UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): |
May 22, 2015 |
Ameris Bancorp
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
Charter)
Georgia |
001-13901 |
58-1456434 |
(State or Other |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer |
Jurisdiction of |
|
Identification No.) |
Incorporation) |
|
|
310 First Street, S.E., Moultrie, Georgia |
31768 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: |
(229) 890-1111 |
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed
Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form
8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions
(see General Instruction A.2. below):
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item
2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
On May 22, 2015, Ameris Bancorp (the “Company”)
completed its previously announced acquisition of all shares of the outstanding common stock of Merchants & Southern Banks
of Florida, Incorporated, a Florida corporation (“Merchants”), pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase
Agreement”) among the Company, Merchants and Dennis R. O’Neil, the sole shareholder of Merchants, dated as of January
28, 2015, for a total purchase price of $50,000,000. Immediately following the consummation of the stock purchase under the Purchase
Agreement, Merchants was merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving, and Merchants’ banking subsidiary,
Merchants & Southern Bank, was merged with and into the Company’s banking subsidiary, Ameris Bank, with Ameris Bank surviving.
The Company’s acquisition of Merchants
does not constitute a business acquisition at the significance level that would require the filing of financial statements as contemplated
by Rule 3-05 of Regulation S-X.
The description contained herein of the
Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of such document, which is attached hereto as an exhibit
and incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial
Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
In connection with its acquisition of Merchants,
the Company assumed all of Merchants’ obligations with respect to the following outstanding trust preferred securities:
| (i) | $3,093,000 of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due March
17, 2035, originally issued by Merchants pursuant to an Indenture between Merchants and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, dated
as of March 17, 2005 (the “2005 Indenture”), which debentures bear interest at a rate of 1.90% plus the LIBOR rate
for U.S. dollar deposits with a three-month maturity; and |
| (ii) | $3,093,000 of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due June
15, 2036, originally issued by Merchants pursuant to an Indenture between Merchants and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, dated
as of March 30, 2006 (the “2006 Indenture”), which debentures bear interest at a rate of 1.50% plus the LIBOR rate
for U.S. dollar deposits with a three-month maturity. |
The Company assumed Merchants’ obligations
in connection with the 2005 Indenture pursuant to a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 22, 2015 by and among the Company,
Merchants and Wilmington Trust Company. The Company also assumed Merchants’ obligations in connection with the 2006 Indenture
pursuant to a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 22, 2015 by and among the Company, Merchants and Wilmington Trust Company.
The descriptions contained herein of the
2005 Indenture, the 2006 Indenture and the First Supplemental Indentures are qualified in their entirety by reference to the terms
of such documents, each of which is attached hereto as an exhibit and incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
2.1 |
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of January 28, 2015 by and among Ameris Bancorp, Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated and Dennis R. O’Neil (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 29, 2015). |
4.1 |
Indenture between Ameris Bancorp (as successor to Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated) and Wilmington Trust Company dated as of March 17, 2005. |
|
|
4.2 |
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 22, 2015 by and among Ameris Bancorp, Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated and Wilmington Trust Company. |
|
|
4.3 |
Form of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture Due 2035 (included as Exhibit A to the Indenture filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1). |
|
|
4.4 |
Indenture between Ameris Bancorp (as successor to Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated) and Wilmington Trust Company dated as of March 30, 2006. |
|
|
4.5 |
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 22, 2015 by and among Ameris Bancorp, Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated and Wilmington Trust Company. |
|
|
4.6 |
Form of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture Due 2036 (included as Exhibit A to the Indenture filed herewith as Exhibit 4.4). |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
|
AMERIS BANCORP |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Dennis J. Zember Jr. |
|
|
Dennis J. Zember Jr. |
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
(principal accounting and financial officer) |
Dated: May 26, 2015
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
|
Exhibit |
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of January 28, 2015 by and among Ameris Bancorp, Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated and Dennis R. O’Neil (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 29, 2015). |
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
Indenture between Ameris Bancorp (as successor to Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated) and Wilmington Trust Company dated as of March 17, 2005. |
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 22, 2015 by and among Ameris Bancorp, Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated and Wilmington Trust Company. |
|
|
|
4.3 |
|
Form of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture Due 2035 (included as Exhibit A to the Indenture filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1). |
|
|
|
4.4 |
|
Indenture between Ameris Bancorp (as successor to Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated) and Wilmington Trust Company dated as of March 30, 2006. |
|
|
|
4.5 |
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 22, 2015 by and among Ameris Bancorp, Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated and Wilmington Trust Company. |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
Form of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture Due 2036 (included as Exhibit A to the Indenture filed herewith as Exhibit 4.4). |
Exhibit 4.1
MERCHANTS & SOUTHERN BANKS
OF FLORIDA, INCORPORATED,
as Issuer
INDENTURE
Dated as of March 17, 2005
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee
FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE
INTEREST DEBENTURES
DUE 2035
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS |
1 |
|
|
|
Section 1.1. |
Definitions |
1 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE II. DEBENTURES |
8 |
|
|
|
Section 2.1. |
Authentication and Dating |
8 |
Section 2.2. |
Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication |
9 |
Section 2.3. |
Form and Denomination of Debentures |
9 |
Section 2.4. |
Execution of Debentures |
9 |
Section 2.5. |
Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debentures |
9 |
Section 2.6. |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures |
11 |
Section 2.7. |
Temporary Debentures |
12 |
Section 2.8. |
Payment of Interest and Additional Interest |
12 |
Section 2.9. |
Cancellation of Debentures Paid, etc. |
14 |
Section 2.10. |
Computation of Interest |
14 |
Section 2.11. |
Extension of Interest Payment Period |
16 |
Section 2.12. |
CUSIP Numbers |
16 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE III. PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY |
17 |
|
|
|
Section 3.1. |
Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debentures |
17 |
Section 3.2. |
Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. |
17 |
Section 3.3. |
Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office |
17 |
Section 3.4. |
Provision as to Paying Agent |
18 |
Section 3.5. |
Certificate to Trustee |
18 |
Section 3.6. |
Additional Sums |
19 |
Section 3.7. |
Compliance with Consolidation Provisions |
19 |
Section 3.8. |
Limitation on Dividends |
19 |
Section 3.9. |
Covenants as to the Trust |
20 |
Section 3.10. |
Additional Junior Indebtedness |
20 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE IV. SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE |
20 |
|
|
|
Section 4.1. |
Securityholders’ Lists |
20 |
Section 4.2. |
Preservation and Disclosure of Lists |
20 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE V. REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT |
21 |
|
|
|
Section 5.1. |
Events of Default |
21 |
Section 5.2. |
Payment of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor |
23 |
Section 5.3. |
Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee |
24 |
Section 5.4. |
Proceedings by Securityholders |
25 |
Section 5.5. |
Proceedings by Trustee |
25 |
Section 5.6. |
Remedies Cumulative and Continuing; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver |
25 |
Section 5.7. |
Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders |
26 |
Section 5.8. |
Notice of Defaults |
26 |
Section 5.9. |
Undertaking to Pay Costs |
26 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE VI. CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE |
27 |
|
|
|
Section 6.1. |
Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee |
27 |
Section 6.2. |
Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. |
28 |
Section 6.3. |
No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. |
29 |
Section 6.4. |
Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debentures |
29 |
Section 6.5. |
Moneys to be Held in Trust |
29 |
Section 6.6. |
Compensation and Expenses of Trustee |
29 |
Section 6.7. |
Officers’ Certificate as Evidence |
30 |
Section 6.8. |
Eligibility of Trustee |
30 |
Section 6.9. |
Resignation or Removal of Trustee |
30 |
Section 6.10. |
Acceptance by Successor Trustee |
31 |
Section 6.11. |
Succession by Merger, etc. |
32 |
Section 6.12. |
Authenticating Agents |
32 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE VII. CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS |
33 |
|
|
|
Section 7.1. |
Action by Securityholders |
33 |
Section 7.2. |
Proof of Execution by Securityholders |
34 |
Section 7.3. |
Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners |
34 |
Section 7.4. |
Debentures Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding |
34 |
Section 7.5. |
Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound |
35 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE VIII. SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS |
35 |
|
|
|
Section 8.1. |
Purposes of Meetings |
35 |
Section 8.2. |
Call of Meetings by Trustee |
35 |
Section 8.3. |
Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders |
35 |
Section 8.4. |
Qualifications for Voting |
35 |
Section 8.5. |
Regulations |
36 |
Section 8.6. |
Voting |
36 |
Section 8.7. |
Quorum; Actions |
37 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES |
37 |
|
|
|
Section 9.1. |
Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders |
37 |
Section 9.2. |
Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders |
38 |
Section 9.3. |
Effect of Supplemental Indentures |
39 |
Section 9.4. |
Notation on Debentures |
39 |
Section 9.5. |
Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee |
39 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE X. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES |
39 |
|
|
|
Section 10.1. |
Optional Redemption |
39 |
Section 10.2. |
Special Event Redemption |
40 |
Section 10.3. |
Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debentures |
40 |
Section 10.4. |
Payment of Debentures Called for Redemption |
40 |
ARTICLE XI. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE |
41 |
|
|
|
Section 11.1. |
Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms |
41 |
Section 11.2. |
Successor Entity to be Substituted |
41 |
Section 11.3. |
Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee |
42 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE XII. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE |
42 |
|
|
|
Section 12.1. |
Discharge of Indenture |
42 |
Section 12.2. |
Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee |
42 |
Section 12.3. |
Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held |
42 |
Section 12.4. |
Return of Unclaimed Moneys |
43 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE XIII. IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS |
43 |
|
|
|
Section 13.1. |
Indenture and Debentures Solely Corporate Obligations |
43 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE XIV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
43 |
|
|
|
Section 14.1. |
Successors |
43 |
Section 14.2. |
Official Acts by Successor Entity |
43 |
Section 14.3. |
Surrender of Company Powers |
43 |
Section 14.4. |
Addresses for Notices, etc. |
43 |
Section 14.5. |
Governing Law |
44 |
Section 14.6. |
Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent |
44 |
Section 14.7. |
Table of Contents, Headings, etc. |
44 |
Section 14.8. |
Execution in Counterparts |
44 |
Section 14.9. |
Separability |
44 |
Section 14.10. |
Assignment |
44 |
Section 14.11. |
Acknowledgment of Rights |
45 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE XV. SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES |
45 |
|
|
|
Section 15.1. |
Agreement to Subordinate |
45 |
Section 15.2. |
Default on Senior Indebtedness |
45 |
Section 15.3. |
Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy |
46 |
Section 15.4. |
Subrogation |
47 |
Section 15.5. |
Trustee to Effectuate Subordination |
47 |
Section 15.6. |
Notice by the Company |
47 |
Section 15.7. |
Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness |
48 |
Section 15.8. |
Subordination May Not Be Impaired |
48 |
|
|
|
Exhibit A Form of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture |
|
THIS INDENTURE, dated
as of March 17, 2005, between Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated, a Florida corporation (the “Company”),
and Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation, as debenture trustee (the “Trustee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, for its lawful
corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
due 2035 (the “Debentures”) under this Indenture to provide, among other things, for the execution and authentication,
delivery and administration thereof, and the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all acts and
things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed;
NOW, THEREFORE, This Indenture Witnesseth:
In consideration of
the premises, and the purchase of the Debentures by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for
the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Debentures as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Definitions.
The terms defined in this Section 1.1 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise
requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified
in this Section 1.1. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means
such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States at the time of any computation. The words “herein,”
“hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
Article, Section or other subdivision.
“Acceleration
Event of Default” means an Event of Default under Section 5.1(a), (d), (e) or (f), whatever the reason for such Acceleration
Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.
“Additional Interest”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.
“Additional
Junior Indebtedness” means, without duplication and other than the Debentures, any indebtedness, liabilities or obligations
of the Company, or any Subsidiary of the Company, under debt securities (or guarantees in respect of debt securities) initially
issued after the date of this Indenture to any trust, or a trustee of a trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the
Company that is, directly or indirectly, a finance subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940) or other financing vehicle of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in connection with the issuance by that
entity of preferred securities or other securities that are eligible to qualify for Tier 1 capital treatment (or its then equivalent)
for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Company (or, if
the Company is not a bank holding company, such guidelines applied to the Company as if the Company were subject to such guidelines);
provided, however, that the inability of the Company to treat all or any portion of the Additional Junior Indebtedness
as Tier 1 capital shall not disqualify it as Additional Junior Indebtedness if such inability results from the Company having cumulative
preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which the Federal
Reserve now or may hereafter accord Tier 1 capital treatment (including the Debentures) in excess of the amount which may qualify
for treatment as Tier 1 capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines.
“Additional Sums” has
the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.
“Affiliate”
has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
“Authenticating
Agent” means any agent or agents of the Trustee which at the time shall be appointed and acting pursuant to Section 6.12.
“Bankruptcy
Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Board of
Directors” means the board of directors or the executive committee or any other duly authorized designated officers of
the Company.
“Board Resolution”
means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the
Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business
Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Wilmington,
Delaware are permitted or required by any applicable law or executive order to close.
“Capital Securities”
means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust which rank pari passu with Common Securities issued by the
Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration),
the rights of holders of such Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption
and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of such Capital Securities.
“Capital Securities
Guarantee” means the guarantee agreement that the Company enters into with Wilmington Trust Company, as guarantee trustee,
or other Persons that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Capital Securities of the Trust.
“Capital
Treatment Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters
to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change)
in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as the result of any
official or administrative pronouncement or action or decision interpreting or applying such laws, rules or regulations, which
amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of original
issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not,
within 90 days of the date of such opinion, be entitled to treat an amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities as “Tier 1 Capital” (or its then equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal
Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Company (or if the Company is not a bank holding company, such guidelines applied
to the Company as if the Company were subject to such guidelines); provided, however, that the inability of the
Company to treat all or any portion of the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as Tier 1 Capital shall not constitute
the basis for a Capital Treatment Event, if such inability results from the Company having cumulative preferred stock, minority
interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which the Federal Reserve or OTS, as applicable,
may now or hereafter accord Tier 1 Capital treatment in excess of the amount which may now or hereafter qualify for treatment
as Tier 1 Capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines; provided further, however, that the distribution
of Debentures in connection with the liquidation of the Trust shall not in and of itself constitute a Capital Treatment Event
unless such liquidation shall have occurred in connection with a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event. For purposes of this
definition, the rule designated “Risk-Based Capital Standards: Trust Preferred Securities and the Definition of Capital”
issued by the Federal Reserve on March 1, 2005 shall be deemed to have been issued and effective prior to the date of this Indenture
and shall not be deemed to constitute a Capital Treatment Event.
“Certificate”
means a certificate signed by any one of the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting
officer of the Company.
“Common Securities”
means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust which rank pari passu with Capital Securities issued by
the Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default (as defined in the
Declaration), the rights of holders of such Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of such Capital Securities.
“Company”
means Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated, a Florida corporation, and, subject to the provisions of Article
XI, shall include its successors and assigns.
“Coupon Rate” has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.8.
“Debenture” or “Debentures”
has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture.
“Debenture Register”
has the meaning specified in Section 2.5.
“Declaration”
means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Default”
means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
“Defaulted Interest”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.
“Distribution
Period” means (i) with respect to interest paid on the first Interest Payment Date, the period beginning on (and including)
the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in June 2005 and (ii) thereafter, with respect
to interest paid on each successive Interest Payment Date, the period beginning on (and including) the preceding Interest Payment
Date and ending on (but excluding) such current Interest Payment Date.
“Determination Date”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.
“Event of
Default” means any event specified in Section 5.1, continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of
the notice, if any, therein designated.
“Extension Period” has
the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.
“Federal Reserve”
means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or its designated district bank, as applicable, and any successor federal
agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of bank holding companies.
“Indenture”
means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented,
or both.
“Institutional Trustee”
has the meaning set forth in the Declaration.
“Interest
Payment Date” means March 17, June 17, September 17 and December 17 of each year during the term of this Indenture, or
if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day, commencing in June 2005.
“Interest
Rate” means for the Distribution Period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but
excluding) the Interest Payment Date in June 2005 the rate per annum of 4.87%, and for each Distribution Period beginning on or
after the Interest Payment Date in June 2005, the Coupon Rate for such Distribution Period.
“Investment
Company Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to
the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or written change (including any announced prospective
change) in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory
authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or, within 90 days of the date of such opinion will be considered
an “investment company” that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended which
change or prospective change becomes effective or would become effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance
of the Debentures.
“Liquidation Amount”
means the stated amount of $1,000.00 per Trust Security.
“Maturity Date” means March 17, 2035.
”Officers’
Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice Chairman,
the President, any Managing Director or any Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Comptroller, an Assistant
Comptroller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall
include the statements provided for in Section 14.6 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.
“Opinion of
Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or
may be other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section
14.6 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.
“OTS”
means the Office of Thrift Supervision and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities
of savings and loan holding companies.
The term “outstanding,”
when used with reference to Debentures, means, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, as of any particular time, all Debentures
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent under this Indenture, except:
(a) Debentures
theretofore canceled by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Debentures,
or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust
with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the
Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, however, that, if such Debentures, or portions
thereof, are to be redeemed prior to maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as provided in Section
10.3 or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and
(c) Debentures
paid pursuant to Section 2.6 or in lieu of or in substitution for which other Debentures shall have been authenticated and delivered
pursuant to the terms of Section 2.6 unless proof satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee is presented that any such Debentures
are held by bona fide holders in due course.
“Person”
means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Predecessor
Security” of any particular Debenture means every previous Debenture evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as
that evidenced by such particular Debenture; and, for purposes of this definition, any Debenture authenticated and delivered under
Section 2.6 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or
stolen Debenture.
“Principal
Office of the Trustee,” or other similar term, means the office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its
corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which at the time of the execution of this Indenture shall be Rodney
Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1600, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.
“Redemption Date” has
the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
“Redemption
Price” means 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including
any Additional Interest) on such Debentures to the Redemption Date.
“Responsible
Officer” means, with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Principal Office of the Trustee, including any vice-president,
any assistant vice-president, any secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer
or other officer of the Principal Trust Office of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any
of the above designated officers 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.
“Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time or any successor legislation.
“Securityholder,”
“holder of Debentures,” or other similar terms, means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Debenture is
registered on the register kept by the Company or the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Senior Indebtedness”
means, with respect to the Company, (i) the principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of (A) indebtedness of the Company
for all borrowed and purchased money and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, notes, bonds or other similar instruments
issued by the Company; (ii) all capital lease obligations of the Company; (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed
as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company
under any title retention agreement; (iv) all obligations of the Company for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, any banker’s
acceptance, any security purchase facility, any repurchase agreement or similar arrangement, any interest rate swap, any other
hedging arrangement, any obligation under options or any similar credit or other transaction; (v) all obligations of the Company
associated with derivative products such as interest and foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts, and similar arrangements;
(vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other Persons for the payment of which the Company
is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise including, without limitation, similar obligations arising from off-balance
sheet guarantees and direct credit substitutes; and (vii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above
of other Persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the
Company), whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Senior
Indebtedness” shall not include (1) any Additional Junior Indebtedness, (2) Debentures issued pursuant to this Indenture and
guarantees in respect of such Debentures, (3) trade accounts payable of the Company arising in the ordinary course of business
(such trade accounts payable being pari passu in right of payment to the Debentures), or (4) obligations with respect to
which (a) in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such
obligations are pari passu, junior or otherwise not superior in right of payment to the Debentures and (b) the Company,
prior to the issuance thereof, has notified (and, if then required under the applicable guidelines of the regulating entity, has
received approval from) the Federal Reserve (if the Company is a bank holding company) or the OTS (if the Company is a savings
and loan holding company). Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the subordination provisions
irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.
“Special Event”
means any of a Capital Treatment Event, an Investment Company Event or a Tax Event.
“Special Redemption Date”
has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.
“Special Redemption
Price” means the price set forth in the following table for any Special Redemption Date that occurs on the date indicated
below (or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day), expressed as the percentage of the principal
amount of the Debentures being redeemed:
Month in which Special
Redemption Date Occurs |
Special Redemption Price |
June 2005 |
104.625 % |
September 2005 |
104.300 % |
December 2005 |
104.000 % |
March 2006 |
103.650 % |
June 2006 |
103.350 % |
September 2006 |
103.000 % |
December 2006 |
102.700 % |
March 2007 |
102.350 % |
June 2007 |
102.050 % |
September 2007 |
101.700 % |
December 2007 |
101.400 % |
March 2008 |
101.050 % |
June 2008 |
100.750 % |
September 2008 |
100.450 % |
December 2008 |
100.200 % |
March 2009 and thereafter |
100.000 % |
plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid
interest (including any Additional Interest) on such Debentures to the Special Redemption Date.
“Subsidiary”
means with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly
or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii)
any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of the outstanding partnership or similar interests
of which shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of
its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the
purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity
interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the
equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason
of the occurrence of a contingency.
“Tax Event”
means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result
of any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United
States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement
(including any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, field service advice, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement,
including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations) (an “Administrative Action”)
or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, regardless of whether such Administrative Action or judicial
decision is issued to or in connection with a proceeding involving the Company or the Trust and whether or not subject to review
or appeal, which amendment, clarification, change, Administrative Action or decision is enacted, promulgated or announced, in each
case on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that: (i) the Trust
is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received
or accrued on the Debentures; (ii) interest payable by the Company on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such
opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or (iii) the
Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties
or other governmental charges.
“3-Month LIBOR” has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.10.
“Telerate Page 3750”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.
“Trust”
shall mean Merchants & Southern Statutory Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust, or any other similar trust created for the
purpose of issuing Capital Securities in connection with the issuance of Debentures under this Indenture, of which the Company
is the sponsor.
“Trust Securities” means
Common Securities and Capital Securities of the Trust.
“Trustee”
means Wilmington Trust Company, and, subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof, shall also include its successors and assigns
as Trustee hereunder.
ARTICLE II.
DEBENTURES
Section 2.1. Authentication
and Dating. Upon the execution and delivery of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter, Debentures in an aggregate
principal amount not in excess of $3,093,000.00 may be executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication,
and the Trustee, upon receipt of a written authentication order from the Company, shall thereupon authenticate and make available
for delivery said Debentures to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief
Executive Officer, Vice Chairman, the President, one of its Managing Directors or one of its Vice Presidents without any further
action by the Company hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Trustee shall be fully protected
in relying upon the aforementioned authentication order and written order in authenticating and delivering said Debentures. In
authenticating such Debentures, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debentures,
the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon:
(a) a
copy of any Board Resolution or Board Resolutions relating thereto and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken
pursuant to such resolution, in each case certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, as the case may
be; and
(b) an
Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 14.6 which shall also state:
(1) that
such Debentures, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in each case in the manner and subject
to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, subject
to or limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, conservatorship, receivership, moratorium and other statutory
or decisional laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or the reorganization of financial institutions (including, without
limitation, preference and fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws), heretofore or hereafter enacted or in effect, affecting the
rights of creditors generally; and
(2) that
all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of the Debentures have been complied with and
that authentication and delivery of the Debentures by the Trustee will not violate the terms of this Indenture.
The Trustee shall have
the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debentures under this Section if the Trustee, being advised in writing by
counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith shall determine
that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing holders.
The definitive Debentures
shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined
by the officers executing such Debentures, as evidenced by their execution of such Debentures.
Section 2.2. Form
of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debentures shall be in substantially
the following form:
This is one of the Debentures referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee |
|
|
|
|
By |
|
|
Authorized Signer |
|
Section 2.3. Form
and Denomination of Debentures. The Debentures shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. The Debentures
shall be in registered, certificated form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00
in excess thereof. Any attempted transfer of the Debentures in a block having an aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000.00
shall be deemed to be void and of no legal effect whatsoever. Any such purported transferee shall be deemed not to be a holder
of such Debentures for any purpose, including, but not limited to the receipt of payments on such Debentures, and such purported
transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Debentures. The Debentures shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise
distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plans as the officers executing the same may determine with the approval
of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.
Section 2.4. Execution
of Debentures. The Debentures shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature
of its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman, President, one of its Managing Directors or
one of its Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents or Vice Presidents. Only such Debentures as shall bear thereon a certificate
of authentication substantially in the form herein before recited, executed by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent by the manual
signature of an authorized signer, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
Such certificate by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent upon any Debenture executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence
that the Debenture so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the
benefits of this Indenture.
In case any officer
of the Company who shall have signed any of the Debentures shall cease to be such officer before the Debentures so signed shall
have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent, or disposed of by the Company, such Debentures
nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debentures had not ceased to
be such officer of the Company; and any Debenture may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual date
of the execution of such Debenture, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this
Indenture any such person was not such an officer.
Every Debenture shall be dated the date
of its authentication.
Section 2.5. Exchange
and Registration of Transfer of Debentures. The Company shall cause to be kept, at the office or agency maintained for
the purpose of registration of transfer and for exchange as provided in Section 3.2, a register (the “Debenture
Register”) for the Debentures issued hereunder in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe,
the Company shall provide for the registration and transfer of all Debentures as in this Article II provided. The Debenture
Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.
Debentures to be exchanged
may be surrendered at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency to be maintained by the Company for such
purpose as provided in Section 3.2, and the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or
the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor the Debenture or Debentures which
the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive. Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any
Debenture at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided
in Section 3.2, the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent
shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debenture for a like aggregate
principal amount. Registration or registration of transfer of any Debenture by the Trustee or by any agent of the Company appointed
pursuant to Section 3.2, and delivery of such Debenture, shall be deemed to complete the registration or registration of
transfer of such Debenture.
All Debentures presented
for registration of transfer or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating
Agent) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company
and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall
be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debentures, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
The Company or the
Trustee shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Debenture for a period of 15 days next preceding the date
of selection of Debentures for redemption.
Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, Debentures may not be transferred except in compliance with the restricted securities legend set forth
below, unless otherwise determined by the Company, upon the advice of counsel expert in securities law, in accordance with applicable
law:
THIS SECURITY IS NOT
A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED BY THE UNITED STATES OR ANY AGENCY OR FUND OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED,
TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT
FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER
OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B)
PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER
REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY
IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION
IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED
INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR
ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO,
OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY”S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE
OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY.
THE HOLDER OF THIS
SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT
ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”),
OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY
WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING
“PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER
IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60,
91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION
406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR
ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE
OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION
406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
THIS SECURITY WILL
BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES
OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS
THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS
SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
Section
2.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures. In
case any Debenture shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company shall execute, and upon its written request
the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debenture bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and
substitution for the mutilated Debenture, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Debenture so destroyed, lost or stolen. In
every case the applicant for a substituted Debenture shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity
as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall
also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debenture
and of the ownership thereof.
The Trustee may authenticate
any such substituted Debenture and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon
the issuance of any substituted Debenture, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debenture which has matured
or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company
may, instead of issuing a substitute Debenture, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the
case of a mutilated Debenture) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or
indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory
to the Company and to the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.
Every substituted Debenture
issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.6 by virtue of the fact that any such Debenture is destroyed, lost or stolen
shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debenture shall
be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all
other Debentures duly issued hereunder. All Debentures shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost
or stolen Debentures and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter
enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their
surrender.
Section 2.7. Temporary
Debentures. Pending the preparation of definitive Debentures, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate
and make available for delivery temporary Debentures that are typed, printed or lithographed. Temporary Debentures shall be issuable
in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debentures in lieu of which they are issued but
with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debentures, all as may be determined by the
Company. Every such temporary Debenture shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions
and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Debentures. Without unreasonable delay the Company
will execute and deliver to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent definitive Debentures and thereupon any or all temporary Debentures
may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee or at any office or agency maintained
by the Company for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate
and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Debentures a like aggregate principal amount of such definitive
Debentures. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor except that in case
of any such exchange involving a registration of transfer the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax,
fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto. Until so exchanged, the temporary Debentures shall in
all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debentures authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 2.8. Payment
of Interest and Additional Interest. Interest at the Interest Rate and any Additional Interest on any Debenture that is
payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Debentures shall be paid to the Person in
whose name said Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on the regular record date for such interest installment except that interest and any Additional Interest payable on the Maturity
Date shall be paid to the Person to whom principal is paid.
Each Debenture shall
bear interest for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest
Payment Date in June 2005 at a rate per annum of 4.87%, and shall bear interest for each successive Distribution Period beginning
on or after the Interest Payment Date in June 2005 at a rate per annum equal to the 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described in
Section 2.10, plus 1.90% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the principal amount thereof, until the principal
thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under
applicable law (without duplication) on any overdue installment of interest (including Additional Interest) at the Interest Rate
in effect for each applicable period compounded quarterly. Interest shall be payable (subject to any relevant Extension Period)
quarterly in arrears on each Interest Payment Date with the first installment of interest to be paid on the Interest Payment Date
in June 2005.
Any interest on
any Debenture, including Additional Interest, that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any
Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the
registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall
be paid by the Company to the Persons in whose names such Debentures (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are
registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed
in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing at least 25 days prior to the date of the proposed
payment of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debenture and the date of the proposed payment,
and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to
be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior
to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to
such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of
such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and
not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly
notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the
proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid,
to each Securityholder at its address as it appears in the Debenture Register, not less than 10 days prior to such special
record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been
mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Debentures (or their respective
Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date and shall be no longer payable.
The Company may make
payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Debentures in any other lawful manner after notice given by the Company to the Trustee
of the proposed payment method; provided, however, the Trustee in its sole discretion deems such payment method
to be practical.
Any interest (including
Additional Interest) scheduled to become payable on an Interest Payment Date occurring during an Extension Period shall not be
Defaulted Interest and shall be payable on such other date as may be specified in the terms of such Debentures.
The term “regular
record date” as used in this Section shall mean the close of business on the 15th Business Day preceding the applicable Interest
Payment Date.
Subject to the foregoing
provisions of this Section, each Debenture delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or
in lieu of any other Debenture shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such
other Debenture.
Section 2.9. Cancellation
of Debentures Paid, etc. All Debentures surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of
transfer, shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it,
or, if surrendered to the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent, shall be promptly canceled by it, and no Debentures shall be issued
in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All Debentures canceled by any Authenticating
Agent shall be delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee shall destroy all canceled Debentures unless the Company otherwise directs
the Trustee in writing. If the Company shall acquire any of the Debentures, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption
or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Debentures unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for
cancellation.
Section 2.10. Computation
of Interest. The amount of interest payable for each Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Interest Rate
to the principal amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the actual number of days in
the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360. All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Debentures will be rounded,
if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded
upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from
such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).
(a) “3-Month
LIBOR” means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month, U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee
in the following order of priority:
(1) the
rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page
3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (as defined below). “Telerate Page 3750” means
the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on
that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor
for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits;
(2) if
such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request the principal London offices of four
leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to
prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time)
on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations;
(3) if
fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (2) above, the Trustee will request four major New York City
banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S.
dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR
will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and
(4) if
fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (3) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined
with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period.
If the rate for U.S.
dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the
related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination
Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination
Date.
(b) The
Interest Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the
same may be modified by United States law.
(c) “Determination
Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars
are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the particular Distribution Period for which a Coupon Rate is being determined.
(d) The
Trustee shall notify the Company, the Institutional Trustee and any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which
the Capital Securities are listed, of the Coupon Rate and the Determination Date for each Distribution Period, in each case as
soon as practicable after the determination thereof but in no event later than the thirtieth (30th) day of the relevant Distribution
Period. Failure to notify the Company, the Institutional Trustee or any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, or
any defect in said notice, shall not affect the obligation of the Company to make payment on the Debentures at the applicable Coupon
Rate. Any error in the calculation of the Coupon Rate by the Trustee may be corrected at any time by notice delivered as above
provided. Upon the request of a holder of a Debenture, the Trustee shall provide the Coupon Rate then in effect and, if determined,
the Coupon Rate for the next Distribution Period.
(e) Subject
to the corrective rights set forth above, all certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations
and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions relating to the payment and calculation of
interest on the Debentures and distributions on the Capital Securities by the Trustee or the Institutional Trustee will (in the
absence of willful default, bad faith and manifest error) be final, conclusive and binding on the Trust, the Company and all of
the holders of the Debentures and the Capital Securities, and no liability shall (in the absence of willful default, bad faith
or manifest error) attach to the Trustee or the Institutional Trustee in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by either
of them or their respective powers, duties and discretion.
Section 2.11. Extension
of Interest Payment Period. So long as no Acceleration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall
have the right, from time to time, and without causing an Event of Default, to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by
extending the interest payment period on the Debentures at any time and from time to time during the term of the Debentures, for
up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each such extended interest payment period, an “Extension Period”),
during which Extension Period no interest (including Additional Interest) shall be due and payable (except any Additional Sums
that may be due and payable). No Extension Period may end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date. During an Extension Period,
interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal
to the Interest Rate in effect for such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable
were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional
Interest”). At the end of any such Extension Period the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the
Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the
Maturity Date; provided further, however, that during any such Extension Period, the Company
shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire,
or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s or such Affiliate’s capital stock (other than payments of
dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (ii) make any payment
of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate
that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses
(i) or (ii) above, (a) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection
with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers,
directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with
the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration
in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of any exchange or conversion
of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series
of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s
capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or
exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection
with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or
the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights
where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that
on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional
shares issued in connection therewith, or (f) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee). Prior to the termination of any
Extension Period, the Company may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further
consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the
termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Company
may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and
payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been
due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Company
must give the Trustee notice of its election to begin or extend an Extension Period by the close of business at least 15 Business
Days prior to the Interest Payment Date with respect to which interest on the Debentures would have been payable except for the
election to begin or extend such Extension Period. The Trustee shall give notice of the Company’s election to begin a new Extension
Period to the Securityholders.
Section 2.12. CUSIP
Numbers. The Company in issuing the Debentures may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if
so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders; provided, however,
that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Debentures
or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed
on the Debentures, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will
promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
ARTICLE III.
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF
THE COMPANY
Section 3.1. Payment
of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debentures.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will
duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and premium, if any, and interest and any Additional Interest and
other payments on the Debentures at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided in this Indenture and the Debentures.
Each installment of interest on the Debentures may be paid (i) by mailing checks for such interest payable to the order of the
holders of Debentures entitled thereto as they appear on the registry books of the Company if a request for a wire transfer has
not been received by the Company or (ii) by wire transfer to any account with a banking institution located in the United States
designated in writing by such Person to the paying agent no later than the related record date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
so long as the holder of this Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest on this Debenture
will be made in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Institutional Trustee.
(b) The
Company will treat the Debentures as indebtedness, and the amounts payable in respect of the principal amount of such Debentures
as interest, for all United States federal income tax purposes. All payments in respect of such Debentures will be made free and
clear of United States withholding tax to any beneficial owner thereof that has provided an Internal Revenue Service Form W8 BEN
(or any substitute or successor form) establishing its non-United States status for United States federal income tax purposes.
(c) As
of the date of this Indenture, the Company has no present intention to exercise its right under Section 2.11 to defer payments
of interest on the Debentures by commencing an Extension Period.
(d) As
of the date of this Indenture, the Company believes that the likelihood that it would exercise its right under Section 2.11 to
defer payments of interest on the Debentures by commencing an Extension Period at any time during which the Debentures are outstanding
is remote because of the restrictions that would be imposed on the Company’s ability to declare or pay dividends or distributions
on, or to redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its outstanding equity and on the Company’s ability
to make any payments of principal of or interest on, or repurchase or redeem, any of its debt securities that rank pari passu
in all respects with (or junior in interest to) the Debentures.
Section 3.2. Offices
for Notices and Payments, etc. So long as any of the Debentures remain outstanding, the Company will maintain in
Wilmington, Delaware, an office or agency where the Debentures may be presented for payment, an office or agency where the Debentures
may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and an office or agency where notices
and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debentures or of this Indenture may be served. The Company will give to the
Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Until otherwise designated
from time to time by the Company in a notice to the Trustee, or specified as contemplated by Section 2.5, such office or agency
for all of the above purposes shall be the office or agency of the Trustee. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such
office or agency in Wilmington, Delaware, or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof,
presentations and demands may be made and notices may-be served at the Principal Office of the Trustee.
In addition to any
such office or agency, the Company may from time to time designate one or more offices or agencies outside Wilmington, Delaware,
where the Debentures may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange in the manner provided in this Indenture,
and the Company may from time to time rescind such designation, as the Company may deem desirable or expedient; provided,
however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain
any such office or agency in Wilmington, Delaware, for the purposes above mentioned. The Company will give to the Trustee prompt
written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof.
Section 3.3. Appointments
to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee,
will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.9, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
Section 3.4. Provision
as to Paying Agent.
(a) If
the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the
Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provision of this Section 3.4,
(1) that
it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on
the Debentures (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Debentures) in trust for the
benefit of the holders of the Debentures;
(2) that
it will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Debentures) to make
any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures when the same shall be due and payable;
and
(3) that
it will, at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to
the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent.
(b) If
the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or
interest or other payments, if any, on the Debentures, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of
the Debentures a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, interest or other payments so becoming due and will notify the
Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor under the Debentures)
to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest or other payments, if any, on the Debentures when the
same shall become due and payable.
Whenever the Company
shall have one or more paying agents for the Debentures, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of and premium,
if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures, deposit with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium, interest
or other payments so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto and (unless such
paying agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure to act.
(c) Anything
in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction
and discharge with respect to the Debentures, or for any other reason, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay to the Trustee all
sums held in trust by the Company or any such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.
(d) Anything
in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.4 is subject
to Sections 12.3 and 12.4.
Section 3.5. Certificate
to Trustee. The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, so long as
Debentures are outstanding hereunder, a Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties
as officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any default during such fiscal year by the Company in the performance
of any covenants contained herein, stating whether or not they have knowledge of any such default and, if so, specifying each such
default of which the signers have knowledge and the nature and status thereof.
Section 3.6. Additional
Sums. If and for so long as the Trust is the holder of all Debentures and the Trust is required to pay any additional taxes
(including withholding taxes), duties, assessments or other governmental charges as a result of a Tax Event, the Company will pay
such additional amounts (“Additional Sums”) on the Debentures as shall be required so that the net amounts received
and retained by the Trust after paying taxes (including withholding taxes), duties, assessments or other governmental charges will
be equal to the amounts the Trust would have received if no such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges had been
imposed. Whenever in this Indenture or the Debentures there is a reference in any context to the payment of principal of or interest
on the Debentures, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of payments of the Additional Sums provided for in this paragraph
to the extent that, in such context, Additional Sums are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions
of this paragraph and express mention of the payment of Additional Sums (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed
as excluding Additional Sums in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made; provided, however,
that the deferral of the payment of interest during an Extension Period pursuant to Section 2.11 shall not defer the payment of
any Additional Sums that may be due and payable.
Section 3.7. Compliance
with Consolidation Provisions. The Company will not, while any of the Debentures remain outstanding, consolidate with,
or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the
provisions of Article XI hereof are complied with.
Section
3.8. Limitation on Dividends. If Debentures are initially
issued to the Trust or a trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust (regardless of
whether Debentures continue to be held by such Trust) and (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default,
(ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee, or
(iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest
payment period as provided herein and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the Company shall not, and
shall not allow any Affiliate of the Company to, (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire,
or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock or its Affiliates’ capital stock (other than
payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (y) make
any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company
or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect
to clauses (x) and (y) above, (1) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection
with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers,
directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the
issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration
in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, if any, (2) as a result of any exchange or
conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any
class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series
of the Company’s capital stock, (3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the
conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (4) any declaration of a
dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’
rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (5) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options
or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same
stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments
in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (6) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee).
Section 3.9. Covenants
as to the Trust. For so long as the Trust Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall maintain 100% ownership of the
Common Securities; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Company under this Indenture may succeed
to the Company’s ownership of such Common Securities. The Company, as owner of the Common Securities, shall, except in connection
with a distribution of Debentures to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all of the
Trust Securities or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration, cause the Trust (a)
to remain a statutory trust, (b) to otherwise continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes, and (c) to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Debentures.
Section 3.10. Additional
Junior Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and it shall not cause or permit any Subsidiary of the Company to, incur,
issue or be obligated on any Additional Junior Indebtedness, either directly or indirectly, by way of guarantee, suretyship or
otherwise, other than Additional Junior Indebtedness (i) that, by its terms, is expressly stated to be either junior and subordinate
or pari passu in all respects to the Debentures, and (ii) of which the Company has notified (and, if then required under
the applicable guidelines of the regulating entity, has received approval from) the Federal Reserve, if the Company is a bank
holding company, or the OTS, if the Company is a savings and loan holding company.
ARTICLE IV.
SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
Section
4.1. Securityholders’ Lists. The Company
covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) on
each regular record date for the Debentures, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses
of the Securityholders of the Debentures as of such record date; and
(b) at
such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a
list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
except that no such lists need be furnished
under this Section 4.1 so long as the Trustee is in possession thereof by reason of its acting as Debenture registrar.
Section 4.2. Preservation
and Disclosure of Lists.
(a) The
Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the
holders of Debentures (1) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 or (2) received by it in
the capacity of Debentures registrar (if so acting) hereunder. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 4.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) In
case three or more holders of Debentures (hereinafter referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee and
furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Debenture for a period of at least 6 months preceding
the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other holders of Debentures
with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Debentures and is accompanied by
a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall within 5 Business
Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:
(1) afford
such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection
(a) of this Section 4.2, or
(2) inform
such applicants as to the approximate number of holders of Debentures whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved
at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, and as to the approximate cost
of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.
If the Trustee shall
elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants,
mail to each Securityholder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance
with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2 a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified
in such request with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision
for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such
applicants and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, if permitted or required by applicable law, together with a copy
of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary
to the best interests of the holders of all Debentures, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written
statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If said Commission, as permitted or required by applicable law, after opportunity
for a hearing upon the objections specified in .the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of
such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, said Commission shall find, after
notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the
Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order
and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting
their application.
(c) Each
and every holder of Debentures, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company
nor the Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names
arid addresses of the holders of Debentures in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.2, regardless
of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing
any material pursuant to a request made under said subsection (b).
ARTICLE V.
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE
AND SECURITYHOLDERS
UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT
Section 5.1. Events
of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason
for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any
judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) the
Company defaults in the payment of any interest upon any Debenture, including any Additional Interest in respect thereof, following
the nonpayment of any such interest for twenty or more consecutive Distribution Periods; or
(b) the
Company defaults in the payment of all or any part of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Debentures as and when the
same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise; or
(c) the
Company defaults in the performance of, or breaches, any of its covenants or agreements in this Indenture or in the terms of
the Debentures established as contemplated in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose
performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach
for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the
Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures, a written
notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of
Default” hereunder; or
(d) a
court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under
any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of its
property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect
for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(e) the
Company shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent
to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar
official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors,
or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due; or
(f) the
Trust shall have voluntarily or involuntarily liquidated, dissolved, wound-up its business or otherwise terminated its existence
except in connection with (i) the distribution of the Debentures to holders of such Trust Securities in liquidation of their interests
in the Trust, (ii) the redemption of all of the outstanding Trust Securities or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations,
each as permitted by the Declaration.
If an Acceleration
Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debentures, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal
of the Debentures shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given
by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal of the Debentures and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and
payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default under
Section 5.1(b) or (c) occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debentures, then, and in each and every such case, unless the
principal of the Debentures shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee
if given by Securityholders), may proceed to remedy the default or breach thereunder by such appropriate judicial proceedings as
the Trustee or such holders shall deem most effectual to remedy the defaulted covenant or enforce the provisions of this Indenture
so breached, either by suit in equity or by action at law, for damages or otherwise.
The
foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal of the Debentures shall have
been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained
or entered as hereinafter provided, (i) the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest upon all the Debentures and the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debentures which shall
have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and Additional Interest)
and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective
agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6, if any, and (ii) all Events of
Default under this Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on Debentures which shall have
become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein — then and in every such
case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, by written notice to the Company
and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission
and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.
In case the Trustee
shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because
of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every
such case the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored respectively to their several positions
and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall continue
as though no such proceeding had been taken.
Section 5.2. Payment
of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor. The Company covenants that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default pursuant
to Section 5.1(a) or (b) then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders
of the Debentures the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Debentures for principal and premium, if
any, or interest; or both, as the case may be, with Additional Interest accrued on the Debentures (to the extent that payment of
such interest is enforceable under applicable law and, if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such Trust, without
duplication of any other amounts paid by the Trust or a trustee in respect thereof); and, in addition thereto, such further amount
as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents,
attorneys and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6. In case the Company shall fail forthwith to
pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered
to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute
any such action or proceeding to judgment or fmal decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company
or any other obligor on such Debentures and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other
obligor on such Debentures wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.
In case there shall
be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures under
Bankruptcy Law, or in case a receiver or trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the Company or such other obligor,
or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to the Company or other obligor upon the Debentures, or to the
creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Debentures
shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the
Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention
in such proceedings or otherwise,
| (i) | to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole
amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Debentures, |
| (ii) | in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs
of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including
any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and
counsel, and for reimbursement of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6), and of the Securityholders allowed
in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures, or to the creditors or property of
the Company or such other obligor, unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the
Debentures in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings or Person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings, |
| (iii) | to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable
or deliverable on any such claims, and |
| (iv) | to distribute the same after the deduction of its charges
and expenses. |
Any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy
or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that
the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as
shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys
and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.
Nothing herein contained
shall be construed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan
of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Debentures or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize
the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.
All rights of action
and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debentures, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession
of any of the Debentures, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding
instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be
for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Debentures.
In any proceedings
brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee
shall be a party), the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Debentures, and it shall not be necessary to make
any holders of the Debentures parties to any such proceedings.
Section 5.3. Application
of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article V shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys, upon presentation
of the several Debentures in respect of which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially
paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment
of costs and expenses incurred by, and reasonable fees of, the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and of all other amounts
due to the Trustee under Section 6.6;
Second: To the payment
of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company if and to the extent required by Article XV;
Third: To the payment
of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Debentures for principal (and premium, if any), and interest on the Debentures, in respect
of which or for the benefit of which money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to
the amounts due on such Debentures (including Additional Interest); and
Fourth: The balance,
if any, to the Company.
Section 5.4. Proceedings
by Securityholders. No holder of any Debenture shall have any right to institute any suit, action or proceeding for any
remedy hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect
to the Debentures and unless the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding
shall have given the Trustee a written request to institute such action, suit or proceeding and shall have offered to the Trustee
such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred thereby, and the Trustee
for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action, suit
or proceeding.
Notwithstanding any
other provisions in this Indenture, however, the right of any holder of any Debenture to receive payment of the principal of, premium,
if any, and interest, on such Debenture when due, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, shall not be impaired
or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Debenture hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and
covenanted by the taker and holder of every Debenture with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one
or more holders of Debentures shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing itself of any provision of
this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other Debentures, or to obtain or seek to obtain
priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein
provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Debentures. For the protection and enforcement of the
provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either
at law or in equity.
Section 5.5. Proceedings
by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce
the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to
protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise,
whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any
power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by
law.
Section 5.6. Remedies
Cumulative and Continuing; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.6, all powers and
remedies given by this Article V to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative
and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Debentures, by judicial proceedings
or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise
established with respect to the Debentures, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Debentures to
exercise any right, remedy or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such
right, remedy or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the
provisions of Section 5.4, every power and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may
be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee (in accordance with its duties under
Section 6.1) or by the Securityholders.
Section 5.7. Direction
of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Debentures affected (voting as one class) at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method,
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
Trustee with respect to such Debentures; provided, however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.1) the Trustee
shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine that the action so directed would be
unjustly prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such direction or if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that
the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall determine that
the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
The holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures waive
(or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default, and its consequences, except a default (a) in
the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof
which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected, or (c) in respect of the covenants
contained in Section 3.9; provided, however, that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such trust,
such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust
Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver, provided, further, that
if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of
the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall
be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be
restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have
been waived as permitted by this Section, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and this Indenture
be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.
Section 5.8. Notice
of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the actual knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of the
occurrence of a default with respect to the Debentures, mail to all Securityholders, as the names and addresses of such holders
appear upon the Debenture Register, notice of all defaults with respect to the Debentures known to the Trustee, unless such defaults
shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “defaults” for the purpose of this Section 5.8 being
hereby defined to be the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 5.1, not including periods of grace,
if any, provided for therein); provided, however, that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal
of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so
long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of
the Securityholders.
Section 5.9. Undertaking
to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Debenture by his acceptance thereof shall be
deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under
this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant
in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs,
including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and
good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this
Section 5.9 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders,
holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Debentures outstanding, or s to any suit instituted by any Securityholder
for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture against the Company on
or after the same shall have become due and payable.
ARTICLE VI.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1. Duties
and Responsibilities of Trustee. With respect to the holders of Debentures issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the
occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which
may have occurred, with respect to the Debentures, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set
forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default
with respect to the Debentures has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights
and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
No provision of this
Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act
or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(a) prior
to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to Debentures and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which
may have occurred
(1) the
duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debentures shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture,
and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to the Debentures as
are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against
the Trustee, and
(2) in
the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the 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 Trustee and conforming to the
requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically
required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they
conform to the requirements of this Indenture;
(b) the
Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless
it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(c) the
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 Securityholders pursuant to Section 5.7, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.
None of the provisions
contained in this Indenture shall require the 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 there is ground for believing that
the repayment of such funds or liability is not assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or indemnity satisfactory to the
Trustee against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
Section 6.2. Reliance
on Documents, Opinions, etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.1:
(a) the
Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, debenture or other paper or document believed
by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any
request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate
(unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the
Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;
(c) the
Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization
and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice
or Opinion of Counsel;
(d) the
Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order
or direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein
or thereby;
(e) the
Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee
of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures (that has not been cured or waived)
to exercise with respect to Debentures such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree
of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;
(f) the
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, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, unless
requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures
affected thereby; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the•
costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee,
not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable
indemnity against such expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding;
(g) the
Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents
(including any Authenticating Agent) or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on
the part of any such agent or attorney appointed by it with due care; and
(h) with
the exceptions of defaults under Sections 5.1(a) or (b), the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event
of Default with respect to the Debentures unless a written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to
the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures or by any holder of the Debentures.
Section 6.3. No
Responsibility for Recitals, etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Debentures
(except in the certificate of authentication of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) shall be taken as the statements of the
Company, and the Trustee and the Authenticating Agent assume no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee and
the Authenticating Agent make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debentures. The
Trustee and the Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debentures or the
proceeds of any Debentures authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in conformity with the provisions
of this Indenture.
Section 6.4. Trustee,
Authenticating Agent, Paving Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debentures.
The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent or any transfer agent or any Debenture registrar, in its individual
or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debentures with, the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee,
Authenticating Agent, paying agent, transfer agent or Debenture registrar.
Section 6.5. Moneys
to be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.4, all moneys received
by the Trustee or any paying agent shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purpose for which
they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee and any paying
agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with
the Company. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall
be paid from time to time upon the written order of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, a Managing Director, a Vice President, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Company.
Section 6.6. Compensation
and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse
the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance
with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its
counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its
negligence or willful misconduct. For purposes of clarification, this Section 6.6 does not contemplate the payment by the Company
of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the Trustee pursuant to the services to be provided by the Trustee under
this Indenture or the fees and expenses of the Trustee’s counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated
by this Indenture. The Company also covenants to indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee (and its officers, agents,
directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense including
taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the
Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses
of defending itself against any claim of liability. The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.6 to compensate and indemnify
the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness
hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Debentures upon all property and funds
held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Debentures.
Without prejudice to
any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection
with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d), (e) or (f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of
its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal
or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
The provisions of this
Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the defeasance or other termination of this Indenture.
Notwithstanding anything
in this Indenture or any Debenture to the contrary, the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to advance funds to pay any
principal of or interest on or other amounts with respect to the Debentures or otherwise advance funds to or on behalf of the Company.
Section 6.7. Officers’
Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, whenever
in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved
or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein
specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively
proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence
or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under
the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
Section 6.8. Eligibility
of Trustee. The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia
or a corporation or other Person authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having (or whose obligations under
this Indenture are guaranteed by an affiliate having) a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000.00)
and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation
publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining
authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.8 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 records of condition so published.
The Company may not,
nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee.
In case at any time
the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.8, the Trustee shall resign immediately
in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.9.
If the Trustee has
or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of § 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner described by this Indenture.
Section 6.9. Resignation
or Removal of Trustee
(a) The
Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to
the Company and by mailing notice thereof, at the Company’s expense, to the holders of the Debentures at their addresses as they
shall appear on the Debenture Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
trustee or trustees by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of its Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument
shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor Trustee. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed
and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the affected Securityholders, the
resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee, or any Securityholder
who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section
5.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.
(b) In
case at any time any of the following shall occur —
(1) the
Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 6.8 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder
who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least 6 months, or
(2) the
Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.8 and shall fail to resign after written request
therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder, or
(3) the
Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for
the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, the Company may
remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors,
one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor Trustee, or, subject to
the provisions of Section 5.9, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least 6 months
may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the
Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper
and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint successor Trustee.
(c) Upon
prior written notice to the Company and the Trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor Trustee, which shall be deemed appointed as
successor Trustee unless within 10 Business Days after such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case, or in the case
of a failure by such holders to nominate a successor Trustee, the Trustee so removed or any Securityholder, upon the terms and
conditions and otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.9 provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
an appointment of a successor.
(d) Any
resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section
shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee as provided in Section 6.10.
Section 6.10. Acceptance
by Successor Trustee. Any successor Trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.9 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver
to the Company and to its predecessor Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation
or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance,
shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to the Debentures of its predecessor hereunder,
with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor
Trustee, the Trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6, execute
and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights and powers of the Trustee so ceasing to act and
shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee thereunder.
Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly
vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights and powers. Any Trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless,
retain a lien upon all property or funds held or collected by such Trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions
of Section 6.6.
If a successor Trustee
is appointed, the Company, the retiring Trustee and the successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto
which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and
duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debentures as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue
to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary
to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trust hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing
herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee
shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other
such Trustee.
No successor Trustee
shall accept appointment as provided in this Section unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible
under the provisions of Section 6.8.
In no event shall a
retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.
Upon acceptance of
appointment by a successor Trustee as provided in this Section 6.10, the Company shall mail notice of the succession of such Trustee
hereunder to the holders of Debentures at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debenture Register. If the Company fails
to mail such notice within 10 Business Days after the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee
shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.
Section
6.11. Succession by Merger, etc.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation
resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding
to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided
such corporation shall be otherwise eligible and qualified under this Article.
In case at the time
such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debentures shall have been authenticated
but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and
deliver such Debentures so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debentures shall not have been authenticated, any
successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debentures either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the
successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debentures or
in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right
to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Debentures in the name of any predecessor
Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 6.12. Authenticating
Agents. There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by the Trustee upon
the request of the Company with power to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of
Debentures issued upon exchange or registration of transfer thereof as fully to all intents and purposes as though any such Authenticating
Agent had been expressly authorized to authenticate and deliver Debentures; provided, however, that the Trustee
shall have no liability to the Company for any acts or omissions of the Authenticating Agent with respect to the authentication
and delivery of Debentures. Any such Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under
the laws of the United States or of any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to
act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.00 and being subject to supervision
or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition
at least annually pursuant to law or the requirements of such authority, then for the purposes of this
Section 6.12 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. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect herein specified
in this Section.
Any corporation into
which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from
any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all
or substantially all of the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating
Agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 6.12 without the execution or filing of
any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or such Authenticating Agent.
Any Authenticating
Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any
time terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent with respect to the Debentures by giving written notice of termination to
such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case
at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 6.12, the Trustee may, and upon the request
of the Company shall, promptly appoint a successor Authenticating Agent eligible under this Section 6.12, shall give written notice
of such appointment to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment to all holders of Debentures as the names and addresses
of such holders appear on the Debenture Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder
shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities with respect to the Debentures of its predecessor hereunder,
with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent herein.
The Company agrees
to pay to any Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. Any Authenticating Agent shall have
no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such in accordance with the directions of the Trustee.
ARTICLE VII.
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 7.1. Action
by Securityholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal
amount of the Debentures may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent
or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such specified
percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by
such Securityholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of such holders of Debentures voting
in favor thereof at any meeting of such Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII,
or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of such Securityholders or (d)
by any other method the Trustee deems satisfactory.
If the Company
shall solicit from the Securityholders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action
or revocation of the same, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, fix in advance a
record date for such Debentures for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, but the Company shall have no
obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action or revocation of the same may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of
record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining
whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Debentures have authorized or agreed or consented to such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, and for that
purpose the outstanding Debentures shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no
such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall
become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than 6 months after the record date.
Section 7.2. Proof
of Execution by Securityholders. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, 6.2 and 8.5, proof of the execution of any instrument
by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations
as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debentures shall
be proved by the Debenture Register or by a certificate of the Debenture registrar. The Trustee may require such additional proof
of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.
The record of any Securityholders’
meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 8.6.
Section 7.3. Who
Are Deemed Absolute Owners. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture, the Company, the Trustee,
any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and any Debenture registrar may deem the Person in whose name such
Debenture shall be registered upon the Debenture Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether
or not such Debenture shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on such Debenture and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating
Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debenture registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
All such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums
so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debenture.
Section
7.4. Debentures Owned by Company Deemed Not
Outstanding. In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Debentures have
concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Debentures which are owned by the Company or any other
obligor on the Debenture’s or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures shall be disregarded and deemed not to
be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided, however, that for the purposes of
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Debentures which
a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Debentures so owned which have been
pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.4 if the pledgee shall establish to
the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to vote such Debentures and that the pledgee is not the Company or
any such other obligor or Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with the Company or any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee
taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.
Section
7.5. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any
time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.1, of the taking of any action by the holders
of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures specified in this Indenture in connection with such action,
any holder (in cases where no record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.1) or any holder as of an applicable record date
(in cases where a record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.1) of a Debenture (or any Debenture issued in whole or in part
in exchange or substitution therefor) the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debentures
the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at the Principal Office of the
Trustee and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 7.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debenture (or so far
as concerns the principal amount represented by any exchanged or substituted Debenture). Except as aforesaid any
such action taken by the holder of any Debenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders
and owners of such Debenture, and of any Debenture issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer
thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debenture or any Debenture issued in
exchange or substitution therefor.
ARTICLE VIII.
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Section 8.1. Purposes
of Meetings. A meeting of Securityholders may be called at any time and from time
to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following purposes:
(a) to
give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any
default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of
the provisions of Article V;
(b) to
remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article VI;
(c) to
consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.2; or
(d) to
take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of such
Debentures under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.
Section 8.2. Call
of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Securityholders
to take any action specified in Section 8.1, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of
every meeting of the Securityholders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed
to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to holders of Debentures affected at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debentures
Register and, if the Company is not a holder of Debentures, to the Company. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more
than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
Section 8.3. Call
of Meetings by Company or Securityholders. In case at any time the Company pursuant
to a Board Resolution, or the holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures, as the case may be, then
outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable
detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within
20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting
and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.1, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 8.2.
Section 8.4. Qualifications
for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders a Person shall
(a) be a holder of one or more Debentures with respect to which the meeting is being held or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument
in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more such Debentures. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak
at any meeting of Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives
of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
Section 8.5. Regulations.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable
for any meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Debentures and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard
to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence
of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.
The Trustee shall,
by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company
or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.3, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the
case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall
be elected by majority vote of the meeting.
Subject to the provisions
of Section 7.4, at any meeting each holder of Debentures with respect to which such meeting is being held or proxy therefor shall
be entitled to one vote for each $1,000.00 principal amount of Debentures held or represented by him; provided, however,
that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debenture challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the
chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of
Debentures held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders.
Any meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.2 or 8.3 may be adjourned from time to time
by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further
notice.
Section 8.6. Voting.
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of holders of Debentures with respect to which such meeting is being held
shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such holders or of their representatives by proxy and
the serial number or numbers of the Debentures held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint
two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file
with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate
of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached
to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more
Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed
as provided in Section 8.2. The record shall show the serial numbers of the Debentures voting in favor of or against any resolution.
The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the
duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached
thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.
Any record so signed
and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
Section 8.7. Quorum;
Actions. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Debentures
then outstanding shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Securityholders; provided, however, that if any
action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or
other action which may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then
outstanding, the Persons holding or representing such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding
will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting,
the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Securityholders, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned
for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such
meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period
of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting.
Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 8.2, except that such notice need be
given only once not less than 5 days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening
of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Debentures then
outstanding which shall constitute a quorum.
Except as
limited by the provisos in the first paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting
duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding; provided, however, that, except as limited by the
provisos in the first paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice,
authorization, direction or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the holders of not less than
a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned
meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a not
less than such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding.
Any resolution passed
or decision taken at any meeting of holders of Debentures duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the
Securityholders, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.
ARTICLE IX.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.1. Supplemental
Indentures without Consent of Securityholders. The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may
from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto, without the consent of the Securityholders,
for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to
evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor Person
of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company, pursuant to Article XI hereof;
(b) to
add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection of the holders of
Debentures as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the holders of such Debentures, and to make
the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions or
conditions a default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this
Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that in respect of any such additional covenant restriction
or condition such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be
shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such
default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default;
(c) to
cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective
or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in
regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that any such action shall not materially adversely
affect the interests of the holders of the Debentures;
(d) to
add to, delete from, or revise the terms of Debentures, including, without limitation, any terms relating to the issuance, exchange,
registration or transfer of Debentures, including to provide for transfer procedures and restrictions substantially similar to
those applicable to the Capital Securities as required by Section 2.5 (for purposes of assuring that no registration of Debentures
is required under the Securities Act); provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the
interests of the holders of the Debentures then outstanding (it being understood, for purposes of this proviso, that transfer
restrictions on Debentures substantially similar to those that were applicable to Capital Securities shall not be deemed to materially
adversely affect the holders of the Debentures);
(e) to
evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Debentures and to add
to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the
trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;
(f) to
make any change (other than as elsewhere provided in this paragraph) that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder
in any material respect; or
(g) to
provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Debentures, to establish the form of any certifications
required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or the Debentures, or to add to the rights of the holders of Debentures.
The Trustee is hereby
authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements
and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder,
but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects
the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture
authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.1 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders
of any of the Debentures at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2.
Section 9.2. Supplemental
Indentures with Consent of Securityholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided
in Section 7.1) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding
affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as a class), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee
may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture
or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental
indenture shall without the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the fixed
maturity of any Debenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time
of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest
or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debentures, or impair or affect the right of
any Securityholder to institute suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder,
or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of • Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental
indenture; provided further, however, that if the Debentures are held by a trust or a trustee of
such trust, such supplemental indenture shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust
Securities shall have consented to such supplemental indenture; provided further, however, that
if the consent of the Securityholder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such supplemental
indenture shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall have consented to such supplemental indenture.
Upon the request of
the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing
with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution
of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under
this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental
indenture.
Promptly after the
execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee
shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, prepared by the Company, setting forth in general terms the substance
of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture Register. Any failure
of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any
such supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary
for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture,
but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.3. Effect
of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article
IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations
of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Debentures shall
thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all
the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this
Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 9.4. Notation
on Debentures. Debentures authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the
provisions of this Article IX may bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company
or the Trustee shall so determine, new Debentures so “modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of
the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by
the Company, authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivered in exchange for the Debentures then outstanding.
Section
9.5. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be
Furnished to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall, in addition to the
documents required by Section 14.6, receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence
that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article IX. The Trustee shall
receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article IX is
authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article IX and that it is proper for the Trustee under the
provisions of this Article IX to join in the execution thereof.
ARTICLE X.
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 10.1. Optional
Redemption. The Company shall have the right (subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval (i) if the Company
is a bank holding company, from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve or (ii) if the Company is a savings and loan holding company, from the OTS, if then required under applicable capital
guidelines or policies of the OTS) to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with
integral multiples of $1,000.00, on any Interest Payment Date on or after the Interest Payment Date in March 2010 (the “Redemption
Date”), at the Redemption Price.
Section 10.2. Special
Event Redemption. If a Special Event shall occur and be continuing, the Company shall have the right (subject to the receipt
by the Company of prior approval (i) if the Company is a bank holding company, from the Federal Reserve, if then required under
applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or (ii) if the Company is a savings and loan holding company,
from the OTS, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the OTS) to redeem the Debentures in whole,
but not in part, at any Interest Payment Date, within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the “Special
Redemption Date”) at the Special Redemption Price.
Section 10.3. Notice
of Redemption; Selection of Debentures. In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all, or, as the
case may be, any part of the Debentures, it shall cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than
60 days prior to the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date to the holders of Debentures so to be redeemed as a whole or
in part at their last addresses as the same appear on the Debenture Register. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice
if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives
such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Debenture designated
for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debenture.
Each such notice of
redemption shall specify the CUSIP number, if any, of the Debentures to be redeemed, the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption
Date, as applicable, the Redemption Price or the Special Redemption Price, as applicable, at which Debentures are to be redeemed,
the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debentures, that interest accrued
to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or
on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If less than all the Debentures are to be redeemed the notice of redemption
shall specify the numbers of the Debentures to be redeemed. In case the Debentures are to be redeemed in part only, the notice
of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date
fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debenture, a new Debenture or Debentures in principal amount equal to the unredeemed
portion thereof will be issued.
Prior to 10:00 a.m.
New York City time on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Company will deposit with the Trustee
or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date,
as applicable, all the Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.
If all, or less than
all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days, respectively,
prior to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be
redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures
or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.
Section 10.4. Payment
of Debentures Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 10.3, the Debentures
or portions of Debentures with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date
or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable Redemption Price
or Special Redemption Price and on and after said date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Debentures at the
Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, as applicable) interest on the Debentures or portions of Debentures so called for
redemption shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debentures at a place of payment specified in said notice,
such Debentures or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price
or Special Redemption Price.
Upon presentation of
any Debenture redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery
to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Debenture or Debentures of authorized denominations, in principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion of the Debenture so presented.
ARTICLE XI.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE
AND LEASE
Section 11.1. Company
May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures shall prevent any consolidation
or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations
or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance,
transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as
an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company, or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire
and operate the same; provided, however, that the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any
such consolidation, merger (where the Company is not the surviving corporation), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition,
the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debentures in accordance with
their terms, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions
of this Indenture to be kept or performed by the Company, shall be expressly assumed by supplemental indenture satisfactory in
form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company
shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property.
Section 11.2. Successor
Entity to be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and
upon the assumption by the successor entity, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory
in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Debentures
and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or
observed by the Company, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if
it had been named herein as the Company, and thereupon the predecessor entity shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation
hereunder or upon the Debentures. Such successor entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue in its own name, any or
all of the Debentures issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee
or the Authenticating Agent; and, upon the order of such successor entity instead of the Company and subject to all the terms,
conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver
any Debentures which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company, to the Trustee or the Authenticating
Agent for authentication, and any Debentures which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the
Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for that purpose. All the Debentures so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank
and benefit under this Indenture as the Debentures theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture
as though all of such Debentures had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
Section 11.3. Opinion
of Counsel to be Given to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections
6.1 and 6.2, shall receive, in addition to the Opinion of Counsel required by Section 9.5, an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive
evidence that any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any assumption, permitted or required
by the terms of this Article XI complies with the provisions of this Article XI.
ARTICLE XII.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
Section 12.1. Discharge of Indenture.
When
| (a) | the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation
all Debentures theretofore authenticated (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which
shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.6) and not theretofore canceled, or |
| (b) | all the Debentures not theretofore canceled or delivered
to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within 1 year
or are to be called for redemption within 1 year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption,
and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust, funds, which shall be immediately due and payable, sufficient to pay
at maturity or upon redemption all of the Debentures (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen
and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.6) not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or redemption
date, as the case may be, but excluding, however, the amount of any moneys for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any,
or interest on the Debentures (1) theretofore repaid to the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.4, or (2)
paid to any state or to the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws, |
and if in the case of either clause
(a) or clause (b) the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this
Indenture shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 6.6, 6.8,
6.9 and 12.4 hereof shall survive until such Debentures shall mature and be paid. Thereafter, Sections 6.6 and 12.4 shall
survive, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each
stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have
been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction
of and discharging this Indenture. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter
reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Debentures.
Section 12.2. Deposited
Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section
12.4, all moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.1 shall be held in trust in a non-interest bearing account and
applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent),
to the holders of the particular Debentures for the payment of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums
due and to become due thereon for principal, and premium, if any, and interest.
Section 12.3. Paying
Agent to Repay Moneys Held. Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture
all moneys then held by any paying agent of the Debentures (other than the Trustee) shall, upon demand
of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability
with respect to such moneys.
Section 12.4. Return
of Unclaimed Moneys. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for payment of the principal
of, and premium, if any, or interest on Debentures and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Debentures for 2 years
after the date upon which the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on such Debentures, as the case may be, shall have
become due and payable, shall, subject to applicable escheatment laws, be repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such paying agent
on written demand; and the holder of any of the Debentures shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such
holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or such paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon
cease.
ARTICLE XIII.
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 13.1. Indenture
and Debentures Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest
on any Debenture, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation,
covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any such Debenture, or because of
the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or
director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor Person of the Company, either directly or through
the Company or any successor Person of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement
of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and
released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.
ARTICLE XIV.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 14.1. Successors.
All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the Company in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns
whether so expressed or not.
Section 14.2. Official
Acts by Successor Entity. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or
performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the
like board, committee, officer or other authorized Person of any entity that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.
Section 14.3. Surrender
of Company Powers. The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of at least 2/3 (two-thirds) of its Board
of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company and thereupon such power so surrendered
shall terminate both as to the Company, and as to any permitted successor.
Section
14.4. Addresses for Notices, etc. Any notice, consent, direction,
request, authorization, waiver or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given, made, furnished
or served by the Trustee or by the Securityholders on or to the Company may be given or served in writing by being deposited postage
prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company, with
the Trustee for the purpose) to the Company, 5010 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville, Florida 32606, Attention: G.T. Mallini. Any notice,
consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand by any Securityholder or the Company to or upon the Trustee
shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the office of the Trustee,
addressed to the Trustee, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1600, Attention: Corporate
Trust Administration. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand on or to any Securityholder shall
be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the address set forth in the
Debenture Register.
Section 14.5. Governing
Law. This Indenture and each Debenture shall be deemed to be a contract made under
the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State,
without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.
Section 14.6. Evidence
of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Upon any application or demand by the Company
to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’
Certificate stating that in the opinion of the signers all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating
to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such
conditions precedent have been complied with.
Each certificate or
opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided
for in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or
condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination
or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has
been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been
complied with.
Section 14.7. Table
of Contents, Headings, etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the
articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof,
and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 14.8. Execution
in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together • constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 14.9. Separability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures shall for any reason be held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions
of this Indenture or of such Debentures, but this Indenture and such Debentures shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal
or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
Section 14.10. Assignment.
The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect
wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company will remain liable for
all such obligations. Subject to the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties hereto.
Section 14.11. Acknowledgment
of Rights. The Company agrees that, with respect to any Debentures held by the Trust
or the Institutional Trustee of the Trust, if the Institutional Trustee of the Trust
fails to enforce its rights under this Indenture as the holder of Debentures held as the assets of such Trust after the holders
of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such Trust have so directed such Institutional Trustee, a holder
of record of such Capital Securities may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, institute legal proceedings directly against
the Company to enforce such Institutional Trustee’s rights under this Indenture without first instituting any legal proceedings
against such trustee or any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest (or premium, if any) or principal on the Debentures
on the date such interest (or premium, if any) or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption
date), the Company agrees that a holder of record of Capital Securities of the Trust may directly institute a proceeding against
the Company for enforcement of payment to such holder directly of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Debentures
having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such holder on or after
the respective due date specified in the Debentures.
ARTICLE XV.
SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES
Section 15.1. Agreement
to Subordinate. The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Debentures by such Securityholder’s acceptance thereof
likewise covenants and agrees, that all Debentures shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article XV; and each holder
of a Debenture, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.
The payment by the
Company of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all Debentures shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter
set forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company,
whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.
No provision of this
Article XV shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.
Section
15.2. Default on Senior Indebtedness. In the event and
during the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due
on any Senior Indebtedness of the Company following any grace period, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior
Indebtedness of the Company has been accelerated because of a default and such acceleration has not been rescinded or
canceled and such Senior Indebtedness has not been paid in full, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the
Company with respect to the principal (including redemption) of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures.
In the event that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph
of this Section 15.2, such payment shall, subject to Section 15.7, be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over
or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any
indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but
only to the extent that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify
the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness and only the
amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.
Section 15.3. Liquidation,
Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the
Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due upon
all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with
its terms, before any payment is made by the Company, on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debentures.
Upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets
of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Securityholders or the Trustee
would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article XV, shall be paid by the Company, or
by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by
the Securityholders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness
(pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated
by the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which
any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent
necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Securityholders
or to the Trustee.
In the event that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash,
property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in
full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in
trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative
or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior
Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the
payment of all Senior Indebtedness, remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in
accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness.
For purposes of this
Article XV, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment,
the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XV with respect to the .Debentures to the
payment of all Senior Indebtedness, that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed
by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation
of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following
the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms
and conditions provided for in Article XI of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization
for the purposes of this Section if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer,
comply with the conditions stated in Article XI of this Indenture. Nothing in Section 15.2 or in this Section shall apply to claims
of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6 of this Indenture.
Section
15.4. Subrogation. Subject to the payment in full of all
Senior Indebtedness, the Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive
payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company, applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal
of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debentures shall be paid in full. For the purposes of such subrogation, no payments
or distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Securityholders
or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of
this Article XV to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Securityholders or the Trustee, shall, as between
the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the Debentures be deemed
to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions
of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the holders of the Securities,
on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.
Nothing contained in
this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Debentures is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its
creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the holders of the Debentures, the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Debentures the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect
the relative rights of the holders of the Debentures and creditors of the Company, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness,
nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any Debenture from exercising all remedies otherwise
permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XV of the holders
of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.
Upon any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this
Indenture, and the Securityholders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent
jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of
the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered
to the Trustee or to the Securityholders, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution,
the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or
amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.
Section 15.5. Trustee
to Effectuate Subordination. Each Securityholder by such Securityholder’s acceptance
thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Securityholder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate
to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee such Securityholder’s attorney-in-fact for
any and all such purposes.
Section 15.6. Notice
by the Company. The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer
of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment
of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Article XV or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the
existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debentures
pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of
the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from
any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI
of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that
if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section at least 2 Business Days prior to the date upon
which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal
of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee
shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received,
and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within 2 Business Days prior to such date.
The Trustee, subject
to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice
by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee or representative on behalf of such holder),
to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or representative on behalf of
any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect
to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this
Article XV, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount
of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or
distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XV, and, if such evidence is not furnished,
the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such
payment.
Section 15.7. Rights
of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee in its individual capacity
shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it,
to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of
its rights as such holder.
With respect to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are
specifically set forth in this Article XV, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders
of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to
any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Securityholders, the Company or any other Person money
or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise.
Nothing in this Article
XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6.
Section 15.8. Subordination
May Not Be Impaired. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness
to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act
on the part of the Company, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the
Company, with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may
have or otherwise be charged with.
Without in any way
limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time,
without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Securityholders, without incurring responsibility to the Securityholders
and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article XV or the obligations hereunder of the holders of
the Debentures to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or
terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement
in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness
is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such
Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise
or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company, and any other Person.
Signatures appear on the following page
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of
the day and year first above written.
|
MERCHANTS & SOUTHERN BANKS OF FLORIDA, INCORPORATED |
|
|
|
|
By |
/s/ G.T. Mallini |
|
|
Name: G.T. Mallini |
|
|
Title: President |
|
|
|
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee |
|
|
|
|
By |
/s/ Christopher J. Monigle |
|
|
Name: Christopher J. Monigle |
|
|
Title: Assistant Vice President |
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEFERRABLE INTEREST
DEBENTURE
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
THIS SECURITY IS NOT
A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED BY THE UNITED STATES OR ANY AGENCY OR FUND OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED,
TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT
FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER
OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B)
PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER
REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY
IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION
IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED
INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR
ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO,
OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE
OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY.
THE
HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED
(“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”),
OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON
INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER
OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23,
95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION
406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR
ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE
OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION
406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
THIS SECURITY WILL
BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES
OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS
THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS
SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
IN CONNECTION WITH
ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED
BY THE INDENTURE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debenture
of
Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated
March 17, 2005
Merchants & Southern
Banks of Florida, Incorporated, a Florida corporation (the “Company” which term includes any successor Person under the
Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received promises to pay to Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity
but solely as Institutional Trustee for Merchants & Southern Statutory Trust I (the “Holder”) or registered
assigns, the principal sum of three million ninety-three thousand dollars ($3,093,000.00) on March 17, 2035, and to pay interest
on said principal sum from March 17, 2005, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on March 17, June 17, September
17 and December 17 of each year or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day (each such date, an
“Interest Payment Date”) (it being understood that interest accrues for any such non-Business Day), commencing on the
Interest Payment Date in June 2005, at an annual rate equal to 4.87% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance
and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in June 2005 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning
on (and including) the Interest Payment Date in June 2005, and each succeeding Interest Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding)
the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (each a “Distribution Period”), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described
below, plus 1.90% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the principal amount hereof, until the principal hereof is paid or
duly provided for or made available for payment, and on any overdue principal and (without duplication and to the extent that payment
of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest (including Additional Interest) at
the Interest Rate in effect for each applicable period, compounded quarterly, from the dates such amounts are due until they are
paid or made available for payment. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of the actual number
of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360. The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided
for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one
or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment,
which shall be fifteen Business Days prior to the day on which the relevant Interest Payment Date occurs. Any such interest installment
not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such regular record date and may
be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on a special record date.
“3-Month LIBOR”
as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee
in the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month
maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (“Telerate Page
3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace
Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information
vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate cannot be identified
on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank
market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market
for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two
quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such quotations
are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’
offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London
time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such
quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a
3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period. If the
rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London
time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time)
on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR
for such Determination Date. As used herein, “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e.,
a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement
of the relevant Distribution Period.
The Interest Rate for
any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified
by United States law.
All percentages resulting
from any calculations on the Debentures will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point,
with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655),
and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being
rounded upward)).
The principal of and
interest on this Debenture shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company)
maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time
of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest
may be made by check mailed to the registered holder at such address as shall appear in the Debenture Register if a request for
a wire transfer by such holder has not been received by the Company or by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated
by the holder hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the
payment of the principal of and interest on this Debenture will be made in immediately available funds at such place and to such
account as may be designated by the Trustee.
So long as no Acceleration
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, from time to time, and without causing an Event
of Default, to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period on the Debentures at any
time and from time to time during the term of the Debentures, for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each such extended interest
payment period, an “Extension Period”), during which Extension Period no interest (including Additional Interest)
shall be due and payable (except any Additional Sums that may be due and payable). No Extension Period may end on a date other
than an Interest Payment Date. During an Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on
such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the Interest Rate in effect for such Extension Period, compounded
quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by
law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional Interest”). At the end of any such Extension Period the Company
shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however,
that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date; provided further, however, that during
any such Extension Period, the Company shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to engage in any of the activities or transactions
described on the reverse side hereof and in the Indenture. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Company may further
extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall
not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period
and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Company may commence a new Extension Period,
subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period,
except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension
Period shall bear Additional Interest. The Company must give the Trustee notice of its election to begin or extend an Extension
Period by the close of business at least 15 Business Days prior to the Interest Payment Date with respect to which interest on
the Debentures would have been payable except for the election to begin or extend such Extension Period.
The indebtedness evidenced
by this Debenture is, to the extent provided in the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Debenture is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto.
Each holder of this Debenture, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs
the Trustee on his or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination
so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each holder hereof, by his
or her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the
Indenture by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives reliance by each such
holder upon said provisions.
This Debenture shall
not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until
the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the Company has duly executed this certificate.
|
MERCHANTS & SOUTHERN BANKS OF FLORIDA, INCORPORATED |
|
|
|
|
By |
|
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Title: |
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the
Debentures referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
|
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee |
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
|
|
Authorized Officer |
[FORM OF REVERSE OF DEBENTURE]
This Debenture is one
of the floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures of the Company, all issued or to be issued under and pursuant
to the Indenture dated as of March 17, 2005 (the “Indenture”), duly executed and delivered between the Company and the
Trustee, to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties
and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Debentures. The Debentures are limited in aggregate
principal amount as specified in the Indenture.
Upon the occurrence
and continuation of a Special Event prior to the Interest Payment Date in March 2010, the Company shall have the right to redeem
the Debentures in whole, but not in part, at any Interest Payment Date, within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special
Event, at the Special Redemption Price.
In addition, the Company
shall have the right to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples
of $1,000.00, on any Interest Payment Date on or after the Interest Payment Date in March 2010, at the Redemption Price.
Prior to 10:00 a.m.
New York City time on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Company will deposit with the Trustee
or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date,
as applicable, all the Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.
If all, or less than
all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days, respectively,
prior to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be
redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures
or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.
Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any redemption of Debentures by the Company shall be subject to the receipt of any and all required regulatory approvals.
In case an Acceleration
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, upon demand of the Trustee, the principal of all of the Debentures shall
become due and payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains
provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions
to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying
in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture
shall without the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the fixed maturity
of any Debenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment
of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium
thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debentures, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder
to institute suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder, or (ii) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.
The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding
on behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures to waive (or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event
of Default, and its consequences, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of
the Debentures, (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof or of the Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without
the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected, or (c) in respect of the covenants contained in Section 3.9 of the Indenture;
provided, however, that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such trust, such waiver or
modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities of
the Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver, provided, further, that if the
consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust
Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed
to be cured for all purposes of the Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored
to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default
or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been
waived as permitted by the Indenture, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and the Indenture
be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.
No reference herein
to the Indenture and no provision of this Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, including Additional Interest, on this
Debenture at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed.
The Company has agreed
that if Debentures are initially issued to the Trust or a trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities
by the Trust (regardless of whether Debentures continue to be held by such Trust) and (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing
an Event of Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities
Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending
the interest payment period as provided herein and such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the
Company shall not, and shall not allow any Affiliate of the Company to, (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or
redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock or its Affiliates’
capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to
the foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt
securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures
(other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above, (1) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital
stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit
of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase
plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such
capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, if any, (2)
as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary
of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness
for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital
stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (4)
any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property
under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (5) any dividend in the form of
stock, warrants, options or other rights where the
Exhibit 4.2
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL
INDENTURE dated as of May 22, 2015, is by and among Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware trust company, as Trustee (herein,
together with its successors in interest, the “Trustee”), Ameris Bancorp, a Georgia corporation (the “Successor
Company”), and Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated, a Florida corporation (the “Company”),
under the Indenture referred to below.
NOW, THEREFORE,
in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged by the parties hereto, the Trustee, the Company and the Successor Company hereby agree as follows:
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
The Trustee and the
Company are parties to that certain Indenture dated as of March 17, 2005 (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company
issued U.S. $3,093,000 of its Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2035.
As permitted by the
terms of the Indenture, the Company, simultaneously with the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, shall merge (referred
to herein for purposes of Article XI of the Indenture as the “Merger”) with and into the Successor Company with the
Successor Company as the surviving corporation. The parties hereto are entering into this First Supplemental Indenture pursuant
to, and in accordance with, Articles IX and XI of the Indenture.
SECTION 1. Definitions.
All capitalized terms used herein that are defined in the Indenture, either directly or by reference therein, shall have the respective
meanings assigned them in the Indenture except as otherwise provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires.
SECTION 2. Interpretation.
| (a) | In this First Supplemental Indenture, unless a clear contrary intention appears: |
| (i) | the singular number includes the plural number and vice versa; |
| (ii) | reference to any gender includes the other gender; |
| (iii) | the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words
of similar import refer to this First Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision; |
| (iv) | reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable,
only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture, and reference to a Person
in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually, provided that nothing in this clause (iv)
is intended to authorize any assignment not otherwise permitted by this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture; |
| (v) | reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument
as amended, supplemented or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the
terms hereof, as well as any substitution or replacement therefor, and reference to any note includes modifications thereof and
any note issued in extension or renewal thereof or in substitution or replacement therefor; |
| (vi) | reference to any Section means such Section of this First Supplemental Indenture; and |
| (vii) | the word “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including
without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term. |
| (b) | No provision in this First Supplemental Indenture shall be interpreted or construed against any
Person because that Person or its legal representative drafted such provision. |
SECTION 3. Assumption
of Obligations.
| (a) | Pursuant to, and in compliance and accordance with, Section 11.1 and Section 11.2 of the Indenture,
the Successor Company hereby expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on all of the Debentures in accordance with their terms, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance
of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be kept, performed, or observed by the Company under the Indenture. |
| (b) | Pursuant to, and in compliance and accordance with, Section 11.2 of the Indenture, the Successor
Company succeeds to and is substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if the Successor Company had originally been named
in the Indenture as the Company. |
| (c) | The Successor Company also succeeds to and is substituted for the Company with the same effect
as if the Successor Company had originally been named in (i) the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated
as of March 17, 2005 (the “Trust Agreement”), as Sponsor (as defined in the Trust Agreement) and (ii) the Guarantee
Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2005 (the “Guarantee”), as Guarantor (as defined in the Guarantee). |
SECTION 4. Representations
and Warranties. The Successor Company represents and warrants that (a) it has all necessary power and authority to execute
and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture and to perform the Indenture, (b) it is the successor of the Company pursuant to
the Merger effected in accordance with applicable law, (c) it is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Georgia,
(d) both immediately before and after giving effect to the Merger and this First Supplemental Indenture, no Default or Event of
Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing
and (e) this First Supplemental Indenture is executed and delivered pursuant to Section 9.1 and Article XI of the Indenture and
does not require the consent of the Securityholders.
SECTION 5. Conditions
of Effectiveness. This First Supplemental Indenture shall become effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of the
Merger; provided, however, that:
| (a) | the Trustee shall have executed a counterpart of this First Supplemental Indenture and shall have
received one or more counterparts of this First Supplemental Indenture executed by the Successor Company and the Company; |
| (b) | the Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate stating that (i) this First Supplemental
Indenture complies with the requirements of Article IX of the Indenture; and (ii) in the opinion of the signers, all conditions
precedent, if any, provided for in the Indenture relating to the Merger and this First Supplemental Indenture have been complied
with; |
| (c) | the Trustee shall have received an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) all conditions precedent
provided for in the Indenture relating to the Merger and this First Supplemental Indenture have been complied with; (ii) the Merger
and this First Supplemental Indenture comply with Articles IX and XI of the Indenture; (iii) this First Supplemental Indenture
is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of Article IX of the Indenture; and (iv) it is proper for the Trustee,
under the provisions of Article IX of the Indenture, to join in the execution of this First Supplemental Indenture; and |
| (d) | the Successor Company and the Company shall have duly executed and filed with the Department of
State of the State of Florida and the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia articles or a certificate of merger in connection
with the Merger. |
SECTION 6. Reference
to the Indenture.
| (a) | Upon the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, each reference in the Indenture to
“this Indenture,” “hereunder,” “herein” or words of like import shall mean and be a reference
to the Indenture, as affected, amended and supplemented hereby. |
| (b) | Upon the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, each reference in the Debentures to
the Indenture, including each term defined by reference to the Indenture, shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture or such
term, as the case may be, as affected, amended and supplemented hereby. |
| (c) | The Indenture, as amended and supplemented hereby, shall remain in full force and effect and is
hereby ratified and confirmed. |
SECTION 7. Execution
in Counterparts. This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
when taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
SECTION 8. Governing
Law; Binding Effect. This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
SECTION 9. The
Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency
of this First Supplemental Indenture or the due execution thereof by the Company or the Successor Company. The recitals of fact
contained herein shall be taken as the statements solely of the Company or the Successor Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility
for the correctness thereof.
[Signatures on following page.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.
|
MERCHANTS & SOUTHERN BANKS OF FLORIDA, INCORPORATED |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ G. T. Mallini |
|
|
G. T. Mallini |
|
|
President |
|
|
|
AMERIS BANCORP |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Edwin W. Hortman, Jr. |
|
|
Edwin W. Hortman, Jr. |
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Michael H. Wass |
|
|
Michael H. Wass |
|
|
Assistant Vice President |
Exhibit 4.4
MERCHANTS
& SOUTHERN BANK OF FLORIDA,
INCORPORATED,
as Issuer
INDENTURE
Dated as of March 30, 2006
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee
FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE
INTEREST DEBENTURES
DUE 2036
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
| |
Page |
| |
|
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS | |
|
| |
| |
| |
Section 1.1. | |
Definitions | |
| 1 |
| |
| |
| |
ARTICLE II. DEBENTURES |
| 8 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 2.1. | |
Authentication and Dating | |
| 8 |
Section 2.2. | |
Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication | |
| 9 |
Section 2.3. | |
Form and Denomination of Debentures | |
| 9 |
Section 2.4. | |
Execution of Debentures | |
| 9 |
Section 2.5. | |
Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debentures | |
| 10 |
Section 2.6. | |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures | |
| 12 |
Section 2.7. | |
Temporary Debentures | |
| 12 |
Section 2.8. | |
Payment of Interest and Additional Interest | |
| 13 |
Section 2.9. | |
Cancellation of Debentures Paid, etc. | |
| 14 |
Section 2.10. | |
Computation of Interest | |
| 14 |
Section 2.11. | |
Extension of Interest Payment Period | |
| 16 |
Section 2.12. | |
CUSIP Numbers | |
| 16 |
Section 2.13. | |
Global Debentures | |
| 17 |
| |
| |
| |
ARTICLE III. PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY |
| 18 |
|
| |
Section 3.1. | |
Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debentures | |
| 18 |
Section 3.2. | |
Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. | |
| 19 |
Section 3.3. | |
Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office | |
| 19 |
Section 3.4. | |
Provision as to Paying Agent | |
| 19 |
Section 3.5. | |
Certificate to Trustee | |
| 20 |
Section 3.6. | |
Additional Sums | |
| 20 |
Section 3.7. | |
Compliance with Consolidation Provisions | |
| 21 |
Section 3.8. | |
Limitation on Dividends | |
| 21 |
Section 3.9. | |
Covenants as to the Trust | |
| 21 |
Section 3.10. | |
Additional Junior Indebtedness | |
| 22 |
| |
| |
| |
ARTICLE IV. SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE |
| 22 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 4.1. | |
Securityholders’ Lists | |
| 22 |
Section 4.2. | |
Preservation and Disclosure of Lists | |
| 22 |
| |
| |
| |
ARTICLE V. REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT |
| 23 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 5.1. | |
Events of Default | |
| 23 |
Section 5.2. | |
Payment of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor | |
| 25 |
Section 5.3. | |
Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee | |
| 26 |
Section 5.4. | |
Proceedings by Securityholders | |
| 26 |
Section 5.5. | |
Proceedings by Trustee | |
| 27 |
Section 5.6. | |
Remedies Cumulative and Continuing; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver | |
| 27 |
Section 5.7. | |
Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders | |
| 27 |
Section 5.8. | |
Notice of Defaults | |
| 28 |
Section 5.9. | |
Undertaking to Pay Costs | |
| 28 |
| | |
ARTICLE VI. CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE | |
| 28 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 6.1. | |
Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee | |
| 28 |
Section 6.2. | |
Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. | |
| 29 |
Section 6.3. | |
No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. | |
| 30 |
Section 6.4. | |
Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debentures | |
| 30 |
Section 6.5. | |
Moneys to be Held in Trust | |
| 30 |
Section 6.6. | |
Compensation and Expenses of Trustee | |
| 31 |
Section 6.7. | |
Officers’ Certificate as Evidence | |
| 31 |
Section 6.8. | |
Eligibility of Trustee | |
| 31 |
Section 6.9. | |
Resignation or Removal of Trustee | |
| 32 |
Section 6.10. | |
Acceptance by Successor Trustee | |
| 33 |
Section 6.11. | |
Succession by Merger, etc. | |
| 34 |
Section 6.12. | |
Authenticating Agents | |
| 34 |
| |
| |
| |
ARTICLE VII. CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS |
| 35 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 7.1. | |
Action by Securityholders | |
| 35 |
Section 7.2. | |
Proof of Execution by Securityholders | |
| 35 |
Section 7.3. | |
Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners | |
| 36 |
Section 7.4. | |
Debentures Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding | |
| 36 |
Section 7.5. | |
Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound | |
| 36 |
| |
| |
| |
ARTICLE VIII. SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS |
| 36 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 8.1. | |
Purposes of Meetings | |
| 36 |
Section 8.2. | |
Call of Meetings by Trustee | |
| 37 |
Section 8.3. | |
Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders | |
| 37 |
Section 8.4. | |
Qualifications for Voting | |
| 37 |
Section 8.5. | |
Regulations | |
| 37 |
Section 8.6. | |
Voting | |
| 38 |
Section 8.7. | |
Quorum; Actions | |
| 38 |
| |
| |
| |
ARTICLE IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | |
| 39 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 9.1. | |
Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders | |
| 39 |
Section 9.2. | |
Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders | |
| 40 |
Section 9.3. | |
Effect of Supplemental Indentures | |
| 41 |
Section 9.4. | |
Notation on Debentures | |
| 41 |
Section 9.5. | |
Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee | |
| 41 |
| |
| |
| |
ARTICLE X. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | |
| 41 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 10.1. | |
Optional Redemption | |
| 41 |
Section 10.2. | |
Special Event Redemption | |
| 41 |
Section 10.3. | |
Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debentures | |
| 41 |
Section 10.4. | |
Payment of Debentures Called for Redemption | |
| 42 |
ARTICLE XI. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE | |
| 43 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 11.1. | |
Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms | |
| 43 |
Section 11.2. | |
Successor Entity to be Substituted | |
| 43 |
Section 11.3. | |
Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee | |
| 43 |
| |
| |
| |
ARTICLE XII. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE | |
| 43 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 12.1. | |
Discharge of Indenture | |
| 43 |
Section 12.2. | |
Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee | |
| 44 |
Section 12.3. | |
Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held | |
| 44 |
Section 12.4. | |
Return of Unclaimed Moneys | |
| 44 |
| |
| |
| |
ARTICLE XIII . IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS | |
| 45 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 13.1. | |
Indenture and Debentures Solely Corporate Obligations | |
| 45 |
| |
| |
| |
ARTICLE XIV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | |
| 45 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 14.1. | |
Successors | |
| 45 |
Section 14.2. | |
Official Acts by Successor Entity | |
| 45 |
Section 14.3. | |
Surrender of Company Powers | |
| 45 |
Section 14.4. | |
Addresses for Notices, etc. | |
| 45 |
Section 14.5. | |
Governing Law | |
| 45 |
Section 14.6. | |
Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent | |
| 45 |
Section 14.7. | |
Table of Contents, Headings, etc. | |
| 46 |
Section 14.8. | |
Execution in Counterparts | |
| 46 |
Section 14.9. | |
Separability | |
| 46 |
Section 14.10. | |
Assignment | |
| 46 |
Section 14.11. | |
Acknowledgment of Rights | |
| 46 |
| |
| |
| |
ARTICLE XV. SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES | |
| 46 |
| |
| |
| |
Section 15.1 | |
Agreement to Subordinate | |
| 46 |
Section 15.2. | |
Default on Senior Indebtedness | |
| 47 |
Section 15.3 | |
Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy | |
| 47 |
Section 15.4. | |
Subrogation | |
| 48 |
Section 15.5. | |
Trustee to Effectuate Subordination | |
| 49 |
Section 15.6. | |
Notice by the Company | |
| 49 |
Section 15.7 | |
Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness | |
| 49 |
Section 15.8. | |
Subordination May Not Be Impaired | |
| 50 |
| |
| |
| |
Exhibit A |
Form of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debenture |
| |
Exhibit B |
Form of Certificate to Trustee |
| |
THIS INDENTURE,
dated as of March 30, 2006, between Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated, a Florida corporation (the “Company”),
and Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation, as debenture trustee (the “Trustee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,
for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures due 2036 (the “Debentures”) under this Indenture to provide, among other things, for the
execution and authentication, delivery and administration thereof, and the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture;
and
WHEREAS,
all acts and things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed;
NOW, THEREFORE, This Indenture Witnesseth:
In consideration
of the premises, and the purchase of the Debentures by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for
the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Debentures as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
Section
1.1. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section
1.1 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture
and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1. All accounting terms
used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means such accounting principles as are generally
accepted in the United States at the time of any computation. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder”
and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
“Acceleration
Event of Default” means an Event of Default under Section 5.1(a), (d), (e) or (f), whatever the reason for such Acceleration
Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.
“Additional Interest” has the meaning
set forth in Section 2.11.
“Additional
Junior Indebtedness” means, without duplication and other than the Debentures, any indebtedness, liabilities or obligations
of the Company, or any Subsidiary of the Company, under debt securities (or guarantees in respect of debt securities) initially
issued after the date of this Indenture to any trust, or a trustee of a trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the
Company that is, directly or indirectly, a finance subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940) or other financing vehicle of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in connection with the issuance by that
entity of preferred securities or other securities that are eligible to qualify for Tier 1 capital treatment (or its then equivalent)
for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Company (or, if
the Company is not a bank holding company, such guidelines applied to the Company as if the Company were subject to such guidelines);
provided, however, that the inability of the Company to treat all or any portion of the Additional Junior Indebtedness
as Tier 1 capital shall not disqualify it as Additional Junior Indebtedness if such inability results from the Company having
cumulative preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which
the Federal Reserve now or may hereafter accord Tier 1 capital treatment (including the Debentures) in excess of the amount which
may qualify for treatment as Tier 1 capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines.
“Additional Sums” has the meaning
set forth in Section 3.6.
“Affiliate”
has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
“Applicable
Depositary Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Global Debenture or beneficial
interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depositary for such Debenture, in each case to the extent applicable to such
transaction and as in effect from time to time.
“Authenticating
Agent” means any agent or agents of the Trustee which at the time shall be appointed and acting pursuant to Section 6.12.
“Bankruptcy
Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Board
of Directors” means the board of directors or the executive committee or any other duly authorized designated officers
of the Company.
“Board
Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have
been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered
to the Trustee.
“Business
Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Wilmington,
Delaware are permitted or required by any applicable law or executive order to close.
“Capital
Securities” means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust which rank pari passu with Common
Securities issued by the Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default
(as defined in the Declaration), the rights of holders of such Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments
upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of such Capital Securities.
“Capital
Securities Guarantee” means the guarantee agreement that the Company enters into with Wilmington Trust Company, as guarantee
trustee, or other Persons that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Capital Securities of the Trust.
“Capital
Treatment Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters
to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change)
in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as the result of any
official or administrative pronouncement or action or decision interpreting or applying such laws, rules or regulations, which
amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance
of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not, within 90 days of the date of such opinion,
be entitled to treat an amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as “Tier 1 Capital”
(or its then equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable
to the Company (or if the Company is not a bank holding company or is otherwise not subject to the Federal Reserve’s risk-based
capital adequacy guidelines, such guidelines applied to the Company as if the Company were subject to such guidelines); provided,
however, that the inability of the Company to treat all or any portion of the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities
as Tier 1 Capital shall not constitute the basis for a Capital Treatment Event, if such inability results from the Company having
cumulative preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which
the Federal Reserve or OTS, as applicable, may now or hereafter accord Tier 1 Capital treatment in excess of the amount which
may now or hereafter qualify for treatment as Tier 1 Capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines; provided further,
however, that the distribution of Debentures in connection with the liquidation of the Trust shall not in and of itself
constitute a Capital Treatment Event unless such liquidation shall have occurred in connection with a Tax Event or an Investment
Company Event.
“Certificate”
means a certificate signed by any one of the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting
officer of the Company.
“Common
Securities” means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust which rank pari passu with Capital
Securities issued by the Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default
(as defined in the Declaration), the rights of holders of such Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments
upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of such Capital Securities.
“Company”
means Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated, a Florida corporation, and, subject to the provisions of Article
XI, shall include its successors and assigns.
“Coupon Rate” has the meaning set
forth in Section 2.8.
“Debenture” or “Debentures”
has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture.
“Debenture Register” has the meaning
specified in Section 2.5.
“Declaration”
means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Default”
means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning
set forth in Section 2.8.
“Depositary”
means an organization registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act that is designated as Depositary by the Company or
any successor thereto. The initial Depositary will be DTC.
“Depositary
Participant” means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Depositary
effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Depositary.
“Determination Date” has the meaning
set forth in Section 2.10.
“Distribution
Period” means (i) with respect to interest paid on the first Interest Payment Date, the period beginning on (and including)
the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in June 2006 and (ii) thereafter, with respect
to interest paid on each successive Interest Payment Date, the period beginning on (and including) the preceding Interest Payment
Date and ending on (but excluding) such current Interest Payment Date.
“DTC” means the Depository Trust
Company, a New York corporation.
“Event of Default”
means any event specified in Section 5.1, continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of the notice, if any,
therein designated.
“Exchange Act”
means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.
“Extension Period” has the meaning
set forth in Section 2.11.
“Federal Reserve”
means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or its designated district bank, as applicable, and any successor federal
agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of bank holding companies.
“Global Debenture”
means a security that evidences all or part of the Debentures, the ownership and transfers of which shall be made through book
entries by a Depositary.
“Indenture”
means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented,
or both.
“Institutional Trustee” has the meaning
set forth in the Declaration.
“Interest Payment
Date” means March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year during the term of this Indenture, or if such
day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day (it being understood that interest accrues for any such non-Business
Day), commencing in June 2006.
“Interest Rate”
means for the Distribution Period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the
Interest Payment Date in June 2006 the rate per annum of 6.47938%, and for each Distribution Period beginning on or after the Interest
Payment Date in June 2006, the Coupon Rate for such Distribution Period.
“Investment
Company Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to
the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or written change (including any announced prospective
change) in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory
authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or, within 90 days of the date of such opinion will be considered
an “investment company” that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended which
change or prospective change becomes effective or would become effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance
of the Debentures.
“Liquidation Amount” means the stated
amount of $1,000.00 per Trust Security.
“Maturity Date” means June 15, 2036.
“Officers’
Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice Chairman,
the President, any Managing Director or any Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Comptroller, an Assistant
Comptroller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall
include the statements provided for in Section 14.6 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.
“Opinion of
Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or
may be other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section
14.6 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.
“OTS”
means the Office of Thrift Supervision and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities
of savings and loan holding companies.
The term
“outstanding,” when used with reference to Debentures, means, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, as of
any particular time, all Debentures authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent under this Indenture,
except:
(a) Debentures
theretofore canceled by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Debentures,
or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust
with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the
Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, however, that, if such Debentures, or
portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as provided in
Section 10.3 or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and
(c) Debentures
paid pursuant to Section 2.6 or in lieu of or in substitution for which other Debentures shall have been authenticated and delivered
pursuant to the terms of Section 2.6 unless proof satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee is presented that any such Debentures
are held by bona fide holders in due course.
“Person”
means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Predecessor
Security” of any particular Debenture means every previous Debenture evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that
evidenced by such particular Debenture; and, for purposes of this definition, any Debenture authenticated and delivered under Section
2.6 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen
Debenture.
“Principal Office
of the Trustee,” or other similar term, means the office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate
trust business shall be principally administered, which at the time of the execution of this Indenture shall be Rodney Square
North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1600, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.
“Redemption Date” has the meaning
set forth in Section 10.1.
“Redemption
Price” means 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including
any Additional Interest) on such Debentures to the Redemption Date.
“Responsible
Officer” means, with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Principal Office of the Trustee, including any vice-president,
any assistant vice-president, any secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer
or other officer of the Principal Trust Office of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any
of the above designated officers 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.
“Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time or any successor legislation.
“Securityholder,”
“holder of Debentures,” or other similar terms, means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Debenture
is registered on the register kept by the Company or the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Senior Indebtedness”
means, with respect to the Company, (i) the principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of (A) indebtedness of the Company
for all borrowed and purchased money and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, notes, bonds or other similar instruments
issued by the Company; (ii) all capital lease obligations of the Company; (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed
as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company
under any title retention agreement; (iv) all obligations of the Company for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, any banker’s
acceptance, any security purchase facility, any repurchase agreement or similar arrangement, any interest rate swap, any other
hedging arrangement, any obligation under options or any similar credit or other transaction; (v) all obligations of the Company
associated with derivative products such as interest and foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts, and similar arrangements;
(vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other Persons for the payment of which the Company
is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise including, without limitation, similar obligations arising from off-balance
sheet guarantees and direct credit substitutes; and (vii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above
of other Persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the
Company), whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Senior
Indebtedness” shall not include (1) any Additional Junior Indebtedness, (2) Debentures issued pursuant to this Indenture and
guarantees in respect of such Debentures, (3) trade accounts payable of the Company arising in the ordinary course of business
(such trade accounts payable being pari passu in right of payment to the Debentures), or (4) obligations with respect to
which (a) in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such
obligations are pari passu, junior or otherwise not superior in right of payment to the Debentures and (b) the Company,
prior to the issuance thereof, has notified (and, if then required under the applicable guidelines of the regulating entity, has
received approval from) the Federal Reserve (if the Company is a bank holding company) or the OTS (if the Company is a savings
and loan holding company). Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the subordination provisions
irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.
“Special Event”
means any of a Capital Treatment Event, an Investment Company Event or a Tax Event.
“Special Redemption Date” has the
meaning set forth in Section 10.2.
“Special Redemption
Price” means the price set forth in the following table for any Special Redemption Date that occurs on the date indicated
below (or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day), expressed as the percentage of the principal
amount of the Debentures being redeemed:
Month in which Special |
Special Redemption Price |
Redemption Date Occurs |
|
June 2006 |
104.625% |
September 2006 |
104.300% |
December 2006 |
104.000% |
March 2007 |
103.650% |
June 2007 |
103.350% |
September 2007 |
103.000% |
December 2007 |
102.700% |
March 2008 |
102.350% |
June 2008 |
102.050% |
September 2008 |
101.700% |
December 2008 |
101.400% |
March 2009 |
101.050% |
June 2009 |
100.750% |
September 2009 |
100.450% |
December 2009 |
100.200% |
March 2010 and thereafter |
100.000% |
plus, in
each case, accrued and unpaid interest (including any Additional Interest) on such Debentures to the Special Redemption Date.
“Subsidiary”
means with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly
or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii)
any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of the outstanding partnership or similar interests
of which shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of
its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the
purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity
interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the
equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason
of the occurrence of a contingency.
“Tax
Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws or any regulations thereunder
of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative
pronouncement (including any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, field service advice, regulatory procedure, notice
or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations) (an “Administrative
Action”) or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, regardless of whether such Administrative
Action or judicial decision is issued to or in connection with a proceeding involving the Company or the Trust and whether or not
subject to review or appeal, which amendment, clarification, change, Administrative Action or decision is enacted, promulgated
or announced, in each case on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk
that: (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with
respect to income received or accrued on the Debentures; (ii) interest payable by the Company on the Debentures is not, or within
90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income
tax purposes; or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount
of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.
“3-Month LIBOR” has the meaning set
forth in Section 2.10.
“Telerate Page 3750” has the meaning
set forth in Section 2.10.
“Trust”
shall mean Merchants & Southern Statutory Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust, or any other similar trust created for the
purpose of issuing Capital Securities in connection with the issuance of Debentures under this Indenture, of which the Company
is the sponsor.
“Trust Securities” means Common Securities
and Capital Securities of the Trust.
“Trustee”
means Wilmington Trust Company, and, subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof, shall also include its successors and assigns
as Trustee hereunder.
ARTICLE
II.
DEBENTURES
Section
2.1. Authentication and Dating. Upon the execution and delivery of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter,
Debentures in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $3,093,000.00 may be executed and delivered by the Company to the
Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a written authentication order from the Company, shall thereupon authenticate
and make available for delivery said Debentures to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by its Chairman of the Board
of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman, the President, one of its Managing Directors or one of its Vice Presidents
without any further action by the Company hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Trustee shall
be fully protected in relying upon the aforementioned authentication order and written order in authenticating and delivering said
Debentures. In authenticating such Debentures, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to
such Debentures, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon:
(a) a
copy of any Board Resolution or Board Resolutions relating thereto and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken
pursuant to such resolution, in each case certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, as the case may
be; and
(b) an
Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 14.6 which shall also state:
(1) that
such Debentures, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in each case in the manner and subject
to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, subject
to or limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, conservatorship, receivership, moratorium and other statutory
or decisional laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or the reorganization of financial institutions (including, without
limitation, preference and fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws), heretofore or hereafter enacted or in effect, affecting the
rights of creditors generally; and
(2) that
all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of the Debentures have been complied with and
that authentication and delivery of the Debentures by the Trustee will not violate the terms of this Indenture.
The Trustee
shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debentures under this Section if the Trustee, being advised in
writing by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith
shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing holders.
The definitive
Debentures shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner,
all as determined by the officers executing such Debentures, as evidenced by their execution of such Debentures.
Section
2.2. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The
Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debentures shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Debentures referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.
|
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee |
|
|
|
|
|
By |
|
|
|
Authorized Signer |
|
Section
2.3. Form and Denomination of Debentures. The Debentures
shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. The Debentures shall be in registered, certificated form without
coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof. Any attempted transfer of
the Debentures in a block having an aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000.00 shall be deemed to be void and of no legal
effect whatsoever. Any such purported transferee shall be deemed not to be a holder of such Debentures for any purpose, including,
but not limited to the receipt of payments on such Debentures, and such purported transferee shall be deemed to have no interest
whatsoever in such Debentures. The Debentures shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance
with such plans as the officers executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution
and authentication thereof.
Section
2.4. Execution of Debentures. The Debentures shall
be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chairman of the Board of Directors,
Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman, President, one of its Managing Directors or one of its Executive Vice Presidents, Senior
Vice Presidents or Vice Presidents. Only such Debentures as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in
the form herein before recited, executed by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of an authorized signer,
shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee
or the Authenticating Agent upon any Debenture executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Debenture so authenticated
has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
In case
any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Debentures shall cease to be such officer before the Debentures so
signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent, or disposed of by the Company, such
Debentures nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debentures had not
ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Debenture may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual
date of the execution of such Debenture, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of
this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.
Every Debenture shall be dated the date of its authentication.
Section
2.5. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debentures.
The Company shall cause to be kept, at the office or agency maintained for the purpose of registration of transfer and for exchange
as provided in Section 3.2, a register (the “Debenture Register”) for the Debentures issued hereunder in which,
subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration and transfer of all
Debentures as in this Article II provided. The Debenture Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being
converted into written form within a reasonable time.
Debentures
to be exchanged may be surrendered at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency to be maintained by the Company
for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, and the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee
or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor the Debenture or Debentures
which the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive. Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of
any Debenture at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided
in Section 3.2, the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent
shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debenture for a like aggregate
principal amount. Registration or registration of transfer of any Debenture by the Trustee or by any agent of the Company appointed
pursuant to Section 3.2, and delivery of such Debenture, shall be deemed to complete the registration or registration of transfer
of such Debenture.
All Debentures
presented for registration of transfer or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating
Agent) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company
and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service
charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debentures, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
The Company
or the Trustee shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Debenture for a period of 15 days next preceding
the date of selection of Debentures for redemption.
Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, Debentures may not be transferred except in compliance with the restricted securities legend set
forth below, unless otherwise determined by the Company, upon the advice of counsel expert in securities law, in accordance with
applicable law:
THIS SECURITY
IS NOT A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED BY THE UNITED STATES OR ANY AGENCY OR FUND OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING
THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.
THIS
SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE
REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A
TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN
ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS
APPLICABLE) OF REGULATIONS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE
MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR
THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR
SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH
OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION
SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY.
THE HOLDER
OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT
ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”),
OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY
WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING
“PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER
IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60,
91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION
406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR
ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE
OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION
406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
THIS SECURITY
WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES
OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS
THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS
SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
Section 2.6. Mutilated,
Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures. In case any Debenture shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the
Company shall execute, and upon its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debenture bearing a number
not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Debenture, or in lieu of and in substitution
for the Debenture so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Debenture shall furnish to the Company
and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction,
loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction,
loss or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.
The Trustee may authenticate
any such substituted Debenture and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon
the issuance of any substituted Debenture, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debenture which has matured
or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company
may, instead of issuing a substitute Debenture, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the
case of a mutilated Debenture) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or
indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory
to the Company and to the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.
Every substituted Debenture
issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.6 by virtue of the fact that any such Debenture is destroyed, lost or stolen
shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debenture shall
be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all
other Debentures duly issued hereunder. All Debentures shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost
or stolen Debentures and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter
enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their
surrender.
Section 2.7. Temporary
Debentures. Pending the preparation of definitive Debentures, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate
and make available for delivery temporary Debentures that are typed, printed or lithographed. Temporary Debentures shall be issuable
in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debentures in lieu of which they are issued but
with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debentures, all as may be determined by the
Company. Every such temporary Debenture shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions
and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Debentures. Without unreasonable delay the Company
will execute and deliver to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent definitive Debentures and thereupon any or all temporary Debentures
may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee or at any office or agency maintained
by the Company for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and
make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Debentures a like aggregate principal amount of such definitive Debentures.
Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor except that in case of any such exchange
involving a registration of transfer the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto. Until so exchanged, the temporary Debentures shall in all respects be entitled
to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debentures authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 2.8. Payment
of Interest and Additional Interest. Interest at the Interest Rate and any Additional Interest on any Debenture that is
payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Debentures shall be paid to the Person in
whose name said Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record
date for such interest installment except that interest and any Additional Interest payable on the Maturity Date shall be paid
to the Person to whom principal is paid.
Each Debenture shall
bear interest for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest
Payment Date in June 2006 at a rate per annum of 6.47938%, and shall bear interest for each successive Distribution Period beginning
on or after the Interest Payment Date in June 2006 at a rate per annum equal to the 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described in
Section 2.10, plus 1.50% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the principal amount thereof, until the principal
thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under
applicable law (without duplication) on any overdue installment of interest (including Additional Interest) at the Interest Rate
in effect for each applicable period compounded quarterly. Interest shall be payable (subject to any relevant Extension Period)
quarterly in arrears on each Interest Payment Date with the first installment of interest to be paid on the Interest Payment Date
in June 2006.
Any interest on any
Debenture, including Additional Interest, that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment
Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the
relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company to
the Persons in whose names such Debentures (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business
on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company
shall notify the Trustee in writing at least 25 days prior to the date of the proposed payment of the amount of Defaulted Interest
proposed to be paid on each such Debenture and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit
with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or
shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when
deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon
the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less
than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice
of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the
expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor
to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at its address as it appears in the Debenture Register, not less
than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record
date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Debentures
(or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date and shall be no longer payable.
The Company may make
payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Debentures in any other lawful manner after notice given by the Company to the Trustee
of the proposed payment method; provided, however, the Trustee in its sole discretion deems such payment method
to be practical.
Any interest (including
Additional Interest) scheduled to become payable on an Interest Payment Date occurring during an Extension Period shall not be
Defaulted Interest and shall be payable on such other date as may be specified in the terms of such Debentures.
The term “regular
record date” as used in this Section shall mean the close of business on the 15th Business Day preceding the applicable Interest
Payment Date.
Subject to the foregoing
provisions of this Section, each Debenture delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or
in lieu of any other Debenture shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such
other Debenture.
Section 2.9. Cancellation
of Debentures Paid etc. All Debentures surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of
transfer, shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it,
or, if surrendered to the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent, shall be promptly canceled by it, and no Debentures shall be issued
in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All Debentures canceled by any Authenticating
Agent shall be delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee shall destroy all canceled Debentures unless the Company otherwise directs
the Trustee in writing. If the Company shall acquire any of the Debentures, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption
or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Debentures unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for
cancellation.
Section 2.10. Computation
of Interest. The amount of interest payable for each Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Interest Rate
to the principal amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the actual number of days in
the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360. All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Debentures will be rounded,
if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded
upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from
such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).
(a) “3-Month
LIBOR” means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month, U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee
in the following order of priority:
(1) the
rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page
3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (as defined below). “Telerate Page 3750” means
the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on
that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor
for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits;
(2) if
such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request the principal London offices of four
leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to
prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time)
on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations;
(3) if
fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (2) above, the Trustee will request four major New York City
banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S.
dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR
will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and
(4) if
fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (3) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined
with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period.
If the rate for U.S.
dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the
related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination
Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination
Date.
(b) The
Interest Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the
same may be modified by United States law.
(c) “Determination
Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars
are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the particular Distribution Period for which a Coupon Rate is being determined.
(d) The
Trustee shall notify the Company, the Institutional Trustee and any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which
the Capital Securities are listed, of the Coupon Rate and the Determination Date for each Distribution Period, in each case as
soon as practicable after the determination thereof but in no event later than the thirtieth (30th) day of the relevant Distribution
Period. Failure to notify the Company, the Institutional Trustee or any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, or
any defect in said notice, shall not affect the obligation of the Company to make payment on the Debentures at the applicable Coupon
Rate. Any error in the calculation of the Coupon Rate by the Trustee may be corrected at any time by notice delivered as above
provided. Upon the request of a holder of a Debenture, the Trustee shall provide the Coupon Rate then in effect and, if determined,
the Coupon Rate for the next Distribution Period.
(e) Subject
to the corrective rights set forth above, all certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations
and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions relating to the payment and calculation of
interest on the Debentures and distributions on the Capital Securities by the Trustee or the Institutional Trustee will (in the
absence of willful default, bad faith and manifest error) be final, conclusive and binding on the Trust, the Company and all of
the holders of the Debentures and the Capital Securities, and no liability shall (in the absence of willful default, bad faith
or manifest error) attach to the Trustee or the Institutional Trustee in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by either
of them or their respective powers, duties and discretion.
Section 2.11. Extension
of Interest Payment Period. So long as no Acceleration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall
have the right, from time to time, and without causing an Event of Default, to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by
extending the interest payment period on the Debentures at any time and from time to time during the term of the Debentures, for
up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each such extended interest payment period, an “Extension Period”),
during which Extension Period no interest (including Additional Interest) shall be due and payable (except any Additional Sums
that may be due and payable). No Extension Period may end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date. During an Extension Period,
interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal
to the Interest Rate in effect for such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable
were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional
Interest”). At the end of any such Extension Period the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the
Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond
the Maturity Date; provided further,
however, that during any such Extension Period, the Company shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to (i) declare
or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of
the Company’s or such Affiliate’s capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any
guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with
or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (i) or (ii) above, (a) repurchases, redemptions or
other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other
similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a
dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or
securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into
prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s
capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or
of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (c) the purchase
of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital
stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights
plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase
of rights pursuant thereto, (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock
or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend
is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued
in connection therewith, or (f) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee). Prior to the termination of any Extension Period,
the Company may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive
extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination
of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Company may commence
a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during
an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable
during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Company must give the
Trustee notice of its election to begin or extend an Extension Period by the close of business at least 15 Business Days prior
to the Interest Payment Date with respect to which interest on the Debentures would have been payable except for the election
to begin or extend such Extension Period. The Trustee shall give notice of the Company’s election to begin a new Extension Period
to the Securityholders.
Section 2.12. CUSIP
Numbers. The Company in issuing the Debentures may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so,
the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders; provided, however, that any such
notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Debentures or as
contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the
Debentures, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly
notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
Section 2.13. Global
Debentures.
(a) Upon
the election of the holder of outstanding Debentures, which election need not be in writing, the Debentures owned by such holder
shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Debentures registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee. Each Global
Debenture issued under this Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated by the Company for such Global
Debenture or a nominee thereof, delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor and shall contain such
legends as may be required by the Depositary and each such Global Debenture shall constitute a single Debenture for all purposes
of this Indenture.
(b) Notwithstanding
any other provision in this Indenture, no Global Debenture may be exchanged in whole or in part for Debentures registered, and
no transfer of a Global Debenture in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for
such Global Debenture or a nominee thereof unless (i) such Depositary advises the Trustee and the Company in writing that such
Depositary is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities as Depositary with respect to such Global Debenture,
and no qualified successor is appointed by the Company within ninety (90) days of receipt by the Company of such notice, (ii) such
Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and no successor is appointed by the Company within
ninety (90) days after obtaining knowledge of such event, (iii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company order
stating that the Company elects to terminate the book-entry system through the Depositary or (iv) an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing. Upon the occurrence of any event specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, the Trustee shall
notify the Depositary and instruct the Depositary to notify all owners of beneficial interests in such Global Debenture of the
occurrence of such event and of the availability of Debentures to such owners of beneficial interests requesting the same. Upon
the issuance of such Debentures and the registration in the Debenture Register of such Debentures in the names of the holders of
the beneficial interests therein, the Trustee shall recognize such holders of beneficial interests as holders.
(c) If
any Global Debenture is to be exchanged for other Debentures or canceled in part, or if another Debenture is to be exchanged in
whole or in part for a beneficial interest in any Global Debenture, then either (i) such Global Debenture shall be so surrendered
for exchange or cancellation as provided in this Article II or (ii) the principal amount thereof shall be reduced or increased
by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so exchanged or canceled, or equal to the principal amount of such other Debentures
to be so exchanged for a beneficial interest therein, as the case may be, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records
of the Debenture registrar, whereupon the Trustee, in accordance with the Applicable Depositary Procedures, shall instruct the
Depositary or its authorized representative to make a corresponding adjustment to its records. Upon any such surrender or adjustment
of a Global Debenture by the Depositary, accompanied by registration instructions, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver any Debentures issuable in exchange for such Global Debenture (or any portion thereof) in accordance with
the instructions of the Depositary. The Trustee shall not be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively
rely on, and shall be fully protected in relying on, such instructions.
(d) Every
Debenture authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Debenture or
any portion thereof shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Debenture, unless such Debenture
is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Debenture or a nominee thereof.
(e) Debentures
distributed to holders of Book-Entry Capital Securities (as defined in the Declaration) upon the dissolution of the Trust shall
be distributed in the form of one or more Global Debentures registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee, and deposited
with the Debentures registrar, as custodian for such Depositary, or with such Depositary, for credit by the Depositary to the respective
accounts of the beneficial owners of the Debentures represented thereby (or such other accounts as they may direct). Debentures
distributed to holders of Capital Securities other than Book-Entry Capital Securities upon the dissolution of the Trust shall not
be issued in the form of a Global Debenture or any other form intended to facilitate book-entry trading in beneficial interests
in such Debentures.
(f) The
Depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of a Global Debenture, shall be the holder of such Global Debenture for all
purposes under this Indenture and the Debentures, and owners of beneficial interests in a Global Debenture shall hold such interests
pursuant to the Applicable Depositary Procedures. Accordingly, any such owner’s beneficial interest in a Global Debenture shall
be shown only on, and the transfer of such interest shall be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary or its
nominee or its Depositary Participants. The Debentures registrar and the Trustee shall be entitled to deal with the Depositary
for all purposes under this Indenture relating to a Global Debenture (including the payment of principal and interest thereon and
the giving of instructions or directions by owners of beneficial interests therein and the giving of notices) as the sole holder
of the Debenture and shall have no obligations to the owners of beneficial interests therein. Neither the Trustee nor the Debentures
registrar shall have any liability in respect of any transfers effected by the Depositary.
(g) The
rights of owners of beneficial interests in a Global Debenture shall be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited
to those established by law and agreements between such owners and the Depositary and/or its Depositary Participants.
(h) No
holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Debenture held on its behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture
with respect to such Global Debenture, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company
or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Debenture for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee nor any agent
of the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made
on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Debenture or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating
to such beneficial ownership interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or
any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished
by a Depositary or impair, as between a Depositary and such holders of beneficial interests, the operation of customary practices
governing the exercise of the rights of the Depositary (or its nominee) as holder of any Debenture.
ARTICLE III.
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF
THE COMPANY
Section
3.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest: Agreed Treatment
of the Debentures.
(a) The
Company covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest and any Additional Interest and other payments on the Debentures at the place, at the respective times and in the manner
provided in this Indenture and the Debentures. Each installment of interest on the Debentures may be paid (i) by mailing checks
for such interest payable to the order of the holders of Debentures entitled thereto as they appear on the registry books of the
Company if a request for a wire transfer has not been received by the Company or (ii) by wire transfer to any account with a banking
institution located in the United States designated in writing by such Person to the paying agent no later than the related record
date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the payment of the principal
of and interest on this Debenture will be made in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated
by the Institutional Trustee.
(b) The
Company will treat the Debentures as indebtedness, and the amounts payable in respect of the principal amount of such Debentures
as interest, for all United States federal income tax purposes. All payments in respect of such Debentures will be made free and
clear of United States withholding tax to any beneficial owner thereof that has provided an Internal Revenue Service Form W8 BEN
(or any substitute or successor form) establishing its non-United States status for United States federal income tax purposes.
(c) As
of the date of this Indenture, the Company has no present intention to exercise its right under Section 2.11 to defer payments
of interest on the Debentures by commencing an Extension Period.
(d) As
of the date of this Indenture, the Company believes that the likelihood that it would exercise its right under Section 2.11 to
defer payments of interest on the Debentures by commencing an Extension Period at any time during which the Debentures are outstanding
is remote because of the restrictions that would be imposed on the Company’s ability to declare or pay dividends or distributions
on, or to redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its outstanding equity and on the Company’s ability
to make any payments of principal of or interest on, or repurchase or redeem, any of its debt securities that rank pari passu
in all respects with (or junior in interest to) the Debentures.
Section 3.2. Offices
for Notices and Payments, etc. So long as any of the Debentures remain outstanding, the Company will maintain in Wilmington,
Delaware, an office or agency where the Debentures may be presented for payment, an office or agency where the Debentures may be
presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and an office or agency where notices and
demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debentures or of this Indenture may be served. The Company will give to the Trustee
written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Until otherwise designated from
time to time by the Company in a notice to the Trustee, or specified as contemplated by Section 2.5, such office or agency for
all of the above purposes shall be the office or agency of the Trustee. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office
or agency in Wilmington, Delaware, or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof,
presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the Principal Office of the Trustee.
In addition to any
such office or agency, the Company may from time to time designate one or more offices or agencies outside Wilmington, Delaware,
where the Debentures may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange in the manner provided in this Indenture, and
the Company may from time to time rescind such designation, as the Company may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however,
that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain any such office or
agency in Wilmington, Delaware, for the purposes above mentioned. The Company will give to the Trustee prompt written notice of
any such designation or rescission thereof.
Section 3.3. Appointments
to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee,
will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.9, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
Section 3.4. Provision
as to Paying Agent.
(a) If
the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the
Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provision of this Section 3.4,
(1) that
it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on
the Debentures (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Debentures) in trust for the
benefit of the holders of the Debentures;
(2) that
it will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Debentures) to make
any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures when the same shall be due and payable;
and
(3) that
it will, at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to
the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent.
(b) If
the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or
interest or other payments, if any, on the Debentures, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of
the Debentures a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, interest or other payments so becoming due and will notify the
Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor under the Debentures)
to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest or other payments, if any, on the Debentures when the
same shall become due and payable.
Whenever the Company
shall have one or more paying agents for the Debentures, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of and premium,
if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures, deposit with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium, interest
or other payments so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto and (unless such
paying agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure to act.
(c) Anything
in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction
and discharge with respect to the Debentures, or for any other reason, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay to the Trustee all
sums held in trust by the Company or any such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.
(d) Anything
in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.4 is subject
to Sections 12.3 and 12.4.
Section 3.5. Certificate
to Trustee. The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, so long as
Debentures are outstanding hereunder, a Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties
as officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any default during such fiscal year by the Company in the performance
of any covenants contained herein, stating whether or not they have knowledge of any such default and, if so, specifying each such
default of which the signers have knowledge and the nature and status thereof. A form of this Certificate is attached hereto as
Exhibit B.
Section 3.6. Additional
Sums. If and for so long as the Trust is the holder of all Debentures and the Trust is required to pay any additional taxes
(including withholding taxes), duties, assessments or other governmental charges as a result of a Tax Event, the Company will pay
such additional amounts (“Additional Sums”) on the Debentures as shall be required so that the net amounts received
and retained by the Trust after paying taxes (including withholding taxes), duties, assessments or other governmental charges will
be equal to the amounts the Trust would have received if no such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges had been
imposed. Whenever in this Indenture or the Debentures there is a reference in any context to the payment of principal of or interest
on the Debentures, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of payments of the Additional Sums provided for in this paragraph
to the extent that, in such context, Additional Sums are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions
of this paragraph and express mention of the payment of Additional Sums (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed
as excluding Additional Sums in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made; provided, however,
that the deferral of the payment of interest during an Extension Period pursuant to Section 2.11 shall not defer the payment of
any Additional Sums that may be due and payable.
Section 3.7. Compliance
with Consolidation Provisions. The Company will not, while any of the Debentures remain outstanding, consolidate with,
or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the
provisions of Article XI hereof are complied with.
Section 3.8. Limitation
on Dividends. If Debentures are initially issued to the Trust or a trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance
of Trust Securities by the Trust (regardless of whether Debentures continue to be held by such Trust) and (i) there shall have
occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations
under the Capital Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest
on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period as provided herein and such period, or any extension thereof, shall
be continuing, then the Company shall not, and shall not allow any Affiliate of the Company to, (x) declare or pay any dividends
or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital
stock or its Affiliates’ capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee
payments with respect to the foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase
or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest
to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above, (1) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of
shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with
or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or
stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into
or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension
Period, if any, (2) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital
stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s
indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the
Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted
or exchanged, (4) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock
or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (5) any dividend
in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants,
options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior
to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (6) payments under the Capital
Securities Guarantee).
Section 3.9. Covenants
as to the Trust. For so long as the Trust Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall maintain 100% ownership of the
Common Securities; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Company under this Indenture may succeed
to the Company’s ownership of such Common Securities. The Company, as owner of the Common Securities, shall, except in connection
with a distribution of Debentures to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all of the
Trust Securities or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration, cause the Trust (a)
to remain a statutory trust, (b) to otherwise continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes, and (c) to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Debentures.
Section 3.10. Additional
Junior Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and it shall not cause or permit any Subsidiary of the Company to, incur, issue
or be obligated on any Additional Junior Indebtedness, either directly or indirectly, by way of guarantee, suretyship or otherwise,
other than Additional Junior Indebtedness (i) that, by its terms, is expressly stated to be either junior and subordinate or pari
passu in all respects to the Debentures, and (ii) of which the Company has notified (and, if then required under the applicable
guidelines of the regulating entity, has received approval from) the Federal Reserve, if the Company is a bank holding company,
or the OTS, if the Company is a savings and loan holding company.
ARTICLE IV.
SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS
AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE
TRUSTEE
Section 4.1. Securityholders’
Lists. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) on
each regular record date for the Debentures, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses
of the Securityholders of the Debentures as of such record date; and
(b) at
such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a
list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
except that no such lists need be furnished
under this Section 4.1 so long as the Trustee is in possession thereof by reason of its acting as Debenture registrar.
Section 4.2. Preservation
and Disclosure of Lists.
(a) The
Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the
holders of Debentures (1) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 or (2) received by it in
the capacity of Debentures registrar (if so acting) hereunder. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 4.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) In
case three or more holders of Debentures (hereinafter referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee and
furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Debenture for a period of at least 6 months preceding
the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other holders of Debentures
with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Debentures and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or
other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall within 5 Business Days after the receipt
of such application, at its election, either:
(1) afford
such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection
(a) of this Section 4.2, or
(2) inform
such applicants as to the approximate number of holders of Debentures whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved
at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, and as to the approximate cost
of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.
If the Trustee shall
elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants,
mail to each Securityholder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance
with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2 a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified
in such request with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision
for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such
applicants and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, if permitted or required by applicable law, together with a copy
of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary
to the best interests of the holders of all Debentures, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written
statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If said Commission, as permitted or required by applicable law, after opportunity
for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of
such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, said Commission shall find, after
notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the
Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order
and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting
their application.
(c) Each
and every holder of Debentures, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company
nor the Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names
and addresses of the holders of Debentures in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.2, regardless
of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing
any material pursuant to a request made under said subsection (b).
ARTICLE V.
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE
AND SECURITYHOLDERS
UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT
Section
5.1. Events of Default. “Event of Default,”
wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any
court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) the
Company defaults in the payment of any interest upon any Debenture, including any Additional Interest in respect thereof, following
the nonpayment of any such interest for twenty or more consecutive Distribution Periods; or
(b) the
Company defaults in the payment of all or any part of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Debentures as and when the
same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise; or
(c) the
Company defaults in the performance of, or breaches, any of its covenants or agreements in this Indenture or in the terms of the
Debentures established as contemplated in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or
whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60
days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee
by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures, a written notice specifying such default
or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(d) a
court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under
any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of its
property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect
for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(e) the
Company shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent
to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar
official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors,
or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due; or
(f) the
Trust shall have voluntarily or involuntarily liquidated, dissolved, wound-up its business or otherwise terminated its existence
except in connection with (i) the distribution of the Debentures to holders of such Trust Securities in liquidation of their interests
in the Trust, (ii) the redemption of all of the outstanding Trust Securities or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations,
each as permitted by the Declaration.
If an Acceleration
Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debentures, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal
of the Debentures shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given
by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal of the Debentures and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and
payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default under
Section 5.1(b) or (c) occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debentures, then, and in each and every such case, unless the
principal of the Debentures shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee
if given by Securityholders), may proceed to remedy the default or breach thereunder by such appropriate judicial proceedings as
the Trustee or such holders shall deem most effectual to remedy the defaulted covenant or enforce the provisions of this Indenture
so breached, either by suit in equity or by action at law, for damages or otherwise.
The foregoing provisions,
however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal of the Debentures shall have been so declared due
and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter
provided, (i) the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest
upon all the Debentures and the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debentures which shall have become due otherwise than
by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and Additional Interest) and such amount as shall be sufficient
to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and
all other amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6, if any, and (ii) all Events of Default under this Indenture, other
than the non-payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on Debentures which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have
been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein — then and in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults
and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or
shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.
In case the Trustee
shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because
of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every
such case the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored respectively to their several positions
and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall continue
as though no such proceeding had been taken.
Section 5.2. Payment
of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor. The Company covenants that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default pursuant
to Section 5.1(a) or (b) then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders
of the Debentures the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Debentures for principal and premium, if
any, or interest, or both, as the case may be, with Additional Interest accrued on the Debentures (to the extent that payment of
such interest is enforceable under applicable law and, if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such Trust, without
duplication of any other amounts paid by the Trust or a trustee in respect thereof); and, in addition thereto, such further amount
as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents,
attorneys and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6. In case the Company shall fail forthwith to
pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered
to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute
any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company
or any other obligor on such Debentures and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other
obligor on such Debentures wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.
In case there shall
be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures under
Bankruptcy Law, or in case a receiver or trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the Company or such other obligor,
or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to the Company or other obligor upon the Debentures, or to the
creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Debentures
shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the
Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention
in such proceedings or otherwise,
| (i) | to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount
of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Debentures, |
| (ii) | in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs
of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including
any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and
counsel, and for reimbursement of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6), and of the Securityholders allowed
in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures, or to the creditors or property of
the Company or such other obligor, unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the
Debentures in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings or Person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings, |
| (iii) | to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable
or deliverable on any such claims, and |
| (iv) | to distribute the same after the deduction of its charges
and expenses. |
Any receiver, assignee
or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make such payments to the Trustee,
and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the
Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their
respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.
Nothing herein contained
shall be construed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan
of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Debentures or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize
the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.
All rights of action
and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debentures, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession
of any of the Debentures, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding
instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be
for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Debentures.
In any proceedings
brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee
shall be a party), the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Debentures, and it shall not be necessary to make
any holders of the Debentures parties to any such proceedings.
Section 5.3. Application
of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article V shall be applied in the
following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys, upon presentation of the several
Debentures in respect of which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender
thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment
of costs and expenses incurred by, and reasonable fees of, the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and of all other amounts
due to the Trustee under Section 6.6;
Second: To the payment
of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company if and to the extent required by Article XV;
Third: To the payment
of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Debentures for principal (and premium, if any), and interest on the Debentures, in respect
of which or for the benefit of which money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to
the amounts due on such Debentures (including Additional Interest); and
Fourth: The balance, if any, to the Company.
Section 5.4. Proceedings
by Securityholders. No holder of any Debenture shall have any right to institute any suit, action or proceeding for any
remedy hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect
to the Debentures and unless the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding
shall have given the Trustee a written request to institute such action, suit or proceeding and shall have offered to the Trustee
such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred thereby, and the Trustee
for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action, suit
or proceeding.
Notwithstanding any
other provisions in this Indenture, however, the right of any holder of any Debenture to receive payment of the principal of, premium,
if any, and interest, on such Debenture when due, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, shall not be impaired
or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Debenture hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and
covenanted by the taker and holder of every Debenture with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more
holders of Debentures shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing itself of any provision of this Indenture
to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other Debentures, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over
or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and
for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Debentures. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of
this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in
equity.
Section 5.5. Proceedings
by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the
rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect
and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether
for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted
in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
Section 5.6. Remedies
Cumulative and Continuing; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.6, all powers and
remedies given by this Article V to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative
and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Debentures, by judicial proceedings
or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise
established with respect to the Debentures, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Debentures to
exercise any right, remedy or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such
right, remedy or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the
provisions of Section 5.4, every power and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may
be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee (in accordance with its duties under
Section 6.1) or by the Securityholders.
Section 5.7. Direction
of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Debentures affected (voting as one class) at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method,
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
Trustee with respect to such Debentures; provided, however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.1)
the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine that the action so directed
would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such direction or if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines
that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall determine
that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
The holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures
waive (or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default, and its consequences, except a default
(a) in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, (b) in respect of covenants or provisions
hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected, or (c) in respect of
the covenants contained in Section 3.9; provided, however, that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or
a trustee of such trust, such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in
Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver, provided, further,
that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder
of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall
be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall
be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or
other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall
have been waived as permitted by this Section, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and this
Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.
Section 5.8. Notice
of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the actual knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of the
occurrence of a default with respect to the Debentures, mail to all Securityholders, as the names and addresses of such holders
appear upon the Debenture Register, notice of all defaults with respect to the Debentures known to the Trustee, unless such defaults
shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “defaults” for the purpose of this Section 5.8 being
hereby defined to be the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 5.1, not including periods of
grace, if any, provided for therein); provided, however, that, except in the case of default in the payment
of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such
notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is
in the interests of the Securityholders.
Section 5.9. Undertaking
to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Debenture by his acceptance thereof shall be
deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under
this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant
in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs,
including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and
good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of
this Section 5.9 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group
of Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Debentures outstanding, or to any suit instituted
by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture
against the Company on or after the same shall have become due and payable.
ARTICLE VI.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1. Duties
and Responsibilities of Trustee. With respect to the holders of Debentures issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the
occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which
may have occurred, with respect to the Debentures, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set
forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default
with respect to the Debentures has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights
and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
No provision of this
Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act
or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(a) prior
to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to Debentures and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which
may have occurred
(1) the
duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debentures shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture,
and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to the Debentures as
are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against
the Trustee, and
(2) in
the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the 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 Trustee and conforming to the
requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically
required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they
conform to the requirements of this Indenture;
(b) the
Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless
it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(c) the
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 Securityholders pursuant to Section 5.7, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.
None of the provisions
contained in this Indenture shall require the 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 there is ground for believing that
the repayment of such funds or liability is not assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or indemnity satisfactory to the
Trustee against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
Section 6.2. Reliance
on Documents, Opinions, etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.1:
(a) the
Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, debenture or other paper or document believed
by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any
request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate
(unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the
Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;
(c) the
Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization
and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice
or Opinion of Counsel;
(d) the
Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order
or direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein
or thereby;
(e) the
Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee
of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures (that has not been cured or waived)
to exercise with respect to Debentures such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree
of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;
(f) the
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, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, unless
requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures
affected thereby; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs,
expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not
reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable
indemnity against such expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding;
(g) the
Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents
(including any Authenticating Agent) or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on
the part of any such agent or attorney appointed by it with due care; and
(h) with
the exceptions of defaults under Sections 5.1(a) or (b), the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event
of Default with respect to the Debentures unless a written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to
the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures or by any holder of the Debentures.
Section 6.3. No
Responsibility for Recitals, etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Debentures (except in the certificate of authentication
of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee and the Authenticating
Agent assume no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent make no representations
as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debentures. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent shall not be
accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debentures or the proceeds of any Debentures authenticated and delivered
by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 6.4. Trustee,
Authenticating Agent, Paving Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debentures. The Trustee or any Authenticating
Agent or any paying agent or any transfer agent or any Debenture registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become
the owner or pledgee of Debentures with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, paying agent,
transfer agent or Debenture registrar.
Section 6.5. Moneys
to be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.4, all moneys received by the Trustee or any paying agent
shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purpose for which they were received, but need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee and any paying agent shall be under no liability
for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company. So long as no Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time upon
the written order of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
a Managing Director, a Vice President, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Company.
Section 6.6. Compensation
and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable
expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture
(including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its
employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or willful misconduct. For purposes of
clarification, this Section 6.6 does not contemplate the payment by the Company of acceptance or annual administration fees owing
to the Trustee pursuant to the services to be provided by the Trustee under this Indenture or the fees and expenses of the Trustee’s
counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture. The Company also covenants to indemnify
each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless
against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee)
incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance
or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability. The obligations
of the Company under this Section 6.6 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses,
disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by
a lien prior to that of the Debentures upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held
in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Debentures.
Without prejudice to
any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection
with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d), (e) or (f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of
its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal
or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
The provisions of this
Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the defeasance or other termination of this Indenture.
Notwithstanding anything
in this Indenture or any Debenture to the contrary, the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to advance funds to pay any
principal of or interest on or other amounts with respect to the Debentures or otherwise advance funds to or on behalf of the Company.
Section
6.7. Officers’ Certificate as Evidence. Except as
otherwise provided in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee
shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder,
such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or
willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an
Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or willful
misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the
provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
Section 6.8. Eligibility
of Trustee. The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the
United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or a corporation or other Person authorized
under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having (or whose obligations under this Indenture are guaranteed by an affiliate
having) a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000.00) and subject to supervision or examination
by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of
this Section 6.8 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 records of condition so published.
The Company may not,
nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee.
In case at any time
the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.8, the Trustee shall resign immediately
in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.9.
If the Trustee has
or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of § 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner described by this Indenture.
Section 6.9. Resignation
or Removal of Trustee
(a) The
Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to
the Company and by mailing notice thereof, at the Company’s expense, to the holders of the Debentures at their addresses as they
shall appear on the Debenture Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
trustee or trustees by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of its Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument
shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor Trustee. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed
and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the affected Securityholders, the
resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee, or any Securityholder
who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section
5.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.
(b) In
case at any time any of the following shall occur —
(1) the
Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 6.8 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder
who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least 6 months, or
(2) the
Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.8 and shall fail to resign after written request
therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder, or
(3) the
Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for
the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, the Company
may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors,
one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor Trustee, or, subject to
the provisions of Section 5.9, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least 6 months
may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the
Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper
and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint successor Trustee.
(c) Upon
prior written notice to the Company and the Trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor Trustee, which shall be deemed appointed as
successor Trustee unless within 10 Business Days after such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case, or in the case
of a failure by such holders to nominate a successor Trustee, the Trustee so removed or any Securityholder, upon the terms and
conditions and otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.9 provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
an appointment of a successor.
(d) Any
resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section
shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee as provided in Section 6.10.
Section 6.10. Acceptance
by Successor Trustee. Any successor Trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.9 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver
to the Company and to its predecessor Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation
or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance,
shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to the Debentures of its predecessor hereunder,
with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the
successor Trustee, the Trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section
6.6, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights and powers of the Trustee so ceasing
to act and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee
thereunder. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more
fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights and powers. Any Trustee ceasing to act
shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property or funds held or collected by such Trustee to secure any amounts then due
it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6.
If a successor Trustee
is appointed, the Company, the retiring Trustee and the successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto
which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and
duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debentures as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue
to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary
to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trust hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing
herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee
shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other
such Trustee.
No successor Trustee
shall accept appointment as provided in this Section unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible
under the provisions of Section 6.8.
In no event shall a
retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.
Upon acceptance of
appointment by a successor Trustee as provided in this Section 6.10, the Company shall mail notice of the succession of such Trustee
hereunder to the holders of Debentures at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debenture Register. If the Company fails
to mail such notice within 10 Business Days after the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee
shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.
Section 6.11. Succession
by Merger, etc. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated,
or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation
succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee
hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided
such corporation shall be otherwise eligible and qualified under this Article.
In case at the time
such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debentures shall have been authenticated
but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and
deliver such Debentures so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debentures shall not have been authenticated, any
successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debentures either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the
successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debentures or
in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right
to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Debentures in the name of any predecessor
Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 6.12. Authenticating
Agents. There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by the Trustee upon the request of the Company with power
to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Debentures issued upon exchange or registration
of transfer thereof as fully to all intents and purposes as though any such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized
to authenticate and deliver Debentures; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no liability to the Company
for any acts or omissions of the Authenticating Agent with respect to the authentication and delivery of Debentures. Any such Authenticating
Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state or territory
thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and
surplus of at least $50,000,000.00 and being subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of
Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or the requirements of
such authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.12 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. If at any time an Authenticating
Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and
with the effect herein specified in this Section.
Any corporation into
which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from
any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all
or substantially all of the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating
Agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 6.12 without the execution or filing of
any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or such Authenticating Agent.
Any Authenticating
Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any
time terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent with respect to the Debentures by giving written notice of termination to
such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case
at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 6.12, the Trustee may, and upon the request
of the Company shall, promptly appoint a successor Authenticating Agent eligible under this Section 6.12, shall give written notice
of such appointment to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment to all holders of Debentures as the names and addresses
of such holders appear on the Debenture Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder
shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities with respect to the Debentures of its predecessor hereunder,
with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent herein.
The Company agrees
to pay to any Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. Any Authenticating Agent shall have
no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such in accordance with the directions of the Trustee.
ARTICLE VII.
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 7.1. Action
by Securityholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal
amount of the Debentures may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent
or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such specified
percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by
such Securityholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of such holders of Debentures voting
in favor thereof at any meeting of such Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII,
or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of such Securityholders or (d)
by any other method the Trustee deems satisfactory.
If the Company shall
solicit from the Securityholders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation
of the same, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such Debentures
for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action or revocation of the same, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same may be given before
or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to
be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Debentures
have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action
or revocation of the same, and for that purpose the outstanding Debentures shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however,
that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it
shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than 6 months after the record date.
Section 7.2. Proof
of Execution by Securityholders. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, 6.2 and 8.5, proof of the execution of any instrument
by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations
as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debentures shall
be proved by the Debenture Register or by a certificate of the Debenture registrar. The Trustee may require such additional proof
of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.
The record of any Securityholders’
meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 8.6.
Section 7.3. Who
Are Deemed Absolute Owners. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture, the Company, the Trustee,
any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and any Debenture registrar may deem the Person in whose name such
Debenture shall be registered upon the Debenture Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether
or not such Debenture shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on such Debenture and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating
Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debenture registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
All such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums
so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debenture.
Section 7.4. Debentures
Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount
of Debentures have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Debentures which are owned by the Company
or any other obligor on the Debentures or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding
for the purpose of any such determination; provided, however, that for the purposes of determining whether the
Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Debentures which a Responsible Officer of
the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Debentures so owned which have been pledged in good faith may
be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.4 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee
the pledgee’s right to vote such Debentures and that the pledgee is not the Company or any such other obligor or Person directly
or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor.
In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection
to the Trustee.
Section 7.5. Revocation
of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section
7.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures specified in
this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder (in cases where no record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.1)
or any holder as of an applicable record date (in cases where a record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.1) of a Debenture
(or any Debenture issued in whole or in part in exchange or substitution therefor) the serial number of which is shown by the evidence
to be included in the Debentures the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee
at the Principal Office of the Trustee and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 7.2, revoke such action so far as concerns
such Debenture (or so far as concerns the principal amount represented by any exchanged or substituted Debenture). Except as aforesaid
any such action taken by the holder of any Debenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders
and owners of such Debenture, and of any Debenture issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof,
irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debenture or any Debenture issued in exchange or
substitution therefor.
ARTICLE VIII.
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Section 8.1. Purposes
of Meetings. A meeting of Securityholders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of
this Article VIII for any of the following purposes:
(a) to
give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any
default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of
the provisions of Article V;
(b) to
remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article VI;
(c) to
consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.2; or
(d) to
take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of such
Debentures under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.
Section 8.2. Call
of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Securityholders to take any action specified in Section
8.1, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders,
setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall
be mailed to holders of Debentures affected at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debentures Register and, if the Company
is not a holder of Debentures, to the Company. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the
date fixed for the meeting.
Section 8.3. Call
of Meetings by Company or Securityholders. In case at any time the Company pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the holders
of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures, as the case may be, then outstanding, shall have requested the
Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken
at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request,
then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take
any action authorized in Section 8.1, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 8.2.
Section 8.4. Qualifications
for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders a Person shall (a) be a holder of one or more Debentures
with respect to which the meeting is being held or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one
or more such Debentures. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders shall
be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any
representatives of the Company and its counsel.
Section 8.5. Regulations.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable
for any meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Debentures and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard
to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence
of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.
The Trustee shall,
by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company
or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.3, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the
case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall
be elected by majority vote of the meeting.
Subject to the provisions
of Section 7.4, at any meeting each holder of Debentures with respect to which such meeting is being held or proxy therefor shall
be entitled to one vote for each $1,000.00 principal amount of Debentures held or represented by him; provided, however,
that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debenture challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the
chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of
Debentures held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders.
Any meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.2 or 8.3 may be adjourned from time to time
by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further
notice.
Section 8.6. Voting.
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of holders of Debentures with respect to which such meeting is being held
shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such holders or of their representatives by proxy and
the serial number or numbers of the Debentures held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint
two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file
with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate
of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached
to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more
Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed
as provided in Section 8.2. The record shall show the serial numbers of the Debentures voting in favor of or against any resolution.
The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the
duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached
thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.
Any record so signed
and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
Section 8.7. Quorum;
Actions. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding shall constitute
a quorum for a meeting of Securityholders; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting
with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which may be given by the
holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, the Persons holding or
representing such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding will constitute a quorum. In the
absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request
of Securityholders, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined
by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned
meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent
chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting
shall be given as provided in Section 8.2, except that such notice need be given only once not less than 5 days prior to the date
on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the
percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding which shall constitute a quorum.
Except as limited
by the provisos in the first paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened
at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount
of the Debentures then outstanding; provided, however, that, except as limited by the provisos in the first
paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction
or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in
principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at
which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a not less than such specified percentage
in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding.
Any resolution passed
or decision taken at any meeting of holders of Debentures duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the
Securityholders, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.
ARTICLE IX.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.1. Supplemental
Indentures without Consent of Securityholders. The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may
from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto, without the consent of the Securityholders,
for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to
evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor Person
of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company, pursuant to Article XI hereof;
(b) to
add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection of the holders of Debentures
as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the holders of such Debentures, and to make the occurrence,
or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a default or an
Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth;
provided, however, that in respect of any such additional covenant restriction or condition such supplemental
indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed
in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available
to the Trustee upon such default;
(c) to
cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective
or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in
regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that any such action shall not materially adversely
affect the interests of the holders of the Debentures;
(d) to
add to, delete from, or revise the terms of Debentures, including, without limitation, any terms relating to the issuance, exchange,
registration or transfer of Debentures, including to provide for transfer procedures and restrictions substantially similar to
those applicable to the Capital Securities as required by Section 2.5 (for purposes of assuring that no registration of Debentures
is required under the Securities Act); provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the
interests of the holders of the Debentures then outstanding (it being understood, for purposes of this proviso, that transfer
restrictions on Debentures substantially similar to those that were applicable to Capital Securities shall not be deemed to materially
adversely affect the holders of the Debentures);
(e) to
evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Debentures and to add
to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the
trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;
(f) to
make any change (other than as elsewhere provided in this paragraph) that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder
in any material respect; or
(g) to
provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Debentures, to establish the form of any certifications
required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or the Debentures, or to add to the rights of the holders of Debentures.
The Trustee is hereby
authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements
and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder,
but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects
the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture
authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.1 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders
of any of the Debentures at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2.
Section 9.2. Supplemental
Indentures with Consent of Securityholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.1) of the holders of
not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding affected by such supplemental
indenture (voting as a class), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at
any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in
any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner
the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without
the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the fixed maturity of any Debenture,
or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon,
or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium thereon payable in
any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debentures, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute
suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage
of Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture; provided further, however,
that if the Debentures are held by a trust or a trustee of such trust, such supplemental indenture shall not be effective until
the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities shall have consented to such supplemental indenture; provided further, however, that if the consent of the Securityholder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such supplemental
indenture shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall have consented to such supplemental indenture.
Upon the request of
the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing
with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution
of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under
this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental
indenture.
Promptly after the
execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee
shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, prepared by the Company, setting forth in general terms the substance
of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture Register. Any failure
of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any
such supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary
for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture,
but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.3. Effect
of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article
IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations
of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Debentures shall
thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all
the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this
Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 9.4. Notation
on Debentures. Debentures authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the
provisions of this Article IX may bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company
or the Trustee shall so determine, new Debentures so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company,
to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company,
authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivered in exchange for the Debentures then outstanding.
Section 9.5. Evidence
of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections
6.1 and 6.2, shall, in addition to the documents required by Section 14.6, receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel
as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article
IX. The Trustee shall receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to
this Article IX is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article IX and that it is proper for the Trustee
under the provisions of this Article IX to join in the execution thereof.
ARTICLE X.
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 10.1. Optional
Redemption. The Company shall have the right (subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval (i) if the Company
is a bank holding company, from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve or (ii) if the Company is a savings and loan holding company, from the OTS, if then required under applicable capital guidelines
or policies of the OTS) to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples
of $1,000.00, on any Interest Payment Date on or after the Interest Payment Date in June 2011 (the “Redemption Date”),
at the Redemption Price.
Section 10.2. Special
Event Redemption. If a Special Event shall occur and be continuing, the Company shall have the right (subject to the receipt
by the Company of prior approval (i) if the Company is a bank holding company, from the Federal Reserve, if then required under
applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or (ii) if the Company is a savings and loan holding company,
from the OTS, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the OTS) to redeem the Debentures in whole, but
not in part, at any Interest Payment Date, within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the “Special
Redemption Date”) at the Special Redemption Price.
Section 10.3. Notice
of Redemption; Selection of Debentures. In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all, or, as the
case may be, any part of the Debentures, it shall cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than
60 days prior to the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date to the holders of Debentures so to be redeemed as a whole or
in part at their last addresses as the same appear on the Debenture Register. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice
if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives
such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Debenture designated
for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debenture.
Each such notice of
redemption shall specify the CUSIP number, if any, of the Debentures to be redeemed, the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption
Date, as applicable, the Redemption Price or the Special Redemption Price, as applicable, at which Debentures are to be redeemed,
the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debentures, that interest accrued
to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or
on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If less than all the Debentures are to be redeemed the notice of redemption
shall specify the numbers of the Debentures to be redeemed. In case the Debentures are to be redeemed in part only, the notice
of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date
fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debenture, a new Debenture or Debentures in principal amount equal to the unredeemed
portion thereof will be issued.
Prior to 10:00 a.m.
New York City time on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Company will deposit with the Trustee
or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date,
as applicable, all the Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.
If all, or less than
all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days, respectively,
prior to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be
redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures
or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.
Section 10.4. Payment
of Debentures Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 10.3, the Debentures
or portions of Debentures with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date
or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable Redemption Price
or Special Redemption Price and on and after said date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Debentures at the
Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, as applicable) interest on the Debentures or portions of Debentures so called for
redemption shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debentures at a place of payment specified in said notice,
such Debentures or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price
or Special Redemption Price.
Upon presentation of
any Debenture redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery
to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Debenture or Debentures of authorized denominations, in principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion of the Debenture so presented.
ARTICLE XI.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE
AND LEASE
Section 11.1. Company
May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures shall prevent any consolidation
or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations
or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance,
transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as
an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company, or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire
and operate the same; provided, however, that the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation,
merger (where the Company is not the surviving corporation), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, the due and punctual
payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debentures in accordance with their terms, according
to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be
kept or performed by the Company, shall be expressly assumed by supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed
and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by
the entity which shall have acquired such property.
Section 11.2. Successor
Entity to be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and
upon the assumption by the successor entity, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory
in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Debentures
and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or
observed by the Company, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if
it had been named herein as the Company, and thereupon the predecessor entity shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation
hereunder or upon the Debentures. Such successor entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue in its own name, any or
all of the Debentures issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee
or the Authenticating Agent; and, upon the order of such successor entity instead of the Company and subject to all the terms,
conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver
any Debentures which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company, to the Trustee or the Authenticating
Agent for authentication, and any Debentures which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the
Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for that purpose. All the Debentures so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank
and benefit under this Indenture as the Debentures theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture
as though all of such Debentures had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
Section 11.3. Opinion
of Counsel to be Given to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall receive, in addition
to the Opinion of Counsel required by Section 9.5, an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any consolidation, merger,
sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any assumption, permitted or required by the terms of this Article XI complies
with the provisions of this Article XI.
ARTICLE XII.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
Section 12.1. Discharge
of Indenture. When
| (a) | the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation
all Debentures theretofore authenticated (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which
shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.6) and not theretofore canceled, or |
| (b) | all the Debentures not theretofore canceled or delivered
to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within 1 year
or are to be called for redemption within 1 year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption,
and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust, funds, which shall be immediately due and payable, sufficient to pay
at maturity or upon redemption all of the Debentures (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen
and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.6) not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or redemption
date, as the case may be, but excluding, however, the amount of any moneys for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any,
or interest on the Debentures (1) theretofore repaid to the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.4, or (2)
paid to any state or to the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws, |
and if in the case of either clause (a)
or clause (b) the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture
shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 6.6, 6.8, 6.9 and 12.4
hereof shall survive until such Debentures shall mature and be paid. Thereafter, Sections 6.6 and 12.4 shall survive, and the Trustee,
on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent
herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with, and at the cost and expense
of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture. The Company agrees
to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee in connection with
this Indenture or the Debentures.
Section 12.2. Deposited
Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.4, all moneys deposited with the Trustee
pursuant to Section 12.1 shall be held in trust in a non-interest bearing account and applied by it to the payment, either directly
or through any paying agent (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular Debentures
for the payment of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal,
and premium, if any, and interest.
Section 12.3. Paying
Agent to Repay Moneys Held. Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys then held by any paying agent
of the Debentures (other than the Trustee) shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon
such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.
Section 12.4. Return
of Unclaimed Moneys. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for payment of the principal
of, and premium, if any, or interest on Debentures and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Debentures for 2 years
after the date upon which the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on such Debentures, as the case may be, shall have
become due and payable, shall, subject to applicable escheatment laws, be repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such paying agent
on written demand; and the holder of any of the Debentures shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such
holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or such paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon
cease.
ARTICLE XIII.
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 13.1. Indenture
and Debentures Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest
on any Debenture, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation,
covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any such Debenture, or because of
the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or
director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor Person of the Company, either directly or through
the Company or any successor Person of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement
of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and
released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.
ARTICLE XIV.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 14.1. Successors.
All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the Company in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns
whether so expressed or not.
Section 14.2. Official
Acts by Successor Entity. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or
performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the
like board, committee, officer or other authorized Person of any entity that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.
Section 14.3. Surrender
of Company Powers. The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of at least 2/3 (two-thirds) of its Board
of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company and thereupon such power so surrendered
shall terminate both as to the Company, and as to any permitted successor.
Section 14.4. Addresses
for Notices, etc. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand which by any provision of this
Indenture is required or permitted to be given, made, furnished or served by the Trustee or by the Securityholders on or to the
Company may be given or served in writing by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter
box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company, with the Trustee for the purpose) to the Company, 5010 NW 43rd Street,
Gainesville, Florida 32606, Attention: G.T. Mallini. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand by
any Securityholder or the Company to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes,
if given or made in writing at the office of the Trustee, addressed to the Trustee, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1600, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization,
waiver or demand on or to any Securityholder shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given
or made in writing at the address set forth in the Debenture Register.
Section 14.5. Governing
Law. This Indenture and each Debenture shall be deemed to be a contract made under the law of the State of New York, and
for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State, without regard to conflict of laws
principles thereof.
Section 14.6. Evidence
of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action
under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that in
the opinion of the signers all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have
been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been
complied with.
Each certificate or
opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided
for in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or
condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination
or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has
been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been
complied with.
Section 14.7. Table
of Contents, Headings, etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture
have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict
any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 14.8. Execution
in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but
such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 14.9. Separability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures shall for any reason be held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions
of this Indenture or of such Debentures, but this Indenture and such Debentures shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal
or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
Section 14.10. Assignment.
The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect
wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company will remain liable for
all such obligations. Subject to the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties hereto.
Section 14.11. Acknowledgment
of Rights. The Company agrees that, with respect to any Debentures held by the Trust or the Institutional Trustee of the
Trust, if the Institutional Trustee of the Trust fails to enforce its rights under this Indenture as the holder of Debentures held
as the assets of such Trust after the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such Trust have
so directed such Institutional Trustee, a holder of record of such Capital Securities may, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
institute legal proceedings directly against the Company to enforce such Institutional Trustee’s rights under this Indenture without
first instituting any legal proceedings against such trustee or any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest (or premium,
if any) or principal on the Debentures on the date such interest (or premium, if any) or principal is otherwise payable (or in
the case of redemption, on the redemption date), the Company agrees that a holder of record of Capital Securities of the Trust
may directly institute a proceeding against the Company for enforcement of payment to such holder directly of the principal of
(or premium, if any) or interest on the Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount
of the Capital Securities of such holder on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures.
ARTICLE XV.
SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES
Section 15.1. Agreement
to Subordinate. The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Debentures by such Securityholder’s acceptance thereof
likewise covenants and agrees, that all Debentures shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article XV; and each holder
of a Debenture, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.
The payment by the
Company of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all Debentures shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter
set forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company,
whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred; provided, however, that the Debentures
shall rank pari passu in right of payment with the Company’s Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due March
17, 2035 issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of March 17, 2005 by and between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company.
No provision of this
Article XV shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.
Section
15.2. Default on Senior Indebtedness. In the event and
during the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due
on any Senior Indebtedness of the Company following any grace period, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior
Indebtedness of the Company has been accelerated because of a default and such acceleration has not been rescinded or
canceled and such Senior Indebtedness has not been paid in full, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the
Company with respect to the principal (including redemption) of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures.
In the event that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph
of this Section 15.2, such payment shall, subject to Section 15.7, be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over
or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any
indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but
only to the extent that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify
the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness and only the
amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.
Section 15.3. Liquidation,
Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the
Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due upon
all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with
its terms, before any payment is made by the Company, on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debentures.
Upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets
of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Securityholders or the Trustee would
be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article XV, shall be paid by the Company, or by any
receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Securityholders
or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to
such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by the Company)
or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments
evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to
pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution
to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Securityholders or to the
Trustee.
In the event that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash,
property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in
full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in
trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative
or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior
Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the
payment of all Senior Indebtedness, remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in
accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness.
For purposes of this
Article XV, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment,
the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XV with respect to the Debentures to the payment
of all Senior Indebtedness, that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new
corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of
the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following
the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms
and conditions provided for in Article XI of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization
for the purposes of this Section if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer,
comply with the conditions stated in Article XI of this Indenture. Nothing in Section 15.2 or in this Section shall apply to claims
of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6 of this Indenture.
Section 15.4. Subrogation.
Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders
of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company, applicable to
such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debentures shall be paid in full. For
the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property
or securities to which the Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV, and no
payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by
Securityholders or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company,
and the holders of the Debentures be deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness.
It is understood that the provisions of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights
of the holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.
Nothing contained in
this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Debentures is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its
creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the holders of the Debentures, the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Debentures the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect
the relative rights of the holders of the Debentures and creditors of the Company, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness,
nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any Debenture from exercising all remedies otherwise
permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XV of the holders
of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.
Upon any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this
Indenture, and the Securityholders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent
jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of
the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered
to the Trustee or to the Securityholders, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution,
the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or
amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.
Section 15.5. Trustee
to Effectuate Subordination. Each Securityholder by such Securityholder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the
Trustee on such Securityholder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination
provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee such Securityholder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
Section 15.6. Notice
by the Company. The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office
of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in
respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any
other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit
the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article
XV, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee shall have received written notice
thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of
any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects
to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice
provided for in this Section at least 2 Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable
for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture),
then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such
money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary
that may be received by it within 2 Business Days prior to such date.
The Trustee, subject
to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice
by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee or representative on behalf of such holder),
to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or representative on behalf of
any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect
to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this
Article XV, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount
of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or
distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XV, and, if such evidence is not furnished,
the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such
payment.
Section 15.7. Rights
of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights
set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder
of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
With respect to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are
specifically set forth in this Article XV, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders
of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to
any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Securityholders, the Company or any other Person money
or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise.
Nothing in this Article
XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6.
Section 15.8. Subordination
May Not Be Impaired. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein
provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company, or by
any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company, with the terms, provisions
and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.
Without in any way
limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time,
without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Securityholders, without incurring responsibility to the Securityholders
and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article XV or the obligations hereunder of the holders of
the Debentures to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or
terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement
in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness
is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such
Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise
or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company, and any other Person.
Signatures appear on the following page
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of
the day and year first above written.
|
MERCHANTS & SOUTHERN BANKS OF FLORIDA, INCORPORATED |
|
|
|
|
By |
/s/ G. T. Mallini |
|
|
Name: G. T. Mallini |
|
|
Title: President |
|
|
|
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee |
|
|
|
By |
/s/ Christophar J. Slaybaugh |
|
|
Name: Christophar J. Slaybaugh |
|
|
Title: Senior Financial Services Officer |
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEFERRABLE INTEREST
DEBENTURE
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
THIS SECURITY IS NOT
A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED BY THE UNITED STATES OR ANY AGENCY OR FUND OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED,
TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT
FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER
OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B)
PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER
REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY
IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION
IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED
INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR
ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO,
OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE
OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY.
THE HOLDER OF THIS
SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT
ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”),
OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY
WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING
“PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER
IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60,
91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION
406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR
ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE
OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION
406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
THIS SECURITY WILL
BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES
OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS
THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS
SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
IN CONNECTION WITH
ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED
BY THE INDENTURE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debenture
of
Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida,
Incorporated
March 30, 2006
Merchants & Southern
Banks of Florida, Incorporated, a Florida corporation (the “Company” which term includes any successor Person under the
Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received promises to pay to Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity
but solely as Institutional Trustee for Merchants & Southern Statutory Trust II (the “Holder”) or registered assigns,
the principal sum of three million ninety-three thousand dollars ($3,093,000.00) on June 15, 2036, and to pay interest on said
principal sum from March 30, 2006, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to which interest has been
paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and
December 15 of each year or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day (each such date, an “Interest
Payment Date”) (it being understood that interest accrues for any such non-Business Day), commencing on the Interest Payment
Date in June 2006, at an annual rate equal to 6.47938% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on
(but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in June 2006 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including)
the Interest Payment Date in June 2006, and each succeeding Interest Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding
Interest Payment Date (each a “Distribution Period”), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 1.50%
(the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the principal amount hereof, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for
or made available for payment, and on any overdue principal and (without duplication and to the extent that payment of such interest
is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest (including Additional Interest) at the Interest Rate
in effect for each applicable period, compounded quarterly, from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available
for payment. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution
Period concerned divided by 360. The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be fifteen
Business Days prior to the day on which the relevant Interest Payment Date occurs. Any such interest installment not so punctually
paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such regular record date and may be paid to the
Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special
record date.
“3-Month LIBOR”
as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee
in the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month
maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (“Telerate Page
3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace
Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information
vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate cannot be identified
on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank
market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market
for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two
quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such quotations
are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’
offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London
time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such
quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a
3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period. If the
rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London
time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time)
on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR
for such Determination Date. As used herein, “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e.,
a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement
of the relevant Distribution Period.
The Interest Rate for
any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified
by United States law.
All percentages resulting
from any calculations on the Debentures will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point,
with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655),
and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being
rounded upward)).
The principal of and
interest on this Debenture shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company)
maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender
for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made by check mailed
to the registered holder at such address as shall appear in the Debenture Register if a request for a wire transfer by such holder
has not been received by the Company or by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the holder hereof. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, so long as the holder of this Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest
on this Debenture will be made in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Trustee.
So long as no Acceleration
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, from time to time, and without causing an Event
of Default, to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period on the Debentures at any
time and from time to time during the term of the Debentures, for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each such extended interest
payment period, an “Extension Period”), during which Extension Period no interest (including Additional Interest)
shall be due and payable (except any Additional Sums that may be due and payable). No Extension Period may end on a date other
than an Interest Payment Date. During an Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on
such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the Interest Rate in effect for such Extension Period, compounded
quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by
law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional Interest”). At the end of any such Extension Period the Company
shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however,
that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date; provided further, however, that during
any such Extension Period, the Company shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to engage in any of the activities or transactions
described on the reverse side hereof and in the Indenture. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Company may further
extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall
not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period
and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Company may commence a new Extension Period,
subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period,
except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension
Period shall bear Additional Interest. The Company must give the Trustee notice of its election to begin or extend an Extension
Period by the close of business at least 15 Business Days prior to the Interest Payment Date with respect to which interest on
the Debentures would have been payable except for the election to begin or extend such Extension Period.
The indebtedness evidenced
by this Debenture is, to the extent provided in the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Debenture is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto.
Each holder of this Debenture, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs
the Trustee on his or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination
so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each holder hereof, by his
or her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the
Indenture by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives reliance by each such
holder upon said provisions.
This Debenture shall
not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until
the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.
The provisions
of this Debenture are continued on the reverse side hereof and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though
fully set forth at this place.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the Company has duly executed this certificate.
|
MERCHANTS & SOUTHERN BANKS OF FLORIDA, INCORPORATED |
|
|
|
|
By |
|
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Title: |
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the
Debentures referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
|
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee |
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
|
|
Authorized Officer |
[FORM OF REVERSE OF DEBENTURE]
This Debenture is one
of the floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures of the Company, all issued or to be issued under and pursuant
to the Indenture dated as of March 30, 2006 (the “Indenture”), duly executed and delivered between the Company and the
Trustee, to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties
and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Debentures. The Debentures are limited in aggregate
principal amount as specified in the Indenture.
Upon the occurrence
and continuation of a Special Event prior to the Interest Payment Date in June 2011, the Company shall have the right to redeem
the Debentures in whole, but not in part, at any Interest Payment Date, within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special
Event, at the Special Redemption Price.
In addition, the Company
shall have the right to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples
of $1,000.00, on any Interest Payment Date on or after the Interest Payment Date in June 2011, at the Redemption Price.
Prior to 10:00 a.m.
New York City time on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Company will deposit with the Trustee
or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date,
as applicable, all the Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.
If all, or less than
all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days, respectively,
prior to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be
redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures
or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.
Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any redemption of Debentures by the Company shall be subject to the receipt of any and all required regulatory approvals.
In case an Acceleration
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, upon demand of the Trustee, the principal of all of the Debentures shall
become due and payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains
provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions
to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying
in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture
shall without the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the fixed maturity
of any Debenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment
of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium
thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debentures, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder
to institute suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder, or (ii) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.
The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding
on behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures to waive (or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event
of Default, and its consequences, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of
the Debentures, (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof or of the Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without
the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected, or (c) in respect of the covenants contained in Section 3.9 of the Indenture;
provided, however, that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such trust, such waiver or
modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities of
the Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver, provided, further, that if the
consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust
Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed
to be cured for all purposes of the Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored
to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default
or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been
waived as permitted by the Indenture, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and the Indenture
be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.
No reference herein
to the Indenture and no provision of this Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, including Additional Interest, on this
Debenture at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed.
The Company has agreed
that if Debentures are initially issued to the Trust or a trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities
by the Trust (regardless of whether Debentures continue to be held by such Trust) and (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing
an Event of Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities
Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending
the interest payment period as provided herein and such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the
Company shall not, and shall not allow any Affiliate of the Company to, (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or
redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock or its Affiliates’
capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to
the foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt
securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures
(other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above, (1) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital
stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit
of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase
plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such
capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, if any, (2)
as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary
of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness
for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital
stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (4)
any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property
under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (5) any dividend in the form of
stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options
or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such
stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (6) payments under the Capital Securities
Guarantee).
The Debentures are
issuable only in registered, certificated form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000.00 and any multiple of
$1,000.00 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to the transfer restrictions and limitations as may be contained
herein and therein from time to time, this Debenture is transferable by the holder hereof on the Debenture Register of the Company.
Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency
of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2 of the Indenture, the Company shall execute, the Company
or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in
the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debenture for a like aggregate principal amount. All Debentures presented for registration
of transfer or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) be duly
endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to, the Company and the
Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing. No service charge shall
be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debentures, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment
for registration of transfer of any Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer
agent and any Debenture registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Debenture shall be registered upon the Debenture Register
to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether or not such Debenture shall be overdue) for the purpose
of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debenture and for all other purposes;
and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debenture
registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his
order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys
payable upon any such Debenture.
No recourse for the
payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Debenture, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect
thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or in any supplemental
indenture, or in any such Debenture, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any
incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor
Person of the Company, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person of the Company, whether by virtue of any
constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood
that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of
the Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.
Capitalized terms used
and not defined in this Debenture shall have the meanings assigned in the Indenture dated as of the date of original issuance of
this Debenture between the Trustee and the Company.
THE INDENTURE AND THE
DEBENTURES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF
LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO TRUSTEE
Pursuant to Section
3.5 of the Indenture between Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated, as the Company (the “Company”),
and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, dated as of March 30, 2006 (the “Indenture”), the undersigned hereby certifies
as follows:
| 1 | In my capacity as an officer of the Company, I would normally have knowledge of any default by
the Company during the last fiscal year in the performance of any covenants of the Company contained in the Indenture. |
| 2. | [To my knowledge, the Company is not in default in the performance of any covenants contained in the Indenture. |
or, alternatively:
I am aware of the default(s) in the performance of covenants
in the Indentures, as specified below.]
Capitalized terms used
herein, and not otherwise defined herein, have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the undersigned has executed this Certificate.
Date:
Exhibit 4.5
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL
INDENTURE dated as of May 22, 2015, is by and among Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware trust company, as Trustee (herein,
together with its successors in interest, the “Trustee”), Ameris Bancorp, a Georgia corporation (the “Successor
Company”), and Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated, a Florida corporation (the “Company”),
under the Indenture referred to below.
NOW, THEREFORE,
in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged by the parties hereto, the Trustee, the Company and the Successor Company hereby agree as follows:
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
The Trustee and the
Company are parties to that certain Indenture dated as of March 30, 2006 (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company
issued U.S. $3,093,000 of its Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2036.
As permitted by the
terms of the Indenture, the Company, simultaneously with the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, shall merge (referred
to herein for purposes of Article XI of the Indenture as the “Merger”) with and into the Successor Company with the
Successor Company as the surviving corporation. The parties hereto are entering into this First Supplemental Indenture pursuant
to, and in accordance with, Articles IX and XI of the Indenture.
SECTION 1. Definitions.
All capitalized terms used herein that are defined in the Indenture, either directly or by reference therein, shall have the respective
meanings assigned them in the Indenture except as otherwise provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires.
SECTION 2. Interpretation.
| (a) | In this First Supplemental Indenture, unless a clear contrary intention appears: |
| (i) | the singular number includes the plural number and vice versa; |
| (ii) | reference to any gender includes the other gender; |
| (iii) | the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words
of similar import refer to this First Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision; |
| (iv) | reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable,
only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture, and reference to a Person
in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually, provided that nothing in this clause (iv)
is intended to authorize any assignment not otherwise permitted by this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture; |
| (v) | reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument
as amended, supplemented or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the
terms hereof, as well as any substitution or replacement therefor, and reference to any note includes modifications thereof and
any note issued in extension or renewal thereof or in substitution or replacement therefor; |
| (vi) | reference to any Section means such Section of this First Supplemental Indenture; and |
| (vii) | the word “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including
without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term. |
| (b) | No provision in this First Supplemental Indenture shall be interpreted or construed against any
Person because that Person or its legal representative drafted such provision. |
SECTION 3. Assumption
of Obligations.
| (a) | Pursuant to, and in compliance and accordance with, Section 11.1 and Section 11.2 of the Indenture,
the Successor Company hereby expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on all of the Debentures in accordance with their terms, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance
of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be kept, performed, or observed by the Company under the Indenture. |
| (b) | Pursuant to, and in compliance and accordance with, Section 11.2 of the Indenture, the Successor
Company succeeds to and is substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if the Successor Company had originally been named
in the Indenture as the Company. |
| (c) | The Successor Company also succeeds to and is substituted for the Company with the same effect
as if the Successor Company had originally been named in (i) the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated
as of March 30, 2006 (the “Trust Agreement”), as Sponsor (as defined in the Trust Agreement) and (ii) the Guarantee
Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2006 (the “Guarantee”), as Guarantor (as defined in the Guarantee). |
SECTION 4. Representations
and Warranties. The Successor Company represents and warrants that (a) it has all necessary power and authority to execute
and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture and to perform the Indenture, (b) it is the successor of the Company pursuant to
the Merger effected in accordance with applicable law, (c) it is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Georgia,
(d) both immediately before and after giving effect to the Merger and this First Supplemental Indenture, no Default or Event of
Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing
and (e) this First Supplemental Indenture is executed and delivered pursuant to Section 9.1 and Article XI of the Indenture and
does not require the consent of the Securityholders.
SECTION 5. Conditions
of Effectiveness. This First Supplemental Indenture shall become effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of the
Merger; provided, however, that:
| (a) | the Trustee shall have executed a counterpart of this First Supplemental Indenture and shall have
received one or more counterparts of this First Supplemental Indenture executed by the Successor Company and the Company; |
| (b) | the Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate stating that (i) this First Supplemental
Indenture complies with the requirements of Article IX of the Indenture; and (ii) in the opinion of the signers, all conditions
precedent, if any, provided for in the Indenture relating to the Merger and this First Supplemental Indenture have been complied
with; |
| (c) | the Trustee shall have received an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) all conditions precedent
provided for in the Indenture relating to the Merger and this First Supplemental Indenture have been complied with; (ii) the Merger
and this First Supplemental Indenture comply with Articles IX and XI of the Indenture; (iii) this First Supplemental Indenture
is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of Article IX of the Indenture; and (iv) it is proper for the Trustee,
under the provisions of Article IX of the Indenture, to join in the execution of this First Supplemental Indenture; and |
| (d) | the Successor Company and the Company shall have duly executed and filed with the Department of
State of the State of Florida and the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia articles or a certificate of merger in connection
with the Merger. |
SECTION 6. Reference
to the Indenture.
| (a) | Upon the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, each reference in the Indenture to
“this Indenture,” “hereunder,” “herein” or words of like import shall mean and be a reference
to the Indenture, as affected, amended and supplemented hereby. |
| (b) | Upon the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, each reference in the Debentures to
the Indenture, including each term defined by reference to the Indenture, shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture or such
term, as the case may be, as affected, amended and supplemented hereby. |
| (c) | The Indenture, as amended and supplemented hereby, shall remain in full force and effect and is
hereby ratified and confirmed. |
SECTION 7. Execution
in Counterparts. This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
when taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
SECTION 8. Governing
Law; Binding Effect. This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
SECTION 9. The
Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency
of this First Supplemental Indenture or the due execution thereof by the Company or the Successor Company. The recitals of fact
contained herein shall be taken as the statements solely of the Company or the Successor Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility
for the correctness thereof.
[Signatures on following page.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.
|
MERCHANTS & SOUTHERN BANKS OF FLORIDA, INCORPORATED |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ G. T. Mallini |
|
|
G. T. Mallini |
|
|
President |
|
|
|
AMERIS BANCORP |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Edwin W. Hortman, Jr. |
|
|
Edwin W. Hortman, Jr. |
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Michael H. Wass |
|
|
Michael H. Wass |
|
|
Assistant Vice President |
Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ:ABCB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ:ABCB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024