Exhibit 4(l)
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X.X. XXXXXX COMPANY,
[_______________________________], As Depositary
AND
THE HOLDERS FROM TIME TO TIME OF
THE DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS DESCRIBED HEREIN
Deposit Agreement
Dated as of ___________, ____
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I
Definitions
Certificate ................................................................................ 1
Company .................................................................................... 1
Deposit Agreement .......................................................................... 1
Depositary ................................................................................. 1
Depositary Shares .......................................................................... 2
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 ...... 3
Section 2.03. Redemption of Stock .......................................................... 4
Section 2.04. Registration of Transfer of Receipts ......................................... 5
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 .................................................................... 6
Section 2.07. Lost Receipts, etc ........................................................... 7
Section 2.08. Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts ......................... 7
Section 2.09. Conversion of Stock into Common Stock ........................................ 7
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 ......................................................... 8
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 ............................... 9
Section 4.04. Notice of Dividends, etc.; 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 ...................................................... 11
Section 4.07. Inspection of Reports ........................................................ 12
Section 4.08. Lists of Receipt Holders ..................................................... 12
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 ................................................................... 12
Section 5.02. Prevention of or Delay in Performance by the Depositary, the Depositary's
Agents, the Registrar or the Company ........................................ 13
Section 5.03. Obligations of the Depositary, the Depositary's Agents, the Registrar and the
Company ..................................................................... 13
Section 5.04. Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor
Depositary .................................................................. 14
Section 5.05. Corporate Notices and Reports ................................................ 15
Section 5.06. Indemnification by the Company ............................................... 15
Section 5.07. Charges and Expenses ......................................................... 15
ARTICLE VI
Amendment and Termination
Section 6.01. Amendment .................................................................... 16
Section 6.02. Termination .................................................................. 16
ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous
Section 7.01. Counterparts ................................................................. 17
Section 7.02. Exclusive Benefit of Parties ................................................. 17
Section 7.03. Invalidity of Provisions ..................................................... 17
Section 7.04. Notices ...................................................................... 17
Section 7.05. Depositary's Agents .......................................................... 18
Section 7.06. Holders of Receipts Are Parties .............................................. 18
Section 7.07. Governing Law ................................................................ 18
Section 7.08. Inspection of Deposit Agreement .............................................. 18
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Section 7.09. Headings ..................................................................... 18
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DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of
___________, ____, among X.X. XXXXXX COMPANY,
a Minnesota 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 [Convertible]
Preferred Stock, Series ___, par value $.01 per share, of X.X. XXXXXX COMPANY
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, preferences
and rights filed with the Secretary of State of Minnesota establishing the Stock
as a series of preferred stock of the Company.
"Company" shall mean X.X. Xxxxxx Company, a Minnesota 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
[one quarter] of a share of Stock and evidenced by a Receipt.
"Depositary's Agent" shall mean an agent appointed by the Depositary
pursuant to Section 7.05.
"Depositary's Office" shall mean the 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 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 [Convertible]
Preferred Stock, Series ___, par value $.01 per share.
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 shall
be engraved or printed 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, lithographed, 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 and the Depositary 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 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
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temporary Receipts shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under
this Deposit 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 (other than the Depositary)
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 (other than the
Depositary) 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 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 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 may, 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.
Section 2.02. Deposit of Stock; Execution and Delivery of Receipts in
Respect Thereof. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement,
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.
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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 recordation 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 elect to
redeem shares of Stock in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate, if
the Certificate provides for such redemption, it shall (unless otherwise agreed
in writing with the Depositary) give the Depositary not less than 40 nor more
than 70 days' notice of the date of such proposed redemption of Stock, which
notice shall be accompanied by a certificate from the Company stating that such
redemption of Stock is in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate.
Such notice, if given more than 50 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 30 and not more than 60 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 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
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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 on a pro
rata basis as determined by the Company.
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 [one quarter] 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, 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
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
Receipts and Withdrawal of Stock. Upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts at the
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
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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 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 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 in blank.
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,
Surrender and Exchange of Receipts. As a condition precedent to the execution
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 shareholders 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
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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.
Section 2.07. Lost Receipts, etc. In case any Receipt shall be
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 an
indemnity bond satisfactory to it.
Section 2.08. Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts.
All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary or any Depositary's Agent shall be
cancelled by the Depositary. Except as prohibited by applicable law or
regulation, the Depositary is authorized to destroy all Receipts so cancelled.
[Section 2.09. Conversion of Stock into Common Stock. It is understood
and agreed that the Depositary Shares are not convertible into the Common Stock,
par value $1.00 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") or any other
securities or property of the Company. Nevertheless, as a matter of convenience,
the Company hereby agrees to accept (or to cause its conversion agent to accept)
the delivery of Receipts for the purpose of effecting conversions of the Stock
utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of Stock
certificates to effect such conversions in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Certificate; provided, however, that only whole Depositary
Shares may be so submitted for conversion. If fewer than all of the Depositary
Shares evidenced by a Receipt are to be converted, the Company shall instruct
the Depositary to issue a new Receipt or Receipts for the Depositary Shares not
to be converted. For this purpose, a holder of a Receipt or Receipts may
surrender such Receipt or Receipts to the Company at the Depositary's Office or
at such other office as the Company may from time to time designate for such
purpose, together with a duly completed and executed Notice of Conversion in the
form included in the Receipt. In all cases, the foregoing shall be conditioned
upon compliance in full by the holder of such Receipt or Receipts with the terms
and conditions of the Certificate and of this Deposit Agreement. The Company
shall instruct the Depositary to cancel each Receipt surrendered for such
conversion and to deliver to the Company any certificates for related Stock so
converted, and the Company will cancel such Stock certificates.]
ARTICLE III
Certain Obligations of Holders
of Receipts and the Company
Section 3.01. Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any
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
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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. 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 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 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 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 on
the record date fixed 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 shall 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 distribute or make available for distribution,
as the case may be, only such amount, however, as can be distributed without
attributing to any holder of Depositary Shares a fraction of one cent, and any
balance not so distributable shall be held by the Depositary (without liability
for interest thereon) and shall be added to and be treated as part of the next
sum received by the Depositary for distribution to record holders of Receipts
then outstanding.
Section 4.02. Distributions Other than Cash, Rights, Preferences or
Privileges. Whenever the Depositary shall receive any distribution other than
cash, rights, preferences or
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privileges upon Stock, the Depositary shall, subject to Sections 3.01 and 3.02,
distribute to record holders of Receipts on the record date fixed 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 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
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 registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of the securities to
which any rights, preferences or privileges relate is required in order for
holders of Receipts to be offered or sold the securities to which such rights,
preferences or privileges relate, the Company agrees with the Depositary that it
will file promptly 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 agrees with the Depositary that 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, etc.; Fixing of Record Date for
Holders of Receipts. Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall
become 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 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 reasons.
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 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
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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 changes 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 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 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.
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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. Upon execution of this Deposit Agreement, the
Depositary shall maintain at the Depositary's Office 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.
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 substituted
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 Articles 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
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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.
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 Deposit Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations shall
be read into this Deposit 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 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 notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company, such
resignation to take effect upon the
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appointment of a successor Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as
hereinafter provided.
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 Articles of Incorporation
(including the Certificate) to be furnished by the Company to holders of Stock.
Such transmission will be at the Company's expense.
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 (i) acts
performed or omitted in connection with this Deposit Agreement and the Receipts
(a) by the Depositary, any Registrar or any of their respective
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agents (including any Depositary's Agent), except for any liability arising out
of negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the respective parts of any
such person or persons, or (b) by the Company or any of its agents, or (ii) the
offer, sale or registration of the Receipts 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 agreed upon 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 each month 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, Registrar or transfer agent,
which shall go into effect not sooner than three months after notice thereof to
the holders of the Receipts) which 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 this 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.
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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.
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 by telegram or telex
confirmed by letter, addressed to the Company at X.X. Xxxxxx Company, 0000
Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xx. Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000-0000, to the attention 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.
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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 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 Depositary will notify the Company of any such action.
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.
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
Minnesota.
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 have any bearing upon the meaning or
interpretation of any provision contained herein or in the Receipts.
-17-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Depositary have duly executed
this Agreement as of the day and 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.
X.X. XXXXXX COMPANY
By _______________________________________
Its ___________________________________
Attested by
______________________________________
[______________________________]
as Depositary
By _______________________________________
Its ___________________________________
Attested by
______________________________________
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