required
by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner
provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee Trustee shall
also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 2.4. Periodic Reports to the Guarantee Trustee.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee, the Securities and
Exchange Commission and the Holders such documents, reports and information, if
any, as required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance
certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, in the form, in
the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.
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) may be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate.
Section 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver.
The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities
may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders, waive any past Event of Default and its
consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist,
and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured,
for every purpose of this Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend
to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right
consequent therefrom.
Section 2.7. Event of Default; Notice.
(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an
Event of Default actually known to the Guarantee Trustee, transmit by mail,
first class postage prepaid, to the Holders, notices of all such Events of
Default, unless such defaults have
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been cured or waived before the giving of such notice, provided, that, except in
the case of a default in the payment of a Guarantee Payment, the Guarantee
Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the
Board of Directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors
and/or Responsible Officers of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines
that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event
of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice, or a
Responsible Officer charged with the administration of this Guarantee Agreement
shall have obtained written notice, of such Event of Default.
Section 2.8. Conflicting Interests.
The Trust Agreement and the Indenture shall be deemed to be specifically
described in this Guarantee Agreement for the purposes of clause (i) of the
first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
ARTICLE III. POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Section 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.
(a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the
benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this
Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her rights
pursuant to Section 5.4(iv) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by
such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor
Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall
automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, upon acceptance by such
Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment hereunder, and such vesting and
cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have
been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor
Guarantee Trustee.
(b) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee
Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and
after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default that may have occurred,
shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in
this Guarantee Agreement, and no implied covenants shall be read into this
Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default
has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6), the
Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and
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powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement, and use the same degree of care
and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use
under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(d) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be construed to relieve the
Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent
failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing
or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall be
determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee Agreement,
and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance
of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this
Guarantee Agreement; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee
Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of
the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon
any certificates or opinions furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and
conforming to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement; but in the
case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof or
of the Trust Indenture Act are specifically required to be furnished to
the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to
examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the
requirements of this Guarantee Agreement;
(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless
it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining
the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;
(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 Preference
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
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this Guarantee Agreement or adequate indemnity 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 rely and shall be fully protected in
acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document
reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or
presented by the proper party or parties.
(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Guarantee
Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an 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 which, upon receipt of such request from the
Guarantee Trustee, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.
(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with legal counsel, and the
written advice or opinion of such legal counsel with respect to legal matters
shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any
action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith
and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such legal counsel may be legal
counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may be one of its
employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek
instructions concerning the administration of this Guarantee Agreement from
any court of competent jurisdiction.
(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 as would satisfy a
reasonable person in the position of the Guarantee Trustee, 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.
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(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 or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for
any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney
appointed with due care by it hereunder.
(viii) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement the
Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect
to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the
Guarantee Trustee (A) may request instructions from the Holders, (B) may
refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until
such instructions are received, and (C) shall be protected in acting in
accordance with such instructions.
(b) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to impose any
duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or
exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it in any
jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Guarantee Trustee
shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to
perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee
shall be construed to be a duty to act in accordance with such power and
authority.
Section 3.3. Indemnity.
The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the Guarantee Trustee for, and to hold it
harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or
bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, arising out of or in connection
with the acceptance or administration of this Guarantee Agreement, including 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 Guarantee Trustee will not claim or exact any lien or charge on
any Guarantee Payments as a result of any amount due to it under this Guarantee
Agreement. The indemnification provided hereunder shall survive the termination
of this Guarantee Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Guarantee
Trustee.
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ARTICLE IV. GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Section 4.1. Guarantee Trustee: Eligibility.
(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor or the Company; and
(ii) be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to
act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000,
and shall be a corporation meeting the requirements of Section 310(a) of the
Trust Indenture Act. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at
least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or
examining authority, then, for the purposes of this Section and to the extent
permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such
corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set
forth in its most recent report of condition so published.
(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act
under Section 4.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the
manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).
(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest"
within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Guarantee
Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of
Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee Trustee.
(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or
removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed until a Successor Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written
instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the
Guarantor.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed hereunder shall hold office until a
Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or
resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for
prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the
Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not
take effect until a Successor 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.
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(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted
appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after delivery to the
Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Guarantee Trustee may
petition, at the expense of the Guarantor, any court of competent jurisdiction
for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon,
after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a
Successor Guarantee Trustee.
ARTICLE V. GUARANTEE
Section 5.1. Guarantee.
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the
Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid
by or on behalf of the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense,
right of set-off or counterclaim which the Issuer may have or assert. The
Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct
payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing
the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.
Section 5.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand.
The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of 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 Notes as provided in the Indenture), Redemption Price, Liquidation
Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred
Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation
under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Preferred Securities;
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(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the
Holders or the Guarantee Trustee to enforce, assert or exercise any right,
privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the
Preferred Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting
indulgence or extension of any kind;
(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the
Issuer;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Preferred Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or hereby
incurred; or
(g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal
or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this
Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute
and unconditional under any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain the
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.
Section 5.4. Rights of Holders.
The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that: (i) this Guarantee Agreement will
be deposited with the Guarantee Trustee to be held for the benefit of the
Holders; (ii) the Guarantee Trustee has the right to enforce this Guarantee
Agreement on behalf of the Holders; (iii) the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Preference of the Preferred Securities have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee Agreement or exercising any
trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee
Agreement; and (iv) any Holder may institute a legal proceeding directly against
the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Guarantee Agreement, without
first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer
or any other Person.
Section 5.5. Guarantee of Payment.
This Guarantee Agreement creates a guarantee of payment and not of performance
or collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not be discharged except by payment
of the Guarantee Payments in full (without duplication of amounts theretofore
paid by the Issuer) or upon distribution of Notes to Holders as provided in the
Trust Agreement.
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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.
Section 5.7. Independent Obligations.
The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of
the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Preferred Securities and that
the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make
Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement
notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a)
through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.
ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION
Section 6.1. Subordination.
The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement will
constitute unsecured obligations of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and
junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor except
those made pari passu or subordinate to such obligations expressly by their
terms.
Section 6.2. Pari Passu Guarantees.
The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement shall rank
pari passu with the obligations of the Guarantor under any similar Guarantee
Agreements issued by the Guarantor on behalf of the holders of preferred
securities issued by any FPC Capital Trust (as defined in the Indenture).
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ARTICLE VII. TERMINATION
Section 7.1. Termination.
This Guarantee Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect
upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities, (ii)
the distribution of Notes to the Holders in exchange for all of the Preferred
Securities or (iii) full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the
Trust Agreement upon liquidation of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
this Guarantee Agreement will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as
the case may be, if at any time any Holder must restore payment of any sums paid
with respect to Preferred Securities or this Guarantee Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1. Successors and Assigns.
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee Agreement shall bind
the successors, assigns, receivers, 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 VIII of the
Indenture and pursuant to which the successor or assignee agrees in writing to
perform the Guarantor's obligations hereunder, the Guarantor shall not assign
its obligations hereunder.
Section 8.2. Amendments.
Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the rights of
the Holders in any material respect (in which case no consent of the Holders
will be required), this Guarantee Agreement may only be amended with the prior
approval of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of Securities of all
the outstanding Preferred Securities. The provisions of Article VI of the Trust
Agreement concerning meetings of the Holders shall apply to the giving of such
approval.
Section 8.3. Notices.
Any notice, request or other communication 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:
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Florida Progress Corporation
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xx. Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
Attention: Treasurer
(b) if given to the Issuer, in care of the Guarantee Trustee, at the Issuer's
(and the Guarantee Trustee's) respective addresses set forth below or such other
address as the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the Issuer may give notice to the
Holders:
FPC Capital I
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: ___-___-____
Attention: _________
with a copy to:
The First National Bank of Chicago
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx XX 0-0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services
(c) if given to the Guarantee Trustee, at the Guarantee Trustee's address set
forth below or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee may give notice to
the Holders:
The First National Bank of Chicago
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx XX 0-0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
Attention: Global Corporate Trust 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
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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. Interpretation.
In this Guarantee Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Guarantee Agreement but not defined in the
preamble hereto have the respective meanings assigned to them in Section 1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the same meaning
throughout;
(c) all references to "the Guarantee Agreement" or "this Guarantee Agreement"
are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented or amended from time
to time;
(d) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and Sections are to
Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise specified;
(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when used
in this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee Agreement
or unless the context otherwise requires;
(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and
(g) the masculine, feminine or neuter genders used herein shall include the
masculine, feminine and neuter genders.
Section 8.6. Governing Law.
THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT
OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
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This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall
together constitute but one and the same instrument.
THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above
written.
FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION
By:_______________________________
Name:
Title:
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
as Guarantee Trustee
By:_______________________________
Name:
Title:
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