As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2015
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware | | 38-1747023 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, Florida 33025
(954) 447-7920
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
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B. Ben Baldanza
President and Chief Executive Officer
Spirit Airlines, Inc.
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, Florida 33025
(954) 447-7920
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
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With copies to: |
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Thomas C. Canfield
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Spirit Airlines, Inc.
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, Florida 33025
(954) 447-7920 | Raphael M. Russo
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
(212) 373-3000 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. þ
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨ ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer | þ | Accelerated filer | ¨ |
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Non-accelerated filer | ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered | Amount to be Registered (1) | Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per Unit (2) | Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price (2) | Amount of Registration Fee |
Voting Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (3) | | |
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Non-Voting Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (3) | | | | |
Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (4) | | | | |
Debt Securities (5) | | | | |
Warrants (6) | | | | |
Rights (7) | | | | |
Purchase Contracts (8) | | | | |
Units (9) | | | | |
Pass Through Certificates | | | | |
Total | (1) | (1) | (1) | (2) |
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(1) | Omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.E to Form S-3 under the Securities Act. An unspecified aggregate initial offering price and number or amount of the securities of each identified class of securities is being registered for possible offering from time to time at indeterminate prices. The proposed maximum offering price per security will be determined from time to time by the registrants in connection with, and at the time of, offering by the registrants of the securities registered hereby. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are offered in units. Securities may be denominated in U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currency or currency units. |
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(2) | In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrant is deferring payment of all applicable registration fees. |
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(3) | Shares of voting common stock or non-voting common stock may be issued in primary or secondary offerings or upon conversion of debt and other securities of the registrant registered hereby. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, shares of voting common stock or non-voting common stock being registered hereby include such indeterminate number of shares as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereby as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. |
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(4) | Preferred Stock may be issued in primary or secondary offerings or upon conversion of debt securities registered hereby. |
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(5) | Debt securities may be issued in primary or secondary offerings or upon conversion of debt securities registered hereby. |
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(6) | Warrants may be issued in primary or secondary offerings. Warrants may be issued representing rights to purchase shares of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities of the registrant (as shall be designated by the registrant at the time of any such offering) registered hereby. |
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(7) | Rights may be issued to purchase shares of common stock and/or any of the other securities of the registrant registered hereby. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between the registrant and a bank or trust company, as rights agent. |
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(8) | Purchase contracts may be issued for the purchase and sale of any securities of the registrant registered hereby. |
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(9) | Units may be issued that may consist of any combination of the other securities of the registrant registered hereby. |
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This registration statement consists of two separate prospectuses. The first prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time by Spirit Airlines, Inc., of voting common stock, non-voting common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights, purchase contracts and units, and the second prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time by Spirit Airlines, Inc. of pass through certificates.
PROSPECTUS
Spirit Airlines, Inc.
Voting Common Stock
Non-Voting Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Purchase Contracts
Units
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From time to time, we may offer the securities described in this prospectus separately or together in any combination, in one or more classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering.
We will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read carefully this prospectus, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SAVE.”
INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES WILL BE DESCRIBED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND/OR CERTAIN OF OUR FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, AS DESCRIBED UNDER “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 1. We may offer and sell the securities directly, through agents we select from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers we select, or through a combination of these methods. If we use any agents, underwriters or dealers to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of those securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from that sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is February 23, 2015.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS | 1 |
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RISK FACTORS | 1 |
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | 2 |
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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | 2 |
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | 4 |
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OUR COMPANY | 6 |
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES | 6 |
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USE OF PROCEEDS | 7 |
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK | 7 |
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES | 12 |
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS | 20 |
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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS | 24 |
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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS | 25 |
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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS | 26 |
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GLOBAL SECURITIES | 27 |
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | 30 |
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LEGAL MATTERS | 31 |
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EXPERTS | 32 |
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Important Notice about the Information Presented In This Prospectus
We are responsible for the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us that we have referred to you. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with additional information or information different from that contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and we take no responsibility for any other information that others may give you.
This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of an offer in such jurisdiction. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since that date.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we are registering an unspecified amount of each class of the securities described in this prospectus, and we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, any applicable free writing prospectuses and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes all material information relating to the securities we may offer. Please carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus, together with the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before making a decision to purchase any of our securities.
The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the securities offered, any initial public offering price, the price paid to us for the securities, the net proceeds to us, the manner of distribution and any underwriting compensation, and the other specific material terms related to the offering of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also contain information, where applicable, about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of the documents referred to herein have been filed, or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
As used in this prospectus, “Spirit,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Spirit Airlines, Inc.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before you make a decision to buy our securities, in addition to the risks and uncertainties discussed below under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” you should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and under the caption “Risk Factors” in our filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, incorporated by reference herein, before making an investment decision. Additionally, the risks and uncertainties discussed in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face, and our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations and the market price of any securities we may sell could be materially adversely affected by other matters that are not known to us or that we currently do not consider to be material.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC, but the registration statement includes additional information and also attaches exhibits that are referenced in this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. Some items are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the securities offered hereby, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or any other document referred to are summaries of the material terms of the respective contract, agreement or other document. With respect to each of these contracts, agreements or other documents filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, reference is made to the exhibits for a more complete description of the matter involved. A copy of the registration statement, and the exhibits and schedules thereto, may be inspected without charge at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of these materials may be obtained by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov.
We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and website of the SEC referred to above. We maintain a website at www.spirit.com. You may access our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on our website.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information in this prospectus that we have filed with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document already on file with the SEC. The information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.
This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC (excluding any document, or portion thereof, to the extent disclosure is furnished and not filed):
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• | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014; |
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• | Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our annual meeting held on June 17, 2014; and |
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• | The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (Commission File No. 001-35186), filed with the SEC on May 23, 2011, including any subsequent amendment or any report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c) 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part hereof from and after the respective dates of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a later statement contained in this prospectus or in any other document incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owners, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of these reports at no cost. Any such request may be made by writing or telephoning us at the following address or phone number:
Spirit Airlines, Inc.
Attn: Investor Relations
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, Florida 33025
Telephone: (954) 447-7920
These documents can also be requested through, and are available in, the Investor Relations section of our website, which is located at http://ir.spirit.com, or as described under “Where You Can Find Additional Information” above. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on our website.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and oral statements made by our representatives from time to time include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of our business. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
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• | the competitive environment in our industry; |
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• | our ability to keep costs low; |
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• | changes in our fuel cost; |
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• | our ability to hedge fuel requirements; |
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• | restrictions on or increased taxes applicable to non-ticket revenues; |
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• | the impact of worldwide economic conditions, including the impact of economic cycles or downturns on customer travel behavior; |
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• | actual or threatened terrorist attacks, global instability and potential military actions or activities; |
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• | external conditions, including air traffic congestion, weather and outbreak of disease; |
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• | restrictions on third-party membership programs; |
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• | availability of air travel substitutes; |
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• | labor disputes, strikes and other labor-related disruptions; |
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• | aircraft-related fixed obligations; |
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• | cash balances, operating cash flows and liquidity; |
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• | our aircraft utilization rate; |
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• | lack of marketing alliances; |
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• | our ability to fulfill our growth strategy; |
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• | our reliance on technology and automated systems and the risks associated with cyber security and changes made to those systems; |
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• | ability to generate non-ticket revenues; |
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• | operational disruptions; |
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• | the concentration of our revenue from South Florida; |
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• | our reliance on third-party vendors and partners; |
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• | our reliance on a single fuel provider; |
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• | an aircraft accident or incident; |
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• | our aircraft and engine suppliers; |
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• | changes in the U.S., Caribbean and Latin American markets; |
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• | environmental regulations; |
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• | ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; and |
The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “predict,” “potential” and similar expressions, as they relate to our company, our business and our management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors listed above and those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and/or in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. In addition, there may be other factors of which we are not currently aware that may affect matters discussed in the forward-looking statements and may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us. All of our forward-looking statements, including those included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, are qualified in their entirety by this statement.
We caution you that the foregoing list of important factors may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in our forward-looking statements may not in fact occur. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
You should carefully read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in their entirety. They contain information that you should consider when making your investment decision.
OUR COMPANY
Spirit Airlines, Inc., headquartered in Miramar, Florida, is an ultra-low-cost, low-fare airline that provides affordable travel opportunities within the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. Our stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Stock Market under the symbol “SAVE.”
Our ultra-low-cost carrier, or ULCC, business model allows us to compete principally through offering low base fares. Our business strategy empowers customers to save money on air travel by offering ultra-low base fares with a range of optional services for a fee, allowing customers the freedom to choose only the extras they value. We have unbundled components of our air travel service that have traditionally been included in base fares, such as baggage and advance seat selection, and offer them as optional, ancillary services for an additional charge (which we record in our financial statements as nonticket revenue) as part of a strategy to enable our passengers to identify, select and pay only for the services they want to use.
We were founded in 1964 as Clippert Trucking Company, a Michigan corporation. We began air charter operations in 1990 and we renamed ourselves Spirit Airlines, Inc. in 1992. In 1994, we reincorporated in Delaware, and in 1999, we relocated our corporate headquarters to Miramar, Florida.
The address of our registered office and our principal executive offices is 2800 Executive Way, Miramar, Florida 33025, and our telephone number is (954) 447-7920. Our website address is www.spirit.com. The information on, or accessible through, our website is not part of this prospectus.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
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| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1) | 1.2x | 2.6x | 3.8x | 5.4x | 6.2x |
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(1) | For purposes of computing this ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “fixed charges” consist of interest expense on all indebtedness plus amortization of debt issuance costs and an estimate of interest expense within rental expense. “Earnings” consist of pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations plus fixed charges less capitalized interest. A ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference dividends would be identical to the presentation in the table above. |
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities under this prospectus for our general corporate purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
General
As of December 31, 2014, there were 72,907,827 shares of our voting common stock issued, 72,775,685 shares of our voting common stock outstanding and no shares of our non-voting common stock issued and outstanding.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 240,000,000 shares of voting common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares of non-voting common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. All of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock and preferred stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Our shares of voting common stock and non-voting common stock are not redeemable and do not have preemptive rights.
The following description of our capital stock and provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarize the material terms and provisions of the capital stock, including the shares of voting common stock and non-voting common stock that we may offer from time to time pursuant to this prospectus. Such descriptions are qualified by reference to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the amended and restated bylaws, copies of which have been filed with the SEC. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future shares of voting common stock and non-voting common stock that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any offering in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Voting Common Stock
Dividend Rights. Holders of our voting common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds ratably with shares of our non-voting common stock, subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock and limitations under Delaware law.
Voting Rights. Each holder of our voting common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the voting shares are able to elect all of the directors properly up for election at any given stockholders’ meeting.
Liquidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our voting common stock will be entitled to share ratably with shares of our non-voting common stock in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Rights and Preferences. Holders of our voting common stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our voting common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our voting common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate in the future.
Non-Voting Common Stock
Dividend Rights. Holders of our non-voting common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds ratably with shares of our voting common stock, subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock and limitations under Delaware law.
Voting Rights. Shares of our non-voting common stock are not entitled to vote on any matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors, except to the extent required under Delaware law.
Conversion Rights. Shares of our non-voting common stock are convertible on a share-for-share basis into voting common stock at the election of the holder. Please see “—Limited Voting by Foreign Owners.”
Liquidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our non-voting common stock will be entitled to share ratably with shares of our voting common stock in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Rights and Preferences. Holders of our non-voting common stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our non-voting common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our non-voting common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate in the future.
Preferred Stock
Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of common stock. Our issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of our company or other corporate action. As of December 31, 2014, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.
We will describe the specific terms of a particular series of preferred stock in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. The preferences, limitations, relative rights and other terms of the preferred stock of each series that we offer and sell under this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements will be set forth in a certificate of designation relating to the series. We will file as an exhibit
to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from another report that we file with the SEC, the certificate of designation that describes the terms of any series of preferred stock we offer under this prospectus before the issuance of shares of that series of preferred stock. You should read any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of preferred stock being offered, as well as the certificate of designation that contains the terms of the applicable series of preferred stock.
Anti-Takeover Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for our board of directors to be divided into three classes, with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, our stockholders holding a majority of the shares of voting common stock outstanding will be able to elect all of our directors up for election at any given stockholders’ meeting. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that all stockholder action must be effected at a duly called meeting of stockholders and not by a consent in writing, and that only our corporate secretary, upon the direction of our board of directors, or the Chairman of the Board may call a special meeting of stockholders.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires a 66 2/3% stockholder vote for the amendment, repeal or modification of certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws including, among other things, relating to the classification of our board of directors, the requirement that stockholder actions be effected at a duly called meeting, and the designated parties entitled to call a special meeting of the stockholders. The combination of the classification of our board of directors, the lack of cumulative voting and the 66 2/3% stockholder voting requirements make it more difficult for our stockholders to replace our board of directors as well as for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors. Because our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change our control.
These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in our control or management. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and its policies and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of us. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our shares that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management.
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:
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• | before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
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• | upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or |
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• | on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
In general, Section 203 defines business combination to include the following:
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• | any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; |
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• | any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder; |
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• | subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; |
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• | any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or |
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• | the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loss, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation. |
In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person who, together with the person’s affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or within three years prior to the time of determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
Limited Voting by Foreign Owners
To comply with restrictions imposed by federal law on foreign ownership of U.S. airlines, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws restrict voting of shares of our capital stock by non-U.S. citizens. The restrictions imposed by federal law currently require that no more than 25% of our voting stock be voted, directly or indirectly, by persons who are not U.S. citizens, and that our president and at least two-thirds of the members of our board of directors and senior management be U.S. citizens. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no shares of our capital stock may be voted by or at the direction of non-U.S. citizens unless such shares are registered on a separate stock record, which we refer to as the foreign stock record. Our amended and
restated bylaws further provide that no shares of our capital stock will be registered on the foreign stock record if the amount so registered would exceed the foreign ownership restrictions imposed by federal law.
Delaware as Sole and Exclusive Forum
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf us, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors or officers to us or our stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws or (d) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine. As a result, any action brought by any of our stockholders with regard to any of these matters will need to be filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and cannot be filed in any other jurisdiction.
Limitations of Liability and Indemnification
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions that limit the liability of our directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Consequently, our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for:
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• | any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; |
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• | any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
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• | unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or |
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• | any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we may indemnify our directors and officers, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that we are obligated to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law and advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, and permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in that capacity regardless of whether we would otherwise be permitted to indemnify him or her under the provisions of Delaware law. We have entered into agreements to indemnify our directors, executive officers and other employees as determined by our board of directors. With specified exceptions, these agreements provide for indemnification for related expenses including, among other things, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any of these individuals in any action or proceeding. We believe these limitation of liability provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers. We also maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and indemnification agreements may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors and officers for breach of their fiduciary duty.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that any such lawsuit must be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. The foregoing provisions may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and other stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers as required by these indemnification provisions. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification.
Market Listing
Our common stock is listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SAVE.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Wells Fargo Shareowner Services and its telephone number is (800) 689-8788.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.
We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.
The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. In the summary below, we have included references to the section numbers of the indenture so that you can easily locate these provisions. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.
General
The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. (Section 2.2) The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).
We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. (Section 2.1) We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:
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• | the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of any subordination provisions); |
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• | the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities; |
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• | any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
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• | the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable; |
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• | the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date; |
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• | the place or places where principal of, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered; |
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• | the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities; |
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• | any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and in the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; |
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• | the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations; |
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• | the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; |
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• | whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities; |
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• | the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount; |
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• | the currency of denomination of the debt securities, which may be United States Dollars or any foreign currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency; |
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• | the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made; |
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• | if payments of principal, of premium or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined; |
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• | the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal, of premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index; |
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• | any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities; |
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• | any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
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• | any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
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• | any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities; |
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• | the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price and period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange; and |
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• | any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities. (Section 2.2) |
We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other
information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Transfer and Exchange
Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or the Depositary, or a nominee of the Depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “— Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.
Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. (Section 2.4) No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange. (Section 2.7)
You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.
Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System. Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. Please see “Global Securities.”
Covenants
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities. (Article IV)
No Protection In the Event of a Change of Control
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person (a “successor person”) unless:
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• | we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than Spirit) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; and |
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• | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing. |
Notwithstanding the above, any of our subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to us. (Section 5.1)
Events of Default
“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:
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• | default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period); |
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• | default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity; |
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• | default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or Spirit and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture; |
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• | certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Spirit; |
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• | any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement. (Section 6.1) |
No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. (Section 6.1) The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.
If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. (Section 6.2) We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.
The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in exercising such right of power. (Section 7.1(e)) Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will 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 the debt securities of that series. (Section 6.12)
No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:
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• | that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and |
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• | the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity or security, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. (Section 6.7) |
Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment. (Section 6.8)
The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. (Section 4.3) If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities. (Section 7.5)
Modification and Waiver
We and the trustee may modify and amend the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:
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• | to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; |
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• | to comply with covenants in the indenture described above under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”; |
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• | to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities; |
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• | to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities; |
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• | to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture; |
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• | to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or |
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• | to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. (Section 9.1) |
We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:
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• | reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver; |
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• | reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security; |
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• | reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities; |
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• | reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity; |
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• | waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration); |
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• | make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security; |
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• | make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest |
on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or
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• | waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security. (Section 9.3) |
Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. (Section 9.2) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration. (Section 6.13)
Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances
Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.
This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. (Section 8.3)
Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:
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• | we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and |
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• | any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”). |
The conditions include:
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• | depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and |
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• | delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. (Section 8.4) |
Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default. In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and/or U.S. government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the Event of Default. However, we shall remain liable for those payments. (Section 8.4).
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York (without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof other than Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law). (Section 10.10)
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which consist of warrants to purchase shares of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or together with shares of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from those securities.
While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future warrants we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms of any warrants may differ from the description provided below as a result of negotiations with third parties in connection with the issuance of those warrants, as well as for other reasons. Because the terms of any warrants we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, you should rely solely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement if that summary is different from the summary in this prospectus.
We will issue the warrants under a warrant agreement, which we will enter into with a warrant agent to be selected by us. We use the term “warrant agreement” to refer to any of these warrant agreements. We use the term “warrant agent” to refer to the warrant agent under any of these warrant agreements. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of ours in connection with the warrants and will not act as an agent for the holders or beneficial owners of the warrants.
We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of warrant agreement, including a form of warrant certificate, that describes the terms of the series of warrants we are offering before the issuance of the related series of warrants. The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement applicable to a particular series of
warrants. We urge you to read any applicable prospectus supplement related to the warrants that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreement that contain the terms of the warrants and defines your rights as a warrant holder.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of warrants. If warrants for the purchase of debt securities are offered, the prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, to the extent applicable:
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• | the offering price and the aggregate number of warrants offered; |
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• | the currencies in which the warrants are being offered; |
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• | the designation, aggregate principal amount, currencies, denominations and terms of the series of debt securities that can be purchased if a holder exercises a warrant; |
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• | the designation and terms of any series of debt securities with which the warrants are being offered and the number of warrants offered with each such debt security; |
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• | the date on and after which the holder of the warrants can transfer them separately from the related series of debt securities; |
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• | the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants; |
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• | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and the date on which that right expires; |
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• | federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; and |
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• | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the warrants. |
Warrants for the purchase of debt securities will be in registered form only.
If warrants for the purchase of shares of common stock or preferred stock are offered, the prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, to the extent applicable:
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• | the offering price and the aggregate number of warrants offered; |
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• | the total number of shares that can be purchased if a holder of the warrants exercises them; |
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• | the number of warrants being offered with each share of common stock; |
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• | the date on and after which the holder of the warrants can transfer them separately from the related shares of common stock or preferred stock; |
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• | the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock that can be purchased if a holder exercises the warrant and the price at which those shares may be purchased upon exercise, including, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price and in the securities or other property receivable upon exercise; |
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• | the terms of any rights to redeem or call, or accelerate the expiration of, the warrants; |
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• | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and the date on which that right expires; |
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• | federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; and |
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• | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the warrants. |
Warrants for the purchase of shares of common stock or preferred stock will be in registered form only.
A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Until any warrants to purchase debt securities are exercised, the holder of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities that can be purchased upon exercise, including any rights to receive payments of principal, premium or interest on the underlying debt securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture. Until any warrants to purchase shares of common stock or preferred stock are exercised, holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying shares of common stock or preferred stock, including any rights to receive dividends or to exercise any voting rights, except to the extent set forth under “— Warrant Adjustments” below.
Exercise of Warrants
Each holder of a warrant is entitled to purchase the principal amount of debt securities or number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, at the exercise price described in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the day when the right to exercise terminates (or a later date if we extend the time for exercise), unexercised warrants will become void.
A holder of warrants may exercise them by following the general procedure outlined below:
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• | delivering to the warrant agent the payment required by the applicable prospectus supplement to purchase the underlying security; |
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• | properly completing and signing the reverse side of the warrant certificate representing the warrants; and |
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• | delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to the warrant agent within five business days of the warrant agent receiving payment of the exercise price. |
If you comply with the procedures described above, your warrants will be considered to have been exercised when the warrant agent receives payment of the exercise price, subject to the transfer books for the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrant not being closed on such date. After you have completed those procedures and subject to the foregoing, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver to you the debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock that you purchased upon exercise. If you exercise fewer than all of the warrants represented by a warrant certificate, a new warrant certificate will be issued to you for the unexercised amount of warrants. Holders of warrants will be required to pay any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with transferring the underlying securities in connection with the exercise of the warrants.
Amendments and Supplements to the Warrant Agreements
We may amend or supplement a warrant agreement without the consent of the holders of the applicable warrants to cure ambiguities in the warrant agreement, to cure or correct a defective provision in the warrant agreement, or to provide for other matters under the warrant agreement that we and the warrant agent deem necessary or desirable, so long as, in each case, such amendments or supplements do not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.
Warrant Adjustments
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the exercise price of, and the number of securities covered by, a warrant for shares of common stock or preferred stock will be adjusted proportionately if we subdivide or combine our common stock or preferred stock, as applicable. In addition, unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, if we, without payment:
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• | issue shares of common stock or preferred stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock, or any rights to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing, as a dividend or distribution to all or substantially all holders of our common stock or preferred stock; |
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• | pay any cash to all or substantially all holders of our common stock or preferred stock, other than a cash dividend paid out of our current or retained earnings; |
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• | issue any evidence of our indebtedness or rights to subscribe for or purchase our indebtedness to all or substantially all holders of our common stock or preferred stock; or |
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• | issue common stock, preferred stock or additional shares or other securities or property to all or substantially all holders of our common stock or preferred stock by way of spinoff, split-up, reclassification, combination of shares or similar corporate rearrangement, |
then the holders of common stock warrants or preferred stock warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the warrants, in addition to the securities otherwise receivable upon exercise of the warrants and without paying any additional consideration, the amount of shares and other securities and property such holders would have been entitled to receive had they held the common stock or preferred stock issuable under the warrants on the dates on which holders of those securities received or became entitled to receive such additional shares and other securities and property.
Except as stated above, the exercise price and number of securities covered by an warrant for shares of common stock or preferred stock, and the amounts of other securities or property to be received, if any, upon exercise of those warrants, will not be adjusted or provided for if we issue those securities or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for those securities, or securities carrying the right to purchase those securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for those securities.
Holders of common stock warrants or preferred stock warrants may have additional rights under the following circumstances:
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• | certain reclassifications, capital reorganizations or changes of the common stock or preferred stock; |
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• | certain share exchanges, mergers, or similar transactions involving us and which result in changes of the common stock or preferred stock; or |
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• | certain sales or dispositions to another entity of all or substantially all of our property and assets. |
If one of the above transactions occurs and holders of our common stock or preferred stock are entitled to receive shares, securities or other property with respect to or in exchange for their securities, the holders of the common stock warrants or preferred stock warrants then outstanding, as applicable, will be entitled to receive upon exercise of their warrants the kind and amount of shares and other securities or property that they would have received upon the applicable transaction if they had exercised their warrants immediately before the transaction.
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the rights that we may offer under this prospectus. We may issue rights to our stockholders to purchase shares of our common stock and/or any of the other securities offered hereby. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent. When we issue rights, we will provide the specific terms of the rights and the applicable rights agreement in a prospectus supplement. Because the terms of any rights we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, you should rely solely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement if that summary is different from the summary in this prospectus. We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of rights agreement that describes the terms of the series of rights we are offering before the issuance of the related series of rights.
If we offer any series of rights, certain terms of that series of rights will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following:
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• | the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution; |
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• | the securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights; |
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• | the aggregate number of rights issued; |
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• | the date, if any, on and after which the rights will be separately transferable; |
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• | the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the right will expire; |
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• | a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the rights; and |
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• | any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights. |
Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the securities at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will be void.
Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the purchase contracts that we may offer under this prospectus. While the features we have summarized below will generally apply to any future purchase contracts we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any purchase contracts that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms of any purchase contracts may differ from the description provided below as a result of negotiations with third parties in connection with the issuance of those purchase contracts, as well as for other reasons. Because the terms of any purchase contracts we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, you should rely solely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement if that summary is different from the summary in this prospectus.
We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of any purchase contract that we may offer under this prospectus before the sale of the related purchase contract. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the specific purchase contracts being offered, as well as the complete instruments that contain the terms of the securities that are subject to those purchase contracts. Certain of those instruments, or forms of those instruments, have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplements to those instruments or forms may be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part from reports we file with the SEC.
We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and for us to sell to holders, a specific or variable number of our, or an unaffiliated entity’s, securities at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specific or varying number of our securities. When we issue purchase contracts, we will provide the specific terms of the purchase contracts in a prospectus supplement. A copy of the applicable form of purchase contract will be included as an exhibit to a report we file with the SEC incorporated by reference herein.
If we offer any purchase contracts, certain terms of that series of purchase contracts will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following:
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• | the price of the securities or other property subject to the purchase contracts (which may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the purchase contracts); |
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• | whether the purchase contracts are issued separately, or as a part of units each consisting of a purchase contract and one or more of our other securities or securities of an unaffiliated entity, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder’s obligations under the purchase contract; |
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• | any requirement for us to make periodic payments to holders or vice versa, and whether the payments are unsecured or pre-funded; |
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• | any provisions relating to any security provided for the purchase contracts; |
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• | whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder or us to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or the method of determining those amounts; |
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• | whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not; |
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• | whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract; |
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• | any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts; |
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• | a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase contracts; |
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• | whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form; and |
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• | any other terms of the purchase contracts and any securities subject to such purchase contracts. |
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. We may issue units consisting of two or more other constituent securities. These units may be issuable as, and for a specified period of time may be transferable only as a single security, rather than as the separate constituent securities comprising such units. While the features we have summarized below will generally apply to any units we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any units that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms of any units may differ from the description provided below as a result of negotiations with third parties in connection with the issuance of those units, as well as for other reasons. Because the terms of any units we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, you should rely solely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement if that summary is different from the summary in this prospectus.
We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement related to the specific units being offered, as well as the complete instruments that contain the terms of the securities that comprise those units. Certain of those instruments, or forms of those instruments, have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplements to those instruments or forms may be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part from reports we file with the SEC.
If we offer any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:
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• | the title of the series of units; |
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• | identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units; |
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• | the price or prices at which the units will be issued; |
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• | the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable; |
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• | a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and |
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• | any other terms of the units and their constituent securities. |
GLOBAL SECURITIES
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form
Unless we indicate differently in a prospectus supplement, the securities initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities (collectively, “global securities”). The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as depositary (“DTC”), and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing securities under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.
DTC has advised us that it is:
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• | a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law; |
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• | a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law; |
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• | a member of the Federal Reserve System; |
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• | a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and |
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• | a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. |
DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. “Direct participants” in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as
“indirect participants,” that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a “beneficial owner,” is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or agency in the location specified in the prospectus supplement for the applicable securities, where notices and demands in respect of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.
Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.
So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If securities are issued in definitive certificated form under the limited circumstances described below, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment or by wire transfer to bank accounts in the United States designated in writing
to the applicable trustee or other designated party at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment.
Redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.
Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.
The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, securities certificates are required to be printed and delivered.
As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:
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• | DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global security or securities representing such series of securities or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when it is required to be registered and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of the notification to us or of our becoming aware of DTC’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be; |
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• | we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have such securities represented by one or more global securities; or |
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• | an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of securities, |
we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.
We have obtained the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system from sources that are believed to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods or through underwriters or dealers, through agents and/or directly to one or more purchasers. The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions:
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• | at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
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• | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
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• | at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
Offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus may be solicited directly. Agents may also be designated to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities will be identified in a prospectus supplement.
If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, the securities will be sold to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.
If an underwriter is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter at the time of sale and the name of any underwriter will be provided in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for which they may act as agent. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.
Any compensation paid to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, the maximum amount of underwriting compensation, including underwriting discounts and commissions, to be paid in connection with any offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus may not exceed 8% of the aggregate principal amount of securities offered. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to
payments they may be required to make in respect thereof and to reimburse those persons for certain expenses.
The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, underwriters or other persons acting as agents may be authorized to solicit offers by institutions or other suitable purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. These purchasers may include, among others, commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. Delayed delivery contracts will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities covered by the delayed delivery contracts will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and agents will not have any responsibility with respect to the validity or performance of these contracts.
We may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of common stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of common stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities will be passed upon for us by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, NY.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Spirit Airlines, Inc. (The Company) incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (including schedules appearing therein), and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
Voting Common Stock
Non-Voting Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Purchase Contracts
Units
_____________
PROSPECTUS
February 23, 2015
____________
PROSPECTUS
Spirit Airlines, Inc.
Pass Through Certificates
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This prospectus relates to pass through certificates to be issued by one or more trusts that we will form, as creator of each pass through trust, with a national or state bank or trust company, as trustee. The trustee will hold all property owned by a trust for the benefit of holders of pass through certificates issued by that trust. Each pass through certificate issued by a trust will represent a beneficial interest in all property held by that trust.
We will describe the specific terms of any offering of pass through certificates in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the documents we incorporate by reference and any free writing prospectus, before you invest in any pass through certificates.
This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any pass through certificates unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
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INVESTING IN OUR PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN OUR PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES WILL BE DESCRIBED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND/OR CERTAIN OF OUR FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, AS DESCRIBED UNDER “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 1. We may offer and sell pass through certificates directly, through agents we select from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers we select, or through a combination of these methods. If we use any agents, underwriters or dealers to sell the pass through certificates, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of those pass through certificates and the net proceeds we expect to receive from that sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is February 23, 2015.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS | 1 |
RISK FACTORS | 1 |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | 2 |
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | 2 |
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | 4 |
OUR COMPANY | 6 |
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES | 6 |
USE OF PROCEEDS | 6 |
LEGAL MATTERS | 7 |
EXPERTS | 7 |
Important Notice about the Information Presented In This Prospectus
We are responsible for the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us that we have referred to you. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with additional information or information different from that contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and we take no responsibility for any other information that others may give you.
This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of an offer in such jurisdiction. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since that date.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we are registering an unspecified amount of pass through certificates described in this prospectus for sale from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the pass through certificates we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer pass through certificates, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, any applicable free writing prospectuses and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes all material information relating to the pass through certificates we may offer. Please carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus, together with the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before making a decision to purchase our pass through certificates.
The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the pass through certificates offered, any initial public offering price, the price paid to us for the pass through certificates, the net proceeds to us, the manner of distribution and any underwriting compensation, and the other specific material terms related to the offering of the pass through certificates. The prospectus supplement may also contain information, where applicable, about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the pass through certificates.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of the documents referred to herein have been filed, or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
As used in this prospectus, “Spirit,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Spirit Airlines, Inc.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our pass through certificates involves risks. Before you make a decision to buy our pass through certificates, in addition to the risks and uncertainties discussed below under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” you should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and under the caption “Risk Factors” in our filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, incorporated by reference herein, before making an investment decision. Additionally, the risks and uncertainties discussed in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face, and our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations and the market price of any pass through certificates we may sell could be materially adversely affected by other matters that are not known to us or that we currently do not consider to be material.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC, but the registration statement includes additional information and also attaches exhibits that are referenced in this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. Some items are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the securities offered hereby, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or any other document referred to are summaries of the material terms of the respective contract, agreement or other document. With respect to each of these contracts, agreements or other documents filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, reference is made to the exhibits for a more complete description of the matter involved. A copy of the registration statement, and the exhibits and schedules thereto, may be inspected without charge at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of these materials may be obtained by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov.
We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and website of the SEC referred to above. We maintain a website at www.spirit.com. You may access our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on our website.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information in this prospectus that we have filed with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document already on file with the SEC. The information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.
This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC (excluding any document, or portion thereof, to the extent disclosure is furnished and not filed):
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• | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014; |
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• | Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our annual meeting held on June 17, 2014; and |
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• | The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (Commission File No. 001-35186), filed with the SEC on May 23, 2011, including any subsequent amendment or any report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c) 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part hereof from and after the respective dates of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a later statement contained in this prospectus or in any other document incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owners, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of these reports at no cost. Any such request may be made by writing or telephoning us at the following address or phone number:
Spirit Airlines, Inc.
Attn: Investor Relations
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, Florida 33025
Telephone: (954) 447-7920
These documents can also be requested through, and are available in, the Investor Relations section of our website, which is located at http://ir.spirit.com, or as described under “Where You Can Find Additional Information” above. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on our website.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and oral statements made by our representatives from time to time include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of our business. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
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• | the competitive environment in our industry; |
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• | our ability to keep costs low; |
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• | changes in our fuel cost; |
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• | our ability to hedge fuel requirements; |
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• | restrictions on or increased taxes applicable to non-ticket revenues; |
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• | the impact of worldwide economic conditions, including the impact of economic cycles or downturns customer travel behavior; |
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• | actual or threatened terrorist attacks, global instability and potential military actions or activities; |
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• | external conditions, including air traffic congestion, weather and outbreak of disease; |
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• | restrictions on third-party membership programs; |
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• | availability of air travel substitutes; |
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• | labor disputes, strikes and other labor-related disruptions; |
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• | aircraft-related fixed obligations; |
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• | cash balances, operating cash flows and liquidity; |
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• | our aircraft utilization rate; |
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• | lack of marketing alliances; |
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• | our ability to fulfill our growth strategy; |
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• | our reliance on technology and automated systems and the risks associated with cyber security and changes made to those systems; |
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• | ability to generate non-ticket revenues; |
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• | operational disruptions; |
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• | the concentration of our revenue from South Florida; |
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• | our reliance on third-party vendors and partners; |
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• | our reliance on a single fuel provider; |
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• | an aircraft accident or incident; |
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• | our aircraft and engine suppliers; |
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• | changes in the U.S., Caribbean and Latin American markets; |
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• | environmental regulations; |
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• | ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; and |
The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “predict,” “potential” and similar expressions, as they relate to our company, our business and our management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors listed above and those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and/or in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. In addition, there may be other factors of which we are not currently aware that may affect matters discussed in the forward-looking statements and may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us. All of our forward-looking statements, including those included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, are qualified in their entirety by this statement.
We caution you that the foregoing list of important factors may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in our forward-looking statements may not in fact occur. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
You should carefully read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in their entirety. They contain information that you should consider when making your investment decision.
OUR COMPANY
Spirit Airlines, Inc., headquartered in Miramar, Florida, is an ultra-low-cost, low-fare airline that provides affordable travel opportunities within the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. Our stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Stock Market under the symbol “SAVE.”
Our ultra-low-cost carrier, or ULCC, business model allows us to compete principally through offering low base fares. Our business strategy empowers customers to save money on air travel by offering ultra-low base fares with a range of optional services for a fee, allowing customers the freedom to choose only the extras they value. We have unbundled components of our air travel service that have traditionally been included in base fares, such as baggage and advance seat selection, and offer them as optional, ancillary services for an additional charge (which we record in our financial statements as nonticket revenue) as part of a strategy to enable our passengers to identify, select and pay only for the services they want to use.
We were founded in 1964 as Clippert Trucking Company, a Michigan corporation. We began air charter operations in 1990 and we renamed ourselves Spirit Airlines, Inc. in 1992. In 1994, we reincorporated in Delaware, ancd in 1999, we relocated our corporate headquarters to Miramar, Florida.
The address of our registered office and our principal executive offices is 2800 Executive Way, Miramar, Florida 33025, and our telephone number is (954) 447-7920. Our website address is www.spirit.com. The information on, or accessible through, our website is not part of this prospectus.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
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| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1) | 1.2x | 2.6x | 3.8x | 5.4x | 6.2x |
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(1) | For purposes of computing this ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “fixed charges” consist of interest expense on all indebtedness plus amortization of debt issuance costs and an estimate of interest expense within rental expense. “Earnings” consist of pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations plus fixed charges less capitalized interest. A ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference dividends would be identical to the presentation in the table above. |
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our pass through certificates under this prospectus to finance or refinance the purchase of aircraft or for our general corporate purposes.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the pass through certificates will be passed upon for us by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, NY.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Spirit Airlines, Inc. (The Company) incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (including schedules appearing therein), and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
Pass Through Certificates
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PROSPECTUS
February 23, 2015
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PART II.
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance And Distribution.
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, all of which will be paid by the registrants, in connection with the distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts are estimated, except the SEC Registration Fee:
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SEC Registration fee | $ | (1 | ) |
Trustees’ fees and expenses | (2 | ) |
Printing expenses | (2 | ) |
Legal fees and expenses | (2 | ) |
Blue Sky fees and expenses | (2 | ) |
Accounting fees and expenses | (2 | ) |
Miscellaneous expenses | (2 | ) |
Total | $ | (2 | ) |
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(1) | Under SEC Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the SEC registration fee will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under the registration statement, and is therefore not currently determinable. |
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(2) | These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions that limit the liability of our directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Consequently, our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for:
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• | any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; |
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• | any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
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• | unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or |
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• | any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we may indemnify our directors and officers, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that we are obligated to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law and advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, and permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in that capacity regardless of whether we would otherwise be permitted to indemnify him or her under the provisions of Delaware law. We have entered into agreements to indemnify our directors, executive officers and other
employees as determined by our board of directors. With specified exceptions, these agreements provide for indemnification for related expenses including, among other things, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any of these individuals in any action or proceeding. We believe these limitations of liability provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers. We also maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and indemnification agreements may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors and officers for breach of their fiduciary duty. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that any such lawsuit must be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. The foregoing provisions may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and other stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers as required by these indemnification provisions. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification.
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ITEM 16. | Exhibits. |
Exhibit | Description |
1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement. |
3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Spirit Airlines, Inc., dated as of June 1, 2011, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2011, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Spirit Airlines, Inc., dated as of June 1, 2011, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2011, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
4.1 | Specimen Common Stock Certificate, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form S-1 Registration Statement (No. 333-178336), is hereby incorporated by reference. |
4.2 | Form of Indenture, filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's Form S-3 Registration Statement (No. 333-182954), is hereby incorporated by reference. |
4.3* | Form of Note. |
4.4* | Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate. |
4.5* | Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate. |
4.6* | Form of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate. |
4.7* | Form of Rights Agreement. |
4.8* | Form of Purchase Contract. |
4.9* | Form of Unit. |
4.10+ | Form of Pass Through Trust Agreement and Form of Pass Through Trust Certificate. |
5.1+ | Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. |
12.1+ | Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
23.1+ | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. |
23.2+ | Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
24.1+ | Power of Attorney (included on signature pages). |
25.1+ | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of the Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 for the Debt Securities. |
25.2+ | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of the Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 for the Pass Through Certificates. |
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* | To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a report of the registrant on Form 10-K, 10-Q or 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. |
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
i. To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
ii. To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
iii. To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
i. Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
ii. Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of
the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date;
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
i. Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
ii. Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
iii. The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
iv. Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrants in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Miramar, State of Florida, on the 23rd day of February, 2015.
SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
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By: | /s/ Thomas Canfield
Thomas Canfield
Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary |
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints B. Ben Baldanza, Edward M. Christie, III and Thomas Canfield, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney may be executed in counterparts.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature | Title | Date |
/s/ B. Ben Baldanza | | |
B. Ben Baldanza | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | February 23, 2015 |
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/s/ Edward M. Christie, III | | |
Edward M. Christie, III | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | February 23, 2015 |
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/s/ H. McIntyre Gardner | | |
H. McIntyre Gardner | Director (Chairman of the Board) | February 23, 2015 |
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/s/ Carlton D. Donaway | | |
Carlton D. Donaway | Director | February 23, 2015 |
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/s/ Robert L. Fornaro | | |
Robert L. Fornaro | Director | February 23, 2015 |
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/s/ David G. Elkins | | |
David G. Elkins | Director | February 23, 2015 |
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/s/ Robert D. Johnson | | |
Robert D. Johnson | Director | February 23, 2015 |
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/s/ Barclay G. Jones | | |
Barclay G. Jones | Director | February 23, 2015 |
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/s/ Stuart I. Oran | | |
Stuart I. Oran | Director | February 23, 2015 |
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/s/ Horacio Scapparone | | |
Horacio Scapparone | Director | February 23, 2015 |
EXHIBIT INDEX |
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Exhibit | Description |
1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement. |
3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Spirit Airlines, Inc., dated as of June 1, 2011, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2011, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Spirit Airlines, Inc., dated as of June 1, 2011, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2011, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
4.1 | Specimen Common Stock Certificate, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form S-1 Registration Statement (No. 333-178336), is hereby incorporated by reference. |
4.2 | Form of Indenture, filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's Form S-3 Registration Statement (No. 333-182954), is hereby incorporated by reference. |
4.3* | des |
4.4* | Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate. |
4.5* | Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate. |
4.6* | Form of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate. |
4.7* | Form of Rights Agreement. |
4.8* | Form of Purchase Contract. |
4.9* | Form of Unit. |
4.10+ | Form of Pass Through Trust Agreement and Form of Pass Through Trust Certificate. |
5.1+ | Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. |
12.1+ | Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
23.1+ | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. |
23.2+ | Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
25.1+ | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of the Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 for the Debt Securities. |
25.2+ | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of the Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 for the Pass Through Certificates. |
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* | To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a report of the registrant on Form 10-K, 10-Q or 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. |
Exhibit 4.10
PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT
Dated as of [ ], 2015
Between
SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
and
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Section 1.01. Definitions | 2 |
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Section 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions | 9 |
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Section 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee | 10 |
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Section 1.04. Directions of Certificateholders | 10 |
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ARTICLE II ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES: ACQUISITION OF TRUST PROPERTY | 12 |
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Section 4.02. Distributions from Certificate Account and Special Payments Account | 21 |
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Section 6.03. Judicial Proceedings Instituted by Trustee; Trustee May Bring Suit | 26 |
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Section 6.06. Right of Certificateholders to Receive Payments Not to Be Impaired | 27 |
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Section 6.07. Certificateholders May Not Bring Suit Except Under Certain Conditions | 27 |
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Section 7.04. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Certificates | 30 |
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Section 7.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 33 |
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Section 8.01. The Company to Furnish Trustee with Names and Addresses of Certificateholders | 36 |
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Section 8.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Certificateholders | 37 |
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Section 9.01. Supplemental Agreements Without Consent of Certificateholders | 38 |
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Section 9.02. Supplemental Agreements with Consent of Certificateholders | 39 |
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Section 9.07. Reference in Certificates to Supplemental Agreements | 40 |
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Section 10.01. Amendments and Supplements to Indenture and Other Note Documents | 40 |
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Section 12.03. Registration of Equipment Notes in Name of Subordination Agent | 42 |
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Section 12.13. Communication by Certificateholders with Other Certificateholders | 44 |
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EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Form of Certificate
Reconciliation and tie between Spirit Airlines Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2015 and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. This reconciliation does not constitute part of the Pass Through Trust Agreement.
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Trust Indenture Act of 1939 Section | | | | Pass Through Trust Agreement Section |
310(a)(1) | | | | 7.08 |
(a)(2) | | | | 7.08 |
312(a) | | | | 3.05; 7.12; 8.01; 8.02 |
313(a) and (c) | | | | 8.03 |
313(b) and (d) | | | | N.A. |
314(a)(1)-(3) | | | | 8.04(a) - (c) |
(a)(4) | | | | 8.04(d) |
(c)(1) | | | | 1.02 |
(c)(2) | | | | 1.02 |
(d)(1) | | | | N.A. |
(d)(2) | | | | N.A. |
(d)(3) | | | | N.A. |
(e) | | | | 1.02 |
315(b) | | | | 7.02 |
315(c) | | | | 7.01(b) |
316(a)(last sentence) | | | | 1.04(c) |
(a)(1)(A) | | | | 6.04 |
(a)(1)(B) | | | | 6.05 |
(b) | | | | 6.06 |
(c) | | | | 1.04(d) |
317(a)(1) | | | | 6.03 |
(b) | | | | 7.13 |
318(a) | | | | 12.07 |
N.A. means not applicable.
PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT
This PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of [ ], 2015 (this “Basic Agreement”), between SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as Trustee, is made with respect to the formation from time to time of separate Spirit Airlines Pass Through Trusts, and the issuance from time to time of separate series of Pass Through Certificates representing fractional undivided interests in the respective Trusts.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, from time to time, the Company and the Trustee may enter into one or more Trust Supplements (this and certain other defined terms used herein are defined in Section 1.01) pursuant to which the Trustee shall declare the creation of a separate Trust for the benefit of the Holders of the series of Certificates to be issued in respect of such Trust, and the initial Holders of the Certificates of such series, as the grantors of such Trust, by their respective acceptances of the Certificates of such series, shall join in the creation of such Trust with the Trustee;
WHEREAS, all Certificates to be issued in respect of each separate Trust will be issued as a separate series pursuant to this Agreement, will evidence fractional undivided interests in such Trust and will have no rights, benefits or interests in respect of any other separate Trust or the property held therein, subject, however, to the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement to which one or more Trusts may be a party;
WHEREAS, from time to time, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement with respect to each separate Trust formed hereunder, the Trustee on behalf of such Trust shall purchase one or more issues of Equipment Notes having the same interest rate as, and final maturity dates not later than the final Regular Distribution Date of, the series of Certificates issued in respect of such Trust and, subject to the terms of any related Intercreditor Agreement, shall hold such Equipment Notes in trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders of such Trust;
WHEREAS, to facilitate the sale of Equipment Notes to, and the purchase of Equipment Notes by, the Trustee on behalf of each Trust created from time to time pursuant to this Agreement, the Company as the “issuer”, as such term is defined in and solely for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the Certificates to be issued in respect of each Trust and as the “obligor”, as such term is defined in and solely for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Basic Agreement and each Trust Supplement with respect to all such Certificates and is undertaking to perform certain administrative and ministerial duties hereunder and is also undertaking to pay the fees and expenses of the Trustee; and
WHEREAS, this Basic Agreement, as supplemented from time to time, is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, and of other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. Definitions. For all purposes of this Basic Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms used herein that are defined in this Article I have the meanings assigned to them in this Article I, and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, or by the rules promulgated under the Trust Indenture Act, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3) all references in this Basic Agreement to designated “Articles”, “Sections”, “Subsections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections, Subsections and other subdivisions of this Basic Agreement;
(4) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Basic Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section, Subsection or other subdivision;
(5) unless the context otherwise requires, whenever the word “including”, “include” or “includes” is used herein, it shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”; and
(6) the term “this Agreement” (as distinguished from “this Basic Agreement”) refers, unless the context otherwise requires, to this Basic Agreement as supplemented by the Trust Supplement creating a particular Trust and establishing the series of Certificates issued or to be issued in respect thereof, with reference to such Trust and such series of Certificates, as this Basic Agreement as so supplemented may be further supplemented with respect to such Trust and such series of Certificates.
Act: Has the meaning, with respect to any Certificateholder, specified in Section 1.04(a).
Affiliate: Means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control”, when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Aircraft: Means one or more aircraft, including engines therefor, owned by or leased to the Company and securing one or more Equipment Notes.
Authorized Agent: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, any Paying Agent or Registrar for the Certificates of such series.
Basic Agreement: Means this Pass Through Trust Agreement, as the same may from time to time be supplemented, amended or modified, but does not include any Trust Supplement.
Book-Entry Certificates: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, a beneficial interest in the Certificates of such series, ownership and transfers of which shall be made through book entries as described in Section 3.05.
Business Day: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are required or authorized to close in New York, New York, or, so long as any Certificate of such series is outstanding, the city and state in which the Trustee or any related Loan Trustee maintains its Corporate Trust Office or receives and disburses funds.
Certificate: Means any one of the certificates executed and authenticated by the Trustee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
Certificate Account: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, the account or accounts created and maintained for such series pursuant to Section 4.01(a) and the related Trust Supplement.
Certificateholder or Holder: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, the Person in whose name a Certificate of such series is registered in the Register for Certificates of such series.
Certificate Owner: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, for purposes of Section 3.05, the Person who owns a Book-Entry Certificate of such series.
Clearing Agency: Means an organization registered as a “clearing agency” pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Clearing Agency Participant: Means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Clearing Agency effects, directly or indirectly, book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Clearing Agency.
Company: Means Spirit Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or its successor in interest pursuant to Section 5.02, or (only in the context of provisions hereof, if any, when such reference is required for purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act) any other “obligor” (within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act) with respect to the Certificates of any series.
Controlling Party: Means, with respect to a series of Certificates, the Person entitled to act as such pursuant to the terms of the related Intercreditor Agreement.
Corporate Trust Office: Means, with respect to the Trustee or any Loan Trustee, the office of such trustee in the city at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered.
Cut-off Date: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, the date designated as such in the Trust Supplement establishing such series.
Definitive Certificates: Has the meaning, with respect to the Certificates of any series, specified in Section 3.05.
Direction: Has the meaning specified in Section 1.04(a).
Distribution Date: Means a Regular Distribution Date or a Specified Distribution Date.
Equipment Notes: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, all of the equipment notes issued under the Indentures related to such series of Certificates.
ERISA: Means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or any successor federal statute.
Escrow Account: Has the meaning, with respect to the Certificates of any series, specified in Section 2.02(b).
Escrowed Funds: Has the meaning, with respect to any Trust, specified in Section 2.02(b).
Event of Default: Means, in respect of any Trust, an Indenture Event of Default under any Indenture pursuant to which Equipment Notes held by such Trust were issued.
Fractional Undivided Interest: Means the fractional undivided interest in a Trust that is evidenced by a Certificate relating to such Trust.
Indenture: Means, with respect to any Trust, each of the one or more separate trust indenture and security agreements or trust indenture and mortgages or similar documents described in, or on a schedule attached to, the Trust Supplement and an indenture having substantially the same terms and conditions which relates to a Substitute Aircraft, as each such indenture may be amended or supplemented in accordance with its respective terms; and “Indentures” means all of such agreements.
Indenture Event of Default: Means, with respect to any Indenture, any Indenture Event of Default (as such term is defined in such Indenture).
Initial Regular Distribution Date: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, the first Regular Distribution Date on which a Scheduled Payment is to be made.
Intercreditor Agreement: Means any agreement by and among the Trustee, as trustee hereunder with respect to one or more Trusts, one or more Liquidity Providers, if any, and a Subordination Agent providing, among other things, for the distribution of payments made in respect of Equipment Notes held by such Trusts.
Issuance Date: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, the date of the issuance of such Certificates.
Lease: Means any lease between an Owner Trustee, as the lessor, and the Company, as the lessee, referred to in the related Indenture, as such lease may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with its terms; and “Leases” means all such Leases.
Letter of Representations: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, an agreement among the Company, the Trustee and the initial Clearing Agency as called for by any related Trust Supplement.
Liquidity Facility: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, any revolving credit agreement, letter of credit or similar facility relating to the Certificates of such series between a bank or other financial institution and a Subordination Agent, as amended, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms and the terms of any applicable Intercreditor Agreement.
Liquidity Provider: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, a bank or other financial institution that agrees to provide a Liquidity Facility for the benefit of the holders of Certificates of such series.
Loan Trustee: Means, with respect to any Equipment Note or the Indenture applicable thereto, the bank or trust company designated as loan or indenture trustee under such Indenture, and any successor to such Loan Trustee as such trustee; and “Loan Trustees” means all of the Loan Trustees under the Indentures.
Note Documents: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, the Equipment Notes with respect to such Certificates and, with respect to such Equipment Notes, the related Indenture, Note Purchase Agreement and, if the related Aircraft is leased to the Company, the related Lease and the related Owner Trustee’s Purchase Agreement.
Note Purchase Agreement: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, any note purchase, refunding, participation or similar agreement providing for, among other things, the purchase of Equipment Notes by the Trustee on behalf of the relevant Trust; and “Note Purchase Agreements” means all such agreements.
Officer’s Certificate: Means a certificate signed, (a) in the case of the Company, by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or the Treasurer of the Company, signing alone, or (b) in the case of the Trustee or an Owner Trustee or a Loan Trustee, a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or such Owner Trustee or such Loan Trustee, as the case may be.
Opinion of Counsel: Means a written opinion of legal counsel who (a) in the case of counsel for the Company may be (i) a senior attorney of the Company one of whose principal duties is furnishing advice as to legal matters, (ii) Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP or (iii) such other counsel designated by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and (b) in the case of any Owner Trustee or any Loan Trustee, may be such counsel as may be designated by any of them whether or not such counsel is an employee of any of them, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Other Agreements: Has the meaning specified in Section 6.01(b).
Outstanding: When used with respect to Certificates of any series, means, as of the date of determination, all Certificates of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Agreement, except:
(i) Certificates of such series theretofore cancelled by the Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Registrar for cancellation;
(ii) All of the Certificates of such series if money in the full amount required to make the final distribution with respect to such series pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee in trust for the Holders of the Certificates of such series as provided in Section 4.01 pending distribution of such money to such Certificateholders pursuant to payment of such final distribution payment; and
(iii) Certificates of such series in exchange for or in lieu of which other Certificates of such series have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Agreement.
Owner Participant: Means, with respect to any Equipment Note, the “Owner Participant”, if any, as referred to in the Indenture pursuant to which such Equipment Note is issued and any permitted successor or assign of such Owner Participant; and “Owner Participants” at any time of determination means all of the Owner Participants thus referred to in the Indentures.
Owner Trustee: Means, with respect to any Equipment Note, the “Owner Trustee”, if any, as referred to in the Indenture pursuant to which such Equipment Note is issued, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee; and “Owner Trustees” means all of the Owner Trustees party to any of the related Indentures.
Owner Trustee’s Purchase Agreement: Has the meaning, with respect to the Certificates of any series if the related Aircraft is leased to the Company, specified therefor in the related Lease.
Paying Agent: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, the paying agent maintained and appointed for the Certificates of such series pursuant to Section 7.12.
Permitted Investments: Means obligations of the United States of America or agencies or instrumentalities thereof for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged, maturing in not more than 60 days after the date of acquisition thereof or such lesser time as is required for the distribution of any Special Payments on a Special Distribution Date.
Person: Means any person, including any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, trustee, unincorporated organization, or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Pool Balance: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series as of any date, (i) the original aggregate face amount of the Certificates of any series less (ii) the aggregate amount of all payments made in respect of such Certificates other than payments made in respect of interest or premium thereon or reimbursement of any costs or expenses incurred in connection therewith. The Pool Balance as of any Distribution Date shall be computed after giving effect to the payment of principal, if any, on the Equipment Notes or other Trust Property held in the Trust and the distribution thereof to be made on such Distribution Date.
Pool Factor: Means, with respect to any series of Certificates as of any date, the quotient (rounded to the seventh decimal place) computed by dividing (i) the Pool Balance of such series as at such date by (ii) the original aggregate face amount of the Certificates of such series. The Pool Factor as of any Distribution Date shall be computed after giving effect to the payment of principal, if any, on the Equipment Notes or other Trust Property held in the Trust and the distribution thereof to be made on such Distribution Date.
Postponed Notes: Means, with respect to any Trust or the related series of Certificates, the Equipment Notes to be held in such Trust as to which a Postponement Notice shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(b).
Postponement Notice: Means, with respect to any Trust or the related series of Certificates, an Officer’s Certificate of the Company signed by an officer of the Company (1) requesting that the Trustee temporarily postpone purchase of the related Equipment Notes to a date later than the Issuance Date of such series of Certificates, (2) identifying the amount of the purchase price of each such Equipment Note and the aggregate purchase price for all such Equipment Notes, (3) setting forth the reasons for such postponement and (4) with respect to each such Equipment Note, either (a) setting or resetting a new Transfer Date (which shall be on or prior to the applicable Cut-off Date) for payment by the Trustee of such purchase price and issuance of the related Equipment Note (subject to subsequent change from time to time in accordance with the relevant Note Purchase Agreement), or (b) indicating that such new Transfer Date (which shall be on or prior to the applicable Cut-off Date) will be set by subsequent written notice not less than one Business Day prior to such new Transfer Date (subject to subsequent change from time to time in accordance with the relevant Note Purchase Agreement).
Potential Purchaser: Has the meaning, with respect to any Certificateholder, specified in Section 6.01(b).
PTC Event of Default: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, any failure to pay within ten Business Days of the due date thereof: (i) the outstanding Pool Balance of such series of Certificates on the date specified in any Trust Supplement for such payment or (ii) interest due on the Certificates of such series on any Distribution Date (unless the related Subordination Agent shall have made an Interest Drawing or Drawings (as defined in the related Intercreditor Agreement), or a withdrawal or withdrawals pursuant to a cash collateral account under such Intercreditor Agreement, with respect thereto in an aggregate amount sufficient to pay such interest and shall have distributed such amount to the Trustee).
Purchasing Certificateholder: Has the meaning, with respect to any Certificateholder, specified in Section 6.01(b).
Record Date: Means, with respect to any Trust or the related series of Certificates, (i) for Scheduled Payments to be distributed on any Regular Distribution Date, other than the final distribution with respect to such series, the 15th day (whether or not a Business Day) preceding such Regular Distribution Date, and (ii) for Special Payments to be distributed on any Special Distribution Date, other than the final distribution with respect to such series, the 15th day (whether or not a Business Day) preceding such Special Distribution Date.
Register and Registrar: Means, each with respect to the Certificates of any series, the register maintained and the registrar appointed pursuant to Sections 3.04 and 7.12.
Regular Distribution Date: Means, with respect to distributions of Scheduled Payments in respect of any series of Certificates, each date designated as such in this Agreement, until payment of all the Scheduled Payments to be made under the Equipment Notes held in the Trust has been made.
Request: Means a request by the Company setting forth the subject matter of the request accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as provided in Section 1.02 of this Basic Agreement.
Responsible Officer: Means, with respect to any Trustee, any Loan Trustee and any Owner Trustee, any officer in the Corporate Trust Department of the Trustee, Loan Trustee or Owner Trustee or any other officer customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.
Responsible Party: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, the person designated as such in the related Trust Supplement.
Scheduled Payment: Means, with respect to any Equipment Note, (i) any payment of principal or interest on such Equipment Note (other than any such payment which is not in fact received by the Trustee or the applicable Subordination Agent within five days of the date on which such payment is scheduled to be made) or (ii) any payment of interest on the Certificates of any series with funds drawn under the Liquidity Facility for such series, which payment represents the installment of principal on such Equipment Note at the stated maturity of such installment, the payment of regularly scheduled interest accrued on the unpaid principal amount of such Equipment Note, or both; provided, however, that any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest resulting from the redemption or purchase of any Equipment Note shall not constitute a Scheduled Payment.
SEC: Means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted or created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.
Selling Certificateholder: Has the meaning, with respect to any Certificateholder, specified in Section 6.01(b).
Special Distribution Date: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, each date on which a Special Payment is to be distributed as specified in this Agreement.
Special Payment: Means (i) any payment (other than a Scheduled Payment) in respect of, or any proceeds of, any Equipment Note or Trust Indenture Estate (as defined in each Indenture), (ii) the amounts required to be distributed pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 2.02(b) or (iii) the amounts required to be distributed pursuant to the penultimate paragraph of Section 2.02(b).
Special Payments Account: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, the account or accounts created and maintained for such series pursuant to Section 4.01(b) and the related Trust Supplement.
Specified Investments: Means, with respect to any Trust, unless otherwise specified in the related Trust Supplement, (i) obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States Government or agencies thereof, (ii) open market commercial paper of any corporation incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof rated at least P-2 or its equivalent by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or at least A-2 or its equivalent by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (iii) certificates of deposit issued by commercial banks organized under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof having a combined capital and surplus in excess of $100,000,000 which banks or their holding companies have a rating of A or its equivalent by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services; provided, however, that the aggregate amount at any one time so invested in certificates of deposit issued by any one bank shall not exceed 5% of such bank’s capital and surplus,
(iv) U.S. dollar-denominated offshore certificates of deposit issued by, or offshore time deposits with, any commercial bank described in clause (iii) above or any subsidiary thereof and (v) repurchase agreements with any financial institution having combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 with any of the obligations described in clauses (i) through (iv) above as collateral; provided further that if all of the above investments are unavailable, the entire amounts to be invested may be used to purchase federal funds from an entity described in clause (iii) above.
Subordination Agent: Has the meaning specified therefor in any applicable Intercreditor Agreement.
Substitute Aircraft: Means, with respect to any Trust, any Aircraft of a type specified in this Agreement and, at the election of the Company, substituted prior to the applicable Cut-off Date, if any, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
Transfer Date: Has the meaning assigned to that term or any of the terms “Delivery Date”, “Funding Date” or “Closing Date” in the applicable Note Purchase Agreement, and in any event refers to any such date as it may be changed from time to time in accordance with the terms of such Note Purchase Agreement.
Triggering Event: Has the meaning specified therefor in the applicable Intercreditor Agreement.
Trust: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, the related trust under this Agreement.
Trustee: Means Wilmington Trust, National Association, or its successor in interest, and any successor or other trustee appointed as provided herein.
Trust Indenture Act: Means, with respect to any particular Trust, the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in force at the date as of which the related Trust Supplement was executed.
Trust Property: Means, with respect to any Trust, (i) subject to any related Intercreditor Agreement, the Equipment Notes held as the property of such Trust, all monies at any time paid thereon and all monies due and to become due thereunder, (ii) funds from time to time deposited in the related Escrow Account, the related Certificate Account and the related Special Payments Account and, subject to the related Intercreditor Agreement, any proceeds from the sale by the Trustee pursuant to Article VI hereof of any such Equipment Note, (iii) all rights of such Trust and the Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, under any Intercreditor Agreement, including, without limitation, all monies receivable in respect of such rights, and (iv) all monies receivable under any Liquidity Facility for such Trust.
Trust Supplement: Means an agreement supplemental hereto pursuant to which (i) a separate Trust is created for the benefit of the Holders of the Certificates of a series, (ii) the issuance of the Certificates of such series representing fractional undivided interests in such Trust is authorized and (iii) the terms of the Certificates of such series are established.
Section 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. Upon any application or request by the Company, any Owner Trustee or any Loan Trustee to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Basic Agreement or, in respect of the Certificates of any series, this Agreement, the Company, such Owner Trustee or such Loan Trustee, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee (i)
an Officer’s Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signer or signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Basic Agreement or this Agreement relating to the proposed action have been complied with and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Basic Agreement or this Agreement relating to such particular application or request, no such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Basic Agreement or, in respect of the Certificates of any series, this Agreement (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 8.04(d)) or any Trust Supplement shall include:
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions in this Basic Agreement or this Agreement relating thereto;
(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 each such individual or firm, he or it has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or it 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, in the opinion of each such individual or firm, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Basic Agreement or, in respect of the Certificates of any series, this Agreement, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.04. Directions of Certificateholders. (a) Any direction, consent, request, demand, authorization, notice, waiver or other action provided by this Agreement in respect of the Certificates of any series to be given or taken by Certificateholders (a “Direction”) may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Certificateholders in person or by an agent or proxy duly appointed in writing or, in the case of Certificates evidenced by a Book-Entry Certificate, by any electronic transmission or other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the Clearing Agency’s applicable procedures; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, when it is hereby expressly required pursuant to this Agreement, to the Company or any Loan Trustee. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the
Certificateholders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent or proxy shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Trust Agreement and conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company and the related Loan Trustee, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.04.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the certificate of any notary public or other officer of any jurisdiction authorized to take acknowledgments of deeds or administer oaths that the Person executing such instrument acknowledged to him the execution thereof, or by an affidavit of a witness to such execution sworn to before any such notary or such other officer, and where such execution is by an officer of a corporation or association or a member of a partnership, on behalf of such corporation, association or partnership, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) In determining whether the Certificateholders of the requisite Fractional Undivided Interests of Certificates of any series Outstanding have given any Direction under this Agreement, Certificates owned by the Company or any Affiliate thereof shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for purposes of any such determination. In determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such Direction, only Certificates which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if any such Person owns 100% of the Certificates of any series Outstanding, such Certificates shall not be so disregarded, and (ii) if any amount of Certificates of any series so owned by any such Person have been pledged in good faith, such Certificates shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Certificates and that the pledgee is not the Company or any Affiliate thereof.
(d) The Company may, at its option, by delivery of an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee, set a record date to determine the Certificateholders in respect of the Certificates of any series, entitled to give any Direction. Notwithstanding Section 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, such record date shall be the record date specified in such Officer’s Certificate, which shall be a date not more than 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Certificateholders of the applicable series in connection therewith. If such a record date is fixed, such Direction may be given before or after such record date, but only the Certificateholders of record of the applicable series at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Certificateholders for the purposes of determining whether Certificateholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Certificates of such series have authorized or agreed or consented to such Direction, and for that purpose the Outstanding Certificates shall be computed as of such record date; provided, however, that no such Direction by the Certificateholders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement not later than one year after such record date.
(e) Any Direction by the Holder of any Certificate shall bind the Holder of every Certificate issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, whether or not notation of such Direction is made upon such Certificate.
(f) Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.04(c), Certificates of any series owned by or pledged to any Person shall have an equal and proportionate benefit under the provisions of this Agreement, without preference, priority or distinction as among all of the Certificates of such series.
ARTICLE II
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES: ACQUISITION OF TRUST PROPERTY
Section 2.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. (a) The aggregate face amount of Certificates which may be authenticated and delivered under this Basic Agreement is unlimited. The Certificates may be issued from time to time in one or more series and shall be designated generally as the “Pass Through Certificates”, with such further designations added or incorporated in such title for the Certificates of each series as specified in the related Trust Supplement. Each Certificate shall bear upon its face the designation so selected for the series to which it belongs. All Certificates of the same series shall be substantially identical except that the Certificates of a series may differ as to denomination and as may otherwise be provided in the Trust Supplement establishing the Certificates of such series. Each series of Certificates issued pursuant to this Agreement will evidence fractional undivided interests in the related Trust and, except as may be contained in any Intercreditor Agreement, will have no rights, benefits or interests in respect of any other Trust or the Trust Property held therein. All Certificates of the same series shall be in all respects equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of this Agreement without preference, priority or distinction on account of the actual time or times of authentication and delivery, all in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
(b) The following matters shall be established with respect to the Certificates of each series issued hereunder by a Trust Supplement executed and delivered by and between the Company and the Trustee:
(1) the formation of the Trust as to which the Certificates of such series represent fractional undivided interests and its designation (which designation shall distinguish such Trust from each other Trust created under this Basic Agreement and a Trust Supplement);
(2) the specific title of the Certificates of such series (which title shall distinguish the Certificates of such series from each other series of Certificates created under this Basic Agreement and a Trust Supplement);
(3) any limit upon the aggregate face amount of the Certificates of such series which may be authenticated and delivered (which limit shall not pertain to Certificates authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Certificates of the series pursuant to Sections 3.03, 3.04 and 3.06);
(4) the Cut-off Date with respect to the Certificates of such series;
(5) the Regular Distribution Dates applicable to the Certificates of such series;
(6) the Special Distribution Dates applicable to the Certificates of such series;
(7) if other than as provided in Section 7.12(b), the Registrar or the Paying Agent for the Certificates of such series, including any Co-Registrar or additional Paying Agent;
(8) if other than as provided in Section 3.01, the denominations in which the Certificates of such series shall be issuable;
(9) if other than United States dollars, the currency or currencies (including currency units) in which the Certificates of such series shall be denominated;
(10) the specific form of the Certificates of such series (including the interest rate applicable thereto) and whether or not Certificates of such series are to be issued as Book-Entry Certificates and, if such Certificates are to be Book-Entry Certificates, the form of Letter of Representations, if any (or, in the case of any Certificates denominated in a currency other than United States dollars and if other than as provided in Section 3.05, whether and the circumstances under which beneficial owners of interests in such Certificates in permanent global form may exchange such interests for Certificates of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination);
(11) a description of the Equipment Notes to be acquired and held in the related Trust and of the related Aircraft and Note Documents;
(12) provisions with respect to the terms for which the definitions set forth in Article I hereof or the terms of Section 11.01 hereof require further specification in the related Trust Supplement;
(13) any restrictions (including legends) in respect of ERISA;
(14) whether such series will be subject to an Intercreditor Agreement and, if so, the specific designation of such Intercreditor Agreement;
(15) whether such series will have the benefit of a Liquidity Facility and, if so, the specific designation of such Liquidity Facility;
(16) whether there will be a deposit agreement or other comparable arrangement prior to the delivery of one or more Aircraft and, if so, any terms appropriate thereto; and
(17) any other terms of the Certificates of such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act), including any terms of the Certificates of such series which may be required or advisable under United States laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of Certificates of the series.
(c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Basic Agreement and a Trust Supplement forming a Trust and establishing the terms of Certificates of a series, Certificates of such series shall be executed, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Person or Persons specified by the Company upon request of the Company and upon satisfaction or waiver of any conditions precedent set forth in such Trust Supplement.
Section 2.02. Acquisition of Equipment Notes. (a) Unless otherwise specified in the related Trust Supplement, on or prior to the Issuance Date of the Certificates of a series, the Trustee shall execute and deliver the related Note Purchase Agreements in the form delivered to the Trustee by the Company and shall, subject to the respective terms thereof, perform its obligations under such Note
Purchase Agreements. The Trustee shall issue and sell such Certificates, in authorized denominations and in such Fractional Undivided Interests, so as to result in the receipt of consideration in an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price of the Equipment Notes contemplated to be purchased by the Trustee under the related Note Purchase Agreements and, concurrently therewith, the Trustee shall purchase, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Note Purchase Agreements, such Equipment Notes at a purchase price equal to the amount of such consideration so received. Except as provided in Sections 3.03, 3.04 and 3.06 hereof, the Trustee shall not execute, authenticate or deliver Certificates of such series in excess of the aggregate amount specified in this paragraph. The provisions of this Subsection (a) are subject to the provisions of Subsection (b) below.
(b) If on or prior to the Issuance Date with respect to a series of Certificates the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a Postponement Notice relating to one or more Postponed Notes, the Trustee shall postpone the purchase of such Postponed Notes and shall deposit into an escrow account (as to such Trust, the “Escrow Account”) to be maintained as part of the related Trust an amount equal to the purchase price of such Postponed Notes (the “Escrowed Funds”). The portion of the Escrowed Funds so deposited with respect to any particular Postponed Notes shall be invested by the Trustee at the written direction and risk of, and for the benefit of, the Responsible Party in Specified Investments (i) maturing no later than any scheduled Transfer Date relating to such Postponed Notes or (ii) if no such Transfer Date has been scheduled, maturing on the next Business Day, or (iii) if the Company has given notice to the Trustee that such Postponed Notes will not be issued, maturing on the next applicable Special Distribution Date, if such investments are reasonably available for purchase. The Trustee shall make withdrawals from the Escrow Account only as provided in this Agreement. Upon request of the Company on one or more occasions and the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions specified in the applicable Note Purchase Agreements on or prior to the related Cut-off Date, the Trustee shall purchase the applicable Postponed Notes with the Escrowed Funds withdrawn from the Escrow Account. The purchase price shall equal the principal amount of such Postponed Notes.
The Trustee shall hold all Specified Investments until the maturity thereof and will not sell or otherwise transfer Specified Investments. If Specified Investments held in an Escrow Account mature prior to any applicable Transfer Date, any proceeds received on the maturity of such Specified Investments (other than any earnings thereon) shall be reinvested by the Trustee at the written direction and risk of, and for the benefit of, the Responsible Party in Specified Investments maturing as provided in the preceding paragraph.
Any earnings on Specified Investments received from time to time by the Trustee shall be promptly distributed to the Responsible Party. The Responsible Party shall pay to the Trustee for deposit to the relevant Escrow Account an amount equal to any losses on such Specified Investments as incurred. On the Initial Regular Distribution Date in respect of the Certificates of any series, the Responsible Party will pay (in immediately available funds) to the Trustee an amount equal to the interest that would have accrued on any Postponed Notes with respect to such Certificates, if any, purchased after the Issuance Date if such Postponed Notes had been purchased on the Issuance Date, from the Issuance Date to, but not including, the date of the purchase of such Postponed Notes by the Trustee.
If, in respect of the Certificates of any series, the Company notifies the Trustee prior to the Cut-off Date that any Postponed Notes will not be issued on or prior to the Cut-off Date for any reason, on the next Special Distribution Date for such Certificates occurring not less than 15 days following the date of such notice, (i) the Responsible Party shall pay to the Trustee for deposit in the
related Special Payments Account, in immediately available funds, an amount equal to the interest that would have accrued on the Postponed Notes designated in such notice at a rate equal to the interest rate applicable to such Certificates from the Issuance Date to, but not including, such Special Distribution Date and (ii) the Trustee shall transfer an amount equal to that amount of Escrowed Funds that would have been used to purchase the Postponed Notes designated in such notice and the amount paid by the Responsible Party pursuant to the immediately preceding clause (i) to the related Special Payments Account for distribution as a Special Payment in accordance with the provisions hereof.
If, on such Cut-off Date, an amount equal to less than all of the Escrowed Funds (other than Escrowed Funds referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph) has been used to purchase Postponed Notes, on the next such Special Distribution Date occurring not less than 15 days following such Cut-off Date (i) the Responsible Party shall pay to the Trustee for deposit in such Special Payments Account, in immediately available funds, an amount equal to the interest that would have accrued on such Postponed Notes contemplated to be purchased with such unused Escrowed Funds (other than Escrowed Funds referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph) but not so purchased at a rate equal to the interest rate applicable to such Certificates from the Issuance Date to, but not including, such Special Distribution Date and (ii) the Trustee shall transfer such unused Escrowed Funds and the amount paid by the Responsible Party pursuant to the immediately preceding clause (i) to such Special Payments Account for distribution as a Special Payment in accordance with the provisions hereof.
Section 2.03. Acceptance by Trustee. Upon the execution and delivery of a Trust Supplement creating a Trust and establishing a series of Certificates, the Trustee shall acknowledge its acceptance of all right, title and interest in and to the Trust Property to be acquired pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof and the related Note Purchase Agreements and shall declare that the Trustee holds and will hold such right, title and interest for the benefit of all then present and future Certificateholders of such series, upon the trusts herein and in such Trust Supplement set forth. By the acceptance of each Certificate of such series issued to it under this Agreement, each initial Holder of such series as grantor of such Trust shall thereby join in the creation and declaration of such Trust.
Section 2.04. Limitation of Powers. Each Trust shall be constituted solely for the purpose of making the investment in the Equipment Notes provided for in the related Trust Supplement, and, except as set forth herein, the Trustee shall not be authorized or empowered to acquire any other investments or engage in any other activities and, in particular, the Trustee shall not be authorized or empowered to do anything that would cause such Trust to fail to qualify as a “grantor trust” for federal income tax purposes (including, as subject to this restriction, acquiring any Aircraft (as defined in the respective Indentures) by bidding such Equipment Notes or otherwise, or taking any action with respect to any such Aircraft once acquired).
ARTICLE III
THE CERTIFICATES
Section 3.01. Form, Denomination and Execution of Certificates. The Certificates of each series shall be issued in fully registered form without coupons and shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, with such omissions, variations and insertions as are permitted by this Agreement, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange on which such Certificates may be listed or to conform to any usage in respect thereof, or as may,
consistently herewith, be determined by the Trustee or the officers executing such Certificates, as evidenced by the Trustee’s or respective officers’ execution of the Certificates.
Except as provided in Section 3.05, the definitive Certificates of such series shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Certificates may be listed, all as determined by the officers executing such Certificates, as evidenced by their execution of such Certificates.
Except as otherwise provided in the related Trust Supplement, the Certificates of each series shall be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof except that one Certificate of such series may be issued in a different denomination.
The Certificates of such series shall be executed on behalf of the Trustee by manual or facsimile signature of a Responsible Officer of the Trustee. Certificates of any series bearing the manual or facsimile signature of an individual who was, at the time when such signature was affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of the Trustee shall be valid and binding obligations of the Trustee, notwithstanding that such individual has ceased to be so authorized prior to the authentication and delivery of such Certificates or did not hold such office at the date of such Certificates.
Section 3.02. Authentication of Certificates. (a) On the Issuance Date, the Trustee shall duly execute, authenticate and deliver Certificates of each series in authorized denominations equalling in the aggregate the aggregate principal amount of the Equipment Notes that may be purchased by the Trustee pursuant to the related Note Purchase Agreements, and evidencing the entire ownership of the related Trust. Thereafter, the Trustee shall duly execute, authenticate and deliver the Certificates of such series as herein provided.
(b) No Certificate of any series shall be entitled to any benefit under this Agreement, or be valid for any purpose, unless there appears on such Certificate a certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate of authentication upon any Certificate shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Certificate has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Certificates of any series shall be dated the date of their authentication.
Section 3.03. Temporary Certificates. Until definitive Certificates are ready for delivery, the Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver temporary Certificates of each series. Temporary Certificates of each series shall be substantially in the form of definitive Certificates of such series but may have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other variations determined to be appropriate by the officers executing the temporary Certificates of such series, as evidenced by their execution of such temporary Certificates. If temporary Certificates of any series are issued, the Trustee will cause definitive Certificates of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Certificates of such series, the temporary Certificates shall be exchangeable for definitive Certificates upon surrender of such temporary Certificates at the office or agency of the Trustee designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 7.12, without charge to the Certificateholder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Certificates, the Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like face amount of definitive Certificates of like series, in authorized denominations and of a like Fractional Undivided Interest. Until so exchanged, such
temporary Certificates shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as definitive Certificates.
Section 3.04. Transfer and Exchange. The Trustee shall cause to be kept at the office or agency to be maintained by it in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.12 a register (the “Register”) for each series of Certificates in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Trustee shall provide for the registration of Certificates of such series and of transfers and exchanges of such Certificates as herein provided. The Trustee shall initially be the registrar (the “Registrar”) for the purpose of registering such Certificates of each series and transfers and exchanges of such Certificates as herein provided.
All Certificates issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Certificates of any series shall be valid obligations of the applicable Trust, evidencing the same interest therein, and entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement, as the Certificates of such series surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Certificate at the Corporate Trust Office or such other office or agency, the Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Certificates of like series, in authorized denominations of a like aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest.
At the option of a Certificateholder, Certificates may be exchanged for other Certificates of like series, in authorized denominations and of a like aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest, upon surrender of the Certificates to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Certificates are so surrendered for exchange, the Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver the Certificates that the Certificateholder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Every Certificate presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Registrar duly executed by the Certificateholder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made to a Certificateholder for any registration of transfer or exchange of Certificates, but the Trustee shall require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Certificates. All Certificates surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be cancelled and subsequently destroyed by the Trustee.
Section 3.05. Book-Entry and Definitive Certificates. (a) The Certificates of any series may be issued in the form of one or more typewritten Certificates representing the Book-Entry Certificates of such series, to be delivered to The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Company. In such case, the Certificates of such series delivered to The Depository Trust Company shall initially be registered on the Register in the name of CEDE & Co., the nominee of the initial Clearing Agency, and no Certificate Owner will receive a definitive certificate representing such Certificate Owner’s interest in the Certificates of such series, except as provided above and in Subsection (d) below. As to the Certificates of any series, unless and until definitive, fully registered Certificates (the “Definitive Certificates”) have been issued pursuant to Subsection (d) below:
(i) the provisions of this Section 3.05 shall be in full force and effect;
(ii) the Company, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and the Trustee may deal with the Clearing Agency Participants for all purposes (including the making of distributions on the Certificates) as the authorized representatives of the Certificate Owners;
(iii) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 3.05 conflict with any other provisions of this Agreement (other than the provisions of any Trust Supplement expressly amending this Section 3.05 as permitted by this Basic Agreement), the provisions of this Section 3.05 shall control;
(iv) the rights of Certificate Owners shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such Certificate Owners and the Clearing Agency Participants; and until Definitive Certificates are issued pursuant to Subsection (d) below, the Clearing Agency will make book-entry transfers among the Clearing Agency Participants and receive and transmit distributions of principal, interest and premium, if any, on the Certificates to such Clearing Agency Participants; and
(v) whenever this Agreement requires or permits actions to be taken based upon instructions or directions of Certificateholders of such series holding Certificates of such series evidencing a specified percentage of the Fractional Undivided Interests in the related Trust, the Clearing Agency shall be deemed to represent such percentage only to the extent that it has received instructions to such effect from Clearing Agency Participants owning or representing, respectively, such required percentage of the beneficial interest in Certificates of such series and has delivered such instructions to the Trustee. The Trustee shall have no obligation to determine whether the Clearing Agency has in fact received any such instructions.
(b) Whenever notice or other communication to the Certificateholders of such series is required under this Agreement, unless and until Definitive Certificates shall have been issued pursuant to Subsection (d) below, the Trustee shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to be given to Certificateholders of such series to the Clearing Agency.
(c) Unless and until Definitive Certificates of a series are issued pursuant to Subsection (d) below, on the Record Date prior to each applicable Regular Distribution Date and Special Distribution Date the Trustee will request from the Clearing Agency a securities position listing setting forth the names of all Clearing Agency Participants reflected on the Clearing Agency’s books as holding interests in the Certificates on such Record Date.
(d) If with respect to the Certificates of any series (i) the Company advises the Trustee in writing that the Clearing Agency is no longer willing or able to discharge properly its responsibilities and the Trustee or the Company is unable to locate a qualified successor, (ii) the Company, at its option, advises the Trustee in writing that it elects to terminate the book-entry system through the Clearing Agency or (iii) after the occurrence of an Event of Default, Certificate Owners of Book-Entry Certificates of such series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the related Trust, by Act of such Certificate Owners delivered to the Company and the Trustee, advise the Company, the Trustee and the Clearing Agency through the Clearing Agency Participants in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through the Clearing Agency Participants is no longer in the best interests of the Certificate Owners of such series, then the Trustee shall notify all Certificate Owners of such series, through the Clearing Agency, of the occurrence of any such event and of the availability of Definitive Certificates. Upon surrender to the
Trustee of all the Certificates of such series held by the Clearing Agency, accompanied by registration instructions from the Clearing Agency Participants for registration of Definitive Certificates in the names of Certificate Owners of such series, the Trustee shall issue and deliver the Definitive Certificates of such series in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. Neither the Company, the Registrar, the Paying Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, such registration instructions. Upon the issuance of Definitive Certificates of such series, the Trustee shall recognize the Person in whose name the Definitive Certificates are registered in the Register as Certificateholders hereunder. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable if the Trustee or the Company is unable to locate a qualified successor Clearing Agency.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in the related Trust Supplement, the Trustee shall enter into the applicable Letter of Representations with respect to such series of Certificates and fulfill its responsibilities thereunder.
(f) The provisions of this Section 3.05 may be made inapplicable to any series or may be amended with respect to any series in the related Trust Supplement.
Section 3.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. If (a) any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Registrar, or the Registrar receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate, and (b) there is delivered to the Registrar and the Trustee such security, indemnity or bond, as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Registrar or the Trustee that such destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, and provided, however, that the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in any applicable jurisdiction are met, the Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate or Certificates of like series, in authorized denominations and of like Fractional Undivided Interest and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In connection with the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 3.06, the Trustee shall 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 (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the Registrar) connected therewith.
Any duplicate Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 3.06 shall constitute conclusive evidence of the appropriate Fractional Undivided Interest in the related Trust, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time.
The provisions of this Section 3.06 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificates.
Section 3.07. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Certificate for registration of transfer, the Trustee, the Registrar and any Paying Agent may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate is registered (as of the day of determination) as the owner of such Certificate for the purpose of receiving distributions pursuant to Article IV and for all other purposes whatsoever, and none of the Trustee, the Registrar or any Paying Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
Section 3.08. Cancellation. All Certificates surrendered for payment or transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Trustee or any agent of the Trustee other than the Registrar, be delivered to the Registrar for cancellation and shall promptly be cancelled by it. No Certificates shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Certificates cancelled as provided in this Section 3.08, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement. All cancelled Certificates held by the Registrar shall be destroyed and a certification of their destruction delivered to the Trustee.
Section 3.09. Limitation of Liability for Payments. All payments and distributions made to Certificateholders of any series in respect of the Certificates of such series shall be made only from the Trust Property of the related Trust and only to the extent that the Trustee shall have sufficient income or proceeds from such Trust Property to make such payments in accordance with the terms of Article IV of this Agreement. Each Certificateholder, by its acceptance of a Certificate, agrees that it will look solely to the income and proceeds from the Trust Property of the related Trust for any payment or distribution due to such Certificateholder pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and that it will not have any recourse to the Company, the Trustee, the Loan Trustees, the Owner Trustees or the Owner Participants, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the related Intercreditor Agreement.
The Company is a party to this Agreement solely for purposes of meeting the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act, and therefore shall not have any right, obligation or liability hereunder (except as otherwise expressly provided herein).
ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS; STATEMENTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
Section 4.01. Certificate Account and Special Payments Account. (a) The Trustee shall establish and maintain on behalf of the Certificateholders of each series a Certificate Account as one or more non-interest-bearing accounts. The Trustee shall hold such Certificate Account in trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders of such series, and shall make or permit withdrawals therefrom only as provided in this Agreement. On each day when a Scheduled Payment is made to the Trustee (under an Intercreditor Agreement, if applicable) with respect to the Certificates of such series, the Trustee, upon receipt thereof, shall immediately deposit the aggregate amount of such Scheduled Payment in such Certificate Account.
(b) The Trustee shall establish and maintain on behalf of the Certificateholders of each series a Special Payments Account as one or more accounts, which shall be non-interest bearing except as provided in Section 4.04. The Trustee shall hold the Special Payments Account in trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders of such series and shall make or permit withdrawals therefrom only as provided in this Agreement. On each day when one or more Special Payments are made to the Trustee (under an Intercreditor Agreement, if applicable) with respect to the Certificates of such series, the Trustee, upon receipt thereof, shall immediately deposit the aggregate amount of such Special Payments in such Special Payments Account.
(c) The Trustee shall present (or, if applicable, cause the Subordination Agent to present) to the related Loan Trustee of each Equipment Note such Equipment Note on the date of its stated final maturity or, in the case of any Equipment Note which is to be redeemed in whole pursuant to the related Indenture, on the applicable redemption date under such Indenture.
Section 4.02. Distributions from Certificate Account and Special Payments Account. (a) On each Regular Distribution Date with respect to a series of Certificates or as soon thereafter as the Trustee has confirmed receipt of the payment of all or any part of the Scheduled Payments due on the Equipment Notes held (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement) in the related Trust on such date, the Trustee shall distribute out of the applicable Certificate Account the entire amount deposited therein pursuant to Section 4.01(a). There shall be so distributed to each Certificateholder of record of such series on the Record Date with respect to such Regular Distribution Date (other than as provided in Section 11.01 concerning the final distribution) by check mailed to such Certificateholder, at the address appearing in the Register, such Certificateholder’s pro rata share (based on the Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust held by such Certificateholder) of the total amount in the applicable Certificate Account, except that, with respect to Certificates registered on the Record Date in the name of a Clearing Agency (or its nominee), such distribution shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account designated by such Clearing Agency (or such nominee).
(b) On each Special Distribution Date with respect to any Special Payment with respect to a series of Certificates or as soon thereafter as the Trustee has confirmed receipt of any Special Payments due on the Equipment Notes held (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement) in the related Trust or realized upon the sale of such Equipment Notes, the Trustee shall distribute out of the applicable Special Payments Account the entire amount of such applicable Special Payment deposited therein pursuant to Section 4.01(b). There shall be so distributed to each Certificateholder of record of such series on the Record Date with respect to such Special Distribution Date (other than as provided in Section 11.01 concerning the final distribution) by check mailed to such Certificateholder, at the address appearing in the Register, such Certificateholder’s pro rata share (based on the Fractional Undivided Interest in the related Trust held by such Certificateholder) of the total amount in the applicable Special Payments Account on account of such Special Payment, except that, with respect to Certificates registered on the Record Date in the name of a Clearing Agency (or its nominee), such distribution shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account designated by such Clearing Agency (or such nominee).
(c) The Trustee shall, at the expense of the Company, cause notice of each Special Payment with respect to a series of Certificates to be mailed to each Certificateholder of such series at his address as it appears in the Register. In the event of redemption or purchase of Equipment Notes held in the related Trust, such notice shall be mailed not less than 15 days prior to the Special Distribution Date for the Special Payment resulting from such redemption or purchase, which Special Distribution Date shall be the date of such redemption or purchase. In the event that the Trustee receives a notice from the Company that Postponed Notes will not be purchased by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.02, such notice of Special Payment shall be mailed as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice from the Company and shall state the Special Distribution Date for such Special Payment, which shall occur 15 days after the date of such notice of Special Payment or (if such 15th day is not practicable) as soon as practicable thereafter. In the event that any Special Payment is to be made pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 2.02(b) hereof, there shall be mailed on the Cut-off Date (or, if such mailing on the Cut-off Date is not practicable, as soon as practicable after the Cut-off Date), notice of such Special Payment stating the Special Distribution Date for such Special Payment, which shall occur 15 days after the date of such notice of such Special Payment (or, if such 15th day is not practicable, as soon as practicable thereafter). In the case of any other Special Payments, such notice shall be mailed as soon as practicable after the Trustee has confirmed that it has received funds for such Special Payment, stating the Special Distribution Date for such Special Payment which shall occur not
less than 15 days after the date of such notice and as soon as practicable thereafter. Notices mailed by the Trustee shall set forth:
(i) the Special Distribution Date and the Record Date therefor (except as otherwise provided in Section 11.01),
(ii) the amount of the Special Payment (taking into account any payment to be made by the Company pursuant to Section 2.02(b)) for each $1,000 face amount Certificate and the amount thereof constituting principal, premium, if any, and interest,
(iii) the reason for the Special Payment, and
(iv) if the Special Distribution Date is the same date as a Regular Distribution Date for the Certificates of such series, the total amount to be received on such date for each $1,000 face amount Certificate.
If the amount of premium, if any, payable upon the redemption or purchase of an Equipment Note has not been calculated at the time that the Trustee mails notice of a Special Payment, it shall be sufficient if the notice sets forth the other amounts to be distributed and states that any premium received will also be distributed.
If any redemption of the Equipment Notes held in any Trust is cancelled, the Trustee, as soon as possible after learning thereof, shall cause notice thereof to be mailed to each Certificateholder of the related series at its address as it appears on the Register.
Section 4.03. Statements to Certificateholders. (a) On each Regular Distribution Date and Special Distribution Date, the Trustee will include with each distribution of a Scheduled Payment or Special Payment, as the case may be, to Certificateholders of the related series a statement setting forth the information provided below. Such statement shall set forth (per $1,000 aggregate face amount of Certificate as to (i) and (ii) below) the following information:
(i) the amount of such distribution hereunder allocable to principal and the amount allocable to premium, if any;
(ii) the amount of such distribution hereunder allocable to interest; and
(iii) the Pool Balance and the Pool Factor of the related Trust.
With respect to the Certificates registered in the name of a Clearing Agency or its nominee, on the Record Date prior to each Distribution Date, the Trustee will request from the Clearing Agency a securities position listing setting forth the names of all the Clearing Agency Participants reflected on the Clearing Agency’s books as holding interests in the Certificates on such Record Date. On each Distribution Date, the applicable Trustee will mail to each such Clearing Agency Participant the statement described above and will make available additional copies as requested by such Clearing Agency Participant for forwarding to holders of interests in the Certificates.
(b) Within a reasonable period of time after the end of each calendar year but not later than the latest date permitted by law, except to the extent otherwise provided in the applicable Trust Supplement, the Trustee shall furnish to each Person who at any time during such calendar year
was a Certificateholder of record a statement containing the sum of the amounts determined pursuant to clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) above with respect to the related Trust for such calendar year or, in the event such Person was a Certificateholder of record during a portion of such calendar year, for the applicable portion of such year, and such other items as are readily available to the Trustee and which a Certificateholder shall reasonably request as necessary for the purpose of such Certificateholder’s preparation of its federal income tax returns. With respect to Certificates registered in the name of a Clearing Agency or its nominee, such statement and such other items shall be prepared on the basis of information supplied to the Trustee by the Clearing Agency Participants and shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Clearing Agency Participants to be available for forwarding by such Clearing Agency Participants to the holders of interests in the Certificates in the manner described in Section 4.03(a).
Section 4.04. Investment of Special Payment Moneys. Any money received by the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01(b) representing a Special Payment which is not distributed on the date received shall, to the extent practicable, be invested in Permitted Investments by the Trustee pending distribution of such Special Payment pursuant to Section 4.02. Any investment made pursuant to this Section 4.04 shall be in such Permitted Investments having maturities not later than the date that such moneys are required to be used to make the payment required under Section 4.02 on the applicable Special Distribution Date and the Trustee shall hold any such Permitted Investments until maturity. The Trustee shall have no liability with respect to any investment made pursuant to this Section 4.04, other than by reason of the willful misconduct or negligence of the Trustee. All income and earnings from such investments shall be distributed on such Special Distribution Date as part of such Special Payment.
ARTICLE V
THE COMPANY
Section 5.01. Maintenance of Corporate Existence. The Company, at its own cost and expense, will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights and franchises, except as otherwise specifically permitted in Section 5.02; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any right or franchise if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company.
Section 5.02. Consolidation, Merger, Etc. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease substantially all of its assets as an entirety to any Person unless:
(a) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person that acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety shall be (i) organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (ii) a “citizen of the United States” as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 40102(a)(15), as amended, and (iii) a United States certificated air carrier, if and so long as such status is a condition of entitlement to the benefits of Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended (11 U.S.C. § 1110), with respect to the Leases or the Aircraft owned by the Company;
(b) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety shall execute and deliver to the Trustee applicable to the Certificates of each
series a duly authorized, valid, binding and enforceable agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee containing an assumption by such successor corporation or Person of the due and punctual performance and observance of each covenant and condition of the Note Documents and of this Agreement applicable to the Certificates of each series to be performed or observed by the Company; and
(c) the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of the Company and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and the assumption agreement mentioned in clause (b) above comply with this Section 5.02 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance, transfer or lease of substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety in accordance with this Section 5.02, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Agreement applicable to the Certificates of each series with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein. No such conveyance, transfer or lease of substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety shall have the effect of releasing any successor Person which shall have become such in the manner prescribed in this Section 5.02 from its liability in respect of this Agreement and any Note Document applicable to the Certificates of such series to which it is a party.
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULT
Section 6.01. Events of Default. (a) Exercise of Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any Indenture Event of Default under any Indenture, the Trustee may (i) to the extent it is the Controlling Party at such time (as determined pursuant to the related Intercreditor Agreement), direct the exercise of remedies as provided in such related Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) if there is no related Intercreditor Agreement, direct the exercise of remedies or take other action as provided in the relevant Indenture to the extent that it may do so as the holder of the Equipment Notes issued under such Indenture and held in the related Trust.
(b) Purchase Rights of Certificateholders. At any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Triggering Event, each Certificateholder of Certificates of certain series (each, a “Potential Purchaser” and, collectively, the “Potential Purchasers”) will have certain rights to purchase the Certificates of one or more other series, all as set forth in the Trust Supplement applicable to the Certificates held by such Potential Purchaser. The purchase price with respect to the Certificates of any series shall be equal to the Pool Balance of the Certificates of such series, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of such purchase, without premium, but including any other amounts then due and payable to the Certificateholders of such series under this Agreement, any related Intercreditor Agreement or any other Note Document or on or in respect of the Certificates of such series; provided, however, that if such purchase occurs after a Record Date, such purchase price shall be reduced by the amount to be distributed hereunder on the related Distribution Date (which deducted amounts shall remain distributable to, and may be retained by, the Certificateholder as of such Record Date); provided, further, that no such purchase of Certificates of such series shall be effective unless the purchasing Certificateholder (each, a “Purchasing Certificateholder” and, collectively, the “Purchasing
Certificateholders”) shall certify to the Trustee that contemporaneously with such purchase, one or more Purchasing Certificateholders are purchasing, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the other Agreements, if any, relating to the Certificates of a series that are subject to the same Intercreditor Agreement (such other Agreements, the “Other Agreements”), the Certificates of each such series that the Trust Supplement applicable to the Certificates held by the Purchasing Certificateholder specifies may be purchased by such Purchasing Certificateholder. Each payment of the purchase price of the Certificates of any series shall be made to an account or accounts designated by the Trustee and each such purchase shall be subject to the terms of this Section 6.01. By acceptance of its Certificate, each Certificateholder (each, a “Selling Certificateholder” and, collectively, the “Selling Certificateholders”) of a series that is subject to purchase by Potential Purchasers, all as set forth in the Trust Supplement applicable to the Certificates held by the Selling Certificateholders, agrees that, at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Triggering Event, it will, upon payment of the purchase price specified herein by one or more Purchasing Certificateholders, forthwith sell, assign, transfer and convey to such Purchasing Certificateholder (without recourse, representation or warranty of any kind except for its own acts), all of the right, title, interest and obligation of such Selling Certificateholder in this Agreement, any related Intercreditor Agreement, the related Liquidity Facility, the related Note Documents and all Certificates of such series held by such Selling Certificateholder (excluding all right, title and interest under any of the foregoing to the extent such right, title or interest is with respect to an obligation not then due and payable as respects any action or inaction or state of affairs occurring prior to such sale) and the Purchasing Certificateholder shall assume all of such Selling Certificateholder’s obligations under this Agreement, any related Intercreditor Agreement, the related Liquidity Facility and the related Note Documents. The Certificates of such series will be deemed to be purchased on the date payment of the purchase price is made notwithstanding the failure of any Selling Certificateholder to deliver any Certificates of such series and, upon such a purchase, (i) the only rights of the Selling Certificateholders will be to deliver the Certificates to the Purchasing Certificateholder and receive the purchase price for such Certificates of such series and (ii) if the Purchasing Certificateholder shall so request, such Selling Certificateholder will comply with all of the provisions of Section 3.04 hereof to enable new Certificates of such series to be issued to the Purchasing Certificateholder in such denominations as it shall request. All charges and expenses in connection with the issuance of any such new Certificates shall be borne by the Purchasing Certificateholder.
Section 6.02. Incidents of Sale of Equipment Notes. Upon any sale of all or any part of the Equipment Notes held in the Trust made either under the power of sale given under this Agreement or otherwise for the enforcement of this Agreement, the following shall be applicable:
(1) Certificateholders and Trustee May Purchase Equipment Notes. Any Certificateholder, the Trustee in its individual or any other capacity or any other Person may bid for and purchase any of the Equipment Notes held in the Trust, and upon compliance with the terms of sale, may hold, retain, possess and dispose of such Equipment Notes in their own absolute right without further accountability.
(2) Receipt of Trustee Shall Discharge Purchaser. The receipt of the Trustee making such sale shall be a sufficient discharge to any purchaser for his purchase money, and, after paying such purchase money and receiving such receipt, such purchaser or its personal representative or assigns shall not be obliged to see to the application of such purchase money, or be in any way answerable for any loss, misapplication or non-application thereof.
(3) Application of Moneys Received upon Sale. Any moneys collected by the Trustee upon any sale made either under the power of sale given by this Agreement or otherwise for the enforcement of this Agreement shall be applied as provided in Section 4.02.
Section 6.03. Judicial Proceedings Instituted by Trustee; Trustee May Bring Suit. If there shall be a failure to make payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Equipment Note held in the related Trust, or if there shall be any failure to pay Rent (as defined in the relevant Lease) under any Lease when due and payable, then the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, as holder of such Equipment Notes, to the extent permitted by and in accordance with the terms of any related Intercreditor Agreement and any related Note Documents (subject to rights of the applicable Owner Trustee or Owner Participant to cure any such failure to pay principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Equipment Note or to pay Rent under any Lease in accordance with the applicable Indenture), shall be entitled and empowered to institute any suits, actions or proceedings at law, in equity or otherwise, for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid on such Equipment Notes or under such Lease and may prosecute any such claim or proceeding to judgment or final decree with respect to the whole amount of any such sums so due and unpaid.
Section 6.04. Control by Certificateholders. Subject to Section 6.03 and any related Intercreditor Agreement, the Certificateholders holding Certificates of a series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the related Trust shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee with respect to such Trust or pursuant to the terms of such Intercreditor Agreement, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee under this Agreement or such Intercreditor Agreement, including any right of the Trustee as Controlling Party under such Intercreditor Agreement or as holder of the Equipment Notes held in the related Trust; provided, however, that
(1) such Direction shall not in the opinion of the Trustee be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Agreement and would not involve the Trustee in personal liability or expense, unless the Person(s) issuing such Direction shall provide the Trustee with an indemnity against such liability or expense satisfactory to the Trustee in its sole discretion,
(2) the Trustee shall not determine that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the Certificateholders of such series not taking part in such Direction, and
(3) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such Direction.
Section 6.05. Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to any related Intercreditor Agreement, the Certificateholders holding Certificates of a series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the Trust (i) may on behalf of all of the Certificateholders waive any past Event of Default hereunder and its consequences or (ii) if the Trustee is the Controlling Party, may direct the Trustee to instruct the applicable Loan Trustee to waive any past Indenture Event of Default under any related Indenture and its consequences, and thereby annul any Direction given by such Certificateholders or the Trustee to such Loan Trustee with respect thereto, except a default:
(1) in the deposit of any Scheduled Payment or Special Payment under Section 4.01 or in the distribution of any payment under Section 4.02 on the Certificates of a series, or
(2) in the payment of the principal of (premium, if any) or interest on the Equipment Notes held in the related Trust, or
(3) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article IX hereof cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Certificateholder holding an Outstanding Certificate of a series affected thereby.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist with respect to the Certificates of such series and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose and any direction given by the Trustee on behalf of the Certificateholders of such series to the relevant Loan Trustee shall be annulled with respect thereto; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Upon any such waiver, the Trustee shall vote the Equipment Notes issued under the relevant Indenture to waive the corresponding Indenture Event of Default.
Section 6.06. Right of Certificateholders to Receive Payments Not to Be Impaired. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, including, without limitation, Section 6.07 hereof, but subject to any related Intercreditor Agreement, the right of any Certificateholder to receive distributions of payments required pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof on the applicable Certificates when due, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the applicable Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Certificateholder.
Section 6.07. Certificateholders May Not Bring Suit Except Under Certain Conditions. A Certificateholder of any series shall not have the right to institute any suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity or otherwise with respect to this Agreement, for the appointment of a receiver or for the enforcement of any other remedy under this Agreement, unless:
(1) such Certificateholder previously shall have given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;
(2) Certificateholders holding Certificates of such series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than 25% of the related Trust shall have requested the Trustee in writing to institute such action, suit or proceeding and shall have offered to the Trustee indemnity as provided in Section 7.03(e);
(3) the Trustee shall have refused or neglected to institute any such action, suit or proceeding for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity; and
(4) no Direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by Certificateholders holding Certificates of such series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the related Trust.
It is understood and intended that no one or more of the Certificateholders of any series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever hereunder or under the related Trust Supplement or under the Certificates of such series to (i) surrender, impair, waive, affect, disturb or prejudice any property in the Trust Property of the related Trust, or the lien of any related Indenture on any property subject
thereto, or the rights of the Certificateholders of such series or the holders of the related Equipment Notes, (ii) obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference with respect to any other such Certificateholder of such series or (iii) enforce any right under this Agreement, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all the Certificateholders of such series subject to the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative. Every remedy given hereunder to the Trustee or to any of the Certificateholders of any series shall not be exclusive of any other remedy or remedies, and every such remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter given by statute, law, equity or otherwise.
Section 6.09. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Agreement, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that neither this Section 6.09 nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company.
ARTICLE VII
THE TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Certain Duties and Responsibilities. (a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default in respect of a Trust, the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties in respect of such Trust as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Trustee.
(b) In case an Event of Default in respect of a Trust has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Agreement in respect of such Trust, 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.
(c) No provision of this Agreement 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
(1) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a)of this Section 7.01; and
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
(d) Whether or not herein expressly so provided, every provision of this Agreement relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.
Section 7.02. Notice of Defaults. As promptly as practicable after, and in any event within 90 days after, the occurrence of any default (as such term is defined below) hereunder known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to the Company, any related Owner Trustees, any related Owner Participants, the related Loan Trustees and the Certificateholders holding Certificates of the related series in accordance with Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Equipment Note, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Certificateholders of the related series. For the purpose of this Section 7.02 in respect of any Trust, the term “default” means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default in respect of that Trust.
Section 7.03. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act:
(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting in reliance upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, 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 or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Request;
(c) whenever in the administration of this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate of the Company, any related Owner Trustee or any related Loan Trustee;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any 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 reliance thereon;
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement at the Direction of any of the Certificateholders pursuant to this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement, unless such Certificateholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the cost, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such Direction;
(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, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers under this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement or perform any duties under this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement either directly or by or through agents or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible
for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it under this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement;
(h) 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 Certificateholders holding Certificates of any series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the related Trust 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 Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement; and
(i) the Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds in the performance of any of its duties under this Agreement, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
Section 7.04. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Certificates. The recitals contained herein and in the Certificates of each series, except the certificates of authentication, shall not be taken as the statements of the Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. Subject to Section 7.15, the Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Basic Agreement, any Equipment Notes, any Intercreditor Agreement, the Certificates of any series, any Trust Supplement or any Note Documents, except that the Trustee hereby represents and warrants that this Basic Agreement has been, and each Trust Supplement, each Certificate, each Note Purchase Agreement and each Intercreditor Agreement of, or relating to, each series will be executed and delivered by one of its officers who is duly authorized to execute and deliver such document on its behalf.
Section 7.05. May Hold Certificates. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Registrar or any of their Affiliates or any other agent, in their respective individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Certificates and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable, may otherwise deal with the Company, any Owner Trustees or the Loan Trustees with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar or such other agent.
Section 7.06. Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent in trust under this Agreement need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required herein or by law and neither the Trustee nor the Paying Agent shall have any liability for interest upon any such moneys except as provided for herein.
Section 7.07. Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees:
(1) to pay, or cause to be paid, to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); and
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any Trust Supplement, to reimburse, or cause to be reimbursed, the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Basic Agreement, any Trust Supplement or any Intercreditor Agreement (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith or as may be incurred due to the Trustee’s breach of its representations and warranties set forth in Section 7.15; and
(3) to indemnify, or cause to be indemnified, the Trustee with respect to the Certificates of any series, pursuant to the particular sections of the Note Purchase Agreements specified in the related Trust Supplement.
The Trustee shall be entitled to reimbursement from, and shall have a lien prior to the Certificates of each series upon, all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee in its capacity as Trustee with respect to such series or the related Trust for any tax incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of such Trust (other than any tax attributable to the Trustee’s compensation for serving as such), including any costs and expenses incurred in contesting the imposition of any such tax. The Trustee shall notify the Company of any claim for any tax for which it may seek reimbursement. If the Trustee reimburses itself from the Trust Property of such Trust for any such tax, it will mail a brief report within 30 days setting forth the amount of such tax and the circumstances thereof to all Certificateholders of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Register.
Section 7.08. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. Each Trust shall at all times have a Trustee which shall be eligible to act as a trustee under Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $75,000,000 (or a combined capital and surplus in excess of $5,000,000 and the obligations of which, whether now in existence or hereafter incurred, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $75,000,000). If such corporation publishes reports of conditions at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 7.08 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 conditions so published.
In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.08 to act as Trustee of any Trust, the Trustee shall resign immediately as Trustee of such Trust in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 7.09.
Section 7.09. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. (a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee of any Trust pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 7.10.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time as Trustee of any or all Trusts by giving prior written notice thereof to the Company, the Authorized Agents, the related Owner Trustees and the related Loan Trustees. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Company, the related Owner Trustees and the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time by Direction of the Certificateholders of the related series holding Certificates evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests
aggregating not less than a majority in interest in such Trust delivered to the Trustee and to the Company, the related Owner Trustees and the related Loan Trustees.
(d) If at any time in respect of any Trust:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable, after written request therefor by the Company or by any Certificateholder who has been a bona fide Certificateholder for at least six months; or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 7.08 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Certificateholder; or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a 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 case, (i) the Company may remove the Trustee or (ii) any Certificateholder of the related series who has been a bona fide Certificateholder for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee of such Trust.
(e) If a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall obtain actual knowledge of an Avoidable Tax (as defined below) in respect of any Trust which has been or is likely to be asserted, the Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and shall, within 30 days of such notification, resign as Trustee of such Trust hereunder unless within such 30-day period the Trustee shall have received notice that the Company has agreed to pay such tax. The Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee of such Trust in a jurisdiction where there are no Avoidable Taxes. As used herein, an “Avoidable Tax” in respect of such Trust means a state or local tax: (i) upon (w) such Trust, (x) such Trust Property, (y) Certificateholders of such Trust or (z) the Trustee for which the Trustee is entitled to seek reimbursement from the Trust Property of such Trust, and (ii) which would be avoided if the Trustee were located in another state, or jurisdiction within a state, within the United States of America. A tax shall not be an Avoidable Tax in respect of any Trust if the Company or any Owner Trustee shall agree to pay, and shall pay, such tax.
(f) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting as Trustee of any Trust or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Trustee of any Trust for any cause, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee of such Trust. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or other occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee of such Trust shall be appointed by Direction of the Certificateholders of the related series holding Certificates of such series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in such Trust delivered to the Company, the related Owner Trustees, the related Loan Trustee and the retiring Trustee, then the successor Trustee of such Trust so appointed shall, with the approval of the Company of such appointment, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee of such Trust and supersede the successor Trustee of such Trust appointed as provided above. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed as provided above and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, the resigning Trustee or any Certificateholder who has been a bona fide Certificateholder of the related series for at
least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee of such Trust.
(g) The successor Trustee of a Trust shall give notice of the resignation and removal of the Trustee and appointment of the successor Trustee by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Certificateholders of the related series as their names and addresses appear in the Register. Each notice shall include the name of such successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 7.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee with respect to any or all Trusts an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee with respect to such Trusts shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all Trust Property held by such retiring Trustee in respect of such Trusts hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 7.07. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver any and all instruments containing such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and for more fully and certainly vesting in, such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.
If a successor Trustee is appointed with respect to one or more (but not all) Trusts, the Company, the predecessor Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to any Trust shall execute and deliver a supplemental agreement 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 predecessor Trustee with respect to the Trusts 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 Basic Agreement and the applicable Trust Supplements as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental agreement shall constitute such Trustees as co-Trustees of the same Trust and that each such Trustee shall be Trustee of separate Trusts.
No institution shall accept its appointment as a Trustee hereunder unless at the time of such acceptance such institution shall be qualified and eligible under this Article VII.
Section 7.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. 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; provided, however, that such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article VII, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Certificates shall have been executed or authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such execution or authentication and deliver the Certificates so executed or authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself executed or authenticated such Certificates.
Section 7.12. Maintenance of Agencies. (a) With respect to each series of Certificates, there shall at all times be maintained an office or agency in the location set forth in Section 12.04 where Certificates of such series may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange, and for payment thereof, and where notices and demands, to or upon the Trustee in respect of such Certificates or this Agreement may be served; provided, however, that, if it shall be necessary that the Trustee maintain an office or agency in another location with respect to the Certificates of any series (e.g., the Certificates of such series shall be represented by Definitive Certificates and shall be listed on a national securities exchange), the Trustee will make all reasonable efforts to establish such an office or agency. Written notice of the location of each such other office or agency and of any change of location thereof shall be given by the Trustee to the Company, any Owner Trustees, the Loan Trustees (in the case of any Owner Trustee or Loan Trustee, at its address specified in the Note Documents or such other address as may be notified to the Trustee) and the Certificateholders of such series. In the event that no such office or agency shall be maintained or no such notice of location or of change of location shall be given, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
(b) There shall at all times be a Registrar and a Paying Agent hereunder with respect to the Certificates of each series. Each such Authorized Agent shall be a bank or trust company, shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state, with a combined capital and surplus of at least $75,000,000, or a corporation having a combined capital and surplus in excess of $5,000,000, the obligations of which are guaranteed by a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state, with a combined capital and surplus of at least $75,000,000, and shall be authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, subject to supervision by federal or state authorities. The Trustee shall initially be the Paying Agent and, as provided in Section 3.04, Registrar hereunder with respect to the Certificates of each series. Each Registrar shall furnish to the Trustee, at stated intervals of not more than six months, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a copy of the Register maintained by such Registrar.
(c) Any corporation into which any Authorized 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 Authorized Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of any Authorized Agent, shall be the successor of such Authorized Agent, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 7.12, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or such Authorized Agent or such successor corporation.
(d) Any Authorized Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee, the Company, any related Owner Trustees and the related Loan Trustees. The Company may, and at the request of the Trustee shall, at any time terminate the agency of any Authorized Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authorized Agent and to the Trustee. Upon the resignation or termination of an Authorized Agent or in case at any time any such Authorized Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 7.12 (when, in either case, no other Authorized Agent performing the functions of such Authorized Agent shall have been appointed), the Company shall promptly appoint one or more qualified successor Authorized Agents, reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to perform the functions of the Authorized Agent which has resigned or whose agency has been terminated or who shall have ceased to be eligible under this Section 7.12. The Company shall give written notice of any such appointment made by it to the Trustee, any related Owner Trustees and the related Loan Trustees; and in each case the Trustee shall mail notice of such appointment to all
Certificateholders of the related series as their names and addresses appear on the Register for such series.
(e) The Company agrees to pay, or cause to be paid, from time to time to each Authorized Agent reasonable compensation for its services and to reimburse it for its reasonable expenses.
Section 7.13. Money for Certificate Payments to Be Held in Trust. All moneys deposited with any Paying Agent for the purpose of any payment on Certificates shall be deposited and held in trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders entitled to such payment, subject to the provisions of this Section 7.13. Moneys so deposited and held in trust shall constitute a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Certificateholders with respect to which such money was deposited.
The Trustee may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Agreement or for any other purpose, direct any Paying Agent to pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Section 7.14. Registration of Equipment Notes in Trustee’s Name. Subject to the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee agrees that all Equipment Notes to be purchased by any Trust and Permitted Investments, if any, shall be issued in the name of the Trustee as trustee for the applicable Trust or its nominee and held by the Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders of such series, or, if not so held, the Trustee or its nominee shall be reflected as the owner of such Equipment Notes or Permitted Investments, as the case may be, in the register of the issuer of such Equipment Notes or Permitted Investments, as the case may be.
Section 7.15. Representations and Warranties of Trustee. The Trustee hereby represents and warrants that:
(a) the Trustee is a national banking association organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the United States of America;
(b) the Trustee has full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreements and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreements;
(c) the execution, delivery and performance by the Trustee of this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreements (i) will not violate any provision of any United States federal law or the law of the state of the United States where it is located governing the banking and trust powers of the Trustee or any order, writ, judgment, or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental authority applicable to the Trustee or any of its assets, (ii) will not violate any provision of the articles of association or by-laws of the Trustee, and (iii) will not violate any provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of time, a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien on any properties included in the Trust Property pursuant to the provisions of any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or other undertaking to which it is a party, which violation, default or lien could reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the Trustee’s performance or ability to perform its duties hereunder or thereunder or on the transactions contemplated herein or therein;
(d) the execution, delivery and performance by the Trustee of this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreements will not require the authorization, consent, or approval of, the giving of notice to, the filing or registration with, or the taking of any other action in respect of, any governmental authority or agency of the United States or the state of the United States where it is located regulating the banking and corporate trust activities of the Trustee; and
(e) this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreements have been duly executed and delivered by the Trustee and constitute the legal, valid and binding agreements of the Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms; provided, however, that enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and (ii) general principles of equity.
Section 7.16. Withholding Taxes; Information Reporting. As to the Certificates of any series, the Trustee, as trustee of the related grantor trust created by this Agreement, shall exclude and withhold from each distribution of principal, premium, if any, and interest and other amounts due under this Agreement or under the Certificates of such series any and all withholding taxes applicable thereto as required by law. The Trustee agrees to act as such withholding agent and, in connection therewith, whenever any present or future taxes or similar charges are required to be withheld with respect to any amounts payable in respect of the Certificates of such series, to withhold such amounts and timely pay the same to the appropriate authority in the name of and on behalf of the Certificateholders of such series, that it will file any necessary withholding tax returns or statements when due, and that, as promptly as possible after the payment thereof, it will deliver to each such Certificateholder of such series appropriate documentation showing the payment thereof, together with such additional documentary evidence as such Certificateholders may reasonably request from time to time. The Trustee agrees to file any other information reports as it may be required to file under United States law.
Section 7.17. Trustee’s Liens. The Trustee in its individual capacity agrees that it will, in respect of each Trust created by this Agreement, at its own cost and expense promptly take any action as may be necessary to duly discharge and satisfy in full any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest or claim (“Trustee’s Liens”) on or with respect to the Trust Property of such Trust which is attributable to the Trustee either (i) in its individual capacity and which is unrelated to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the related Note Documents or (ii) as Trustee hereunder or in its individual capacity and which arises out of acts or omissions which are not contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 7.18. Preferential Collection of Claims. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. If the Trustee shall resign or be removed as Trustee, it shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent provided therein.
ARTICLE VIII
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE
Section 8.01. The Company to Furnish Trustee with Names and Addresses of Certificateholders. The Company will furnish to the Trustee within 15 days after each Record Date with respect to a Scheduled Payment, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request, a list, in such form as the Trustee may
reasonably require, of all information in the possession or control of the Company as to the names and addresses of the Certificateholders of each series, in each case as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the sole Registrar for such series, no such list need be furnished; and provided further, however, that no such list need be furnished for so long as a copy of the Register is being furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.12.
Section 8.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Certificateholders. The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Certificateholders of each series contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.12 or Section 8.01, as the case may be, and the names and addresses of Certificateholders of each series received by the Trustee in its capacity as Registrar, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.12 or Section 8.01, as the case may be, upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
Section 8.03. Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first full year following the issuance of any series of Certificates, the Trustee shall transmit to the Certificateholders of such series, as provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such May 15, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 8.04. Reports by the Company. The Company shall:
(a) file with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC, such information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to the applicable Trust Supplement;
(b) file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of the Company provided for in this Agreement, as may be required by such rules and regulations, including, in the case of annual reports, if required by such rules and regulations, certificates or opinions of independent public accountants, conforming to the requirements of Section 1.02;
(c) transmit to all Certificateholders, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 8.04 as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC; and
(d) furnish to the Trustee, not less often than annually, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Agreement (it being understood that for purposes of this paragraph (d), such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Agreement).
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS
Section 9.01. Supplemental Agreements Without Consent of Certificateholders. Without the consent of the Certificateholders, the Company may (but will not be required to), and the Trustee (subject to Section 9.03) shall, at the Company’s request, at any time and from time to time, enter into one or more agreements supplemental hereto or, if applicable, to an Intercreditor Agreement or a Liquidity Facility, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to provide for the formation of a Trust, the issuance of a series of Certificates and other matters contemplated by Section 2.01(b); or
(2) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein contained or of the Company’s obligations under any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility; or
(3) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Certificateholders of any series, or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company in this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility; or
(4) to correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein or therein or to cure any ambiguity or to modify any other provision with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility, provided, however, that any such action shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the Certificateholders of any series; to correct any mistake in this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility; or, as provided in any Intercreditor Agreement, to give effect to or provide for a Replacement Liquidity Facility (as defined in such Intercreditor Agreement); or
(5) to comply with any requirement of the SEC, any applicable law, rules or regulations of any exchange or quotation system on which the Certificates of any series are listed or of any regulatory body; or
(6) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility to such extent as shall be necessary to continue the qualification of this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility (including any supplemental agreement) under the Trust Indenture Act or under any similar Federal statute hereafter enacted, and to add to this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility such other provisions as may be expressly permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, excluding, however, the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at the date as of which this Basic Agreement was executed or any corresponding provision in any similar Federal statute hereafter enacted; or
(7) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility by a successor Trustee with respect to one or more Trusts and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trust, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.10; or
(8) to provide the information required under Section 7.12 and Section 12.04 as to the Trustee; or
(9) to make any other amendments or modifications hereto, provided, however, that such amendments or modifications shall apply to Certificates of any series to be thereafter issued;
provided, however, that no such supplemental agreement shall adversely affect the status of any Trust as a grantor trust under Subpart E, Part I of Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Section 9.02. Supplemental Agreements with Consent of Certificateholders. With respect to each separate Trust and the series of Certificates relating thereto, with the consent of the Certificateholders holding Certificates of such series (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Certificates) evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in such Trust, by Direction of said Certificateholders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company may (with the consent of the Owner Trustees, if any, relating to such Certificates, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but shall not be obligated to, and the Trustee (subject to Section 9.03) shall, enter into an agreement or agreements supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility to the extent applicable to such Certificateholders or of modifying in any manner the rights and obligations of such Certificateholders under this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility; provided, however, that no such agreement shall, without the consent of the Certificateholder of each Outstanding Certificate affected thereby:
(1) reduce in any manner the amount of, or delay the timing of, any receipt by the Trustee of payments on the Equipment Notes held in such Trust or distributions that are required to be made herein on any Certificate of such series, or change any date of payment on any Certificate of such series, or change the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Certificate of such series is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or distribution on or after the Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date applicable thereto; or
(2) permit the disposition of any Equipment Note included in the Trust Property of such Trust except as permitted by this Agreement, or otherwise deprive such Certificateholder of the benefit of the ownership of the Equipment Notes in such Trust; or
(3) alter the priority of distributions specified in the Intercreditor Agreement in a manner materially adverse to the interests of the Certificateholders of any series; or
(4) reduce the specified percentage of the aggregate Fractional Undivided Interests of such Trust that is required for any such supplemental agreement, or reduce such specified percentage required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Agreement or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Agreement; or
(5) modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.02 or Section 6.05, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Agreement cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Certificateholder of each Certificate of such series affected thereby; or
(6) adversely affect the status of any Trust as a grantor trust under Subpart E, Part I of Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
It shall not be necessary for any Direction of such Certificateholders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental agreement, but it shall be sufficient if such Direction shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.03. Documents Affecting Immunity or Indemnity. If in the opinion of the Trustee any document required to be executed by it pursuant to the terms of Section 9.01 or 9.02 affects any interest, right, duty, immunity or indemnity in favor of the Trustee under this Basic Agreement or any Trust Supplement, the Trustee may in its discretion decline to execute such document.
Section 9.04. Execution of Supplemental Agreements. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental agreement permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Agreement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental agreement is authorized or permitted by this Agreement.
Section 9.05. Effect of Supplemental Agreements. Upon the execution of any agreement supplemental to this Agreement under this Article, this Basic Agreement shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental agreement shall form a part of this Basic Agreement for all purposes; and every Certificateholder of each series theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby to the extent applicable to such series.
Section 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental agreement executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
Section 9.07. Reference in Certificates to Supplemental Agreements. Certificates of each series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental agreement applicable to such series pursuant to this Article may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental agreement; and, in such case, suitable notation may be made upon Outstanding Certificates of such series after proper presentation and demand.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS TO INDENTURE AND NOTE DOCUMENTS
Section 10.01. Amendments and Supplements to Indenture and Other Note Documents. In the event that the Trustee, as holder (or beneficial owner through the Subordination Agent) of any Equipment Notes (or as a prospective purchaser of any Postponed Notes) in trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders of any series or as Controlling Party under an Intercreditor Agreement, receives (directly or indirectly through the Subordination Agent) a request for a consent to any amendment, modification, waiver or supplement under any Indenture, other Note Document or any other related
document, the Trustee shall forthwith send a notice of such proposed amendment, modification, waiver or supplement to each Certificateholder of such series registered on the Register as of the date of such notice. The Trustee shall request from the Certificateholders of such series a Direction as to (a) whether or not to take or refrain from taking (or direct the Subordination Agent to take or refrain from taking) any action which a holder of (or, with respect to Postponed Notes, a prospective purchaser of) such Equipment Note or a Controlling Party has the option to direct, (b) whether or not to give or execute (or direct the Subordination Agent to give or execute) any waivers, consents, amendments, modifications or supplements as a holder of (or, with respect to Postponed Notes, a prospective purchaser of) such Equipment Note or as Controlling Party and (c) how to vote (or direct the Subordination Agent to vote) any Equipment Note (or, with respect to a Postponed Note, its commitment to acquire such Postponed Note) if a vote has been called for with respect thereto. Provided such a request for Certificateholder Direction shall have been made, in directing any action or casting any vote or giving any consent as the holder of any Equipment Note (or in directing the Subordination Agent in any of the foregoing), (i) other than as Controlling Party, the Trustee shall vote for or give consent to any such action with respect to such Equipment Note (or Postponed Note) in the same proportion as that of (A) the aggregate face amounts of all Certificates actually voted in favor of or for giving consent to such action by such Direction of Certificateholders to (B) the aggregate face amount of all Outstanding Certificates and (ii) as Controlling Party, the Trustee shall vote as directed in such Certificateholder Direction by the Certificateholders of such series evidencing a Fractional Undivided Interest aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the Trust. For purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, a Certificate shall have been “actually voted” if the Holder of such Certificate has delivered to the Trustee an instrument evidencing such Holder’s consent to such Direction prior to one Business Day before the Trustee directs such action or casts such vote or gives such consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Section 6.04 and any Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee may, with respect to the Certificates of any series, in its own discretion and at its own direction, consent and notify the relevant Loan Trustee of such consent (or direct the Subordination Agent to consent and notify the Loan Trustee of such consent) to any amendment, modification, waiver or supplement under any related Indenture or any other related Note Document if an Event of Default hereunder shall have occurred and be continuing or if such amendment, modification, waiver or supplement will not materially adversely affect the interests of the Certificateholders of such series.
ARTICLE XI
TERMINATION OF TRUSTS
Section 11.01. Termination of the Trusts. In respect of each Trust created by this Basic Agreement as supplemented by a related Trust Supplement, the respective obligations and responsibilities of the Company and the Trustee with respect to such Trust shall terminate upon the distribution to all Holders of Certificates of the series of such Trust and the Trustee of all amounts required to be distributed to them pursuant to this Agreement and the disposition of all property held as part of the Trust Property of such Trust; provided, however, that in no event shall such Trust continue beyond one hundred ten (110) years following the date of the execution of the Trust Supplement with respect to such Trust (or such other final expiration date as may be specified in such Trust Supplement).
Notice of any termination of a Trust, specifying the applicable Regular Distribution Date (or applicable Special Distribution Date, as the case may be) upon which the Certificateholders of any series may surrender their Certificates to the Trustee for payment of the final distribution and cancellation, shall be mailed promptly by the Trustee to Certificateholders of such series not earlier than the minimum number of days and not later than the maximum number of days specified therefor in the
related Trust Supplement preceding such final distribution specifying (A) the Regular Distribution Date (or Special Distribution Date, as the case may be) upon which the proposed final payment of the Certificates of such series will be made upon presentation and surrender of Certificates of such series at the office or agency of the Trustee therein specified, (B) the amount of any such proposed final payment, and (C) that the Record Date otherwise applicable to such Regular Distribution Date (or Special Distribution Date, as the case may be) is not applicable, payments being made only upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates of such series at the office or agency of the Trustee therein specified. The Trustee shall give such notice to the Registrar at the time such notice is given to Certificateholders of such series. Upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates of such series in accordance with such notice, the Trustee shall cause to be distributed to Certificateholders of such series amounts distributable on such Regular Distribution Date (or Special Distribution Date, as the case may be) pursuant to Section 4.02.
In the event that all of the Certificateholders of such series shall not surrender their Certificates for cancellation within six months after the date specified in the above-mentioned written notice, the Trustee shall give a second written notice to the remaining Certificateholders of such series to surrender their Certificates for cancellation and receive the final distribution with respect thereto. No additional interest shall accrue on the Certificates of such series after any Regular Distribution Date (or Special Distribution Date, as the case may be) of such series, as specified in the first written notice. In the event that any money held by the Trustee for the payment of distributions on the Certificates of such series shall remain unclaimed for two years (or such lesser time as the Trustee shall be satisfied, after 60 days’ notice from the Company, is one month prior to the escheat period provided under applicable law) after the final distribution date with respect thereto, the Trustee shall pay to each Loan Trustee the appropriate amount of money relating to such Loan Trustee and shall give written notice thereof to the related Owner Trustees and the Company.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 12.01. Limitation on Rights of Certificateholders. The death or incapacity of any Certificateholder of any series shall not operate to terminate this Agreement or the related Trust, nor entitle such Certificateholder’s legal representatives or heirs to claim an accounting or to take any action or commence any proceeding in any court for a partition or winding up of the Trust, nor otherwise affect the rights, obligations, and liabilities of the parties hereto or any of them.
Section 12.02. Liabilities of Certificateholders. Neither the existence of the Trust nor any provision in this Agreement is intended to or shall limit the liability the Certificateholders would otherwise incur if the Certificateholders owned Trust Property as co-owners, or incurred any obligations of the Trust, directly rather than through the Trust.
Section 12.03. Registration of Equipment Notes in Name of Subordination Agent. If a Trust is party to an Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee agrees that all Equipment Notes to be purchased by such Trust shall be issued in the name of the Subordination Agent under such Intercreditor Agreement or its nominee and held by such Subordination Agent in trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders, or, if not so held, such Subordination Agent or its nominee shall be reflected as the owner of such Equipment Notes in the register of the issuer of such Equipment Notes.
Section 12.04. Notices. (a) Unless otherwise specifically provided herein or in the applicable Trust Supplement with respect to any Trust, all notices required under the terms and provisions of this Basic Agreement or such Trust Supplement with respect to such Trust shall be in English and in writing, and any such notice may be given by United States mail, courier service or telecopy, and any such notice shall be effective when delivered or received or, if mailed, three days after deposit in the United States mail with proper postage for ordinary mail prepaid,
if to the Company:
Spirit Airlines, Inc.
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, Florida 33025
Attention: Treasurer
Facsimile: (954) 447-7854
if to the Trustee:
Wilmington Trust, National Association
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-1605
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Facsimile: (302) 636-4140
Telephone: (302) 636-6294
(b) The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
(c) Any notice or communication to Certificateholders of any series shall be mailed by first-class mail to the addresses for Certificateholders of such series shown on the Register kept by the Registrar and to addresses filed with the Trustee for Certificate Owners of such series. Failure so to mail a notice or communication or any defect in such notice or communication shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Certificateholders or Certificate Owners of such series.
(d) If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
(e) If the Company mails a notice or communication to the Certificateholders of such series, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and to each Paying Agent for such series at the same time.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, all communications or notices to the Trustee shall be deemed to be given only when received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee.
(g) The Trustee shall promptly furnish the Company with a copy of any demand, notice or written communication received by the Trustee hereunder from any Certificateholder, Owner Trustee or Loan Trustee.
Section 12.05. Governing Law. THIS BASIC AGREEMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND, TOGETHER WITH ALL TRUST SUPPLEMENTS AND CERTIFICATES, SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS.
Section 12.06. Severability of Provisions. If any one or more of the covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement shall be for any reason whatsoever held invalid, then such covenants, agreements, provisions, or terms shall be deemed severable from the remaining covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement and shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement or the related Trust, or of the Certificates of such series or the rights of the Certificateholders thereof.
Section 12.07. Trust Indenture Act Controls. This Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions. If any provision of this Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Agreement by the Trust Indenture Act, the required provision shall control.
Section 12.08. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 12.09. Successors and Assigns. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties in this Agreement by the Trustee and the Company shall bind and, to the extent permitted hereby, shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 12.10. Benefits of Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Certificates of any series, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, and the Certificateholders of each series, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement.
Section 12.11. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date relating to any Certificate of any series shall not be a Business Day with respect to such series, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement) payment need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date, and no interest shall accrue during the intervening period.
Section 12.12. Counterparts. For the purpose of facilitating the execution of this Agreement and for other purposes, this Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts, each of which counterparts shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 12.13. Communication by Certificateholders with Other Certificateholders. Certificateholders of any series may communicate with other Certificateholders of such series with respect to their rights under this Basic Agreement, the related Trust Supplement or the Certificates of such series pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Company, the Trustee and any
and all other persons benefitted by this Agreement shall have the protection afforded by Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 12.14. Intention of Parties. The parties hereto intend that each Trust be classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust under Subpart E, Part I of Subchapter J of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and not as a trust or association taxable as a corporation or as a partnership. The powers granted and obligations undertaken pursuant to this Agreement shall be so construed so as to further such intent.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first written above.
SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF CERTIFICATE
Certificate No.
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to Issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.1
SPIRIT AIRLINES PASS THROUGH TRUST
Pass Through
Certificate, Series
Final Regular Distribution Date: [ ],
evidencing a fractional undivided interest in a trust, the property of which includes certain equipment notes each secured by Aircraft owned by or leased to Spirit Airlines, Inc.
$ Fractional Undivided Interest representing . % of the Trust per $1,000 face amount
_______________________
1 This legend to appear on Book-Entry Certificates to be deposited with The Depository Trust Company.
THIS CERTIFIES THAT , for value received, is the registered owner of a $ ( dollars) Fractional Undivided Interest in the Spirit Airlines Pass Through Trust, Series [ ] (the “Trust”) created by Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), pursuant to a Pass Through Trust Agreement dated as of [ ] (the “Basic Agreement”), as supplemented by Trust Supplement No. [ ] thereto dated [ ] (collectively, the “Agreement”), between the Trustee and Spirit Airlines, Inc., a corporation incorporated under Delaware law (the “Company”), a summary of certain of the pertinent provisions of which is set forth below. To the extent not otherwise defined herein, the capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement. This Certificate is one of the duly authorized Certificates designated as “ % Spirit Airlines Pass Through Certificate, Series ” (herein called the “Certificates”). This Certificate is issued under and is subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Agreement. By virtue of its acceptance hereof, the Certificateholder of this Certificate assents to and agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Agreement and any related Intercreditor Agreement. The property of the Trust includes certain Equipment Notes and all rights of the Trust to receive any payments under any related Intercreditor Agreement or Liquidity Facility (the “Trust Property”). Each issue of the Equipment Notes is or will be secured by, among other things, a security interest in aircraft leased to or owned by the Company.
The Certificates represent fractional undivided interests in the Trust and the Trust Property, and have no rights, benefits or interest in respect of any other separate trust established pursuant to the terms of the Basic Agreement for any other series of certificates issued pursuant thereto.
Subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and any related Intercreditor Agreement, from funds then available to the Trustee, there will be distributed on each [ ] and [ ] (a “Regular Distribution Date”), commencing on [ ], to the Person in whose name this Certificate is registered at the close of business on the 15th day preceding the Regular Distribution Date, an amount in respect of the Scheduled Payments on the Equipment Notes due on such Regular Distribution Date, the receipt of which has been confirmed by the Trustee, equal to the product of the percentage interest in the Trust evidenced by this Certificate and an amount equal to the sum of such Scheduled Payments. Subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and any related Intercreditor Agreement, in the event that Special Payments on the Equipment Notes are received by the Trustee, from funds then available to the Trustee, there shall be distributed on the applicable Special Distribution Date, to the Person in whose name this Certificate is registered at the close of business on the 15th day preceding the Special Distribution Date, an amount in respect of such Special Payments on the Equipment Notes, the receipt of which has been confirmed by the Trustee, equal to the product of the percentage interest in the Trust evidenced by this Certificate and an amount equal to the sum of such Special Payments so received. If a Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date is not a Business Day, distribution shall be made on the immediately following Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date and no interest shall accrue during the intervening period. The Trustee shall mail notice of each Special Payment and the Special Distribution Date therefor to the Certificateholder of this Certificate.
Distributions on this Certificate will be made by the Trustee by check mailed to the Person entitled thereto, without the presentation or surrender of this Certificate or the making of any notation hereon, except with respect to Certificates registered on the Record Date in the name of Clearing Agency (or its nominee), in which case, such distribution shall be made by wire transfer. Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement and notwithstanding the above, the final distribution on this Certificate will be made after notice mailed by the Trustee of the pendency of such distribution and
only upon presentation and surrender of this Certificate at the office or agency of the Trustee specified in such notice.
The Certificates do not represent a direct obligation of, or an obligation guaranteed by, or an interest in, the Company or the Trustee or any affiliate thereof. The Certificates are limited in right of payment, all as more specifically set forth on the face hereof and in the Agreement. All payments or distributions made to Certificateholders under the Agreement shall be made only from the Trust Property and only to the extent that the Trustee shall have sufficient income or proceeds from the Trust Property to make such payments in accordance with the terms of the Agreement. Each Certificateholder of this Certificate, by its acceptance hereof, agrees that it will look solely to the income and proceeds from the Trust Property to the extent available for distribution to such Certificateholder as provided in the Agreement. This Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and reference is made to the Agreement for information with respect to the interests, rights, benefits, obligations, proceeds, and duties evidenced hereby. A copy of the Agreement may be examined during normal business hours at the principal office of the Trustee, and at such other places, if any, designated by the Trustee, by any Certificateholder upon request.
The Agreement permits, with certain exceptions therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Certificateholders under the Agreement at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Certificateholders holding Certificates evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the Trust. Any such consent by the Certificateholder of this Certificate shall be conclusive and binding on such Certificateholder and upon all future Certificateholders of this Certificate and of any Certificate issued upon the transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent is made upon this Certificate. The Agreement also permits the amendment thereof, in certain limited circumstances, without the consent of the Certificateholders of any of the Certificates.
As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations set forth therein, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the Register upon surrender of this Certificate for registration of transfer at the offices or agencies maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Registrar, or by any successor Registrar duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Certificateholder hereof or such Certificateholder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Certificates of authorized denominations evidencing the same aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Certificates are issuable only as registered Certificates without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 Fractional Undivided Interest and integral multiples thereof except that one Certificate may be issued in a different denomination. As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Certificates are exchangeable for new Certificates of authorized denominations evidencing the same aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust, as requested by the Certificateholder surrendering the same.
No service charge will be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Trustee shall require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
The Trustee, the Registrar, and any agent of the Trustee or the Registrar may treat the person in whose name this Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and neither the Trustee, the Registrar, nor any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
The obligations and responsibilities created by the Agreement and the Trust created thereby shall terminate upon the distribution to Certificateholders of all amounts required to be distributed to them pursuant to the Agreement and the disposition of all property held as part of the Trust Property.
THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE AGREEMENT HAVE EACH BEEN DELIVERED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES AND CERTIFICATEHOLDERS HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee, by manual signature, this Certificate shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Agreement or be valid for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trustee has caused this Certificate to be duly executed.
SPIRIT AIRLINES PASS THROUGH TRUST
By: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:
Title:
Dated:
[FORM OF THE TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]
This is one of the Certificates referred to
in the within-mentioned Agreement.
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
By:
Authorized Officer
Exhibit 5.1
[LETTERHEAD OF PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP]
February 23, 2015
Spirit Airlines, Inc.
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, Florida 33025
Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (the “Registration Statement”) of Spirit Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Rules”), you have asked us to furnish our opinion as to the legality of the securities being registered under the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement relates to the registration under the Act of the following securities (together, the “Securities”):
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A. | senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities and subordinated debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”); |
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B. | shares of preferred stock (including shares issued upon conversion of Debt Securities) of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”); |
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C. | shares of voting and non-voting common stock (including shares issued upon conversion of Debt Securities or Preferred Stock) of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”); |
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D. | warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock or any combination of them (the “Warrants”); |
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E. | rights to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (the “Rights”); |
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F. | purchase contracts representing the Company’s obligation to sell Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants or debt obligations of third parties, including government securities (the “Purchase Contracts”); |
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G. | units consisting of any combination of two or more of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants, Rights, Purchase Contracts or debt obligations of third parties, including government securities (the “Units”); and |
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H. | pass through certificates (the “Pass Through Certificates”) issued by one or more trusts to be formed by the Company for such purpose. |
The Securities are being registered for offering and sale from time to time as provided by Rule 415 under the Act.
The Debt Securities are to be issued under an indenture to be entered into between the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Indenture”). The Warrants are to be issued under warrant agreements, each between the Company and a warrant agent to be identified in the applicable agreement (each, a “Warrant Agreement”). The Purchase Contracts will be issued under purchase contract agreements, each between the Company and a purchase contract agent to be identified in the applicable agreement (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”). The Rights are to be issued under rights agreements, each between the Company and a rights agent to be identified in the applicable agreement (each, a “Rights Agreement”). The Units are to be issued under unit agreements, each between the Company and a unit agent to be identified in the applicable agreement (each, a “Unit Agreement”). The Pass Through Certificates are to be issued under a pass through trust agreement to be entered into between the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Pass Through Trustee”) under such agreement (the “Pass Through Trust Agreement”), as supplemented by one or more trust supplements (each, a “Trust Supplement”).
In connection with the furnishing of this opinion, we have examined original, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents:
1.the Registration Statement;
2.the form of Indenture (including the form of Debt Securities included therein) identified as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement; and
3.the form of Pass Through Trust Agreement (including the form of Pass Through Certificates included therein).
In addition, we have examined (i) such corporate records of the Company, including a copy of the certificate of incorporation, as amended, and by-laws, as amended, of the Company and copies of resolutions of the board of directors of the Company relating to the issuance of the Securities, and (ii) such other certificates, agreements and documents that we deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed below. We have also relied upon the factual matters contained in the representations and warranties of the Company made in the documents reviewed by us and upon certificates of public officials and the officers of the Company.
In our examination of the documents referred to above, we have assumed, without independent investigation, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all individuals who have executed any of the documents reviewed by us, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic, reproduced or conformed copies of valid existing agreements or other documents, the authenticity of all such latter documents and that the statements regarding matters of fact in the certificates, records, agreements, instruments and documents that we have examined are accurate and complete.
We have also assumed, without independent investigation, that (i) any Indenture will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto in substantially the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (ii) any Pass Through Trust Agreement will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto in substantially the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (iii) each of the Warrant Agreements, the Rights Agreements, the Purchase Contract Agreements, the Unit Agreements any supplemental indenture or Trust Supplement and any other agreement entered into, or officer’s certificates or board resolutions delivered, in connection with the issuance of the Securities will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties to such agreements (such agreements and documents, together with any Indenture or Pass Through Trust Agreement, are referred to collectively as the “Operative Agreements”), (iv) each Operative Agreement, when so authorized, executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the parties thereto (other than the Company), (v) the Warrants, the Rights, the Purchase Contracts, the Units and any related Operative Agreements will be governed by the laws of the State of New York, (vi) in the case of Purchase Contracts or Units consisting at least in part of debt obligations of third parties, such debt obligations at all relevant times constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the issuers thereof
enforceable against the issuers thereof in accordance with their terms, and (vii) the execution, delivery and performance of the Operative Agreements and the Securities and issuance of the Securities do not conflict with or constitute a breach of the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Company is subject or violate applicable law or contravene any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.
With respect to the Securities of a particular series or issuance, we have assumed that (i) the issuance, sale, number or amount, as the case may be, and terms of the Securities to be offered from time to time will be duly authorized and established, in accordance with the organizational documents of the Company, the laws of the State of New York, the laws of the State of Delaware, and any applicable Operative Agreement, (ii) prior to the issuance of a series of Preferred Stock, an appropriate certificate of designation or board resolution relating to such series of Preferred Stock will have been duly authorized by the Company and filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware, (iii) the Securities will be duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered by the Company, and, in the case of Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights, Purchase Contracts, Units and Pass Through Certificates, duly authenticated or delivered by the applicable trustee or agent, in each case, against payment by the purchaser at the agreed-upon consideration, and (iv) the Securities will be issued and delivered as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement.
Based upon the above, and subject to the stated assumptions, exceptions and qualifications, we are of the opinion that:
1.When the specific terms of a particular issuance of Debt Securities (including any Debt Securities duly issued upon exercise, exchange or conversion of any Security in accordance with its terms) have been duly authorized by the Company and such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered, and, if applicable, upon exercise, exchange or conversion of any Security in accordance with its terms, such Debt Securities will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
2.Upon due authorization by the Company of the issuance and sale of shares of a series of Preferred Stock, and, if applicable, upon exercise, exchange or conversion of any Security in accordance with its terms, such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
3.Upon due authorization by the Company of the issuance and sale of shares of Common Stock, and, if applicable, upon exercise, exchange or conversion of any Security in accordance with its terms, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
4.When the specific terms of a particular issuance of Warrants have been duly authorized by the Company and such Warrants have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered, such Warrants will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
5.When any Rights have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, the Rights will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
6.When any Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, such Purchase Contracts will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
7.When the Units have been duly authorized, issued and delivered by the Company, the Units will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
8.When the specific terms of a particular issuance of Pass Through Certificates have been duly authorized by the Company and such Pass Through Certificates have been duly executed,
authenticated and delivered, such Pass Through Certificates will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Pass Through Trustee as trustee of the applicable pass through trust, enforceable against such trustee in accordance with their terms.
The opinions expressed above as to enforceability may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (iii) requirements that a claim with respect to any Securities in denominations other than in United States dollars (or a judgment denominated other than into United States dollars in respect of the claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined by applicable law. Further, we express no opinions concerning the enforceability of indemnification provisions in any Trust Supplement to the extent they purport to relate to liabilities resulting from or based upon negligence or any violation of federal or state securities or blue sky laws.
The opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of the State of New York and the Delaware General Corporation Law. Our opinion is rendered only with respect to the laws, and the rules, regulations and orders under those laws that are currently in effect.
We hereby consent to use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” contained in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required by the Act or the Rules.
Very truly yours,
/s/ PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP
PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP
Exhibit 12.1
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(in millions, except ratio data)
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2010 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2014 |
Fixed Charges (1) | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | $ | 49.3 |
| | $ | 24.5 |
| | $ | 1.4 |
| | $ | 0.2 |
| | $ | 2.7 |
|
Amortization of debt issuance costs | | 1.0 |
| | 0.3 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Portion of rental expense representative of interest | | 45.6 |
| | 50.4 |
| | 60.0 |
| | 64.3 |
| | 64.8 |
|
Total fixed charges | | $ | 95.9 |
| | $ | 75.2 |
| | $ | 61.4 |
| | $ | 64.5 |
| | $ | 67.5 |
|
Earnings (2) | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | | $ | 20.2 |
| | $ | 122.8 |
| | $ | 174.6 |
| | $ | 282.4 |
| | $ | 353.0 |
|
Fixed charges per above | | 95.9 |
| | 75.2 |
| | 61.4 |
| | 64.5 |
| | 67.5 |
|
Capitalized interest | | (1.5 | ) | | (2.9 | ) | | (1.4 | ) | | (0.2 | ) | | (2.7 | ) |
Total earnings as adjusted | | $ | 114.6 |
| | $ | 195.1 |
| | $ | 234.6 |
| | $ | 346.7 |
| | $ | 417.8 |
|
Deficiency of earnings to fixed charges | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (3) | | 1.2x |
| | 2.6x |
| | 3.8x |
| | 5.4x |
| | 6.2x |
|
(1) For purposes of computing this ratio of earnings to fixed charges, "fixed charges" consist of interest expense on all indebtedness plus amortization of debt issuance costs and an estimate of interest expense within rental expense.
(2) "Earnings" consist of pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations plus fixed charges.
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Spirit Airlines, Inc. for the registration of common stock, non-voting common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights, purchase contracts, units and pass through certificates and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 18, 2015, with respect to the financial statements of Spirit Airlines, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Spirit Airlines, Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Certified Public Accountants
Miami, Florida
February 23, 2015
Exhibit 25.1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T‑1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE
PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Robert C. Fiedler
Vice President and Counsel
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651‑8541
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Spirit Airlines, Inc.
|
| | |
Delaware | | 38-1747023 |
(State of incorporation) | | (I.R.S. employer |
| | identification no.) |
| | |
2800 Executive Way | | |
Miramar, Florida | | 33025 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
Item 1. GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| |
(a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
| |
(b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
Yes.
| |
Item 2. | AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation: |
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information
furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
| |
Item 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification. |
1. A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.
2. The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.
3. The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.
4. A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of form T-1.
5. Not applicable.
6. The consent of Trustee as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6 of Form T-1.
7. Current Report of the Condition of Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.
8. Not applicable.
9. Not applicable.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 23rd day of February, 2015.
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ Melinda Morales Romay
Name: Melinda Morales Romay
Title: Banking Officer
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
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1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
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2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director's term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
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1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
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2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
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3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
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4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
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5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for
cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director's removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association's stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the
script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors' and shareholders' meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
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1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
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2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
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3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
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4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
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5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
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6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association's management or committees of the board. |
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7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
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8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
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9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
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10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
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12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch
or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles
of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association's board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may properly come before the meeting shall be held at the main office of the association, Rodney Square North, 1100 Market Street, City of Wilmington, State of Delaware, at 1:00 o'clock p.m. on the first Tuesday in March of each year, or at such other place and time as the board of directors may designate, or if that date falls on a legal holiday in Delaware, on the next following banking day. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his/her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, or in the event of a legal holiday, on the next following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose at any time by the board of directors or by any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than fifty percent of the stock of the association. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The board of directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
A special meeting may be called by shareholders or the board of directors to amend the articles of association or bylaws, whether or not such bylaws may be amended by the board of directors in the absence of shareholder approval.
If an annual or special shareholders' meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election
takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
Section 3. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association and the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C., not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
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(1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
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(2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
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(3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
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(4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
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(5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.
Section 4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The board of directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the board of directors.
Section 2. Number. The board of directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof.
Section 3. Organization Meeting. The secretary or treasurer, upon receiving the certificate of the judges of the result of any election, shall notify the directors-elect of their election and of the time at which they are required to meet at the main office of the association, or at such other place in the cities of Wilmington, Delaware or Buffalo, New York, to organize the new board of directors and elect and appoint officers of the association for the succeeding year. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within 30 days thereof. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum, the directors present may adjourn the meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.
Section 4. Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time, by resolution designate the place, date and hour for the holding of a regular meeting, but in the absence of any such designation, regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held, without notice, on the first Tuesday of each March, June and September, and on the second Tuesday of each December at the main office or other such place as the board of directors may designate. When any regular meeting of the board of directors falls upon a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next banking business day unless the board of directors shall designate another day.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of the association, or at the request of two or more directors. Each member of the board of directors shall be given notice by telegram, first class mail, or in person stating the time and place of each special meeting.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the entire board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 7. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance.
Section 7. Meetings by Conference Telephone. Any one or more members of the board of directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such board or committees by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 8. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the board of directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 9. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the stockholders. Any director may be removed without cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of the directors notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 10. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the board of directors, according to the laws of the United States, may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the board of directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board of directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. At any such shareholder meeting, each shareholder entitled to vote shall have the right to multiply the number of votes he or she is entitled to cast by the number of vacancies being filled and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
ARTICLE III
Committees of the Board
The board of directors has power over and is solely responsible for the management, supervision, and administration of the association. The board of directors may delegate its power, but none of its responsibilities, to such persons or committees as the board may determine.
The board of directors must formally ratify written policies authorized by committees of the board of directors before such policies become effective. Each committee must have one or more member(s), and who may be an officer of the association or an officer or director of any affiliate of the association, who serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. Provisions of the articles of association and these bylaws governing place of meetings, notice of meeting, quorum and voting requirements of the board of directors, apply to committees and their members as well. The creation of a committee and appointment of members to it must be approved by the board of directors.
Section 1. Loan Committee. There shall be a loan committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The loan committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have power to discount and purchase bills, notes and other evidences of debt, to buy and sell bills of exchange, to examine and approve loans and discounts, to exercise authority regarding loans and discounts, and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors that may lawfully be delegated. The loan committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.
Section 2. Investment Committee. There shall be an investment committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The investment committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have the power to ensure adherence to the investment policy, to recommend amendments thereto, to purchase and sell securities, to exercise authority regarding investments and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors regarding investment securities that may be lawfully delegated. The investment committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.
Section 3. Examining Committee. There shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 3, the responsibility and authority of the Examining Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association's parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.
Section 4. Trust Audit Committee. There shall be a trust audit committee in conformance with Section 1 of Article V.
Section 5. Other Committees. The board of directors may appoint, from time to time, from its own members, compensation, special litigation and other committees of one or more persons, for such purposes and with such powers as the board of directors may determine.
However, a committee may not:
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(1) | Authorize distributions of assets or dividends; |
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(2) | Approve action required to be approved by shareholders; |
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(3) | Fill vacancies on the board of directors or any of its committees; |
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(4) | Amend articles of association; |
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(5) | Adopt, amend or repeal bylaws; or |
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(6) | Authorize or approve issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares. |
Section 6. Committee Members' Fees. Committee members may receive a fee for their services as committee members and traveling and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending any meeting of a committee of which they are a member. The fee may be a fixed sum to be paid for attending
each meeting or a fixed sum to be paid quarterly, or semiannually, irrespective of the number of meetings attended or not attended. The amount of the fee and the basis on which it shall be paid shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1. Chairperson of the Board. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chairperson of the board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors. The chairperson of the board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the board of directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the board of directors.
Section 2. President. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. In the absence of the chairperson, the president shall preside at any meeting of the board of directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the board of directors.
Section 3. Vice President. The board of directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the board of directors. One vice president shall be designated by the board of directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 4. Secretary. The board of directors shall appoint a secretary, treasurer, or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the board of directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice to the office of treasurer, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the board of directors.
Section 5. Other Officers. The board of directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the board of directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the board of directors, the chairperson of the board, or the president. The board of directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 6. Tenure of Office. The president and all other officers shall hold office for the current year for which the board of directors was elected, unless they shall resign, become disqualified, or be removed; and any vacancy occurring in the office of president shall be filled promptly by the board of directors.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Fiduciary Activities
Section 1. Trust Audit Committee. There shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the bank or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the bank’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the board of directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 1, the responsibility and authority of the Trust Audit Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association’s parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.
Section 2. Fiduciary Files. There shall be maintained by the association all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.
Section 3. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and applicable law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made, but does vest in the association investment discretion, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under applicable law.
ARTICLE VI
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder's shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The board of directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually or by facsimile process by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the board of directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed.
The board of directors may adopt or use procedures for replacing lost, stolen, or destroyed stock certificates as permitted by law.
The association may establish a procedure through which the beneficial owner of shares that are registered in the name of a nominee may be recognized by the association as the shareholder. The procedure may set forth:
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(1) | The types of nominees to which it applies; |
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(2) | The rights or privileges that the association recognizes in a beneficial owner; |
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(3) | How the nominee may request the association to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder; |
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(4) | The information that must be provided when the procedure is selected; |
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(5) | The period over which the association will continue to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder; |
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(6) | Other aspects of the rights and duties created. |
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the board of directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by the chairperson of the board, or the president, or any vice president, or the secretary, or the treasurer, or, if in connection with the exercise of fiduciary powers of the association, by any of those offices or by any trust officer. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the board of directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these bylaws.
Section 3. Records. The articles of association, the bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the board of directors, and standing committees of the board of directors shall be
recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these bylaws and (b) approval by the board of directors
acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s articles of association, these bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The bylaws of the association may be amended, altered or repealed, at any regular meeting of the board of directors, by a vote of a majority of the total number of the directors except as provided below, and provided that the following language accompany any such change.
I,________________, certify that: (1) I am the duly constituted (secretary or treasurer) of and secretary of its board of directors, and as such officer am the official custodian of its records; (2) the foregoing bylaws are the bylaws of the association, and all of them are now lawfully in force and effect.
I have hereunto affixed my official signature on this day of .
_____________________________________
(Secretary or Treasurer)
The association's shareholders may amend or repeal the bylaws even though the bylaws also may be amended or repealed by the board of directors.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Dated: February 23, 2015
By: /s/ Melinda Morales Romay
Name: Melinda Morales Romay
Title: Banking Officer
EXHIBIT 7
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2014
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ASSETS | Thousands of Dollars |
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Cash and balances due from depository institutions: | 2,209,972 |
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Securities: | 5,367 |
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Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: | — |
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Loans and leases held for sale: | — |
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Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: | 457,849 |
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Premises and fixed assets: | 8,535 |
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Other real estate owned: | 243 |
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Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: | — |
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Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: | — |
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Intangible assets: | 2,539 |
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Other assets: | 62,620 |
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Total Assets: | 2,747,125 |
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LIABILITIES | Thousands of Dollars |
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Deposits | 2,148,025 |
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Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 97,000 |
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Other borrowed money: | — |
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Other Liabilities: | 68,901 |
|
Total Liabilities | 2,313,926 |
|
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EQUITY CAPITAL | Thousands of Dollars |
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Common Stock | 1,000 |
|
Surplus | 386,419 |
|
Retained Earnings | 46,207 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income | (427 | ) |
Total Equity Capital | 433,199 |
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Total Liabilities and Equity Capital | 2,747,125 |
|
Exhibit 25.2
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T‑1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE
PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Robert C. Fiedler
Vice President and Counsel
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651‑8541
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Spirit Airlines, Inc.
|
| | |
Delaware | | 38-1747023 |
(State of incorporation) | | (I.R.S. employer |
| | identification no.) |
| | |
2800 Executive Way | | |
Miramar, Florida | | 33025 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Pass Through Certificates
(Title of the indenture securities)
Item 1. GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
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(a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
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(b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
Yes.
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Item 2. | AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation: |
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information
furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
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Item 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification. |
1. A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.
2. The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.
3. The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.
4. A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of form T-1.
5. Not applicable.
6. The consent of Trustee as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6 of Form T-1.
7. Current Report of the Condition of Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.
8. Not applicable.
9. Not applicable.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 23rd day of February, 2015.
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ Melinda Morales Romay
Name: Melinda Morales Romay
Title: Banking Officer
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
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1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
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2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director's term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in
the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
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1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
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2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
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3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
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4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
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5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director's removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association's stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors' and shareholders' meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
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1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
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2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
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3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
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4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
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5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
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6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association's management or committees of the board. |
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7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
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8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
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9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
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10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
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12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or
on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association's board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may properly come before the meeting shall be held at the main office of the association, Rodney Square North, 1100 Market Street, City of Wilmington, State of Delaware, at 1:00 o'clock p.m. on the first Tuesday in March of each year, or at such other place and time as the board of directors may designate, or if that date falls on a legal holiday in Delaware, on the next following banking day. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his/her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, or in the event of a legal holiday, on the next following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose at any time by the board of directors or by any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than fifty percent of the stock of the association. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The board of directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
A special meeting may be called by shareholders or the board of directors to amend the articles of association or bylaws, whether or not such bylaws may be amended by the board of directors in the absence of shareholder approval.
If an annual or special shareholders' meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
Section 3. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association and the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C., not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
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(1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
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(2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
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(3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
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(4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
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(5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.
Section 4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The board of directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the board of directors.
Section 2. Number. The board of directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof.
Section 3. Organization Meeting. The secretary or treasurer, upon receiving the certificate of the judges of the result of any election, shall notify the directors-elect of their election and of the time at which they are required to meet at the main office of the association, or at such other place in the cities of Wilmington, Delaware or Buffalo, New York, to organize the new board of directors and elect and appoint officers of the association for the succeeding year. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within 30 days thereof. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum, the directors present may adjourn the meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.
Section 4. Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time, by resolution designate the place, date and hour for the holding of a regular meeting, but in the absence of any such designation, regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held, without notice, on the first Tuesday of each March, June and September, and on the second Tuesday of each December at the main office or other such place as the board of directors may designate. When any regular meeting of the board of directors falls upon a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next banking business day unless the board of directors shall designate another day.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of the association, or at the request of two or more directors. Each member of the board of directors shall be given notice by telegram, first class mail, or in person stating the time and place of each special meeting.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the entire board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 7. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance.
Section 7. Meetings by Conference Telephone. Any one or more members of the board of directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such board or committees by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 8. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the board of directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 9. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the stockholders. Any director may be removed without cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of the directors notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 10. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the board of directors, according to the laws of the United States, may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the board of directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board of directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. At any such shareholder meeting, each shareholder entitled to vote shall have the right to multiply the number of votes he or she is entitled to cast by the number of vacancies being filled and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
ARTICLE III
Committees of the Board
The board of directors has power over and is solely responsible for the management, supervision, and administration of the association. The board of directors may delegate its power, but none of its responsibilities, to such persons or committees as the board may determine.
The board of directors must formally ratify written policies authorized by committees of the board of directors before such policies become effective. Each committee must have one or more member(s), and who may be an officer of the association or an officer or director of any affiliate of the association, who serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. Provisions of the articles of association and these bylaws governing place of meetings, notice of meeting, quorum and voting requirements of the board of directors, apply to committees and their members as well. The creation of a committee and appointment of members to it must be approved by the board of directors.
Section 1. Loan Committee. There shall be a loan committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The loan committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have power to discount and purchase bills, notes and other evidences of debt, to buy and sell bills of exchange, to examine and approve loans and discounts, to exercise authority regarding loans and discounts, and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors that may lawfully be delegated. The loan committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.
Section 2. Investment Committee. There shall be an investment committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The investment
committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have the power to ensure adherence to the investment policy, to recommend amendments thereto, to purchase and sell securities, to exercise authority regarding investments and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors regarding investment securities that may be lawfully delegated. The investment committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.
Section 3. Examining Committee. There shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 3, the responsibility and authority of the Examining Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association's parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.
Section 4. Trust Audit Committee. There shall be a trust audit committee in conformance with Section 1 of Article V.
Section 5. Other Committees. The board of directors may appoint, from time to time, from its own members, compensation, special litigation and other committees of one or more persons, for such purposes and with such powers as the board of directors may determine.
However, a committee may not:
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(1) | Authorize distributions of assets or dividends; |
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(2) | Approve action required to be approved by shareholders; |
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(3) | Fill vacancies on the board of directors or any of its committees; |
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(4) | Amend articles of association; |
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(5) | Adopt, amend or repeal bylaws; or |
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(6) | Authorize or approve issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares. |
Section 6. Committee Members' Fees. Committee members may receive a fee for their services as committee members and traveling and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending any meeting of a committee of which they are a member. The fee may be a fixed sum to be paid for attending each meeting or a fixed sum to be paid quarterly, or semiannually, irrespective of the number of meetings attended or not attended. The amount of the fee and the basis on which it shall be paid shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1. Chairperson of the Board. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chairperson of the board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors. The chairperson of the board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the board of directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the board of directors.
Section 2. President. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. In the absence of the chairperson, the president shall preside at any meeting of the board of directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the board of directors.
Section 3. Vice President. The board of directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the board of directors. One vice president shall be designated by the board of directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 4. Secretary. The board of directors shall appoint a secretary, treasurer, or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the board of directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice to the office of treasurer, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the board of directors.
Section 5. Other Officers. The board of directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the board of directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the board of directors, the chairperson of the board, or the president. The board of directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 6. Tenure of Office. The president and all other officers shall hold office for the current year for which the board of directors was elected, unless they shall resign, become disqualified, or be removed; and any vacancy occurring in the office of president shall be filled promptly by the board of directors.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Fiduciary Activities
Section 1. Trust Audit Committee. There shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the bank or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the bank’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the board of directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 1, the responsibility and authority of the Trust Audit Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association’s parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.
Section 2. Fiduciary Files. There shall be maintained by the association all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.
Section 3. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and applicable law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made, but does vest in the association investment discretion, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under applicable law.
ARTICLE VI
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder's shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The board of directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually or by facsimile process by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the board of directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed.
The board of directors may adopt or use procedures for replacing lost, stolen, or destroyed stock certificates as permitted by law.
The association may establish a procedure through which the beneficial owner of shares that are registered in the name of a nominee may be recognized by the association as the shareholder. The procedure may set forth:
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(1) | The types of nominees to which it applies; |
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(2) | The rights or privileges that the association recognizes in a beneficial owner; |
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(3) | How the nominee may request the association to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder; |
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(4) | The information that must be provided when the procedure is selected; |
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(5) | The period over which the association will continue to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder; |
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(6) | Other aspects of the rights and duties created. |
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the board of directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by the chairperson of the board, or the president, or any vice president, or the secretary, or the treasurer, or, if in connection with the exercise of fiduciary powers of the association, by any of those offices or by any trust officer. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the board of directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these bylaws.
Section 3. Records. The articles of association, the bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the board of directors, and standing committees of the board of directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these bylaws and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the
stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s articles of association, these bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The bylaws of the association may be amended, altered or repealed, at any regular meeting of the board of directors, by a vote of a majority of the total number of the directors except as provided below, and provided that the following language accompany any such change.
I,________________, certify that: (1) I am the duly constituted (secretary or treasurer) of and secretary of its board of directors, and as such officer am the official custodian of its records; (2) the foregoing bylaws are the bylaws of the association, and all of them are now lawfully in force and effect.
I have hereunto affixed my official signature on this day of .
_____________________________________
(Secretary or Treasurer)
The association's shareholders may amend or repeal the bylaws even though the bylaws also may be amended or repealed by the board of directors.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Dated: February 23, 2015
By: /s/ Melinda Morales Romay
Name: Melinda Morales Romay
Title: Banking Officer
EXHIBIT 7
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2014
|
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ASSETS | Thousands of Dollars |
|
Cash and balances due from depository institutions: | 2,209,972 |
|
Securities: | 5,367 |
|
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: | — |
|
Loans and leases held for sale: | — |
|
Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: | 457,849 |
|
Premises and fixed assets: | 8,535 |
|
Other real estate owned: | 243 |
|
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: | — |
|
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: | — |
|
Intangible assets: | 2,539 |
|
Other assets: | 62,620 |
|
Total Assets: | 2,747,125 |
|
| |
| |
| |
LIABILITIES | Thousands of Dollars |
|
Deposits | 2,148,025 |
|
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 97,000 |
|
Other borrowed money: | — |
|
Other Liabilities: | 68,901 |
|
Total Liabilities | 2,313,926 |
|
| |
| |
EQUITY CAPITAL | Thousands of Dollars |
|
Common Stock | 1,000 |
|
Surplus | 386,419 |
|
Retained Earnings | 46,207 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income | (427 | ) |
Total Equity Capital | 433,199 |
|
Total Liabilities and Equity Capital | 2,747,125 |
|
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