Section 1248 and the requirement to file Form 5471 will not apply to a less than 10% U.S. shareholder because RenaissanceRe is not directly engaged in the insurance business. There can be no assurance, however, that the IRS will interpret the regulations in this manner or that the Treasury Department will not amend the regulations to provide that Section 1248 and the requirement to file Form 5471 will apply to dispositions of RenaissanceRe’s preference shares or common shares.

If the IRS or U.S. Treasury Department were to make Section 1248 and the Form 5471 filing requirement applicable to the sale of RenaissanceRe’s preference shares or common shares, RenaissanceRe would notify shareholders that Section 1248 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the requirement to file Form 5471 will apply to dispositions of RenaissanceRe’s preference shares or common shares. Thereafter, RenaissanceRe will send a notice after the end of each calendar year to all persons who were shareholders during the year notifying them that Section 1248 and the requirement to file Form 5471 apply to dispositions of RenaissanceRe’s preference shares or common shares by U.S. shareholders. RenaissanceRe will attach to this notice a copy of Form 5471 completed with all of its information and instructions for completing the shareholder information.

Redemption of Preference Shares or Common Shares.    A redemption of preference shares or common shares will be treated under Section 302 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code as a dividend if RenaissanceRe has sufficient earnings and profits, unless the redemption satisfies the test set forth in Section 302(b) enabling the redemption to be treated as a sale or exchange, subject to the discussion herein relating to the potential application of the ‘‘RPII’’ and ‘‘passive foreign investment company’’ rules. The redemption will satisfy this test only if it (1) is ‘‘substantially disproportionate,’’ (2) constitutes a ‘‘complete termination of the holder’s stock interest’’ in RenaissanceRe or (3) is ‘‘not essentially equiv alent to a dividend,’’ each within the meaning of Section 302(b). In determining whether any of these tests are met, shares considered to be owned by the U.S. shareholder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, as well as shares actually owned, must generally be taken into account. Because the determination as to whether any of the alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code is satisfied with respect to a particular holder of preference shares or common shares will depend on the facts and circumstances as of the time the determination is made, U.S. shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors to determine their tax treatment in light of their own particular investment circumstances.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies.    Sections 1291 through 1297 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code contain special rules applicable with respect to foreign corporations that are ‘‘passive foreign investment companies’’ (‘‘PFICs’’). A foreign corporation will be a PFIC if 75% or more of its income constitutes passive income or 50% or more of its assets produce passive income. If RenaissanceRe were to be characterized as a PFIC, U.S. holders of preference shares or common shares could be subject to a penalty tax at the time of their sale of (or receipt of an ‘‘excess distribution’’ with respect to) its shares. In general, a U.S. holder of preference shares or common shares receives an ‘‘excess distribution’’ if the amount of the distribution is more than 125% of the average distribution with respect to the preference shares or common shares during the three preceding taxable years (or the taxpayer’s holding period if it is less than three years). In general, the penalty tax is equivalent to an interest charge on taxes that are deemed due during the taxpayer’s holding period but not paid, computed by assuming that the excess distribution or gain (in the case of a sale) with respect to the preference shares or common shares was received ratably throughout the holding period. The interest charge is equal to the applicable rate imposed on underpayments of U.S. federal income tax for such period.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Code contains an express exception for income ‘‘derived in the active conduct of an insurance business by a corporation which is predominantly engaged in an insurance business.’’ This exception is intended to ensure that income derived by a bona fide insurance company is not treated as passive income, except to the extent such income is attributable to financial reserves in excess of the reasonable needs of the insurance business. In RenaissanceRe’s view, RenaissanceRe and the Bermuda insurance subsidiaries, taken together, are predominantly engaged in an insurance business and do not have financial reserves in excess of the reasonable needs of their respective insurance business. The U.S. Internal Revenue Code contains a look-through rule which states that, for purposes of determining whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC, such foreign corporation shall be

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treated as if it ‘‘received directly its proportionate share of the income’’ and as if it ‘‘held its proportionate share of the assets’’ of any other corporation in which it owns at least 25% of the stock. Under the look-through rule, RenaissanceRe would be deemed to own the assets and to have received the income of the Bermuda insurance subsidiaries as well as its other 25% owned direct and indirect subsidiaries directly for purposes of determining whether RenaissanceRe is a PFIC, and, consequently, we believe that RenaissanceRe should not be treated as a PFIC. It is possible, however, that the IRS might challenge our conclusion and a court might sustain such challenge, or that future unanticipated changes in our operations or changes in law or regulations might cause us to be classified as a PFIC.

Other.    Dividends paid by RenaissanceRe to U.S. corporate shareholders will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction provided by section 243 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

‘‘Qualified Dividend Income’’ received by individuals who are U.S. citizens or residents from domestic corporations or ‘‘qualified foreign corporations’’ in taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010 is subject to tax at long-term capital gain rates (generally 15%). A ‘‘qualified foreign corporation’’ is a foreign corporation which is either incorporated in a possession of the United States or is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty that the U.S. Treasury Department considers a ‘‘comprehensive income tax treaty.’’ The U.S. Treasury Department has determined that the Bermuda Treaty is not a comprehensive income tax treaty.

A foreign corporation not otherwise treated as a qualified foreign corporation will be treated as such with respect to any dividend paid on stock which is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. However, the term ‘‘qualified foreign corporation’’ does not include a corporation treated as a foreign investment company (as defined in Code section 1246(b)), or a passive foreign investment company (described below). Special rules apply to ‘‘extraordinary’’ dividends, dividends on stock held for less than 60 days, and to dividends received from certain corporations or which are taxed under other Code provisions. No regulations have been issued by the U.S. Treasury Department as of the date of this prospectus. The reduced rate of taxation for qualified dividend income does not apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.

In any event, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends received to the extent a holder elects to treat the dividends as ‘‘investment income’’ which may be offset by investment expense. Furthermore, the rate reduction will apply only to dividends that are paid to a holder with respect to stock meeting certain holding period requirements and where the holder is not obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.

We believe that dividends paid on common shares will qualify as ‘‘qualified dividend income,’’ and dividends paid on preference shares will qualify as ‘‘qualified dividend income’’ if, as is intended, we successfully list the preference shares on the New York Stock Exchange. We can give no assurance that the preference shares will be so listed. Prospective investors are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of these rules.

In June 2005, legislation was introduced in the United States Senate which, if enacted in its present form, would preclude our dividends from qualifying for such reduced tax rate prospectively from the date of enactment. This legislation was referred to the Senate Finance Committee, and no further action has been taken with respect to it. In March 2007, similar legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives and was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. If this legislation is enacted, dividends paid on our common and preference shares after the date of enactment would not qualify for the reduced tax rate, even if our common and preference shares are considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States.

Except as discussed below with respect to backup withholding, dividends paid by RenaissanceRe will not be subject to a U.S. withholding tax.

Persons who are not citizens of or domiciled in the United States will not be subject to U.S. estate tax with respect to preference shares and common shares.

Information reporting to the IRS by paying agents and custodians located in the United States will be required with respect to payments of dividends on the preference shares and common shares

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to U.S. persons. In addition, a holder of preference shares or common shares may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid to such persons, unless such person comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. The backup withholding tax is not an additional tax and may be credited against a holder’s regular U.S. federal income tax liability.

Subject to certain exceptions, persons that are not U.S. persons will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on dividend distributions with respect to, and gain realized from the sale or exchange of, preference shares or common shares if such dividends or gains are effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

POSSIBLE CHANGES IN U.S. TAX LAW; PROPOSED LEGISLATION

The tax laws and interpretations regarding whether a company is engaged in a U.S. trade or business, is a CFC, is a PFIC or has RPII are subject to change. Such changes could be introduced on a retroactive basis. Legislation has been introduced from time to time in the U.S. Congress intended to eliminate certain perceived tax advantages of companies (including insurance companies) that have legal domiciles outside the United States.. We cannot assure you that future legislative action, rulemaking activity, or regulatory or enforcement actions will not increase the amount of U.S. tax payable by us or our subsidiaries, or adversely affect the U.S. tax treatment of our shareholders. If this happens, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

OECD.    The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which is commonly referred to as the OECD, has published reports and launched a global dialogue among member and non-member countries on measures to limit harmful tax competition. These measures are largely directed at counteracting the effects of tax havens and preferential tax regimes in countries around the world. In the OECD’s report dated April 18, 2002 and updated as of June 2004 and November 2005 via a ‘‘Global Forum,’’ Bermuda was not listed as an uncooperative tax haven jurisdiction because it had previously committed itself to eliminate harmful tax practices and to embrace international tax standards for transparency, exchange of information and the elimination of any aspects of the regimes for financial and other services that a ttract business with no substantial domestic activity. We are not able to predict what changes will arise from the commitment or whether such changes will subject us to additional taxes.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTIONS BY RENAISSANCERE, RENAISSANCERE FINANCE, GUSH AND THE CAPITAL TRUST

We, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust may sell offered securities in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

(1)    through agents;

(2)    to or through underwriters;

(3)    through dealers; or

(4)    directly to purchasers.

In addition, we, RenaissanceRe Finance or GUSH may enter into derivative or other hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with such a transaction the third parties may, pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, and subject to receiving the prior written consent of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, sell securities covered by this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. Subject to receiving the prior written consent of the Bermuda

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Monetary Authority, we may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement with respect to the offered securities will set forth the terms of the offering of the offered securities, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; the purchase price of the offered securities and the proceeds to us, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust from such sale; any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchange on which such offered securities may be listed. Any initial public offering price, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

The distribution of the offered securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

Offers to purchase offered securities may be solicited by agents designated by us from time to time. Any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust to such agent will be set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in such prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the offered securities so offered and sold.

If offered securities are sold by means of an underwritten offering, we, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust will execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters, and the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transaction, including commissions, discounts and any other compensation of the underwriters and dealers, if any, will be set forth in the prospectus supplement which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the offered securities. If underwriters are utilized in the sale of the offered securities, the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by the underwriters at the time of sale.

Each underwriter, dealer and agent participating in the distribution of any offered securities which are issuable in bearer form will agree that it will not offer, sell, resell or deliver, directly or indirectly, offered securities in bearer form in the U.S. or to U.S. persons except as otherwise permitted by Treasury Regulations Section 1.163−5(c)(2)(i)(D).

Offered securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by the managing underwriters. If any underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of the offered securities, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters with respect to a sale of offered securities will be obligated to purchase all such offered securities of a series if any are purchased.

We, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust may grant to the underwriters options to purchase additional offered securities, to cover over-allotments, if any, at the public offering price (with additional underwriting discounts or commissions), as may be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. If we, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust grants any over-allotment option, the terms of such over-allotment option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offered securities.

If a dealer is utilized in the sales of offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust will sell such offered securities

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to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell such offered securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, of the offered securities so offered and sold. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement.

Offers to purchase offered securities may be solicited directly by us, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust and the sale thereof may be made by us, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be described in the related prospectus supplement.

Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms (‘‘remarketing firms’’), acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, in connection with the offered securities remarketed thereby.

We, RenaissanceRe Finance or GUSH may sell equity securities in an offering ‘‘at the market’’ as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. A post-effective amendment to this registration statement will be filed to identify the underwriter(s) at the time of the take-down for ‘‘at the market’’ offerings.

Underwriters and purchasers that are deemed underwriters under the Securities Act may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities, including the entry of stabilizing bids or syndicate covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids. Such purchasers will be subject to the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M. Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to those securities. In addition, the anti-manipulation rules under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of the securities in the market. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the securities and the ability of any person to engage in market-making activities with respect to the securities.

Agents, underwriters, dealers, remarketing firms and other third parties described above may be entitled under relevant underwriting and other agreements entered into with us, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust to indemnification by us, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in this prospectus, any supplement or amendment hereto, or in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents, underwriters or dealers may be required to make.

If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, we, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our, RenaissanceRe Finance’s, GUSH’s and/or the Capital Trust’s agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase offered securities from us, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust, pursuant to contracts providing for payments and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by us, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust, as applicable. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the offered securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under th e laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts.

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Disclosure in the prospectus supplement of our, RenaissanceRe Finance’s, GUSH’s and/or the Capital Trust’s use of delayed delivery contracts will include the commission that underwriters and agents soliciting purchases of the securities under delayed contracts will be entitled to receive in addition to the date when we, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust, as applicable will demand payment and delivery of the securities under the delayed delivery contracts. These delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to the conditions described in the prospectus supplement.

Each series of offered securities will be a new issue and, other than the full voting common shares, the Series B Preference Shares, the Series C Preference Shares and the Series D Preference Shares, each of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, will have no established trading market. We, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and/or the Capital Trust may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange, and in the case of the common shares, on any additional exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, neither we, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH nor the Capital Trust shall be obligated to do so. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the offered securities.

Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

GENERAL

We have filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act relating to the common shares, preference shares, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, share purchase contracts, share purchase units, trust preferred securities and preferred securities guarantee described in this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement, but the registration statement also contains additional information and exhibits.

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other reports with the Commission. You can read and copy the registration statement and the reports that we file with the Commission at the Commission’s public reference rooms at Judiciary Plaza, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.

Our filings with the Commission are also available from the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Please call the Commission’s toll-free telephone number at 1-800-SEC-0330 if you need further information about the operation of the Commission’s public reference rooms. Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘‘RNR’’ and our reports can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10005.

RenaissanceRe Finance 

There are no separate financial statements of RenaissanceRe Finance in this prospectus. We do not believe the financial statements would be helpful to the holders of the debt securities of RenaissanceRe Finance because:

	•	We, a reporting company under the Exchange Act, will directly or indirectly own all of the voting securities of RenaissanceRe Finance;

	•	RenaissanceRe Finance has no independent operations or proposals to engage in any activity other than issuing debt securities and applying the proceeds as described in ‘‘Use of Proceeds;’’ and

	•	The obligations of the RenaissanceRe Finance under the senior, subordinated or junior subordinated debt securities issued by it will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by us. See ‘‘Description of the Debt Securities Guarantee.’’

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RenaissanceRe Finance is not currently subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and it is anticipated that it will not become subject to those requirements upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

GUSH

There are no separate financial statements of GUSH in this prospectus. We do not believe the financial statements would be helpful to the holders of the debt securities of GUSH because:

	•	We, a reporting company under the Exchange Act, indirectly own all of the voting securities of GUSH; and

	•	The obligations of GUSH under the senior, subordinated or junior subordinated debt securities issued by it will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by us. See ‘‘Description of the Debt Securities Guarantee.’’

GUSH is not currently subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and it is anticipated that it will not become subject to those requirements upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

THE CAPITAL TRUST

There are no separate financial statements of the Capital Trust in this prospectus. We do not believe the financial statements would be helpful to the holders of the preferred securities of the Capital Trust because:

	•	We, a reporting company under the Exchange Act, will directly or indirectly own all of the voting securities of the Capital Trust;

	•	The Capital Trust has no independent operations or proposals to engage in any activity other than issuing securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Capital Trust and investing the proceeds in subordinated debt securities issued by RenaissanceRe Finance; and

	•	The obligations of the Capital Trust under the preferred securities will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by us. See ‘‘Description of the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee.’’

The Capital Trust is not currently subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and it is anticipated that it will not become subject to those requirements upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission. The Commission allows us to ‘‘incorporate by reference’’ the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Any statement contained in a document which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus is automatically updated and superseded if information contained in this prospectus, or information that we later file with the Commission, modifies or replaces this information. All documents we file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the initial filing of this registration statement and prior to effectiveness of this registration statement and after the date of this prospectus and until we, RenaissanceRe Finance and the Capital Trust sell a ll the securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following previously filed documents:

(1)    Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 25, 2007, February 7, 2007, February 20, 2007, March 5, 2007, May 3, 2007 and May 30, 2007;

(2)    Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2007;

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(3)    Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006;

(4)    Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the Commission on April 26, 2007;

(5)    The description of our common shares set forth in our registration statement filed under the Exchange Act on Form 8-A on July 24, 1995, including any amendment or report for the purpose of updating such description;

(6)    The description of our 7.30% Series B Preference Shares set forth in our registration statement filed under the Exchange Act on Form 8-A on February 3, 2003, including any amendment or report for the purpose of updating such description;

(7)    The description of our 6.08% Series C Preference Shares set forth in our registration statement filed under the Exchange Act on Form 8-A on March 19, 2004, including any amendment or report for the purpose of updating such description; and

(8)    The description of our 6.60% Series D Preference Shares set forth in our registration statement filed under the Exchange Act on Form 8-A on December 14, 2006, including any amendment or report for the purpose of updating such description.

To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus (other than exhibits) call or write us at the following address: RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., Attn: Corporate Secretary, P.O. Box 2527, Hamilton, HMGX, Bermuda, (441) 295-4513.

LEGAL OPINIONS

Certain legal matters with respect to the United States of America, New York and Delaware law with respect to the validity of the offered securities will be passed upon for us by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters with respect to Bermuda law will be passed upon for us by Conyers Dill & Pearman, Hamilton, Bermuda. The description of U.S. tax laws will be passed upon by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. The description of Bermuda tax laws will be passed upon by Conyers Dill & Pearman. Additional legal matters may be passed on for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel which will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements and schedules included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Our financial statements and schedules and management’s assessment are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER
UNITED STATES FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS

We are a Bermuda company. In addition, certain of our directors and officers as well as certain of the experts named in this prospectus, reside outside the United States, and all or a substantial portion of our assets and their assets are located outside the United States. Therefore, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon those persons or to recover against us or those persons on judgments of courts in the United States, including judgments based on civil liabilities provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws.

We have been advised by Conyers Dill & Pearman, our Bermuda counsel, that the United States and Bermuda do not currently have a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. We also have been advised by Conyers Dill & Pearman

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that there is doubt as to whether the courts of Bermuda would enforce (1) judgments of United States courts based on the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws obtained in actions against us or our directors and officers, and (2) original actions brought in Bermuda against us or our officers and directors based solely upon the United States federal securities laws. A Bermuda court may, however, impose civil liability on us or our directors or officers in a suit brought in the Supreme Court of Bermuda provided that the facts alleged constitute or give rise to a cause of action under Bermuda law. Certain remedies available under the laws of U.S. jurisdictions, including certain remedies under the U.S. federal securities laws, would not be allowed in Bermuda courts to the extent that they are contrary to public policy.

YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SUPPLEMENT. NONE OF WE, RENAISSANCERE FINANCE, GUSH OR THE CAPITAL TRUST HAS AUTHORIZED ANYONE ELSE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT INFORMATION. WE, RENAISSANCERE FINANCE, GUSH AND THE CAPITAL TRUST ARE OFFERING THESE SECURITIES ONLY IN STATES WHERE THE OFFER IS PERMITTED. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SUPPLEMENT IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THE DATE ON THE FRONT OF THOSE DOCUMENTS. OUR BUSINESS, FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PROSPECTS MAY HAVE CHANGED SINCE THAT DATE.

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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 estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commissions:

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee				$	23,025
Trustee’s fees and expenses					25,000
Printing and engraving expenses					125,000
Rating agency fees					330,000
Accounting fees and expenses					85,000
Legal fees and expenses					400,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses					10,000
Miscellaneous					79,000
Total				$	1,068,913.00

ITEM 15.    INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 98 of the Companies Act of 1981 of Bermuda (the ‘‘Act’’) provides generally that a Bermuda company may indemnify its directors, officers and auditors against any liability that by virtue of Bermuda law otherwise would be imposed on them, except in cases where such liability arises from the fraud or dishonesty of which such director, officer or auditor may be guilty in relation to the company. Section 98 further provides that a Bermudian company may indemnify its directors, officers and auditors against any liability incurred by them in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is awarded in their favor or in which they are acquitted or granted relief by the Supreme Court of Bermuda in certain proceedings arising under Section 281 of the Act.

We have adopted provisions in our Bye-Laws that provide that we shall indemnify our officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted under the Act, except where such liability arises from fraud, dishonesty, willful negligence or default.

We have entered into employment agreements with all of our executive officers which each contain provisions pursuant to which we have agreed to indemnify each executive to the fullest extent contemplated by Bermuda laws, subject to only certain exceptions, and to maintain customary insurance policies providing for indemnification.

We have purchased insurance on behalf of our directors and officers for liabilities arising out of their capacities as such.

ITEM 16.    EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

See Exhibit Index included herewith which is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 17.    UNDERTAKINGS

The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:

(a)    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, as amended;

(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,

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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 a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the ‘‘Calculation of Registration Fee’’ table in the effective registration statement;

(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)(i) and (a)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with the Commission by the registrants pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

(b)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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.

(c)    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.

The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each filing of our annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 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 such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that:

(a)    For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

(b)    For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrants pursuant to the provisions set forth or described in Item 15 of this registration statement, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such registrant 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 pre cedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(a)    Each prospectus filed by such 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

(b)    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 the 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.

The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for the purpose of determining liability of such registrants under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, each of the undersigned registrants undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such 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, such undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(a)    Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of such undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(b)    Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of such undersigned registrant or used or referred to by such undersigned registrant;

(c)    The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about such undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of such undersigned registrant; and

(d)    Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by such undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. 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 Pembroke, Bermuda, on the 7th day of June 2007.

RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.

	By:	/s/ Neill A. Currie                                             Neill A. Currie Chief Executive Officer and Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned officers and directors of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. or Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc. hereby severally constitute and appoint Fred R. Donner, Stephen H. Weinstein and Mark A. Wilcox, and each of them, attorneys-in-fact for the undersigned, in any and all capacities, with the power of substitution, to sign any amendments to this Registration Statement (including post-effective amendments) and any subsequent registration statement for offerings under this Registration Statement which may be filed under 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, 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 and about the premises, as fully and to all interests and purposes as he might or could do in person, he reby ratifying and confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons, in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

NAME		TITLE		DATE
/s/ Neill A. Currie		Director and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)		June 7, 2007
Neill A. Currie
/s/ Fred R. Donner		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)		June 7, 2007
Fred R. Donner
/s/ Mark A. Wilcox		Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)		June 7, 2007
Mark A. Wilcox
/s/ W. James MacGinnitie		Chairman of the Board of Directors		June 7, 2007
W. James MacGinnitie
/s/ Thomas A. Cooper		Director		June 7, 2007
Thomas A. Cooper

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NAME		TITLE		DATE
/s/ Edmund B. Greene		Director		June 7, 2007
Edmund B. Greene
/s/ Brian R. Hall		Director		June 7, 2007
Brian R. Hall
/s/ Jean D. Hamilton		Director		June 7, 2007
Jean D. Hamilton
/s/ William F. Hecht		Director		June 7, 2007
William F. Hecht
/s/ Henry Klehm III		Director		June 7, 2007
Henry Klehm III
/s/ Scott E. Pardee		Director		June 7, 2007
Scott E. Pardee
/s/ Nicholas Trivisonno		Director		June 7, 2007
Nicholas Trivisonno

    Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.

/s/ Tracy H. Bowden		Authorized Representative in the United States		June 7, 2007
Name: Tracy H. Bowden Title: General Counsel and Secretary,   Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, RenaissanceRe Finance Inc. 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 Pembroke, Bermuda, on the 7th day of June 2007.

RENAISSANCERE FINANCE INC.

By:  /s/ Fred R. Donner                                                     Name: Fred R. Donner         Title: Chief Financial Officer

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc. 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 Addison, Texas, on the 7th day of June 2007.

GLENCOE U.S. HOLDINGS INC.

By:  /s/ Richard B. Primerano                                                 Name: Richard B. Primerano         Title: Chief Financial Officer

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II 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 Pembroke, Bermuda, on the 7th day of June 2007.

RENAISSANCERE CAPITAL TRUST II

By:  RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., as Depositor

		By: /s/ Stephen H. Weinstein                       Name: Stephen H. Weinstein   Title:    Senior Vice President

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EXHIBIT NUMBER						DESCRIPTION			SEQUENTIAL PAGE NUMBER
	*1	.1				Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to common shares, preference shares, depositary shares, debt securities and warrants of RenaissanceRe
	*1	.2				Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to debt securities issued by RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.
	*1	.3				Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to debt securities issued by GUSH.
	*1	.4				Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to preferred securities of the Capital Trust and preferred securities guarantees of RenaissanceRe
	*1	.5				Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to share purchase contracts
	*1	.6				Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to share purchase units
	3	.1				Memorandum of Association of RenaissanceRe (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-70008) which was declared effective by the Commission on July 26, 1995)
	3	.2				Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of RenaissanceRe (incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002, filed with the Commission on August 14, 2002)
	3	.3				Memorandum of Increase in Share Capital (incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1998, filed with the Commission on May 14, 1998)
	*3	.4				Form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights relating to preference shares
	3	.5				Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of 7.30% Series B Preference Shares (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference)
	3	.6				Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of 6.08% Series C Preference Shares (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference)
	3	.7				Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of 6.60% Series D Preference Shares (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 14, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference)
	3	.8				Certificate of Incorporation of RenaissanceRe Finance
	3	.9				Bylaws of RenaissanceRe Finance
	3	.10				Certificate of Incorporation of GUSH
	3	.11				Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of GUSH
	3	.12				Bylaws of GUSH
	4	.1				Specimen Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-70008) which was declared effective by the Commission on July 26, 1995)

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EXHIBIT NUMBER						DESCRIPTION			SEQUENTIAL PAGE NUMBER
	4	.2				Form of Senior Indenture between RenaissanceRe, as Issuer, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee
	4	.3				Form of Senior Indenture among RenaissanceRe Finance, as Issuer, RenaissanceRe, as Guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (the Senior Indenture for GUSH is substantially identical except for the name of the issuer)
	4	.4				Form of Subordinated Indenture between RenaissanceRe, as Issuer, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
	4	.5				Form of Subordinated Indenture among RenaissanceRe Finance, as Issuer, RenaissanceRe, as Guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (the Subordinated Indenture for GUSH is substantially identical except for the name of the issuer)
	4	.6				Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture between RenaissanceRe, as Issuer, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
	4	.7				Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture among RenaissanceRe Finance, as Issuer, RenaissanceRe, as Guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (the Junior Subordinated Indenture for GUSH is substantially identical except for the name of the issuer)
	*4	.8				Form of Standard Share Warrant Provisions
	*4	.9				Form of Standard Debt Warrant Provisions
	4	.10				Certificate of Trust of the Capital Trust, dated as of January 5, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 4.10 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-59394) which was declared effective by the Commission on May 1, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference)
	4	.11				Trust Agreement of the Capital Trust, dated as of January 5, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 4.11 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-59394) which was declared effective by the Commission on May 1, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference)
	4	.12				Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Capital Trust (filed as Exhibit 4.12 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-59394) which was declared effective by the Commission on May 1, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference)
	4	.13				Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement with respect to the preferred securities issued by the Capital Trust (filed as Exhibit 4.13 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-59394) which was declared effective by the Commission on May 1, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference)
	4	.14				Form of Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement with respect to the senior debt securities issued by RenaissanceRe Finance (the Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement for the senior debt securities issued by GUSH is substantially identical except for the name of the issuer)

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EXHIBIT NUMBER						DESCRIPTION			SEQUENTIAL PAGE NUMBER
	4	.15				Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement with respect to the subordinated debt securities issued by RenaissanceRe Finance (the Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement for the subordinated debt securities issued by GUSH is substantially identical except for the name of the issuer)
	4	.16				Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement with respect to the junior subordinated debt securities issued by RenaissanceRe Finance (the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement for the junior subordinated debt securities issued by GUSH is substantially identical except for the name of the issuer)
	*4	.17				Form of Deposit Agreement
	*4	.18				Form of Standard Share Purchase Contract Provisions
	5	.1				Opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman as to the legality of the common shares and preference shares
	5	.2				Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP as to the legality of the debt securities, share warrants, debt warrants, depositary shares, trust preferred securities, guarantees and share purchase contracts
	8	.1				Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP as to certain tax matters
	8	.2				Opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman as to certain tax matters (included in Exhibit 5.1)
	12	.1				Statement Re: Computation of Ratios
	23	.1				Consent of Conyers Dill & Pearman (included in Exhibit 5.1)
	23	.2				Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (included in Exhibits 5.2 and 8.1)
	23	.3				Consent of Ernst & Young
	24	.1				Power of Attorney (included on the signature pages hereto)
	*25	.1				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as trustee for the Senior Indenture of RenaissanceRe
	*25	.2				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as trustee for the Subordinated Indenture of RenaissanceRe
	*25	.3				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as trustee for the Senior Indenture of RenaissanceRe Finance
	*25	.4				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as trustee for the Subordinated Indenture of RenaissanceRe Finance
	*25	.5				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as trustee for the Junior Subordinated Indenture of RenaissanceRe Finance
	*25	.6				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as trustee for the Senior Indenture of GUSH

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EXHIBIT NUMBER						DESCRIPTION			SEQUENTIAL PAGE NUMBER
	*25	.7				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as trustee for the Subordinated Indenture of GUSH
	*25	.8				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as trustee for the Junior Subordinated Indenture of GUSH
	*25	.9				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as Property Trustee for the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Capital Trust
	*25	.10				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee under the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement of RenaissanceRe for the benefit of the holders of Preferred Securities of the Capital Trust
	*25	.11				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Trustee under the Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement of RenaissanceRe, for the benefit of the holders of senior debt securities of RenaissanceRe Finance
	*25	.12				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Trustee under the Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement of RenaissanceRe, for the benefit of the holders of senior debt securities of GUSH
	*25	.13				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Trustee under the Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement of RenaissanceRe, for the benefit of the holders of subordinated debt securities of RenaissanceRe Finance
	*25	.14				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Trustee under the Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement of RenaissanceRe, for the benefit of the holders of subordinated debt securities of GUSH
	*25	.15				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Trustee under the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement of RenaissanceRe, for the benefit of the holders of junior subordinated debt securities of RenaissanceRe Finance
	*25	.16				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Trustee under the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement of RenaissanceRe, for the benefit of the holders of junior subordinated debt securities of GUSH
	*25	.17				Statement of Eligibility of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas on Form T-1, as trustee for the Junior Subordinated Indenture of RenaissanceRe

*	To be filed, if necessary, subsequent to the effectiveness of this registration statement by an amendment to this registration statement or incorporated by reference pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with an offering of securities.

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CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

RENAISSANCERE FINANCE INC.

* * * * * * * *

ARTICLE I.

The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is: RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.

ARTICLE II.

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is: 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware, 19808. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE III.

The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE IV.

The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 100 shares of Common Stock, each of which shall have a par value of one cent ($0.01) per share.

ARTICLE V.

The name and mailing address of the Incorporator is as follows:

Andrew A. Markus

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019

ARTICLE VI.

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the by-laws of the Corporation may be made, altered, amended or repealed by the stockholders or by a majority of the entire board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”).

 

 

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ARTICLE VII.

Elections of directors need not be by written ballot.

ARTICLE VIII.

(a) The Corporation shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

(b) The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

(c) Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall (in the case of any action, suit or proceeding against a director of the Corporation) or may (in the case of any action, suit or proceeding against an officer, trustee, employee or agent) be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by the Board upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article.

 

 

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(d) The indemnification and other rights set forth in this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any provisions with respect thereto in the by-laws of the Corporation or any other contract or agreement between the Corporation and any officer, director, employee or agent of the Corporation.

(e) Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VIII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with Article VIII, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article VIII in respect of any matter occurring before such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision or in respect of any cause of action, suit or claim relating to any such matter which would have given rise to a right of indemnification or right to receive expenses pursuant to this Article VIII if such provision had not been so amended or repealed or if a provision inconsistent therewith had not been so adopted.

(f) No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any stockholder for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director:

(i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders;

(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

(iii) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; or

(iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

If the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware is amended after June 4, 2007 to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as so amended.

 

 

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THE UNDERSIGNED, being the Incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a Corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware makes this Certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that this is his act and deed and the facts herein stated are true and, accordingly, has hereunto set his hand this 4th day of June, 2007

 

			/s/ Andrew A. Markus
			ANDREW A. MARKUS
			Sole Incorporator

 

 

 

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RENAISSANCERE FINANCE INC.

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF

THE STATE OF DELAWARE

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I.

OFFICES.

The registered office of RenaissanceRe Finance Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be located in the state of Delaware and shall be at such address as shall be set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. The registered agent of the Corporation at such address shall be as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. The Corporation may also have such other offices at such other places, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II.

STOCKHOLDERS.

Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any other business shall be held on such date and at such time and in such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors. At the annual meeting any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken, whether stated in the notice of meeting or not, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute or the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, or by the President, and shall be called by the President at the request of the holders of at least 20% of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote. Special meetings shall be held at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as shall from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors. At a special meeting no business shall be transacted and no corporate action shall be taken other than that stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 3. Notice of Meetings. Written notice of the time and place of any stockholder’s meeting, whether annual or special, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat, by personal delivery or by mailing the same to him at his address as the same appears upon the records of the Corporation at least ten (10) days but not more than sixty (60) days before the day of the meeting. Notice of any adjourned meeting need not be given except by announcement at the meeting so adjourned, unless otherwise ordered in connection with such adjournment. Such further notice, if any, shall be given as may be required by law.

Section 4. Quorum. Any number of stockholders, together holding at least a majority of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, who shall be

 

 

 

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present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting duly called, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business, except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-laws.

Section 5. Adjournment of Meetings. If less than a quorum shall attend at the time for which a meeting shall have been called, the meeting may be adjourned by a majority vote of the stockholders present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote without notice other than by announcement at the meeting until a quorum shall attend. Any meeting at which a quorum is present may also be adjourned in like manner and for such time or upon such call as may be determined by a majority vote of the stockholders present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

Section 6. Voting List. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every election of directors, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each stockholder. Such list shall be open at the place where the election is to be held for said ten (10) days, to the examination of any stockholder, and shall be produced and kept at the time and place of election during the whole time thereof, and subject to the inspection of any stockholder who may be present.

Section 7. Voting. Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting may vote either in person or by proxy, but no proxy shall be voted on or after three years from its date, unless said proxy provides for a longer period. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of stock registered in his name on the record of stockholders. At all meetings of stockholders all matters, except as otherwise provided by statute, shall be determined by the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot.

Section 8. Record Date of Stockholders. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a date not exceeding sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purposes, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting, and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or to give such consent, and, in such case, such stockholders and only such stockholders as shall be stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting, and any adjournment thereof, or to receive payment of such dividend, or to receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, or to give such consent, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the Corporation, after such record date fixed as aforesaid.

 

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Section 9. Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

Section 10. Conduct of Meetings. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, or if there be none, or in the Chairman’s absence, the President, or any person either the Chairman or the President may appoint, shall preside at all regular or special meetings of stockholders. To the maximum extent permitted by law, such presiding person shall have the power to set procedural rules, including but not limited to rules respecting the time allotted to stockholders to speak, governing all aspects of the conduct of such meetings.

ARTICLE III.

DIRECTORS.

Section 1. Number and Qualifications: The board of directors shall consist initially of such number of directors as is set forth in the Statement of the Sole Incorporator, and thereafter shall consist of such number as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board. The directors need not be stockholders.

Section 2. Election of Directors: The directors shall be elected by the stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders.

Section 3. Duration of Office: The directors chosen at any annual meeting shall, except as hereinafter provided, hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are elected and qualified.

Section 4. Removal and Resignation of Directors: Except as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as such certificate may be amended, including by any Certificates of Designation filed by the Corporation, any director may be removed from the Board of Directors, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock entitled to vote, either by written consent or consents or at any special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose, and the office of such director shall forthwith become vacant.

Any director may resign at any time. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the President or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless so specified therein.

 

 

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Section 5. Filling of Vacancies: Any vacancy among the directors, occurring from any cause whatsoever, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, provided, however, that the stockholders removing any director may at the same meeting fill the vacancy caused by such removal, and provided further, that if the directors fail to fill any such vacancy, the stockholders may at any special meeting called for that purpose fill such vacancy. In case of any increase in the number of directors, the additional directors may be elected by the directors in office before such increase.

Any person elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office, subject to the right of removal as hereinbefore provided, until the next annual election and until his successor is elected and qualified.

Section 6. Regular Meetings: The Board of Directors shall hold an annual meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of any business immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders, provided a quorum of directors is present. Other regular meetings may be held at such times as may be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or by the President or by any two directors.

Section 8. Notice and Place of Meetings: Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at the principal office of the Corporation, or at such other place as shall be stated in the notice of such meeting. Notice of any special meeting, and, except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine by resolution, notice of any regular meeting also, shall be mailed to each director addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business at least two (2) days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or if sent to him at such place by facsimile, telegraph, cable or email, or delivered personally or by telephone, not later than the day before the day on which the meeting is to be held. No notice of the annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be required if it is held immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders and if a quorum is present.

Section 9. Business Transacted at Meetings, etc.: Any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum shall be present, whether such business or proposed action be stated in the notice of such meeting or not, unless special notice of such business or proposed action shall be required by statute.

Section 10. Quorum: A majority of the Board of Directors at any time in office shall constitute a quorum. At any meeting at which a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of the members present shall be the act of the Board of Directors unless the act of a greater number is specifically required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws. The members of the Board shall act only as the Board and the individual members thereof shall not have any powers as such.

 

 

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Section 11. Compensation: The directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors, but by resolution of the Board of Directors a fixed fee and expenses of attendance may be allowed for attendance at each meeting if so determined by the Board of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity, as an officer, agent or otherwise, and receiving compensation therefor.

Section 12. Action Without a Meeting: Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed in the minute book of the Corporation.

Section 13. Meetings Through Use of Communications Equipment: Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, shall, except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, have the power to participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee, by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

ARTICLE IV.

COMMITTEES.

Section 1. Executive Committee: The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate two or more of their number to constitute an Executive Committee to hold office at the pleasure of the Board, which Committee shall, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, have and exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, subject only to such restrictions or limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time specify, or as limited by the Delaware Corporation Law, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.

Any member of the Executive Committee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a resolution of a majority of the whole Board of Directors.

Any person ceasing to be a director shall ipso facto cease to be a member of the Executive Committee.

Any vacancy in the Executive Committee occurring from any cause whatsoever may be filled from among the directors by a resolution of a majority of the whole Board of Directors.

Section 2. Other Committees: Other committees, whose members need not be directors, may be appointed by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, which committees shall hold office for such time and have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

Any member of such a committee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. Any vacancy in a committee occurring from any cause whatsoever may be filled by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

 

 

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Section 3. Resignation: Any member of a committee may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the President or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless so specified therein.

Section 4. Quorum: A majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum. The act of a majority of the members of a committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee. The members of a committee shall act only as a committee, and the individual members thereof shall not have any powers as such.

Section 5. Record of Proceedings, etc.: Each committee shall keep a record of its acts and proceedings, and shall report the same to the Board of Directors when and as required by the Board of Directors.

Section 6. Organization, Meetings, Notices, etc.: A committee may hold its meetings at the principal office of the Corporation, or at any other place which a majority of the committee may at any time agree upon. Each committee may make such rules as it may deem expedient for the regulation and carrying on of its meetings and proceedings. Unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Committee, any notice of a meeting of such committee may be given by the Secretary of the Corporation or by the chairman of the committee and shall be sufficiently given if mailed to each member at his residence or usual place of business at least two (2) days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or if sent to him at such place by facsimile, telegraph, cable or email, or delivered personally or by telephone not later than twenty-four (24) hours before the time at which the meeting is to be held.

Section 7. Compensation: The members of any committee shall be entitled to such compensation as may be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V.

OFFICERS.

Section 1. Number: The officers of the Corporation shall be a President and a Secretary and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Article V. The Board of Directors in its discretion may also elect a Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Election, Term of Office and Qualifications: The officers, except as provided in Section 3 of this Article V, shall be chosen annually by the Board of Directors. Each such officer shall, except as herein otherwise provided, hold office until his successor shall have been chosen and shall qualify. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, and the President shall be directors of the Corporation, and should any one of them cease to be a director, he shall ipso facto cease to be such officer. Except as otherwise provided by law, any number of offices may be held by the same person.

Section 3. Other Officers: Other officers, including one or more vice-presidents, assistant secretaries, treasurer or assistant treasurers, may from time to time be appointed by the Board of Directors, which other officers shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the officer or committee appointing them.

 

 

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Section 4. Removal of Officers: Any officer of the Corporation may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Resignation: Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, and if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the President or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary in order to make it effective, unless so specified therein.

Section 6. Filling of Vacancies: A vacancy in any office shall be filled by the Board of Directors or by the authority appointing the predecessor in such office.

Section 7. Compensation: The compensation of the officers shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, or by any committee upon whom power in that regard may be conferred by the Board of Directors.

Section 8. Chairman of the Board of Directors: The Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, shall be a director and shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, and shall have such power and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

Section 9. President: In the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or if there be none, the President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. He shall have power to call special meetings of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee at any time. He shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, and shall have the general direction of the business, affairs and property of the Corporation, and of its several officers, and shall have and exercise all such powers and discharge such duties as usually pertain to the office of President.

Section 10. Vice-Presidents: The vice-president, or vice-presidents if there is more than one, shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, at the request of the President or in his absence, or in case of his inability to perform his duties from any cause, perform the duties of the President, and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all restrictions upon, the President. The vice-presidents shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors may determine the order of priority among them.

Section 11. Secretary: The Secretary shall perform such duties as are incident to the office of Secretary, or as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board of Directors, or as are prescribed by these By-laws.

Section 12. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall perform such duties and have powers as are usually incident to the office of Treasurer or which may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

 

 

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ARTICLE VI.

CAPITAL STOCK.

Section 1. Issue of Certificates of Stock: Certificates of capital stock shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors. They shall be numbered in the order of their issue and shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or one of the vice-presidents, and the Secretary or an assistant secretary or the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, and the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof shall be impressed or affixed or reproduced thereon, provided, however, that where such certificates are signed by a transfer agent or an assistant transfer agent or by a transfer clerk acting on behalf of the Corporation and a registrar, the signature of any such Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, vice-president, Secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer or assistant treasurer may be by facsimile. In case any officer or officers who shall have signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used on any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such officer or officers of the Corporation, whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates shall have been delivered by the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the Corporation and be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates, or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used thereon have not ceased to be such officer or officers of the Corporation.

Section 2. Registration and Transfer of Shares: The name of each person owning a share of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be entered on the books of the Corporation together with the number of shares held by him, the numbers of the certificates covering such shares and the dates of issue of such certificates. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holders thereof in person, or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives, on surrender and cancellation of certificates for a like number of shares, accompanied by an assignment or power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, and with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require. A record shall be made of each transfer.

The Board of Directors may make other and further rules and regulations concerning the transfer and registration of certificates for stock and may appoint a transfer agent or registrar or both and may require all certificates of stock to bear the signature of either or both.

Section 3. Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates: The holder of any stock of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of the certificates therefor. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representatives, to give the Corporation a bond, in such sum not exceeding double the value of the stock and with such surety or sureties as they may require, to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it by reason of the issue of such new certificate and against all other liability in the premises, or may remit such owner to such remedy or remedies as he may have under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

 

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ARTICLE VII.

DIVIDENDS, SURPLUS, ETC.

Section 1. General Discretion of Directors: The Board of Directors shall have power to fix and vary the amount to be set aside or reserved as working capital of the Corporation, or as reserves, or for other proper purposes of the Corporation, and, subject to the requirements of the Certificate of Incorporation, to determine whether any, if any, part of the surplus or net profits of the Corporation shall be declared as dividends and paid to the stockholders, and to fix the date or dates for the payment of dividends.

ARTICLE VIII.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

Section 1. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the Corporation shall commence on the first day of January and end on the last day of December.

Section 2. Corporate Seal: The corporate seal shall be in such form as approved by the Board of Directors and may be altered at their pleasure. The corporate seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

Section 3. Notices: Except as otherwise expressly provided, any notice required by these By-laws to be given shall be sufficient if given by depositing the same in a post office or letter box in a sealed postpaid wrapper addressed to the person entitled thereto at his address, as the same appears upon the books of the Corporation, or by sending via facsimile, telegraphing or cabling the same to such person at such addresses; and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time it is mailed, sent via facsimile, telegraphed or cabled.

Section 4. Waiver of Notice: Any stockholder or director may at any time, by writing or by telegraph, by cable or by email, waive any notice required to be given under these By-laws, and if any stockholder or director shall be present at any meeting his presence shall constitute a waiver of such notice.

Section 5. Checks, Drafts, etc.: All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation, and in such manner, as shall from time to time be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 6. Deposits: All funds of the Corporation may be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such bank or banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select, and, for the purpose of such deposit, checks, drafts, warrants and other orders for the payment of money which are payable to the order of the Corporation, may be endorsed for deposit, assigned and delivered by any officer of the Corporation, or by such agents of the Corporation as the Board of Directors or the President may authorize for that purpose.

Section 7. Voting Stock of Other Corporations: Except as otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, the President or the treasurer shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend and to act and to vote at any meeting

 

 

 

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of the stockholders of any corporation of which the Corporation is a stockholder and to execute a proxy to any other person to represent the Corporation at any such meeting, and at any such meeting the President or the treasurer or the holder of any such proxy, as the case may be, shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to ownership of such stock and which, as owner thereof, the Corporation might have possessed and exercised if present. The Board of Directors or the Executive Committee may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

Section 8. Indemnification of Officers and Directors: The Corporation shall indemnify any and all of its directors or officers, including former directors or officers, and any employee, who shall serve as an officer or director of any corporation at the request of this Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE IX.

AMENDMENTS.

The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, rescind, alter, amend and repeal these By-laws, provided, however, that the stockholders shall have power to rescind, alter, amend or repeal any by-laws made by the Board of Directors, and to enact by-laws which if so expressed shall not be rescinded, altered, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors. No change of the time or place for the annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors shall be made except in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

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CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

RENAISSANCE U.S. HOLDINGS, INC.

FIRST: The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is Renaissance U.S. Holdings, Inc.

SECOND: The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

THIRD: The nature of the business or purpose to be conducted or promoted by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as now in effect or as hereafter amended.

FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 100 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

FIFTH: The name and mailing address of the incorporator is as follows:

 

Name		Mailing Address
Frederick Brandon Baer		Willkie Farr & Gallagher
		One Citicorp Center
		153 East 53rd Street
		New York, NY 10022

SIXTH: In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the By-Laws of the Corporation may be made, altered, amended or repealed by the stockholders or by a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

SEVENTH: Elections of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

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EIGHTH: 1. Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, incorporator, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of or in any other similar capacity with another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

2. Payment of Expenses. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall (in the case of any action, suit or proceeding against a director of the Corporation) or may (in the case of any action, suit or proceeding against an officer, trustee, employee or agent) be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by the Board of Directors upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article EIGHTH.

 

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3. Nonexclusivity of Provision. The indemnification and other rights set forth in this Article EIGHTH shall not be exclusive of any provisions with respect thereto in the By-Laws of the Corporation or any other contract or agreement between the Corporation and any officer, director, employee or agent of the Corporation.

4. Effect of Repeal. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article EIGHTH, subparagraph 1, 2, or 3, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with Article EIGHTH, subparagraph 1, 2, or 3, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article EIGHTH, subparagraphs 1, 2, and 3, in respect of any matter occurring before such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision or in respect of any cause of action, suit or claim relating to any such matter which would have given rise to a right of indemnification or right to receive expenses pursuant to this Article EIGHTH, subparagraph 1, 2, or 3, if such provision had not been so amended or repealed or if a provision inconsistent therewith had not been so adopted.

5. Limitation on Liability. No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any stockholder for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for any matter in respect of which such director (A) shall be liable under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any amendment thereto or successor provision thereto, or (B) shall be liable by reason that, in addition to any and all other requirements for liability, he:

(i) shall have breached his duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders;

(ii) shall not have acted in good faith or, in failing to act, shall not have acted in good faith;

(iii) shall have acted in a manner involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law or, in failing to act, shall have acted in a manner involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; or

(iv) shall have derived an improper personal benefit.

 

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If the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware is amended after the date of the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as so amended.

NINTH: Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under the provisions of section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code, order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this Corporation as consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be, and also on this Corporation.

THE UNDERSIGNED, being the incorporator named in this Certificate, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, makes this Certificate, declaring and certifying that this is my act and deed and that the facts stated in this Certificate are true, and accordingly has set his hand this 12th day of December, 1997.

 

			/s/ Frederick Brandon Baer
		Name:	Frederick Brandon Baer
		Title:	Sole Incorporator

 

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CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO

THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

RENAISSANCE U.S. HOLDINGS, INC.

 

Filed Pursuant to Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

THE UNDERSIGNED, being a duly appointed and authorized officer of Renaissance U.S. Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), hereby certifies on behalf of the Corporation and not in his individual capacity, for the purpose of amending the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate”), as follows:

FIRST, that the Certificate was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 12, 1997.

SECOND, that the amendment effected hereby was duly authorized by the Corporation’s Board of Directors and stockholders in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL and shall be executed, acknowledged and filed in accordance with Section 103 of the DGCL.

THIRD, that in accordance with Sections 242 and 103 of the DGCL, the Corporation’s Certificate shall be amended by deleting the following in its entirety:

“FIRST: The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is Renaissance U.S. Holdings, Inc.” and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

FIRST: The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.

 

 

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Under penalties of perjury, this July 19, 2003, the undersigned certifies that he is an authorized officer of the Corporation, that the above stated facts are true and that the filing of this Certificate of Amendment constitutes the valid act of the Corporation.

 

		Renaissance U.S. Holdings, Inc.
		By:	/s/ Stephen H. Weinstein
			Name:		Stephen H. Weinstein
			Title:	Vice President

 

 

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RENAISSANCE U.S. HOLDINGS, INC.

(the “Corporation”)

Incorporated Under the Laws of

the State of Delaware

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

The registered office of the Corporation in Delaware shall be at 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, and The Corporation Trust Company shall be the resident agent of the Corporation in charge thereof. The Corporation may also have such other offices at such other places, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any other business shall be held on such day in such month, in such city and state and at such time and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors and set forth in the notice of such meeting. At the annual meeting any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken, whether stated in the notice of meeting or not, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute or the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, or by the President, and shall be called by the President at the request of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote. Special meetings shall be held at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as shall from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of such meeting. At a special meeting no business shall be transacted and no corporate action shall be taken other than that stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 3. Notice of Meetings. Written notice of the time and place of any stockholders’ meeting, whether annual or special, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at that meeting, by personal delivery or by mailing the same to him

 

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or her at his or her address as the same appears upon the records of the Corporation at least ten days but not more than sixty days before the day of the meeting. Notice of any adjourned meeting need not be given except by announcement at the meeting so adjourned, unless otherwise ordered in connection with such adjournment. Further notice, if any, shall be given as may be required by law.

Section 4. Quorum. Any number of stockholders, together holding at least a majority of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, who shall be present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting duly called, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business, except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws.

Section 5. Adjournment of Meetings. If less than a quorum is in attendance at the time for which a meeting is called, the meeting may adjourn by a majority vote of the stockholders present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting, without notice other than announcement at such meeting, until a quorum is in attendance. Any meeting at which a quorum is present may also be adjourned in like manner and for the amount of time as may be determined by a majority vote of the stockholders present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

Section 6. Voting List. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every election of directors, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each stockholder. The list shall be subject to the inspection of any stockholder.

Section 7. Voting. Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting may vote either in person or by proxy, but no proxy shall be voted on or after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Each stockholder entitled to vote shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of stock registered in his or her name on the record of stockholders. At all meetings of stockholders, all matters, except as otherwise provided by statute, shall be determined by the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot.

Section 8. Record Date of Stockholders. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a date not exceeding sixty days nor less than ten days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, or the date for the payment of any

 

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dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders, and any adjournment of a meeting of stockholders, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or to give consent. Only the stockholders that are stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, such meeting of stockholders, and any adjournment of such meeting, or to receive payment of such dividend, or to receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, or to give any consent, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the Corporation, after such record date fixed in accordance with this Section 8.

Section 9. Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken (i) is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted and (ii) is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent such be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

Section 10. Conduct of Meetings. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, or in his or her absence the President or any Vice President designated by the Chairman of the Board, shall preside at all regular or special meetings of stockholders. To the maximum extent permitted by law, such presiding person shall have the power to set procedural rules, including but not limited to rules respecting the time allotted to stockholders to speak, governing all aspects of the conduct of the meetings. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary of each meeting. In the absence of the Secretary at any such meeting, the Chairman of the Board may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

 

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Section 1. Number and Qualifications. The Board of Directors shall consist initially of four (4) directors, and thereafter shall consist of the number as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board. The directors need not be stockholders of the Directors.

Section 2. Election of Directors. The directors shall be elected by the stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders.

Section 3. Duration of Office. The directors chosen at any annual meeting shall, except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are elected and qualify.

Section 4. Removal and Resignation of Directors. Any director may be removed from the Board of Directors, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock entitled to vote, either by written consent or consents or at any special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose, and the office of a removed director shall immediately become vacant.

Any director may resign at any time. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified in the resignation, and if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the President or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless so specified in the resignation.

Section 5. Filling of Vacancies. Any vacancy among the directors, occurring from any cause whatsoever, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, provided however, that the stockholders removing any director may at the same meeting fill the vacancy caused by the removal, and provided further, that if the directors fail to fill any vacancy, the stockholders may at any special meeting called for that purpose fill the vacancy. In case of any increase in the number of directors, the additional directors may be elected by the directors in office before the increase.

Any person elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office, subject to the right of removal as provided in these By-Laws, until the next annual election and until his successor is elected and qualified.

Section 6. Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors shall hold an annual meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of any business immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders, provided a quorum of directors is present. Other regular meetings may be held at any time as may be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by the President.

Section 8. Notice and Place of Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at the principal office of the Corporation, or at any other place as is stated in the notice of such meeting. Notice of any special meeting, and except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine by resolution, notice of any regular meeting, shall be mailed to each director addressed to him or her at his residence or usual place of business at least two days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or if sent to him or her at such place by telegraph, cable or facsimile, or delivered personally or by telephone, not later than the day before the day on which the meeting is to be held. No notice of the annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be required if it is held immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders and if a quorum is present.

Section 9. Business Transacted at Meetings, etc. Any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, whether the business or proposed action is stated in the notice of that meeting or not, unless special notice of such business or proposed action is required by statute.

Section 10. Quorum. A majority of the Board of Directors at any time in office shall constitute a quorum. At any meeting at which a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of the members present shall be the act of the Board of Directors unless the act of a greater number is specifically required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws. The members of the Board shall act only as the Board and the individual members of the Board shall not have any powers in their individual capacities.

Section 11. Compensation. The directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors, but by resolution of the Board of Directors a fixed fee and expenses of attendance may be allowed for attendance at each meeting. Nothing herein contained shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity, as an officer, agent or otherwise, and receiving compensation therefor.

Section 12. Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee of the Board of Directors, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent to the action in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee.

 

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Section 13. Meetings Through Use of Communications Equipment. Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, shall, except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, have the power to participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee, by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and this participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board, designate two or more of their number to constitute an Executive Committee to hold office at the pleasure of the Board, which Committee shall, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, have and exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, subject only to restrictions or limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time specify, or as limited by the Delaware Corporation Law, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it.

Any member of the Executive Committee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a resolution of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

Any person ceasing to be a director shall ipso facto cease to be a member of the Executive Committee.

Any vacancy in the Executive Committee occurring from any cause whatsoever may be filled from among the directors by a resolution of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

Section 2. Other Committees. Other committees, whose members need not be directors, may be appointed by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, which committees shall hold office for such time and have powers and perform duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

Any member of these committees may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. Any vacancy in a committee occurring from any cause whatsoever may be filled by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

Section 3. Resignation. Any member of a committee may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified in the resignation,

 

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or, if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the President or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless so specified in the resignation.

Section 4. Quorum. A majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum. The act of a majority of the members of a committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee. The members of a committee shall act only as a committee, and the individual members of the committee shall not have any powers in their individual capacities.

Section 5. Record of Proceedings, etc. Each committee shall keep a record of its acts and proceedings, and shall report the same to the Board of Directors when and as required by the Board of Directors.

Section 6. Organization, Meetings, Notices, etc. A committee may hold its meetings at the principal office of the Corporation, or at any other place that a majority of the committee may at any time agree upon. Each committee may make rules as it may deem expedient for the regulation and carrying on of its meetings and proceedings. Unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Committee, any notice of a meeting of a committee may be given by the Secretary of the Corporation or by the chairman of the committee and shall be sufficiently given if mailed to each member at his residence or usual place of business at least two days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or if sent to him or her at such place by telegraph, cable or facsimile, or delivered personally or by telephone not later than 24 hours before the time at which the meeting is to be held.

Section 7. Compensation. The members of any committee shall be entitled to such compensation as may be allowed them by resolution of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. Number. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this Article V. The Board of Directors in its discretion may also elect a Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Election, Term of Office and Qualifications. The officers, except as provided in Section 3 of this Article V, shall be chosen annually by the Board of Directors. Each officer shall, except as otherwise provided in the By-Laws, hold office until his successor is chosen and

 

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qualified. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, shall be a director of the Corporation, and should he or she cease to be a director, he or she shall ipso facto cease to be Chairman. Except as otherwise provided by law, any number of offices may be held by the same person.

Section 3. Other Officers. Other officers, including one or more additional vice presidents, assistant secretaries or assistant treasurers, may from time to time be appointed by the Board of Directors, which other officers shall have powers and perform duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the officer or committee appointing them.

Section 4. Removal of Officers. Any officer of the Corporation may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Resignation. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time. This resignation shall be in writing and take effect at the time specified in the resignation, or if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the President or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary in order to make it effective, unless so specified in the resignation.

Section 6. Filling of Vacancies. A vacancy in any office shall be filled by the Board of Directors or by the authority appointing the predecessor in such office.

Section 7. Compensation. The compensation of the officers shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, or by any committee upon whom power in that regard may be conferred by the Board of Directors.

Section 8. Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors (if one is elected) shall be a director and shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at which he or she is present, and shall have the powers and perform the duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.

Section 9. President. The President shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the stockholders. The President shall have power to call special meetings of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee at any time. He or she shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, and shall have the general direction of the business, affairs and property of the Corporation, and of its several officers, and shall have and exercise all the powers and discharge the duties as usually pertain to the office of President.

Section 10. Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents, or any of them, shall, subject to the direction of the Board of

 

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Directors, at the request of the President or in his absence, or in case of his inability to perform his duties from any cause, perform the duties of the President, and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all restrictions upon, the President. The Vice Presidents shall also perform such other duties that may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors may determine the order of priority among them.

Section 11. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the stockholders and all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof in books provided for such purpose. He or she may affix the seal of the Corporation to all instruments to be executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal. The Secretary shall perform the duties and have all other powers that are incident to the office of Secretary, or as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, or as are prescribed by these By-Laws.

Section 12. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of all the funds and securities of the Corporation which may be delivered into his possession. He or she may endorse on behalf of the Corporation for collection, checks, notes and other obligations and shall deposit the same to the credit of the Corporation in a depository or depositories of the Corporation, and may sign all receipts and vouchers for payments made to the Corporation. He or she shall enter or cause to be entered regularly in the books of the Corporation kept for that purpose, full and accurate accounts of all monies received and paid on account of the Corporation and whenever required by the Board of Directors shall render statements of the accounts. The Treasurer shall perform the duties and have all other powers that are incident to the office of Treasurer or that are assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.

 

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ARTICLE VI

CAPITAL STOCK

Section 1. Issue of Certificates of Stock. Certificates of capital stock shall be in the form approved by the Board of Directors. The certificates shall be numbered in the order of their issue and shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President or one of the Vice Presidents, and the Secretary or the Treasurer. Any or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer or officers who have signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been placed on any certificate or certificates ceases to be an officer of the Corporation, whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before that certificate or certificates are delivered or issued by the Corporation, that certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the Corporation and be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed that certificate or certificates, or whose facsimile signature or signatures is used thereon have not ceased to be an officer or officers of the Corporation.

Section 2. Registration and Transfer of Shares. The name of each person owning a share of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be entered on the books of the Corporation together with the number of shares held by him or her, the numbers of the certificates covering the shares and the dates of issue of the certificates. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holders of the shares in person, or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives, on surrender and cancellation of certificates for a like number of shares, accompanied by an assignment or power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, and with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require. A record shall be made of each transfer.

The Board of Directors may make other rules and regulations concerning the transfer and registration of certificates for stock and may appoint a transfer agent or registrar or both and may require all certificates of stock to bear the signature of either or both.

Section 3. Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates. The holder of any stock of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of the certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate previously issued by it and alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representatives, to give the Corporation a bond, in such sum not exceeding double the value of the stock and with such surety or

 

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sureties as they may require, to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it by reason of the issue of the new certificate and against all other liability in the premises, or may remit the owner to any remedy or remedies he or she may have under the laws of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE VII

DIVIDENDS, SURPLUS, ETC.

Section 1. General Discretion of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have power to fix and vary the amount to be set aside or reserved as working capital of the Corporation, or as reserves, or for other proper purposes of the Corporation, and, subject to the requirements of the Certificate of Incorporation, to determine whether any part of the surplus or net profits of the Corporation shall be declared as dividends and paid to the stockholders, and to fix the date or dates for the payment of dividends.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall commence on the first day of January and end on the last day of December.

Section 2. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall be in such form as approved by the Board of Directors and may be altered at their pleasure. The corporate seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

Section 3. Notices. Except as otherwise expressly provided, any notice required to be given by these By-Laws shall be sufficient if given by depositing the same in a post office or letter box in a sealed postpaid wrapper addressed to the person entitled to notice at his address, as the same appears upon the books of the Corporation, or by telegraphing or cabling the same to that person at that address, or by facsimile transmission to a number designated upon the books of the Corporation, if any; and the notice shall be deemed to be given at the time it is mailed, telegraphed or cabled, or sent by facsimile.

Section 4. Waiver of Notice. Any stockholder or director may at any time, by writing or by telegraph, cable or facsimile transmission, waive any notice required to be given under these By-Laws, and if any stockholder or director is present at any meeting his presence shall constitute a waiver of notice.

Section 5. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences

 

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of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation, shall be signed by an officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation, and in such manner, as shall from time to time be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 6. Deposits. All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in a bank or banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select, and, for the purpose of the deposit, checks, drafts, warrants and other orders for the payment of money which are payable to the order of the Corporation, may be endorsed for deposit, assigned and delivered by any officer of the Corporation, or by agents of the Corporation as the Board of Directors or the President may authorize for that purpose.

Section 7. Voting Stock of Other Corporations. Except as otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, the President or the Treasurer shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend and to act and to vote at any such meeting of the stockholders of any corporation of which the Corporation is a stockholder, and to execute a proxy to any other person to represent the Corporation at any meeting, and at any meeting of the stockholders of any corporation of which the Corporation is a stockholder. The President or the Treasurer or the holder of any proxy, as the case may be, shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to ownership of the stock which, as owner thereof, the Corporation might have possessed and exercised if present. The Board of Directors or the Executive Committee may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

Section 8. Indemnification of Officers and Directors. The Corporation shall indemnify any and all of its directors and officers, including former directors and/or officers, including those serving as an officer or director of any corporation at the request of this Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, rescind, alter, amend and repeal these By-Laws, provided, however, that the stockholders shall have the power to rescind, alter, amend or repeal any By-Laws made by the Board of Directors, and to enact By-Laws which if so expressed shall not be rescinded, altered, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors. No change of the time or place for the annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors shall be made except in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

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FORM OF SENIOR INDENTURE

RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., Issuer

To

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, Trustee

_______________

INDENTURE

_______________

Dated as of _____________, 2007

Senior Debt Securities

 

 

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Reconciliation and tie between

Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”)

and Indenture

 

Trust Indenture Act Section	Indenture Section
§§ 310(a)(1)	6.7
(a)(2)	6.7
(b)	6.8
§§ 312(a)	7.1
(b)	7.2
(c)	7.2
§§ 313(a)	7.3
(b)(2)	7.3
(c)	7.3
(d)	7.3
§§ 314(a)	7.4
(c)(1)	10.2
(c)(2)	10.2
(e)	10.2
(f)	10.2
§§ 316(a) (last sentence)	10.1
(a)(1)(A)	5.2, 5.12
(a)(1)(B)	5.13
(b)	5.8
§§ 317(a)(1)	5.3
(a)(2)	5.4
(b)	10.3
§§ 318(a)	10.8

______________

Note:

This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
Article 1 DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION		1
Section 1.1.	Definitions.	1
Section 1.2.	Compliance Certificates and Opinions.	11
Section 1.3.	Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.	11
Section 1.4.	Acts of Holders.	12
Section 1.5.	Notices, etc. to Trustee and Company.	14
Section 1.6.	Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.	14
Section 1.7.	Language of Notices.	15
Section 1.8.	Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.	15
Section 1.9.	Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.	15
Section 1.10.	Successors and Assigns.	15
Section 1.11.	Separability Clause.	15
Section 1.12.	Benefits of Indenture.	16
Section 1.13.	Governing Law.	16
Section 1.14.	Legal Holidays.	16
Section 1.15.	Counterparts.	16
Section 1.16.	Judgment Currency.	16
Section 1.17.	No Security Interest Created.	17
Section 1.18.	Limitation on Individual Liability.	17
Section 1.19.	Submission to Jurisdiction.	17
Article 2 SECURITIES FORMS		18
Section 2.1.	Forms Generally.	18
Section 2.2.	Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.	19

 

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

		Page
Section 2.3.	Securities in Global Form.	19
Article 3 THE SECURITIES		20
Section 3.1.	Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.	20
Section 3.2.	Currency; Denominations.	23
Section 3.3.	Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.	24
Section 3.4.	Temporary Securities.	26
Section 3.5.	Registration, Transfer and Exchange.	26
Section 3.6.	Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.	30
Section 3.7.	Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.	31
Section 3.8.	Persons Deemed Owners.	32
Section 3.9.	Cancellation.	33
Section 3.10.	Computation of Interest.	33
Section 3.11.	CUSIP Numbers.	33
Article 4 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE		34
Section 4.1.	Satisfaction and Discharge.	34
Section 4.2.	Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.	35
Section 4.3.	Application of Trust Money.	39
Article 5 REMEDIES		40
Section 5.1.	Events of Default.	40
Section 5.2.	Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.	41
Section 5.3.	Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.	42

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

		Page
Section 5.4.	Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.	43
Section 5.5.	Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities or Coupons.	44
Section 5.6.	Application of Money Collected.	44
Section 5.7.	Limitations on Suits.	44
Section 5.8.	Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.	45
Section 5.9.	Restoration of Rights and Remedies.	45
Section 5.10.	Rights and Remedies Cumulative.	46
Section 5.11.	Delay or Omission Not Waiver.	46
Section 5.12.	Control by Holders of Securities.	46
Section 5.13.	Waiver of Past Defaults.	46
Section 5.14.	Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.	47
Section 5.15.	Undertaking for Costs.	47
Article 6 THE TRUSTEE		47
Section 6.1.	Certain Rights of Trustee.	47
Section 6.2.	Notice of Defaults.	49
Section 6.3.	Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.	50
Section 6.4.	May Hold Securities.	50
Section 6.5.	Money Held in Trust.	50
Section 6.6.	Compensation and Reimbursement.	50
Section 6.7.	Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.	51
Section 6.8.	Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.	51

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

		Page
Section 6.9.	Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.	53
Section 6.10.	Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.	54
Section 6.11.	Appointment of Authenticating Agent.	54
Article 7 HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY		56
Section 7.1.	Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.	56
Section 7.2.	Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.	57
Section 7.3.	Reports by Trustee.	57
Section 7.4.	Reports by Company.	57
Article 8 CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATIONS, MERGER AND SALES		58
Section 8.1.	Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.	58
Section 8.2.	Successor Person Substituted for Company.	59
Article 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES		59
Section 9.1.	Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.	59
Section 9.2.	Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.	60
Section 9.3.	Execution of Supplemental Indentures.	61
Section 9.4.	Effect of Supplemental Indentures.	62
Section 9.5.	Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.	62
Section 9.6.	Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.	62
Section 9.7.	Notice of Supplemental Indenture.	62
Article 10 COVENANTS		62
Section 10.1.	Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.	62
Section 10.2.	Maintenance of Office or Agency.	62

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

		Page
Section 10.3.	Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.	64
Section 10.4.	Additional Amounts.	65
Section 10.5.	Limitation on Liens on Stock of Designated Subsidiaries.	67
Section 10.6.	Limitation on Disposition of Stock of Designated Subsidiaries.	67
Section 10.7.	Corporate Existence.	68
Section 10.8.	Waiver of Certain Covenants.	68
Section 10.9.	Company Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults.	68
Section 10.10.	Calculation of Original Issue Discount.	69
Article 11 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES		69
Section 11.1.	Applicability of Article.	69
Section 11.2.	Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.	69
Section 11.3.	Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.	69
Section 11.4.	Notice of Redemption.	70
Section 11.5.	Deposit of Redemption Price.	71
Section 11.6.	Securities Payable on Redemption Date.	72
Section 11.7.	Securities Redeemed in Part.	73
Article 12 SINKING FUNDS		73
Section 12.1.	Applicability of Article.	73
Section 12.2.	Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.	73
Section 12.3.	Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.	74
Article 13 REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS		74
Section 13.1.	Applicability of Article.	74

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

		Page
Article 14 SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES		75
Section 14.1.	Applicability of Article.	75
Article 15 MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES		75
Section 15.1.	Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.	75
Section 15.2.	Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.	75
Section 15.3.	Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.	76
Section 15.4.	Quorum; Action.	76
Section 15.5.	Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.	77
Section 15.6.	Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.	77

 

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of ______________, 2007 (the “Indenture”), between RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., a company duly organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal executive office located at Renaissance House, 8-20 East Broadway, Pembroke HM 19, Bermuda and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), having its Corporate Trust Office located at 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005.

 

RECITALS

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its senior unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Securities”), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder that are required to be part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as herein defined) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof and any Coupons (as herein defined) as follows:

Article 1

 

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.1. Definitions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, 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, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

 

 

 

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(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the terms “generally accepted accounting principles” or “GAAP” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States of America at the date or time of such computation;

(4) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and

(5) the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”).

Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.

“Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified therein and which are owing to such Holders.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have the meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.11 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in an official language of the place of publication or in the English language, customarily published on each day that is a Business Day in the place of publication, whether or not published on days that are Legal Holidays in the place of publication, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any day that is a Business Day in the place of publication.

“Authorized Officer” means, when used with respect to the Company, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, the Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company.

 

 

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“Bearer Security” means any Security in the form established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is payable to bearer.

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for the Company hereunder.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day,” with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

“Capitalized Lease Obligation” means an obligation under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with such principles.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Common Stock” in respect of any Corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which has no preference as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Corporation, and which is not subject to redemption by such Corporation.

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person, and any other obligor upon the Securities.

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company by an Authorized Officer, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

 

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“Consolidated Net Worth” in respect of any Person means the total of the amounts shown on the balance sheet of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of such Person ending at least 45 days prior to the taking of any action for the purpose of which the determination is being made, as (i) the par or stated value of all outstanding Capital Stock of such Person plus (ii) paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to such Capital Stock plus (iii) any retained earnings or earned surplus, less any accumulated deficit.

“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country or the confederation which issued such Foreign Currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community or (ii) any currency unit or composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of original execution of this Indenture is located at located at Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Services or at any other time at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the parties hereto or at the principal corporate trust office of any successor trustee as to which such successor trustee may notify the parties hereto in writing.

“Corporation” includes corporations, limited liability companies, incorporated associations, companies and business trusts.

“Coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

“Currency,” with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security, means Dollars or the Foreign Currency, as the case may be, in which such payment, deposit or other transfer is required to be made by or pursuant to the terms hereof or such Security and, with respect to any other payment, deposit or transfer pursuant to or contemplated by the terms hereof or such Security, means Dollars.

“CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, CUSIP Service Bureau.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

“Designated Subsidiary” means any present or future consolidated Subsidiary of the Company, the Consolidated Net Worth of which constitutes at least 10% of the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company.

“Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.

 

 

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“Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the other government or governments or confederation or association of governments which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Security or any Additional Amounts in respect thereof shall be payable, in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of such government or governments or confederation or association of governments or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments or confederation or association of governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments or confederation or association of governments, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

“Holder,” in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of any Bearer Security, means the bearer thereof and, in the case of any Coupon, means the bearer thereof.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, (i) the principal of and any premium and interest on (a) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (b) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (ii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations and all obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i) through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit); (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the amount thereof being deemed to be the lesser of the stated recourse, if limited, and the amount of the obligation or dividends of the

 

 

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other Person; (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; and (vii) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clauses (i) through (vi) above.

“Indenture” means this instrument as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, with respect to any Security, by the terms and provisions of such Security and any Coupon appertaining thereto established pursuant to Section 3.1 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof).

“Independent Public Accountants” means accountants or a firm of accountants that, with respect to the Company and any other obligor under the Securities or the Coupons, are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder, who may be the independent public accountants regularly retained by the Company or who may be other independent public accountants. Such accountants or firm shall be entitled to rely upon any Opinion of Counsel as to the interpretation of any legal matters relating to this Indenture or certificates required to be provided hereunder.

“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity or upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2 may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

“interest,” with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.4, includes such Additional Amounts.

“Interest Payment Date,” with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“Legal Holidays” has the meaning specified in Section 1.14.

“Lien” has the meaning specified in Section 10.5.

“Maturity,” with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption or repurchase, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise, and includes any Redemption Date and the date of any required repurchase or repayment.

“New York Banking Day” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

 

 

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“Office” or “Agency,” with respect to any Securities, means an office or agency of the Company maintained or designated as a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or any other office or agency of the Company maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 10.2 in lieu of such office or agency, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers, at least one of which is a principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer, that complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company or other counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that, if required by the Trust Indenture Act, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security issued pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization which provides for declaration of an amount less than the principal face amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2.

“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for cancellation;

(b) any such Security for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 4.2) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, provided, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(c) any such Security with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance pursuant to the terms hereof, except to the extent provided in Section 4.2;

(d) any such Security which has been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Security is held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Company; and

(e) any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into Common Stock of the Company or other securities, if the terms of such Security provide for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 3.1;

 

 

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provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the principal amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such Security of the then current principal amount) of such Security, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which shall have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee (A) the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and (B) that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto or an Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security or any Coupon on behalf of the Company.

“Person” means any individual, Corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Place of Payment,” with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security are payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same Indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or any Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same Indebtedness as the lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or the Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

 

 

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“Preferred Stock” in respect of any Corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Corporation.

“principal” means, as of any date of determination with respect to the Securities of any series, (i) in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or an Indexed Security, the amount due and payable with respect to principal upon an acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 at such time and (ii) in all other cases, par or the stated face amount of the related Security.

“Redemption Date,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

“Redemption Price,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, exclusive of accrued interest and any Additional Amounts with respect to accrued interest.

“Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is registered in a Security Register.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization as the “Regular Record Date”.

“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“Responsible Officer” means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, including any vice president, any assistant vice president, director, managing director, associate or any trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Security” or “Securities” means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of Indebtedness, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities,” with respect to any such Person, shall mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.

“Series Authorization” means, with respect to any series or class of Securities, (i) a Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or (ii) one or more indentures supplemental hereto,

 

 

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establishing such series or class of Securities and setting forth the terms thereof, including, in either case, a form of note or notes representing such Securities.

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Registered Security means a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 3.7.

“Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, means the date established by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is, or such Additional Amounts are, due and payable.

“Subsidiary” means, in respect of any Person, any Corporation, limited or general partnership or other business entity of which at the time of determination more than 50% of the voting power of the shares of its Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and any reference herein to the Trust Indenture Act or a particular provision thereof shall mean such Act or provision, as the case may be, as amended or replaced from time to time or as supplemented from time to time by rules or regulations adopted by the Commission under or in furtherance of the purposes of such Act or provision, as the case may be.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

“United States,” except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“U.S. Depository” or “Depository” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, the Person designated as U.S. Depository or Depository by the Company in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, which Person must be, to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, if so provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “U.S. Depository” or “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the qualifying entity which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.

 

 

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“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”.

Section 1.2. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, 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 or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

(a) a statement that the individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(b) 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;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 1.3. 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.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, provided that such officer, after reasonable inquiry, has no reason to believe and does not believe that the Opinion of Counsel with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based is erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect

 

 

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to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, provided that such counsel, after reasonable inquiry, has no reason to believe and does not believe that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 1.4. Acts of Holders.

(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or pursuant to this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. If, but only if, Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 15, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 15.6.

(2) Without limiting the generality of this Section 1.4, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, a Holder, including a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such U.S. Depository’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(3) The Company shall fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interest in any permanent global Security held by a U.S. Depository entitled under the procedures of such U.S. Depository to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record

 

 

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date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

(4) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing referred to in this Section 1.4 may be proved in any reasonable manner; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof, including written proof, with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

(5) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(6) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary reasonably acceptable to the Company, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Company and the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (i) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (ii) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (iii) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (iv) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by the Person so executing such instrument or writing and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same may also be proved in any other manner which the Company and the Trustee deem sufficient.

(7) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may at its option (but is not obligated to), by Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

 

 

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(8) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such Act is made upon such Security.

Section 1.5. Notices, etc. to Trustee and Company.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or

(2) the Company by the Trustee or any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to the attention of its Treasurer, with a copy to the attention of its General Counsel, at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

Section 1.6. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event,

(1) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Registered Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Registered Security affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice; and

(2) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer Securities, if any, if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York and, if such Securities are then listed on any stock exchange outside the United States, in an Authorized Newspaper in such city as the Company shall advise the Trustee in writing that such stock exchange so requires, on a Business Day at least twice, the first such publication to be not earlier than the earliest date and the second such publication not later than the latest date prescribed for the giving of such notice.

In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular

 

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mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

In case by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearers Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of any notice mailed to Holders of Registered Securities as provided above.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed in writing with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

Section 1.7. Language of Notices.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that, if the Company so elects, any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with any duties under any required provision of the Trust Indenture Act imposed hereon by Section 318(c) thereof, such required provision shall control.

Section 1.9. 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 1.10. Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.11. Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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Section 1.12. Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities or Coupons, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 1.13. Governing Law.

This Indenture, the Securities and any Coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made or instruments entered into and, in each case, performed in said state.

Section 1.14. Legal Holidays.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security, or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert or exchange Securities of a series that are convertible or exchangeable, shall be a Legal Holiday at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon other than a provision in any Security or Coupon that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof) payment need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, and such Securities need not be converted or exchanged on such date but such payment may be made, and such Securities may be converted or exchanged, on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity or on such last day for conversion or exchange, and no interest shall accrue on the amount payable on such date or at such time for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or last day for conversion or exchange, as the case may be, to such next succeeding Business Day.

Section 1.15. Counterparts.

This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 1.16. Judgment Currency.

The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the requisite amount of the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except

 

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to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

Section 1.17. No Security Interest Created.

Subject to the provisions of Section 10.5, nothing in this Indenture or in any Securities, express or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect in any jurisdiction where property of the Company or its Subsidiaries is or may be located.

Section 1.18. Limitation on Individual Liability.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, shareholders, officers or directors, as such, of the Company, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Security.

Section 1.19. Submission to Jurisdiction.

The Company agrees that any judicial proceedings instituted in relation to any matter arising under this Indenture, the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto may be brought in any United States Federal or New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York to the extent that such court has subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy, and, by execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company hereby irrevocably accepts, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts, acknowledges their competence and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered in such proceeding. The Company also irrevocably and unconditionally waives for the benefit of

 

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the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and Coupons any immunity from jurisdiction and any immunity from legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in the aid of execution, execution or otherwise) in respect of this Indenture. The Company hereby irrevocably designates and appoints for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and Coupons for the term of this Indenture [Agent Name & Address], as its agent to receive on its behalf service of all process (with a copy of all such service of process to be delivered to [Person name, title, address]) brought against it with respect to any such proceeding in any such court in The City of New York, such service being hereby acknowledged by the Company to be effective and binding service on it in every respect whether or not the Company shall then be doing or shall have at any time done business in New York. Such appointment shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Securities or Coupons or the obligations of the Company hereunder remain outstanding or until the appointment of a successor by the Company and such successor’s acceptance of such appointment. Upon such acceptance, the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of such successor. The Company further agrees for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and the Coupons to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of said [Agent Name] in full force and effect so long as any of the Securities or Coupons or the obligations of the Company hereunder shall be outstanding. The Trustee shall not be obligated and shall have no responsibility with respect to any failure by the Company to take any such action. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by any law or limit the right of the Trustee or any Holder to institute proceedings against the Company in the courts of any other jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

Article 2

 

SECURITIES FORMS

Section 2.1. Forms Generally.

Each Registered Security, Bearer Security, Coupon and temporary or permanent global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Security or Coupon as evidenced by their execution of such Security or Coupon.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, the Securities shall be issuable in registered form without Coupons and shall not be issuable upon the exercise of warrants.

 

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Definitive Securities and definitive Coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities or Coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or Coupons.

Section 2.2. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

Subject to Section 6.11, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
		By:
			Authorized Officer

Section 2.3. Securities in Global Form.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, the Securities of a series shall not be issuable in temporary or permanent global form. If Securities of a series shall be issuable in global form, any such Security may provide that it or any number of such Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 and, if applicable, Section 3.4, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver, in each case at the Company’s expense, any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing and, with respect to matters set forth in this Section 2.3, need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officers’ Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.7, unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, payment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and

 

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any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security in temporary or permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.8 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a global Security (i) in the case of a global Security in registered form, the Holder of such global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a global Security in bearer form, the Person or Persons specified pursuant to Section 3.1.

Article 3

 

THE SECURITIES

Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. With respect to any Securities to be authenticated and delivered hereunder, there shall be established in the related Series Authorization, the following:

(1) the title of such Securities and the series in which such Securities shall be included;

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such title or the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 9.5 or Section 11.7, upon repayment in part of any Registered Security of such series pursuant to Article 13, upon surrender in part of any Registered Security for conversion into Common Stock of the Company or exchange for other securities pursuant to its terms, or pursuant to or as contemplated by the terms of such Securities);

(3) if such Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities, as Bearer Securities or alternatively as Bearer Securities and Registered Securities, and whether the Bearer Securities are to be issuable with Coupons, without Coupons or both, and any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of the Bearer Securities and the terms, if any, upon which Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities and vice versa;

(4) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form, when any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and (i) whether such Securities are to be issued in temporary or permanent global form or both, (ii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interests for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 3.5, and (iii) the name of the Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, with respect to any such global Security;

 

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(5) if any of such Securities are to be issuable as Bearer Securities or in global form, the date as of which any such Bearer Security or global Security shall be dated (if other than the date of original issuance of the first of such Securities to be issued);

(6) if any of such Securities are to be issuable as Bearer Securities, whether interest in respect of any portion of a temporary Bearer Security in global form payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date therefor prior to the exchange, if any, of such temporary Bearer Security for definitive Securities shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary Bearer Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date;

(7) the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal of such Securities is payable;

(8) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the date or dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable on a cash basis and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts on such Securities or any of them shall be payable, the notice, if any, to Holders regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate Security and the manner of giving such notice, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(9) if in addition to or other than the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, the place or places where the principal of, any premium and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, any of such Securities that are Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, any of such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be served, the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payment or Additional Amounts on a global Security on an Interest Payment Date, will be paid and the manner in which any principal of or premium, if any, on any global Security will be paid;

(10) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Company and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(11) whether the Company is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased,

 

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in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;

(12) the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Registered Securities shall be issuable if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Bearer Securities shall be issuable if other than the denomination of $5,000;

(13) whether the Securities of the series will be convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company and/or exchangeable for other securities, whether or not issued by the Company, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture to permit or to facilitate the issuance of such convertible or exchangeable Securities or the administration thereof;

(14) if other than the principal face amount thereof, the portion of the par or stated face amount of any of such Securities that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 or the method by which such portion is to be determined or, in the case of Indexed Securities, the portion of the principal face amount that shall be payable upon Stated Maturity or the method by which such portion is to be determined;

(15) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities shall be payable;

(16) if the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in Dollars or in a Foreign Currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities or any of them are to be paid pursuant to such election, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency;

(17) whether the amount of payments of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods (which index, formula or method or methods may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity securities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;

(18) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to any of such Securities, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

 

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(19) whether either or both of Section 4.2(2) relating to defeasance or Section 4.2(3) relating to covenant defeasance shall not be applicable to the Securities of such series, or any covenants in addition to those specified in Section 4.2(3) relating to the Securities of such series which shall be subject to covenant defeasance, and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article 4 in respect of the Securities of such series;

(20) whether any of such Securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants, and the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

(21) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(22) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent with respect to such Securities; and

(23) any other terms of such Securities and any other deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Securities.

All Securities of any one series and all Coupons, if any, appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except as to Currency of payments due thereunder, denomination and the rate of interest thereon, or method of determining the rate of interest, if any, Maturity, and the date from which interest, if any, shall accrue and except as may otherwise be provided by the Company in or pursuant to the Board Resolution and set forth in the Officers’ Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. The terms of the Securities of any series may provide, without limitation, that the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on original issue from time to time upon written order of persons designated in the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Officers’ Certificate or any applicable supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of the Securities of such series as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise so provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series shall be established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Board Resolution shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.

Section 3.2. Currency; Denominations.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, Registered Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without Coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any

 

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integral multiple thereof, and the Bearer Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in the denomination of $5,000. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer and attested by a different Authorized Officer. Coupons shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Company. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto may be manual or facsimile.

Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons or did not hold such offices at the date of original issuance of such Securities or Coupons.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication and, provided that the Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 3.1 and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order and subject to the provisions hereof and of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in, and may conclusively rely upon,

(1) an Opinion or Opinions of Counsel to the effect that:

(a) the form or forms and terms of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) all conditions precedent to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that such Securities and Coupons, when completed by appropriate insertions, executed under the Company’s corporate seal and attested by duly authorized officers of the Company, delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be subject to or limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws relating to

 

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or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and will entitle the Holders thereof to the benefits of this Indenture; such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to the availability of equitable remedies;

(c) all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been complied with; and

(d) this Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; and

(2) an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the execution, authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that, to the best knowledge of the Persons executing such certificate, no event which is, or after notice or lapse of time would become, an Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate at the time of issuance of each Security, but such opinion and certificate, with appropriate modifications, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series. After any such first delivery, any separate written request by an Authorized Officer of the Company or any person designated in writing by an Authorized Officer that the Trustee authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue will be deemed to be a certification by the Company that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to authentication and delivery of such Securities continue to have been complied with.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities, nor will it be liable for its refusal to authenticate or cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities, if the issue of such Securities will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Each Bearer Security and any Bearer Security in global form shall be dated as of the date specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization.

No Security or Coupon appertaining thereto shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in Section 2.2 or Section 6.11 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers. Such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Except as permitted by Section 3.6 or Section 3.7, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all Coupons appertaining thereto then matured have been detached and cancelled.

 

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Section 3.4. Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 3.3, temporary Securities in lieu thereof which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form or, if authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, in bearer form with one or more Coupons or without Coupons and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions thereof, if temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of the same series and containing terms and provisions that are identical to those of any temporary Securities, such temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at an Office or Agency for such Securities, without charge to any Holder thereof. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities (accompanied by any unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee upon Company Order shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical terms and provisions; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided, further, that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization with respect to a temporary global Security, until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

Section 3.5. Registration, Transfer and Exchange.

With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Company shall cause to be kept a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) at an Office or Agency for such series in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of such series and of transfers of the Registered Securities of such series. Such Office or Agency shall be the “Security Registrar” for that series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Trustee shall be the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities. The Company shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided that no such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Company and shall have accepted such appointment by the Company. In the event that the Trustee shall not be or shall cease to be

 

 

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Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Security Register for each series of Securities.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any Office or Agency for such series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

If provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, with respect to Securities of any series, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of such series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series containing identical terms, denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization and in the same aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series, with all unmatured Coupons and all matured Coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured Coupon or Coupons or matured Coupon or Coupons in default, such exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company and the Trustee in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing Coupon or Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Bearer Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, interest represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an Office or Agency for such series located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such Office or Agency for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series and like tenor after the close of business at such Office or Agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date of payment, as the case may be (or, if such Coupon is so surrendered with such Bearer Security, such Coupon shall be returned to the Person so surrendering the Bearer Security), and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or

 

 

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proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but shall be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

If provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of such series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

Whenever any Securities are surrendered for exchange as contemplated by the immediately preceding two paragraphs, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any global Security shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities only if (i) the Depository is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of the date the Company is so informed in writing, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that such global Security shall be so exchangeable, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities. If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for definitive Securities as the result of an event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding sentence, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in such form and denominations as are required by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and of the same series, containing identical terms and in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be surrendered from time to time by the U.S. Depository or such other Depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto, and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the U.S. Depository or such other Depository, as the case may be (which instructions shall be in writing but need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate or be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities as described above without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged, which (unless such Securities are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, in which case the definitive Securities exchanged for the global Security shall be issuable only in the form in which the Securities are issuable, as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization) shall be in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof, but subject to the satisfaction of any certification or other requirements to the issuance of Bearer Securities; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before selection of Securities of the same series to

 

 

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be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date; and provided, further, that (unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization) no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, or such other Depository or U.S. Depository referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the Office or Agency for such Security where such exchange occurs on or after (i) any Regular Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar for such Security) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar for such Security duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, or redemption of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge and any other expenses (including fees and expenses of the Trustee) that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 9.5 or Section 11.7 not involving any transfer.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of like tenor and the same series under Section 11.4 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security selected for redemption except, to the extent provided with respect to such Bearer Security, that such Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of like tenor and the same series, provided that such Registered Security shall be immediately surrendered for redemption with written instruction for payment consistent with the provisions of

 

 

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this Indenture or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated Coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.6, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

If there be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or Coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or Coupon has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute and, upon the Company’s request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains with all appurtenant Coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.6, in case any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or Coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security or Coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, be payable only at an Office or Agency for such Securities located outside the United States and, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on Bearer Securities and any Additional Amounts with respect to such interest shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.6, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the fees and expenses of the Trustee’s counsel) connected therewith.

Every new Security, with any Coupons appertaining thereto issued pursuant to this Section 3.6 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall constitute a separate obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and Coupons appertaining thereto or the destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be

 

 

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entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series and any Coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 3.6, as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall be 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 Securities or Coupons.

Section 3.7. Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, and are punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed by the Company in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on such Registered Security, the Special Record Date therefor and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust in a segregated trust account pursuant to express written instructions of the Company for the benefit of the Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. The Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after notification to the Trustee of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holder of such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, but such publication shall not be a condition precedent to the

 

 

 

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establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Security may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any particular series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, at the option of the Company, interest on Registered Securities that bear interest may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.5, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

In the case of any Registered Security of any series that is convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company or exchangeable for other securities, which Registered Security is converted or exchanged after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Registered Security with respect to which the Stated Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion or exchange, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Registered Security (or one or more predecessor Registered Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Registered Security which is converted or exchanged, interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion or exchange of such Registered Security shall not be payable.

Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, any premium and (subject to Sections 3.5 and 3.7) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with

 

 

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respect to such Registered Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security or the bearer of any Coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or Coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Security or Coupon shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No Holder of any beneficial interest in any global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such global Security, and such Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 3.9. Cancellation.

All Securities and Coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and Coupons, as well as Securities and Coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization. All cancelled Securities and Coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee, unless by a Company Order the Company directs their return to it.

Section 3.10. Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Section 3.11. CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP,” “CINS” and “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use CUSIP, CINS or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders and no representation shall be made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption or exchange.

 

 

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Article 4

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge.

Upon the direction of the Company by a Company Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Order and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Order, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when

(1) either

(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all Coupons appertaining thereto (other than (i) Coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series surrendered in exchange for Registered Securities of such series and maturing after such exchange whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 3.5, (ii) Securities and Coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, (iii) Coupons appertaining to Securities of such series called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 11.7, and (iv) Securities and Coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(i) have become due and payable,

(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company or pursuant to the operation of a sinking fund, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in the Currency in which such Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto (based upon applicable law as in effect on the date

 

 

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of such deposit), to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

In the event there are Securities of two or more series hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of such series as to which it is Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.6 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Sections 3.5, 3.6, 4.3, 10.2 and 10.3, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4 (but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.1(1)(b)), and with respect to any rights to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or other securities shall survive.

Section 4.2. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.

(1) Unless pursuant to Section 3.1, either or both of (i) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (2) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series or (ii) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then such provisions, together with the other provisions of this Section 4.2 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, elect to have Section 4.2(2) or Section 4.2(3) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 4.2.

(2) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 4.2(2) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by such

 

 

 

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Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of clause (5) of this Section 4.2 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 and as more fully set forth in such clause, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due, and any rights of such Holder to convert such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or exchange such Securities for other securities, (ii) the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.5, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4 (but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) below), and with respect to any rights to convert such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or exchange such Securities for other securities, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder including, without limitation, the compensation, reimbursement and indemnities provided in Section 6.6 herein and (iv) this Section 4.2. The Company may exercise its option under this Section 4.2(2) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto.

(3) Upon the Company’s exercise of the option to have this Section 4.2(3) apply with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Section 10.5 and Section 10.6, and, to the extent specified pursuant to Section 3.1(19), any other covenant applicable to such Securities, including any obligation to redeem or repurchase such securities at the option of the Holder thereof, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any such covenant or obligation, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Company may omit to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant or obligation, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or obligation or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant or obligation to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto shall be unaffected thereby.

 

 

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(4) The following shall be the conditions to application of clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any Coupons appertaining thereto:

(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.7 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 4.2 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount in Dollars or in such Foreign Currency in which such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (y) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto (based upon applicable law as in effect on the date of such deposit), such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto at the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date of such principal or installment of principal or premium or interest and (z) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto on the days on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and, if applicable, shall have made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of any Securities to be redeemed at the option of the Company in connection with such deposit.

(b) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (after giving effect thereto) and, with respect to defeasance only, no event described in Section 5.1(6) or (7) shall have occurred at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(c) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

 

 

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(d) In the case of an election under clause (2) of this Section 4.2 with respect to Registered Securities and any Bearer Securities for which the Place of Payment is within the United States, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from the Internal Revenue Service a letter ruling, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service a Revenue Ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

(e) In the case of an election under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to Registered Securities and any Bearer Securities for which the Place of Payment is within the United States, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

(f) With respect to defeasance only, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, after the 91st day after the date of deposit, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) pursuant to this clause (4) to be held in trust will not be subject to recapture or avoidance as a preference in any case or proceeding (whether voluntary or involuntary) in respect of the Company under any Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or any decree or order for relief in respect of the Company issued in connection therewith (for which purpose such Opinion of Counsel may assume that no Holder is an “insider”).

(g) With respect to defeasance only, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as to solvency and the absence of any intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company.

(h) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or covenant defeasance under clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 (as the case may be) have been complied with.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4.2(4), such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.1.

 

 

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(5) Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 4.2(4)(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 3.1 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the Foreign Currency in which the deposit pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on (x) in the case of payments made pursuant to clause (a) above, the applicable market exchange rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, or (y) with respect to a Conversion Event, the applicable market exchange rate for such Foreign Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 4.2(5) and Section 4.3, the “Trustee”) against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to this Section 4.2 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto.

Anything in this Section 4.2 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 4.2.

Section 4.3. Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any; but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

 

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Article 5

 

REMEDIES

Section 5.1. Events of Default.

“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless such event is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization:

(1) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of such series, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such interest becomes or such Additional Amounts become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 60 days; or

(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of such series, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such principal or premium becomes or such Additional Amounts become due and payable at their Maturity; or

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security of such series; or

(4) default in the performance of the provisions of Section 7.4(1) and continuance of such default for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(5) default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture or the Securities (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than such series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(6) the entry by a court having competent jurisdiction of:

(a) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency) or other similar law

 

 

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and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(b) a decree or order adjudging the Company to be insolvent, or approving a petition seeking reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency), arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(c) a final and non-appealable order appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of the property of the Company, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company; or

(7) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency) or other similar law or of a voluntary proceeding seeking to be adjudicated insolvent or the consent by the Company to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by the Company of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company or relief under any applicable law, or the consent by the Company to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or similar official of the Company or any substantial part of the property of the Company or the making by the Company of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or

(8) any other Event of Default provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) of Section 5.1) occurs and is continuing, then the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series may declare the principal of all the Securities of such series, to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal, together with accrued interest thereon, shall become immediately due and payable.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) of Section 5.1 occurs, all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on the Outstanding Securities of that series shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of any Security of that series.

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in

 

 

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principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay

(a) all overdue installments of any interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of such series and any Coupon appertaining thereto,

(b) the principal of and any premium on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

(c) to the extent that payment of such interest or Additional Amounts is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of any interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

(d) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6; and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Company covenants that if

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto when such interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at their Maturity,

the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the whole amount of money then due and payable with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, with interest upon the overdue principal, any premium and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection,

 

 

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including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.

If the Company fails to pay the money it is required to pay the Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph forthwith upon the demand of the Trustee, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the money so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of any series or the property of the Company or such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts) shall be entitled and empowered, to the extent permitted by applicable law by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of any applicable series, of the principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders of Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(2) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities or any Coupons to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities or any Coupons, to pay to the

 

 

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Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or any Coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or Coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or any Coupon in any such proceeding.

Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities or Coupons.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or Coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or Coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of each and every Holder of the Securities or Coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal, or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts, upon presentation of the Securities or Coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.6;

Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and any Coupons for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and Coupons for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts, respectively;

Third: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.

Section 5.7. Limitations on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

 

 

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(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee such indemnity as is reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or Coupon shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, any premium and (subject to Sections 3.5 and 3.7) interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security or payment of such Coupon, as the case may be, on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities therefor specified in such Security or Coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of such Holder if provided with respect to such Security, on the date such repayment is due) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or a Coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and each such Holder shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and each such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

 

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Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or Coupons in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to each and every Holder of a Security or a Coupon is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or Coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to any Holder of a Security or a Coupon may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by such Holder, as the case may be.

Section 5.12. Control by Holders of Securities.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto, provided that

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or with the Securities of such series,

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

(3) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of the other Holders of Securities of such series not joining in such action.

Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series or any Coupons appertaining thereto, or

 

 

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(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.14. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

The Company covenants that (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company expressly waives (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 5.15. Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of any undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.15 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, and, in the case of repayment or repurchase, on or after the date for repayment or repurchase) or for the enforcement of the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security into Common Stock or other securities in accordance with its terms.

Article 6

 

THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.1. Certain Rights of Trustee.

Subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:

(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice,

 

 

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request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order (in each case, other than delivery of any Security, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 3.3 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture 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 shall be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written 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;

(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as is reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(6) 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, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may but shall not be obligated to make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine, during business hours and upon reasonable notice, the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys, custodians or nominees and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;

(9) the Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, and Security Registrar shall have the same protections as the Trustee set forth hereunder;

 

 

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(10) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with an Act of the Holders hereunder, and, to the extent not so provided herein, with respect to any act requiring the Trustee to exercise its own discretion, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture or any Securities, unless it shall be proved that, in connection with any such action taken, suffered or omitted or any such act, the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;

(11) the Trustee is not responsible to see that the Company or any other Person is maintaining any insurance required by the Indenture;

(12) the Trustee shall not be responsible for the recording, rerecording, filing of UCC Statements or UCC Continuation Statements;

(13) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee which conform to the requirements of the Indenture; and

(14) except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(15) except as expressly required by the terms of this Indenture, none of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, 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 indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it; and

(16) in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series entitled to receive reports pursuant to Section 7.3(3), notice of such default hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer of 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 of (or premium, if any), or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts or any sinking fund or purchase fund installment with respect to, any Security of such series, 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 determine that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the Holders of

 

 

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Securities and Coupons of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.1(4) or 5.1(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 6.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any Coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or the Coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Securities or the proceeds thereof.

Section 6.4. May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities or Coupons and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person.

Section 6.5. Money Held in Trust.

Except as provided in Section 4.3 and Section 10.3, money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed to in writing with the Company.

Section 6.6. Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by the Trustee hereunder as agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder (including the reasonable

 

 

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compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith; and

(3) to indemnify the Trustee and its agents, officers, directors and employees for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent that any such loss, liability or expense was due to the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto.

To the extent permitted by law, any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified in or pursuant to Section 5.1 is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 6.6 shall include any predecessor Trustee but the negligence or bad faith of any Trustee shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 6.6.

The provisions of this Section 6.6 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee and shall apply with equal force and effect to the Trustee in its capacity as Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Security Registrar.

Section 6.7. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, that is eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000, and that is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authority. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 6.8. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(1) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to Section 6.9.

(2) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.9 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30

 

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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 with respect to such series.

(3) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and the Company.

(4) If at any time:

(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Company or any Holder of a Security of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months, or

(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.7 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or any such Holder, or

(c) 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 such case, (i) the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or the Securities of such series, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(5) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of such series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.9. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapacity, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.9, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.9, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months

 

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may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

(6) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register and, if Securities of such series are issued as Bearer Securities, by publishing notice of such event once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment located outside the United States. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

(7) In no event shall any retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.

Section 6.9. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties hereunder of the retiring Trustee; but, on the written request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 10.3, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.6.

(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, such successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any

 

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other Trustee hereunder, and, upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, 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 with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on written request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates and subject to Section 10.3 shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, subject to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.6.

(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section, as the case may be.

(4) No Person shall accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

Section 6.10. 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, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

Section 6.11. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Company with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption or partial repayment or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication

 

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and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.

Each Authenticating Agent must be acceptable to the Company and, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, shall at all times be a corporation that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any Corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such Corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall (i) mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, and (ii) if Securities of the series are issued as Bearer Securities, publish notice of such appointment at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the place where such successor Authenticating Agent has its principal office if such office is located outside the United States. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section. If the Trustee makes such payments, it shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.6.

The provisions of Section 3.8, Section 6.3 and Section 6.4 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to

 

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or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
		By:
			as Authenticating Agent

 

		By:
			as Authenticating Agent

If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officers’ Certificate by the Company), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.

Article 7

 

HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

(1) semi-annually with respect to Securities of each series not later than May 1 and November 1 of the year or upon such other dates as are set forth in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, a list, in each case in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of the applicable date, and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished.

 

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Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

Every Holder of Securities or Coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee.

(1) Within 60 days after September 15 of each year commencing with the first September 15 following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit, pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such September 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding September 15 and the date of this Indenture.

(2) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act at the times specified therein.

(3) Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted in the manner and to the Persons required by Sections 313(c) and 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.4. Reports by Company.

The Company, pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, 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 Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission 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 said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and

 

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reports with respect to compliance by the Company, with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(3) transmit within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, 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 paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

Article 8

 

CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATIONS, MERGER AND SALES

Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

The Company shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company), and the Company shall not permit any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company; unless:

(1) in case the Company shall consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety shall be a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, Bermuda, or any other country which is on the date of this Indenture a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, executed by the successor Person and delivered to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of every obligation in this Indenture and the Outstanding Securities on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and shall provide for conversion or exchange rights in accordance with the provisions of the Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or other securities;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default or event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) either the Company or the successor Person shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such

 

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transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.2. Successor Person Substituted for Company.

Upon any consolidation or amalgamation by the Company with or merger of the Company into any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation 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 Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture, the Securities and the Coupons.

Article 9

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.1. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or Coupons, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained herein and in the Securities; or

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(3) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be exchanged for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto in any material respect; or

(4) to establish the forms or terms of Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1; or

(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the

 

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provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.9; or

(6) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series then Outstanding or any Coupons appertaining thereto in any material respect; or

(7) to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth; or

(8) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture); or

(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Article 4, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of an Outstanding Security of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto or any other Outstanding Security or Coupon in any material respect; or

(10) to secure the Securities pursuant to Section 10.5 or otherwise; or

(11) to make provisions with respect to conversion or exchange rights of Holders of Securities of any series; or

(12) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, provided that no such amendment or supplement shall materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Securities then Outstanding.

Section 9.2. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Company’s Board Resolution) and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture or of the Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any premium or installment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof (or modify the calculation of such principal amount) or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or otherwise, or change the obligation of the

 

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Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.4 (except as contemplated by Section 8.1(1) and permitted by Section 9.1(1)) or change the redemption provisions or adversely affect the right of repayment at the option of any Holder as contemplated by Article 13, or change the Place of Payment, Currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the date for repayment), or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 15.4 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.8, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, or

(4) make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any Security into or for Common Stock of the Company or other securities (whether or not issued by the Company), cash or property in accordance with its terms.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which shall have been included expressly and solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.3. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

As a condition to executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the execution of such supplemental indenture have been fulfilled. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

 

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Section 9.4. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any Coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

Section 9.5. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

Section 9.6. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.7. Notice of Supplemental Indenture.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.2, the Company shall transmit to the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series affected thereby a notice setting forth the substance of such supplemental indenture.

Article 10

 

COVENANTS

Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of each series that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series in accordance with the terms thereof, any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Any interest due on any Bearer Security on or before the Maturity thereof, and any Additional Amounts payable with respect to such interest, shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto for such interest as they severally mature.

Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an Office or Agency where Securities of such series (but not Bearer Securities, except as otherwise provided below, unless such Place of Payment is located outside the United States) may be

 

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presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of such series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series relating thereto and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization shall maintain, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, an Office or Agency in a Place of Payment for such series which is located outside the United States where Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided, however, that if the Securities of such series are listed on The International Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company shall maintain a Paying Agent in London, Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of such series are listed on such exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such Office or Agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Office or Agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment at the place specified for the purpose with respect to such Securities as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, no payment of principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect to Bearer Securities shall be made at any Office or Agency in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by wire transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, if amounts owing with respect to any Bearer Securities shall be payable in Dollars, payment of principal of, any premium or interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any such Security may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or any Office or Agency designated by the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts at all offices outside the United States maintained for such purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other Offices or Agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an Office or Agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other Office or Agency. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Company hereby designates as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities the Borough of

 

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Manhattan, The City of New York, and initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the Office or Agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for such purpose. The Company may subsequently appoint a different Office or Agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for the Securities of any series.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one exchange rate agent.

Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it shall, on or prior to each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities of such series, deposit with any Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal and any premium, interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

The Company shall cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent shall:

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series; and

(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

 

 

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The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or 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 sums.

Except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of any series or any Coupon appertaining thereto and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal or any such premium or interest or any such Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, at the expense of the Company may cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series or to be mailed to Holders of Registered Securities of such series, or both, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing nor shall it be later than two years after such principal and or any premium or interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 10.4. Additional Amounts.

All payments of principal of and premium, if any, interest and any other Amounts on, or in respect of, the Securities of any series or any Coupon appertaining thereto shall be made without withholding or deduction at source for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of Bermuda or any other jurisdiction in which the Company is organized (each, a “taxing jurisdiction”) or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, unless such taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges are required to be withheld or deducted by (i) the laws (or any regulations or ruling promulgated thereunder) of a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or (ii) an official position regarding the application, administration, interpretation or enforcement of any such laws, regulations or rulings (including, without limitation, a holding by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a taxing authority in a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof). If a withholding or deduction at source is required, the Company shall, subject to certain limitations and exceptions set forth below, pay to the Holder of any such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto such Additional Amounts as may be necessary so that every net payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or any other amount made to such Holder, after such withholding or deduction, shall not be less than the amount provided for in such Security, any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to make payment of such Additional Amounts for or on account of:

 

 

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(1) any tax, fee, duty, assessment or governmental charge of whatever nature which would not have been imposed but for the fact that such Holder: (A) was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or otherwise had some connection with the relevant taxing jurisdiction other than by reason of the mere ownership of, or receipt of payment under, such Security; (B) presented such Security for payment in the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof, unless such Security could not have been presented for payment elsewhere; or (C) presented such Security more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the payment in respect of such Security first became due and payable or provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts if it had presented such Security for payment on any day within such period of thirty (30) days;

(2) any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(3) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by the Holder or the beneficial owner of such Security to comply with any reasonable request by the Company addressed to the Holder within 90 days of such request (A) to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the Holder or such beneficial owner or (B) to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any information or reporting requirement, which, in the case of (A) or (B), is required or imposed by statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge; or

(4) any combination of items (1), (2) and (3);

nor shall Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, interest or any other amounts on, any such Security to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such Security to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the relevant taxing jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or relevant taxing authority thereof or therein) to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or partner or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the Holder of the Security.

Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium, interest or any other amounts on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or any Coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding the payment of Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

 

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Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of the applicable series, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Securities (or if the Securities of such series shall not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of and premium, if any, interest or any other amounts on the Securities of such series shall be made to Holders of Securities of such series or the Coupons appertaining thereto without withholding for or on account of any tax, fee, duty, assessment or other governmental charge described in this Section 10.4. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by taxing jurisdiction the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities or Coupons, and the Company agrees to pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by this Section 10.4. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 10.4.

Section 10.5. Limitation on Liens on Stock of Designated Subsidiaries.

So long as any Securities are Outstanding, the Company will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur, guarantee or otherwise permit to exist any Indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance (a “Lien”) upon any shares of Capital Stock of any Designated Subsidiary (whether such shares of stock are now owned or hereafter acquired) without effectively providing concurrently that the Securities (and, if the Company so elects, any other Indebtedness of the Company that is not subordinate to the Securities and with respect to which the governing instruments require, or pursuant to which the Company is otherwise obligated, to provide such security) shall be secured equally and ratably with such Indebtedness for at least the time period such other Indebtedness is so secured.

Section 10.6. Limitation on Disposition of Stock of Designated Subsidiaries.

So long as any Securities are outstanding and except in a transaction otherwise governed by this Indenture, the Company will not issue, sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of, securities convertible into, or warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Capital Stock (other than Preferred Stock having no voting rights of any kind) of any Designated Subsidiary, and will not permit any Designated Subsidiary to issue (other than to the Company) any shares (other than the director’s qualifying shares) of, or securities convertible into, or warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Capital Stock (other than Preferred Stock having no voting rights of any kind) of any Designated Subsidiary, if, after giving effect to any such transaction and the issuance of the maximum number of shares issuable upon the conversion or exercise of all such convertible securities, warrants, rights or options, the Designated Subsidiary would remain a Subsidiary of the Company and the Company would own, directly or indirectly, less than 80% of the shares of Capital Stock of such Designated Subsidiary (other than Preferred Stock having no voting rights of any kind); provided, however, that (i) any

 

 

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issuance, sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition permitted by the Company may only be made for at least a fair market value consideration as determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to a Board Resolution adopted in good faith and (ii) the foregoing shall not prohibit any such issuance or disposition of securities if required by any law or any regulation or order of any governmental or insurance regulatory authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Company may merge or consolidate any Designated Subsidiary into or with another direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company the shares of Capital Stock of which the Company owns at least 70% and (ii) the Company may, subject to the provisions of Article 8, sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of the entire Capital Stock of any Designated Subsidiary at one time for at least a fair market value consideration as determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to a Board Resolution adopted in good faith.

Section 10.7. Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 8, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not obligate the Company to preserve any such right or franchise if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to any Holder.

Section 10.8. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 10.5, 10.6 or 10.7 with respect to the Securities of any series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either shall waive such compliance in such instance or generally shall have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10.9. Company Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults.

(1) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement (which need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate) signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, stating that

(a) a review of the activities of the Company during such year and of its performance under this Indenture has been made under his or her supervision, and

(b) to the best of his or her knowledge, based on such review, (a) the Company has complied with all the conditions and covenants imposed on it under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such condition or covenant, specifying each such default known to him or her and the nature and status thereof, and (b) no event has occurred and is continuing which is, or after

 

 

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notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, or, if such an event has occurred and is continuing, specifying each such event known to him and the nature and status thereof.

(2) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within five days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any Event of Default or any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default pursuant to clause (4) of Section 5.1.

(3) The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the Company’s compliance with the covenants contained in this Article 10 other than as specifically set forth in this Section 10.9.

Section 10.10. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on any Outstanding Original Issue Discount Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Code, as amended from time to time.

Article 11

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 11.1. Applicability of Article.

Redemption of Securities of any series as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.

Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of (a) less than all of the Securities of any series or (b) all of the Securities of any series, with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed.

Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Securities of any series with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal

 

 

 

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amount of a Registered Security of such series not redeemed to less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein or pursuant hereto.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted into Common Stock of the Company or exchanged for other securities in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice by mailing in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date,

(2) the Redemption Price,

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

 

 

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(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, in the case of a Registered Security, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto, and that unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and other amounts then due, interest thereon, if applicable, shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the place or places where such Securities, together (in the case of Bearer Securities) with all Coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing on or after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto,

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all Coupons maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption or the amount of any such missing Coupon or Coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and any Paying Agent is furnished,

(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and no Registered Securities of such series are to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on the Redemption Date pursuant to Section 3.5 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made,

(10) in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible into Common Stock of the Company or exchangeable for other securities, the conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such series to be redeemed will commence or terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and

(11) the CUSIP number or the Euroclear or the Clearstream reference numbers of such Securities, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depository to identify such Securities).

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 1.6 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.

Notice of redemption of Securities shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit, with respect to the Securities of any series called for redemption, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money in the applicable Currency sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 or in the Securities of such series) any accrued interest on and Additional

 

 

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Amounts with respect thereto, all such Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, become due and payable on the Redemption Date, at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest or Additional Amounts) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and the Coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization and the Coupons, installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of Coupons for such interest (at an Office or Agency located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2), and provided, further, that, except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7 and installments of interest on Registered Securities for which the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or before the following Interest Payment Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant Coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that any interest or Additional Amounts represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an Office or Agency for such Security located outside of the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

 

 

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Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Office or Agency for such Security (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Security in global form is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the U.S. Depository or other Depository for such Security in global form as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security in global form so surrendered.

Article 12

 

SINKING FUNDS

Section 12.1. Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and this Indenture.

Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Company), together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto, and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such series of Securities have not been previously so credited.

 

 

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Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If, as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 12.2, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to satisfy the remaining sinking fund payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the written request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.

Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 75 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 11.6 and Section 11.7.

Article 13

 

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 13.1. Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 3.9, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a written directive that such Securities be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13.1, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Company may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more

 

 

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investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the close of business on the repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Company on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Company to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.

Article 14

 

SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Section 14.1. Applicability of Article.

Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency, or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in the form of Security of any particular series or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Currency other than Dollars shall be treated for any such action or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination of rights or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such action, determination of rights or distribution) as the Company may specify in a written notice to the Trustee.

Article 15

 

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Section 15.1. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

Section 15.2. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(1) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or, if Securities of such series have been issued in whole or in part as Bearer Securities, in London or in such place outside the United States as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(2) In case at any time the Company (by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have

 

 

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requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed notice of or made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request (whichever shall be required pursuant to Section 1.6) or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or, if Securities of such series are to be issued as Bearer Securities, in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in clause (1) of this Section.

Section 15.3. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 15.4. Quorum; Action.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any reconvened meeting, such reconvened meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such reconvened meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 15.2(1), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly

 

 

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reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the Coupons appertaining thereto, whether or not such Holders were present or represented at the meeting.

Section 15.5. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 or by having the signature of the person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 1.4 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 1.4 or other proof.

(2) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 15.2(1), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(3) At any meeting, each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

(4) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 15.2 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 15.6. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of

 

 

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Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports of all votes cast at the meeting. A record least of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 15.2 and, if applicable, Section 15.4. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

* * * * *

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

[SEAL]		RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.
Attest:		By:
			Name:
			Title:
[SEAL]		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
Attest:		By:
			Name:
			Title:

 

 

 

 

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FORM OF SENIOR INDENTURE

RENAISSANCERE FINANCE INC., Issuer

And

RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., Guarantor

To

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, Trustee

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INDENTURE

---

Dated as of _____________, 2007

Senior Debt Securities

 

 

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Reconciliation and tie between

Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”)

and Indenture

 

Trust Indenture Act Section		Indenture Section
§§ 310(a)(1)		6.7
(a)(2)		6.7
(b)		6.8
§§ 312(a)		7.1
(b)		7.2
(c)		7.2
§§ 313(a)		7.3
(b)(2)		7.3
(c)		7.3
(d)		7.3
§§ 314(a)		7.4
(c)(1)		10.2
(c)(2)		10.2
(e)		10.2
(f)		10.2
§§ 316(a) (last sentence)		10.1
(a)(1)(A)		5.2, 5.12
(a)(1)(B)		5.13
(b)		5.8
§§ 317(a)(1)		5.3
(a)(2)		5.4
(b)		10.3
§§ 318(a)		10.6

______________

Note:

This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

			Page
Article 1 DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION			1
Section 1.1.	Definitions		1
Section 1.2.	Compliance Certificates and Opinions		11
Section 1.3.	Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee		12
Section 1.4.	Acts of Holders		12
Section 1.5.	Notices, etc.		14
Section 1.6.	Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver		15
Section 1.7.	Language of Notices		16
Section 1.8.	Conflict with Trust Indenture Act		16
Section 1.9.	Effect of Headings and Table of Contents		16
Section 1.10.	Successors and Assigns		16
Section 1.11.	Separability Clause		16
Section 1.12.	Benefits of Indenture		16
Section 1.13.	Governing Law		17
Section 1.14.	Legal Holidays		17
Section 1.15.	Counterparts		17
Section 1.16.	Judgment Currency		17
Section 1.17.	No Security Interest Created		18
Section 1.18.	Limitation on Individual Liability		18
Section 1.19.	Submission to Jurisdiction		18
Article 2 SECURITIES FORMS			19
Section 2.1.	Forms Generally		19
Section 2.2.	Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication		20

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

				Page
Section 2.3.	Securities in Global Form			20
Article 3 THE SECURITIES				21
Section 3.1.		Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series		21
Section 3.2.		Currency; Denominations		25
Section 3.3.		Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating		25
Section 3.4.		Temporary Securities		27
Section 3.5.		Registration, Transfer and Exchange		28
Section 3.6.		Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities		31
Section 3.7.		Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved		32
Section 3.8.		Persons Deemed Owners		34
Section 3.9.		Cancellation		34
Section 3.10.		Computation of Interest		35
Section 3.11.		CUSIP Numbers		35
Article 4 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE				35
Section 4.1.	Satisfaction and Discharge			35
Section 4.2.	Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance			37
Section 4.3.	Application of Trust Money			41
Article 5 REMEDIES				41
Section 5.1.	Events of Default			41
Section 5.2.	Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment			43
Section 5.3.	Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee			44

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

			Page
Section 5.4.	Trustee May File Proofs of Claim		45
Section 5.5.	Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities or Coupons		46
Section 5.6.	Application of Money Collected		46
Section 5.7.	Limitations on Suits		47
Section 5.8.	Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts		47
Section 5.9.	Restoration of Rights and Remedies		47
Section 5.10.	Rights and Remedies Cumulative		48
Section 5.11.	Delay or Omission Not Waiver		48
Section 5.12.	Control by Holders of Securities		48
Section 5.13.	Waiver of Past Defaults		48
Section 5.14.	Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws		49
Section 5.15.	Undertaking for Costs		49
Article 6 THE TRUSTEE			49
Section 6.1.	Certain Rights of Trustee		49
Section 6.2.	Notice of Defaults		51
Section 6.3.	Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities		52
Section 6.4.	May Hold Securities		52
Section 6.5.	Money Held in Trust		52
Section 6.6.	Compensation and Reimbursement		52
Section 6.7.	Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility		53
Section 6.8.	Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor		53

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

			Page
Section 6.9.	Acceptance of Appointment by Successor		55
Section 6.10.	Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business		56
Section 6.11.	Appointment of Authenticating Agent		57
Article 7 HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY			58
Section 7.1.	Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders		58
Section 7.2.	Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders		59
Section 7.3.	Reports by Trustee		59
Section 7.4.	Reports by Company		59
Article 8 CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATIONS, MERGER AND SALES			60
Section 8.1.	Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms		61
Section 8.2.	Successor Person Substituted for Company		61
Section 8.3.	Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms		61
Section 8.4.	Successor Person Substituted for Guarantor		62
Article 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES			62
Section 9.1.	Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders		62
Section 9.2.	Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders		64
Section 9.3.	Execution of Supplemental Indentures		65
Section 9.4.	Effect of Supplemental Indentures		65
Section 9.5.	Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures		65
Section 9.6.	Conformity with Trust Indenture Act		65
Section 9.7.	Notice of Supplemental Indenture		66

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

			Page
Article 10 COVENANTS			66
Section 10.1.	Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts		66
Section 10.2.	Maintenance of Office or Agency		66
Section 10.3.	Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust		67
Section 10.4.	Additional Amounts		69
Section 10.5.	Corporate Existence		71
Section 10.6.	Waiver of Certain Covenants		71
Section 10.7.	Company and Guarantor’s Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults		71
Section 10.8.	Calculation of Original Issue Discount		72
Article 11 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES			72
Section 11.1.	Applicability of Article		72
Section 11.2.	Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee		72
Section 11.3.	Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed		72
Section 11.4.	Notice of Redemption		73
Section 11.5.	Deposit of Redemption Price		74
Section 11.6.	Securities Payable on Redemption Date		75
Section 11.7.	Securities Redeemed in Part		76
Article 12 SINKING FUNDS			76
Section 12.1.	Applicability of Article		76
Section 12.2.	Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities		76
Section 12.3.	Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund		77

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

			Page
Article 13 REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS			77
Section 13.1.	Applicability of Article		77
Article 14 SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES			78
Section 14.1.	Applicability of Article		78
Article 15 MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES			78
Section 15.1.	Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called		78
Section 15.2.	Call, Notice and Place of Meetings		78
Section 15.3.	Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings		79
Section 15.4.	Quorum; Action		79
Section 15.5.	Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings		80
Section 15.6.	Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings		81
Article 16 Guarantee and Indemnity			81
Section 16.1.	The Guarantee		81
Section 16.2.	Ranking of Guarantee		81

 

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of __________, 2007 (the “Indenture”), among RENAISSANCERE FINANCE INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal executive office located at 5080 Spectrum Drive, Suite 900 East, Addison, Texas, 75001, RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., a company duly organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (hereinafter called the “Guarantor”), having its principal executive office located at Renaissance House, 8-20 East Broadway, Pembroke HM 19, Bermuda and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), having its Corporate Trust Office located at 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005.

RECITALS

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its senior unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Securities”), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

For value received, the Guarantor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of the Guarantee and the indemnity provided for herein. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Guarantor, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder that are required to be part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as herein defined) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof and any Coupons (as herein defined) as follows:

Article 1

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.1. Definitions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:

 

 

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(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, 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, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the terms “generally accepted accounting principles” or “GAAP” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States of America at the date or time of such computation;

(4) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and

(5) the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”).

Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.

“Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company or the Guarantor in respect of certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified therein and which are owing to such Holders.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have the meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.11 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in an official language of the place of publication or in the English language, customarily published on each day that is a Business Day in the place of publication, whether or not published on days that are Legal Holidays in the place of publication, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any day that is a Business Day in the place of publication.

 

 

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“Authorized Officer” means, when used with respect to the Company, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, the Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company.

“Bearer Security” means any Security in the form established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is payable to bearer.

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for the Company hereunder.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors or the Guarantor’s Board of Directors, as the case may be, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day,” with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

“Capitalized Lease Obligation” means an obligation under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with such principles.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Common Stock” in respect of any Corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which has no preference as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Corporation, and which is not subject to redemption by such Corporation.

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions

 

 

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of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person, and any other obligor upon the Securities.

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company by an Authorized Officer, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country or the confederation which issued such Foreign Currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community or (ii) any currency unit or composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of original execution of this Indenture is located at located at Deutsche Bank Trust Company America, 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Services or at any other time at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the parties hereto or at the principal corporate trust office of any successor trustee as to which such successor trustee may notify the parties hereto in writing.

“Corporation” includes corporations, limited liability companies, incorporated associations, companies and business trusts.

“Coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

“Currency,” with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security, means Dollars or the Foreign Currency, as the case may be, in which such payment, deposit or other transfer is required to be made by or pursuant to the terms hereof or such Security and, with respect to any other payment, deposit or transfer pursuant to or contemplated by the terms hereof or such Security, means Dollars.

“CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, CUSIP Service Bureau.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

“Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.

“Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

 

 

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“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the other government or governments or confederation or association of governments which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Security or any Additional Amounts in respect thereof shall be payable, in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of such government or governments or confederation or association of governments or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments or confederation or association of governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments or confederation or association of governments, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

“Guarantee” means the unconditional guarantee of payment of the principal of, any premium or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on, and any Additional Amounts and Additional Sums with respect to the Securities by the Guarantor, as more fully set forth in Article 16.

“Guarantor” means the Person named as the “Guarantor” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Guarantor” shall mean each successor Person.

“Guarantor’s Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Guarantor or any committee of that board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for the Guarantor hereunder.

“Guarantor’s Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Guarantor’s Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel or the Secretary of the Guarantor, that complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trustee Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.

“Guarantor Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Guarantor by the Chairman of the Guarantor’s Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, the Chief

 

 

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Financial Officer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel or the Secretary of the Guarantor, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Holder,” in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of any Bearer Security, means the bearer thereof and, in the case of any Coupon, means the bearer thereof.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, (i) the principal of and any premium and interest on (a) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (b) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (ii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations and all obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i) through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit); (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the amount thereof being deemed to be the lesser of the stated recourse, if limited, and the amount of the obligation or dividends of the other Person, (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; and (vii) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clauses (i) through (vi) above.

“Indenture” means this instrument as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, with respect to any Security, by the terms and provisions of such Security and any Coupon appertaining thereto established pursuant to Section 3.1 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof).

“Independent Public Accountants” means accountants or a firm of accountants that, with respect to the Company, the Guarantor and any other obligor under the Securities or the Coupons, are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder, who may be the independent public accountants regularly retained by the Company or the Guarantor or who may be other independent public accountants. Such accountants or firm shall be entitled to rely upon any Opinion of Counsel as to the interpretation of any legal matters relating to this Indenture or certificates required to be provided hereunder.

 

 

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“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity or upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2 may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

“interest,” with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.4, includes such Additional Amounts.

“Interest Payment Date,” with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“Legal Holidays” has the meaning specified in Section 1.14.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance.

“Maturity,” with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption or repurchase, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise, and includes any Redemption Date and the date of any required repurchase or repayment.

“New York Banking Day” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“Office” or “Agency,” with respect to any Securities, means an office or agency of the Company maintained or designated as a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or any other office or agency of the Company maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 10.2 in lieu of such office or agency, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers, at least one of which is a principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer, that complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, the Guarantor or other counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that, if required by the Trust Indenture Act, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security issued pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization which provides for declaration of an amount less than the principal face amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2.

 

 

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“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for cancellation;

(b) any such Security for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 4.2) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company or the Guarantor) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company or the Guarantor (if the Company shall act as its own, or authorize the Guarantor to act as, Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, provided, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(c) any such Security with respect to which the Company or the Guarantor has effected defeasance pursuant to the terms hereof, except to the extent provided in Section 4.2;

(d) any such Security which has been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Security is held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Company; and

(e) any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into Common Stock of the Company or of the Guarantor or other securities of another issuer, if the terms of such Security provide for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 3.1;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the principal amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such Security of the then current principal amount) of such Security, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company, the Guarantor or such other obligor, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making

 

 

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any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which shall have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee (A) the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and (B) that the pledgee is not the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto or an Affiliate of the Company, the Guarantor or such other obligor.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security or any Coupon on behalf of the Company.

“Person” means any individual, Corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Place of Payment,” with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security are payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same Indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or any Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same Indebtedness as the lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or the Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

“Preferred Stock” in respect of any Corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Corporation.

“principal” means, as of any date of determination with respect to the Securities of any series, (i) in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or an Indexed Security, the amount due and payable with respect to principal upon an acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 at such time and (ii) in all other cases, par or the stated face amount of the related Security.

“Redemption Date,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

“Redemption Price,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, exclusive of accrued interest and any Additional Amounts with respect to accrued interest.

 

 

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“Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is registered in a Security Register.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization as the “Regular Record Date”.

“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“Responsible Officer” means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, including any vice president, any assistant vice president, director, managing director, associate or any trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Security” or “Securities” means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of Indebtedness, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities,” with respect to any such Person, shall mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.

“Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement” means the Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.

“Series Authorization” means, with respect to any series or class of Securities, (i) a Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or (ii) one or more indentures supplemental hereto, establishing such series or class of Securities and setting forth the terms thereof, including, in either case, a form of note or notes representing such Securities.

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Registered Security means a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 3.7.

“Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, means the date established by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is, or such Additional Amounts are, due and payable.

“Subsidiary” means, in respect of any Person, any Corporation, limited or general partnership or other business entity of which at the time of determination more than 50% of the voting power of the shares of its Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii)

 

 

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such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and any reference herein to the Trust Indenture Act or a particular provision thereof shall mean such Act or provision, as the case may be, as amended or replaced from time to time or as supplemented from time to time by rules or regulations adopted by the Commission under or in furtherance of the purposes of such Act or provision, as the case may be.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

“United States,” except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“U.S. Depository” or “Depository” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, the Person designated as U.S. Depository or Depository by the Company in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, which Person must be, to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, if so provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “U.S. Depository” or “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the qualifying entity which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.

“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”.

Section 1.2. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, 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 or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

 

 

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(a) a statement that the individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(b) 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;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 1.3. 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.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or the Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, provided that such officer, after reasonable inquiry, has no reason to believe and does not believe that the Opinion of Counsel with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based is erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company or the Guarantor stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, provided that such counsel, after reasonable inquiry, has no reason to believe and does not believe that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 1.4. Acts of Holders.

(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or pursuant to this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. If, but only if, Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of

 

 

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Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 15, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, by the Company or the Guarantor. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company, the Guarantor and any agent of the Trustee, the Company or the Guarantor, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 15.6.

(2) Without limiting the generality of this Section 1.4, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, a Holder, including a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such U.S. Depository’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(3) The Company shall fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interest in any permanent global Security held by a U.S. Depository entitled under the procedures of such U.S. Depository to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

(4) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing referred to in this Section 1.4 may be proved in any reasonable manner; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof, including written proof, with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

(5) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

 

 

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(6) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary reasonably acceptable to the Company, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Company and the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (i) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (ii) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (iii) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (iv) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by the Person so executing such instrument or writing and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same may also be proved in any other manner which the Company and the Trustee deem sufficient.

(7) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may at its option (but is not obligated to), by Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

(8) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such Act is made upon such Security.

Section 1.5. Notices, etc.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

 

 

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(1) the Trustee by any Holder or the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or

(2) the Company or the Guarantor by the Trustee or any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company or the Guarantor addressed to the attention of its Treasurer, with a copy to the attention of its General Counsel, at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company or the Guarantor.

Section 1.6. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event,

(1) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Registered Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Registered Security affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice; and

(2) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer Securities, if any, if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York and, if such Securities are then listed on any stock exchange outside the United States, in an Authorized Newspaper in such city as the Company shall advise the Trustee in writing that such stock exchange so requires, on a Business Day at least twice, the first such publication to be not earlier than the earliest date and the second such publication not later than the latest date prescribed for the giving of such notice.

In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

In case by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearers Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published,

 

 

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shall affect the sufficiency of any notice mailed to Holders of Registered Securities as provided above.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed in writing with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

Section 1.7. Language of Notices.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that, if the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, so elects, any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with any duties under any required provision of the Trust Indenture Act imposed hereon by Section 318(c) thereof, such required provision shall control.

Section 1.9. 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 1.10. Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company or the Guarantor shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.11. Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 1.12. Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities or Coupons, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

 

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Section 1.13. Governing Law.

This Indenture, the Securities and any Coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made or instruments entered into and, in each case, performed in said state.

Section 1.14. Legal Holidays.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security, or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert or exchange Securities of a series that are convertible or exchangeable, shall be a Legal Holiday at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon other than a provision in any Security or Coupon that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof) payment need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, and such Securities need not be converted or exchanged on such date but such payment may be made, and such Securities may be converted or exchanged, on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity or on such last day for conversion or exchange, and no interest shall accrue on the amount payable on such date or at such time for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or last day for conversion or exchange, as the case may be, to such next succeeding Business Day.

Section 1.15. Counterparts.

This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 1.16. Judgment Currency.

The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the requisite amount of the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the

 

 

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foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

Section 1.17. No Security Interest Created.

Subject to the provisions of Section 10.5, nothing in this Indenture or in any Securities, express or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect in any jurisdiction where property of the Company or its Subsidiaries is or may be located.

Section 1.18. Limitation on Individual Liability.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder (except in a shareholder’s corporate capacity as Guarantor), manager, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, shareholders, managers, officers or directors, as such, of the Company, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, shareholder, manager, officer or director, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Security.

Section 1.19. Submission to Jurisdiction.

The Company agrees that any judicial proceedings instituted in relation to any matter arising under this Indenture, the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto may be brought in any United States Federal or New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York to the extent that such court has subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy, and, by execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company hereby irrevocably accepts, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts, acknowledges their competence and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered in such proceeding. The Company also irrevocably and unconditionally waives for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and Coupons any immunity from jurisdiction and any immunity from legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in the aid of execution, execution or otherwise) in respect of this Indenture. The Company hereby irrevocably designates and appoints for the benefit of the

 

 

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Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and Coupons for the term of this Indenture [                     ], as its agent to receive on its behalf service of all process (with a copy of all such service of process to be delivered to [                      ]) brought against it with respect to any such proceeding in any such court in The City of New York, such service being hereby acknowledged by the Company to be effective and binding service on it in every respect whether or not the Company shall then be doing or shall have at any time done business in New York. Such appointment shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Securities or Coupons or the obligations of the Company hereunder remain outstanding or until the appointment of a successor by the Company and such successor’s acceptance of such appointment. Upon such acceptance, the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of such successor. The Company further agrees for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and the Coupons to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of said [Agent Name] in full force and effect so long as any of the Securities or Coupons or the obligations of the Company hereunder shall be outstanding. The Trustee shall not be obligated and shall have no responsibility with respect to any failure by the Company to take any such action. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by any law or limit the right of the Trustee or any Holder to institute proceedings against the Company in the courts of any other jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

Article 2

SECURITIES FORMS

Section 2.1. Forms Generally.

Each Registered Security, Bearer Security, Coupon and temporary or permanent global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Security or Coupon as evidenced by their execution of such Security or Coupon.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, the Securities shall be issuable in registered form without Coupons and shall not be issuable upon the exercise of warrants.

Definitive Securities and definitive Coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities or Coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or Coupons.

 

 

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Section 2.2. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

Subject to Section 6.11, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
		By:
			Authorized Officer

Section 2.3. Securities in Global Form.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, the Securities of a series shall not be issuable in temporary or permanent global form. If Securities of a series shall be issuable in global form, any such Security may provide that it or any number of such Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 and, if applicable, Section 3.4, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver, in each case at the Company’s expense, any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing and, with respect to matters set forth in this Section 2.3, need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officers’ Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.7, unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, payment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security in temporary or permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.8 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a global Security (i) in the case of a global Security in registered form, the Holder of such global Security in

 

 

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registered form, or (ii) in the case of a global Security in bearer form, the Person or Persons specified pursuant to Section 3.1.

Article 3

THE SECURITIES

Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. With respect to any Securities to be authenticated and delivered hereunder, there shall be established in the related Series Authorization, the following:

(1) the title of such Securities and the series in which such Securities shall be included;

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such title or the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 9.5 or Section 11.7, upon repayment in part of any Registered Security of such series pursuant to Article 13, upon surrender in part of any Registered Security for conversion into Common Stock of the Company or exchange for other securities pursuant to its terms, or pursuant to or as contemplated by the terms of such Securities);

(3) if such Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities, as Bearer Securities or alternatively as Bearer Securities and Registered Securities, and whether the Bearer Securities are to be issuable with Coupons, without Coupons or both, and any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of the Bearer Securities and the terms, if any, upon which Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities and vice versa;

(4) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form, when any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and (i) whether such Securities are to be issued in temporary or permanent global form or both, (ii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interests for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 3.5, and (iii) the name of the Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, with respect to any such global Security;

(5) if any of such Securities are to be issuable as Bearer Securities or in global form, the date as of which any such Bearer Security or global Security shall be dated (if other than the date of original issuance of the first of such Securities to be issued);

 

 

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(6) if any of such Securities are to be issuable as Bearer Securities, whether interest in respect of any portion of a temporary Bearer Security in global form payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date therefor prior to the exchange, if any, of such temporary Bearer Security for definitive Securities shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary Bearer Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date;

(7) the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal of such Securities is payable;

(8) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the date or dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable on a cash basis and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts on such Securities or any of them shall be payable, the notice, if any, to Holders regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate Security and the manner of giving such notice, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(9) if in addition to or other than the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, the place or places where the principal of, any premium and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, any of such Securities that are Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, any of such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and notices or demands to or upon the Company or the Guarantor in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be served, the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payment or Additional Amounts on a global Security on an Interest Payment Date, will be paid and the manner in which any principal of or premium, if any, on any global Security will be paid;

(10) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Company and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(11) whether the Company is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;

 

 

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(12) the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Registered Securities shall be issuable if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Bearer Securities shall be issuable if other than the denomination of $5,000;

(13) whether the Securities of the series will be convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company and/or exchangeable for other securities, whether or not issued by the Company, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture to permit or to facilitate the issuance of such convertible or exchangeable Securities or the administration thereof;

(14) if other than the principal face amount thereof, the portion of the par or stated face amount of any of such Securities that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 or the method by which such portion is to be determined or, in the case of Indexed Securities, the portion of the principal face amount that shall be payable upon Stated Maturity or the method by which such portion is to be determined;

(15) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities shall be payable;

(16) if the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in Dollars or in a Foreign Currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities or any of them are to be paid pursuant to such election, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency;

(17) whether the amount of payments of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods (which index, formula or method or methods may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity securities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;

(18) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to any of such Securities, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants or the Guarantor are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

 

 

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(19) whether either or both of Section 4.2(2) relating to defeasance or Section 4.2(3) relating to covenant defeasance shall not be applicable to the Securities of such series, or any covenants relating to the Securities of such series which shall be subject to covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 4.2(3), and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article 4 in respect of the Securities of such series;

(20) the form or forms of the Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement, if different from the Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement contemplated hereby and defined herein;

(21) whether any of such Securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants, and the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

(22) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(23) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent with respect to such Securities;

(24) the obligation, if any, of the Company to permit the conversion of the Securities of that series into Capital Stock of the Company or the Guarantor, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion shall be effected (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period, any adjustment of the applicable conversion price, any requirements relative to hedging arrangements and reservation of shares for purposes of conversion and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto relative to such obligation); and

(25) any other terms of such Securities and any other deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Securities.

All Securities of any one series and all Coupons, if any, appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except as to Currency of payments due thereunder, denomination and the rate of interest thereon, or method of determining the rate of interest, if any, Maturity, and the date from which interest, if any, shall accrue and except as may otherwise be provided by the Company in or pursuant to the Board Resolution and set forth in the Officers’ Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. The terms of the Securities of any series may provide, without limitation, that the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on original issue from time to time upon written order of persons designated in the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Officers’ Certificate or any applicable supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of the Securities of such series as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture. All Securities of any one

 

 

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series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise so provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series shall be established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Board Resolution shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.

Section 3.2. Currency; Denominations.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, Registered Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without Coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the Bearer Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in the denomination of $5,000. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer and attested by a different Authorized Officer. Coupons shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Company. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto may be manual or facsimile.

Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company and the Guarantor, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons or did not hold such offices at the date of original issuance of such Securities or Coupons.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication and, provided that the Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 3.1 and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order and subject to the provisions hereof and of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in, and may conclusively rely upon,

(1) an Opinion or Opinions of Counsel to the effect that:

 

 

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(a) the form or forms and terms of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) all conditions precedent to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that such Securities and Coupons, when completed by appropriate insertions, executed under the Company’s corporate seal and attested by duly authorized officers of the Company, delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be subject to or limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and will entitle the Holders thereof to the benefits of this Indenture; such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to the availability of equitable remedies;

(c) all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been complied with; and

(d) this Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; and

(2) an Officers’ Certificate and a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate, in each case stating that all conditions precedent to the execution, authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that, to the best knowledge of the Persons executing such certificate, no event which is, or after notice or lapse of time would become, an Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel; an Officers’ Certificate and a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate at the time of issuance of each Security, but such opinion and certificate, with appropriate modifications, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series. After any such first delivery, any separate written request by an Authorized Officer of the Company or any person designated in writing by an Authorized Officer that the Trustee authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue will be deemed to be a certification by the Company and the Guarantor that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to authentication and delivery of such Securities continue to have been complied with.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities, nor will it be liable for its refusal to authenticate or cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities, if the issue of such Securities will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in

 

 

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a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Each Bearer Security and any Bearer Security in global form shall be dated as of the date specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization.

No Security or Coupon appertaining thereto shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in Section 2.2 or Section 6.11 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers. Such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Except as permitted by Section 3.6 or Section 3.7, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all Coupons appertaining thereto then matured have been detached and cancelled.

Section 3.4. Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 3.3, temporary Securities in lieu thereof which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form or, if authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, in bearer form with one or more Coupons or without Coupons and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions thereof, if temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of the same series and containing terms and provisions that are identical to those of any temporary Securities, such temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at an Office or Agency for such Securities, without charge to any Holder thereof. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities (accompanied by any unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee upon Company Order shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical terms and provisions; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided, further, that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization with respect to a temporary global Security, until so exchanged

 

 

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the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

Section 3.5. Registration, Transfer and Exchange.

With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Company shall cause to be kept a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) at an Office or Agency for such series in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of such series and of transfers of the Registered Securities of such series. Such Office or Agency shall be the “Security Registrar” for that series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Trustee shall be the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities. The Company shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided that no such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Company and shall have accepted such appointment by the Company. In the event that the Trustee shall not be or shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Security Register for each series of Securities.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any Office or Agency for such series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

If provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, with respect to Securities of any series, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of such series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series containing identical terms, denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization and in the same aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series, with all unmatured Coupons and all matured Coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured Coupon or Coupons or matured Coupon or Coupons in default, such exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing Coupon or Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may

 

 

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be waived by the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Bearer Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, interest represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an Office or Agency for such series located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such Office or Agency for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series and like tenor after the close of business at such Office or Agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date of payment, as the case may be (or, if such Coupon is so surrendered with such Bearer Security, such Coupon shall be returned to the Person so surrendering the Bearer Security), and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but shall be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

If provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of such series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

Whenever any Securities are surrendered for exchange as contemplated by the immediately preceding two paragraphs, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any global Security shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities only if (i) the Depository is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of the date the Company is so informed in writing, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that such global Security shall be so exchangeable, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities. If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for definitive Securities as the result of an event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding sentence, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in such form and denominations as are required by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and of the same series, containing identical terms and in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be surrendered from time to time by the U.S. Depository or such other Depository

 

 

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as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto, and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the U.S. Depository or such other Depository, as the case may be (which instructions shall be in writing but need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate or be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities as described above without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged, which (unless such Securities are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, in which case the definitive Securities exchanged for the global Security shall be issuable only in the form in which the Securities are issuable, as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization) shall be in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof, but subject to the satisfaction of any certification or other requirements to the issuance of Bearer Securities; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before selection of Securities of the same series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date; and provided, further, that (unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization) no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, or such other Depository or U.S. Depository referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the Office or Agency for such Security where such exchange occurs on or after (i) any Regular Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company and the Guarantor evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar for such Security) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar for such Security duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

 

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No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, or redemption of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge and any other expenses (including fees and expenses of the Trustee) that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 9.5 or Section 11.7 not involving any transfer.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of like tenor and the same series under Section 11.4 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security selected for redemption except, to the extent provided with respect to such Bearer Security, that such Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of like tenor and the same series, provided that such Registered Security shall be immediately surrendered for redemption with written instruction for payment consistent with the provisions of this Indenture or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated Coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.6, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

If there be delivered to the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or Coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee that such Security or Coupon has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute and, upon the Company’s request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains with all appurtenant Coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.6, in case any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or Coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security or

 

 

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Coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, be payable only at an Office or Agency for such Securities located outside the United States and, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on Bearer Securities and any Additional Amounts with respect to such interest shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.6, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the fees and expenses of the Trustee’s counsel) connected therewith.

Every new Security, with any Coupons appertaining thereto issued pursuant to this Section 3.6 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall constitute a separate obligation of the Company and the Guarantor, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and Coupons appertaining thereto or the destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series and any Coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 3.6, as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall be 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 Securities or Coupons.

Section 3.7. Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, and are punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such

 

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Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed by the Company in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on such Registered Security, the Special Record Date therefor and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust in a segregated trust account pursuant to express written instructions of the Company for the benefit of the Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. The Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after notification to the Trustee of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holder of such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, but such publication shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Security may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any particular series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, at the option of the Company, interest on Registered Securities that bear interest may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.5, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

In the case of any Registered Security of any series that is convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company or exchangeable for other securities, which Registered Security is converted or exchanged after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding

 

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Interest Payment Date (other than any Registered Security with respect to which the Stated Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion or exchange, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Registered Security (or one or more predecessor Registered Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Registered Security which is converted or exchanged, interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion or exchange of such Registered Security shall not be payable.

Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, any premium and (subject to Sections 3.5 and 3.7) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security or the bearer of any Coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or Coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Security or Coupon shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No Holder of any beneficial interest in any global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such global Security, and such Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 3.9. Cancellation.

All Securities and Coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and Coupons, as well as Securities and Coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so

 

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delivered shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization. All cancelled Securities and Coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee, unless by a Company Order the Company directs their return to it.

Section 3.10. Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Section 3.11. CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP,” “CINS” and “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use CUSIP, CINS or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders and no representation shall be made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption or exchange.

Article 4

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge.

Upon the direction of the Company by a Company Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Order and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Order, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when

(1) either

(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all Coupons appertaining thereto (other than (i) Coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series surrendered in exchange for Registered Securities of such series and maturing after such exchange whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 3.5, (ii) Securities and Coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, (iii) Coupons appertaining to Securities of such series called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 11.7, and (iv) Securities and Coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

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(b) all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(i) have become due and payable,

(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company or pursuant to the operation of a sinking fund, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in the Currency in which such Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto (based upon applicable law as in effect on the date of such deposit), to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

In the event there are Securities of two or more series hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of such series as to which it is Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.6 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Sections 3.5, 3.6, 4.3, 10.2 and 10.3, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4 (but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.1(1)(b)), and with respect to any rights to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or other securities shall survive.

 

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Section 4.2. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.

(1) Unless pursuant to Section 3.1, either or both of (i) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (2) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series or (ii) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then such provisions, together with the other provisions of this Section 4.2 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, elect to have Section 4.2(2) or Section 4.2(3) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 4.2.

(2) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 4.2(2) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, each of the Company and the Guarantor shall be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and under the Guarantee in respect thereof, respectively, on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and under the Guarantee in respect thereof, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of clause (5) of this Section 4.2 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and under the Guarantee in respect thereof, and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Guarantee in respect thereof, are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company and the Guarantor, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 and as more fully set forth in such clause, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due, and any rights of such Holder to convert such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or exchange such Securities for securities of the Guarantor or another issuer, (ii) the obligations of the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.5, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4 (but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) below), and with respect to any rights to convert such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or exchange such Securities for securities of the Guarantor or another issuer, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder including, without limitation, the compensation,

 

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reimbursement and indemnities provided in Section 6.6 herein and (iv) this Section 4.2. The Company may exercise its option under this Section 4.2(2) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto.

(3) Upon the Company’s exercise of the option to have this Section 4.2(3) apply with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company and the Guarantor shall be released from their respective obligations under any covenant applicable to such Securities specified in Section 3.1(19), including any obligation to redeem or repurchase such securities at the option of the Holder thereof, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Guarantee in respect thereof, on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any such covenant or obligation, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Company and the Guarantor may omit to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant or obligation, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or obligation or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto and the Guarantee in respect thereof shall be unaffected thereby.

(4) The following shall be the conditions to application of clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any Coupons appertaining thereto and the Guarantee in respect thereof:

(a) The Company or the Guarantor shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.7 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 4.2 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount in Dollars or in such Foreign Currency in which such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the

 

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opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (y) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto (based upon applicable law as in effect on the date of such deposit), such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto at the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date of such principal or installment of principal or premium or interest and (z) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto on the days on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and, if applicable, shall have made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of any Securities to be redeemed at the option of the Company in connection with such deposit.

(b) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (after giving effect thereto) and, with respect to defeasance only, no event described in Section 5.1(6) or (7) shall have occurred at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(c) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

(d) In the case of an election under clause (2) of this Section 4.2 with respect to Registered Securities and any Bearer Securities for which the Place of Payment is within the United States, the Company or the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company or the Guarantor has received from the Internal Revenue Service a letter ruling, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service a Revenue Ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

(e) In the case of an election under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to Registered Securities and any Bearer Securities for which the Place of Payment is within the United States, the Company or the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal

 

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income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

(f) With respect to defeasance only, the Company or the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, after the 91st day after the date of deposit, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) pursuant to this clause (4) to be held in trust will not be subject to recapture or avoidance as a preference in any case or proceeding (whether voluntary or involuntary) in respect of the Company or the Guarantor under any Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or any decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or the Guarantor issued in connection therewith (for which purpose such Opinion of Counsel may assume that no Holder is an “insider”).

(g) With respect to defeasance only, the Company and the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate as to solvency and the absence of any intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company.

(h) The Company and the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or covenant defeasance under clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 (as the case may be) have been complied with.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4.2(4), such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company or the Guarantor in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.1.

(5) Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 4.2(4)(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 3.1 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the Foreign Currency in which the deposit pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on (x) in the case of payments made pursuant to clause (a) above, the applicable market exchange rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, or (y) with respect to a Conversion Event, the applicable market exchange

 

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rate for such Foreign Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Company and the Guarantor (without duplication) shall pay and indemnify the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 4.2(5) and Section 4.3, the “Trustee”) against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to this Section 4.2 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto.

Anything in this Section 4.2 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request, or the Guarantor upon Guarantor Request, as the case may be, any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 4.2.

Section 4.3. Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any; but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Article 5

 

REMEDIES

Section 5.1. Events of Default.

“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless such event is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization:

(1) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of such series, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such interest becomes or such

 

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Additional Amounts become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 60 days; or

(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of such series, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such principal or premium becomes or such Additional Amounts become due and payable at their Maturity; or

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security of such series; or

(4) default in the performance of the provisions of Section 7.4(1) and continuance of such default for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(5) default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or warranty of the Company or the Guarantor in this Indenture or the Securities (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than such series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee or the Guarantor and the Trustee, as the case may be, by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(6) the Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement cases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof, or the Guarantor or a Person acting by or on behalf of the Guarantor denies or disaffirms the Guarantee’s obligations under this Indenture or the Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement and such default continues for a period of 10 days after notice has been given by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee or the Guarantor and the Trustee, as the case may be, by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

(7) the entry by a court having competent jurisdiction of:

(a) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or the Guarantor in an involuntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency) or other similar law and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

 

 

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(b) a decree or order adjudging the Company or the Guarantor to be insolvent, or approving a petition seeking reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency), arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company or the Guarantor and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(c) a final and non-appealable order appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or other similar official of the Company or the Guarantor or of any substantial part of the property of the Company or the Guarantor, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company or the Guarantor; or

(8) the commencement by the Company or the Guarantor of a voluntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency) or other similar law or of a voluntary proceeding seeking to be adjudicated insolvent or the consent by the Company or the Guarantor to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by the Company or the Guarantor of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company or the Guarantor or relief under any applicable law, or the consent by the Company or the Guarantor to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or similar official of the Company or the Guarantor or any substantial part of the property of the Company or the Guarantor or the making by the Company or the Guarantor of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or the Guarantor in furtherance of any such action; or

(9) any other Event of Default provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 5.1) occurs and is continuing, then the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series may declare the principal of all the Securities of such series, to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall become immediately due and payable.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 5.1 occurs, all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on the Outstanding Securities of that series shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of any Security of that series.

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained

 

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by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

(1) the Company or the Guarantor has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay

(a) all overdue installments of any interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of such series and any Coupon appertaining thereto,

(b) the principal of and any premium on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

(c) to the extent that payment of such interest or Additional Amounts is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of any interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

(d) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6; and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Company covenants that if

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto when such interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at their Maturity,

the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the whole amount of money then due and payable with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, with interest upon the overdue principal, any premium and, to the extent that payment of such interest

 

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shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.

If the Company and the Guarantor fail to pay the money the Company is required to pay the Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph forthwith upon the demand of the Trustee, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the money so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company and/or the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities of any series or the property of the Company and/or the Guarantor or such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company and/or the Guarantor for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts) shall be entitled and empowered, to the extent permitted by applicable law by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of any applicable series, of the principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders of Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

 

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(2) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities or any Coupons to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities or any Coupons, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or any Coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or Coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or any Coupon in any such proceeding.

Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities or Coupons.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or Coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or Coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of each and every Holder of the Securities or Coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal, or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts, upon presentation of the Securities or Coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.6;

Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and any Coupons for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and Coupons for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts, respectively;

Third: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.

 

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Section 5.7. Limitations on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee such indemnity as is reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or Coupon shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, any premium and (subject to Sections 3.5 and 3.7) interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security or payment of such Coupon, as the case may be, on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities therefor specified in such Security or Coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of such Holder if provided with respect to such Security, on the date such repayment is due) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or a Coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or

 

 

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abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee and each such Holder shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and each such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or Coupons in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to each and every Holder of a Security or a Coupon is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or Coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to any Holder of a Security or a Coupon may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by such Holder, as the case may be.

Section 5.12. Control by Holders of Securities.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto, provided that

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or with the Securities of such series,

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

(3) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of the other Holders of Securities of such series not joining in such action.

Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any Coupons

 

 

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appertaining thereto may waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series or any Coupons appertaining thereto, or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.14. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

The Company and the Guarantor each covenants that (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or, in the case of the Guarantor, of the Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement; and the Company and the Guarantor each expressly waives (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 5.15. Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of any undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.15 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, and, in the case of repayment or repurchase, on or after the date for repayment or repurchase) or for the enforcement of the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security into Common Stock or other securities in accordance with its terms.

 

 

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Article 6

THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.1. Certain Rights of Trustee.

Subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:

(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order (in each case, other than delivery of any Security, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 3.3 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture 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 shall be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written 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;

(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as is reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(6) 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, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may but shall not be obligated to make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine, during business hours and upon reasonable notice, the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

 

 

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(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys, custodians or nominees and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;

(9) the Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, and Security Registrar shall have the same protections as the Trustee set forth hereunder;

(10) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with an Act of the Holders hereunder, and, to the extent not so provided herein, with respect to any act requiring the Trustee to exercise its own discretion, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture or any Securities, unless it shall be proved that, in connection with any such action taken, suffered or omitted or any such act, the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;

(11) the Trustee is not responsible to see that the Company or any other Person is maintaining any insurance required by the Indenture;

(12) the Trustee shall not be responsible for the recording, rerecording, filing of UCC Statements or UCC Continuation Statements;

(13) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee which conform to the requirements of the Indenture;

(14) except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(15) except as expressly required by the terms of this Indenture, none of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, 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 indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it; and

(16) in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

 

 

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Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series entitled to receive reports pursuant to Section 7.3(3), notice of such default hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer of 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 of (or premium, if any), or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts or any sinking fund or purchase fund installment with respect to, any Security of such series, 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 determine that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the Holders of Securities and Coupons of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Sections 5.1(4) or 5.1(5) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 6.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any Coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or the Coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Securities or the proceeds thereof.

Section 6.4. May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities or Coupons and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company or the Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person.

 

 

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Section 6.5. Money Held in Trust.

Except as provided in Section 4.3 and Section 10.3, money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed to in writing with the Company.

Section 6.6. Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by the Trustee hereunder as agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder (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 the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith; and

(3) to indemnify the Trustee and its agents, officers, directors and employees for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent that any such loss, liability or expense was due to the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto.

To the extent permitted by law, any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified in or pursuant to Section 5.1 is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 6.6 shall include any predecessor Trustee but the negligence or bad faith of any Trustee shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 6.6.

The provisions of this Section 6.6 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee and shall apply with equal force and effect to the Trustee in its capacity as Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Security Registrar.

 

 

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Section 6.7. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, that is eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000, and that is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authority. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 6.8. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(1) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to Section 6.9.

(2) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company and the Guarantor. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.9 shall not have been delivered to 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 with respect to such series.

(3) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee, the Company and the Guarantor.

(4) If at any time:

(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Company or any Holder of a Security of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months, or

(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.7 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or any such Holder, or

(c) 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 such case, (i) the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or the Securities of such series, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction

 

 

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for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(5) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of such series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.9. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapacity, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.9, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.9, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such 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 with respect to the Securities of such series.

(6) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register and, if Securities of such series are issued as Bearer Securities, by publishing notice of such event once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment located outside the United States. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

(7) In no event shall any retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.

Section 6.9. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company, the Guarantor and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties hereunder of the retiring Trustee; but, on the written request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring

 

 

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Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 10.3, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.6.

(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, such successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and, upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, 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 with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on written request of the Company, the Guarantor or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates and subject to Section 10.3 shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, subject to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.6.

(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section, as the case may be.

 

 

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(4) No Person shall accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

Section 6.10. 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, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

Section 6.11. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Company with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption or partial repayment or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.

Each Authenticating Agent must be acceptable to the Company and, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, shall at all times be a Corporation that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any Corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such Corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee, the Company and the Guarantor. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of

 

 

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an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and the Guarantor and shall (i) mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, and (ii) if Securities of the series are issued as Bearer Securities, publish notice of such appointment at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the place where such successor Authenticating Agent has its principal office if such office is located outside the United States. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section. If the Trustee makes such payments, it shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.6.

The provisions of Section 3.8, Section 6.3 and Section 6.4 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY     AMERICAS, as Trustee
		By:
			as Authenticating Agent
		By:
			as Authenticating Agent

If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officers’ Certificate by the Company), shall appoint in

 

 

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accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.

Article 7

HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

(1) semi-annually with respect to Securities of each series not later than May 1 and November 1 of the year or upon such other dates as are set forth in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, a list, in each case in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of the applicable date, and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished.

Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

Every Holder of Securities or Coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee.

(1) Within 60 days after September 15 of each year commencing with the first September 15 following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit, pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such September 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding September 15 and the date of this Indenture.

 

 

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(2) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act at the times specified therein.

(3) Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted in the manner and to the Persons required by Sections 313(c) and 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.4. Reports by Company.

The Company, pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Guarantor files the same with the Commission, 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 Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Guarantor may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; or, if the Guarantor is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then the Company shall file with the Trustee and the Guarantor shall file with the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(2) file with the Trustee and the Guarantor shall file with the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company and the Guarantor, with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(3) transmit within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, 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 Guarantor pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Section or by the Company pursuant to paragraph (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

Article 8

CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATIONS, MERGER AND SALES

Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

The Company shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company), and the Company shall not permit any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into the Company or

 

 

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convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company; unless:

(1) in case the Company shall consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety shall be a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, Bermuda, or any other country which is on the date of this Indenture a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, executed by the successor Person and delivered to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of every obligation in this Indenture and the Outstanding Securities on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and shall provide for conversion or exchange rights in accordance with the provisions of the Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or other securities;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default with respect to the Company or event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the Company, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) either the Company or the successor Person shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.2. Successor Person Substituted for Company.

Upon any consolidation or amalgamation by the Company with or merger of the Company into any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation 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 Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture, the Securities and the Coupons.

 

 

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Section 8.3. Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

The Guarantor shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor), or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor), and the Guarantor shall not permit any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor) to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into the Guarantor or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Guarantor; unless:

(1) in case the Guarantor shall consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Guarantor is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety shall be a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, Bermuda, or any other country which is on the date of this Indenture a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, executed by the successor Person and the Company and delivered to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of every obligation in this Indenture and the Outstanding Securities on the part of the Guarantor to be performed or observed and shall provide for conversion or exchange rights in accordance with the provisions of the Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or other securities of the Guarantor;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default with respect to the Guarantor, or event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the Guarantor, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) either the Guarantor or the successor Person shall have delivered to the Trustee a Guarantor’s Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.4. Successor Person Substituted for Guarantor.

Upon any consolidation or amalgamation by the Guarantor with or merger of the Guarantor into any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Guarantor substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 8.3, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Guarantor 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 Guarantor under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Guarantor herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture, the Securities and the Coupons and the Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement.

 

 

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Article 9

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.1. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or Coupons, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), the Guarantor (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution by the Guarantor’s Board of Directors) and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company and the Guarantor, as applicable, contained herein and in the Securities; or

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor; or

(3) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be exchanged for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto in any material respect; or

(4) to establish the forms or terms of Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1; or

(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.9; or

 

 

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(6) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series then Outstanding or any Coupons appertaining thereto in any material respect; or

(7) to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth; or

(8) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture); or

(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Article 4, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of an Outstanding Security of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto or any other Outstanding Security or Coupon in any material respect; or

(10) to secure the Securities; or

(11) to make provisions with respect to conversion or exchange rights of Holders of Securities of any series; or

(12) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, provided that no such amendment or supplement shall materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Securities then Outstanding.

Section 9.2. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Company’s Board Resolution), the Guarantor (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Guarantor’s Board of Directors) and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture or of the Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any premium or installment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof (or modify the calculation of such principal amount) or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or otherwise, or change the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.4 (except as contemplated by Section 8.1(1) and permitted by Section 9.1(1)) or change the redemption

 

 

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provisions or adversely affect the right of repayment at the option of any Holder as contemplated by Article 13, or change the Place of Payment, Currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the date for repayment), or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 15.4 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.6, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, or

(4) make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any Security into or for Common Stock of the Company or other securities (whether or not issued by the Company), cash or property in accordance with its terms.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which shall have been included expressly and solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.3. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

As a condition to executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the execution of such supplemental indenture have been fulfilled. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

 

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Section 9.4. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any Coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

Section 9.5. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

Section 9.6. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.7. Notice of Supplemental Indenture.

Promptly after the execution by the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.2, the Company shall transmit to the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series affected thereby a notice setting forth the substance of such supplemental indenture.

Article 10

 

COVENANTS

Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of each series that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series in accordance with the terms thereof, any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Any interest due on any Bearer Security on or before the Maturity thereof, and any Additional Amounts payable with respect to such interest, shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto for such interest as they severally mature.

Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an Office or Agency where Securities of such series (but not Bearer Securities, except as otherwise provided below, unless such Place of Payment is located outside the United States) may be

 

 

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presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of such series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series relating thereto and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization shall maintain, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, an Office or Agency in a Place of Payment for such series which is located outside the United States where Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided, however, that if the Securities of such series are listed on The Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company shall maintain a Paying Agent in London, Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of such series are listed on such exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such Office or Agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Office or Agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment at the place specified for the purpose with respect to such Securities as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, no payment of principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect to Bearer Securities shall be made at any Office or Agency in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by wire transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, if amounts owing with respect to any Bearer Securities shall be payable in Dollars, payment of principal of, any premium or interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any such Security may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or any Office or Agency designated by the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts at all offices outside the United States maintained for such purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other Offices or Agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an Office or Agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other Office or Agency. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Company hereby designates as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the

 

 

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Trustee as the Office or Agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for such purpose. The Company may subsequently appoint a different Office or Agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for the Securities of any series.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one exchange rate agent.

Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it shall, on or prior to each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities of such series, deposit with any Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal and any premium, interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

The Company shall cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent shall:

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series; and

(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

 

 

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The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or 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 sums.

Except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of any series or any Coupon appertaining thereto and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal or any such premium or interest or any such Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, at the expense of the Company may cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series or to be mailed to Holders of Registered Securities of such series, or both, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing nor shall it be later than two years after such principal and or any premium or interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 10.4. Additional Amounts.

All payments of principal of and premium, if any, interest and any other Amounts on, or in respect of, the Securities of any series or any Coupon appertaining thereto shall be made without withholding or deduction at source for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of Bermuda or any other jurisdiction in which the Company is organized (each, a “taxing jurisdiction”) or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, unless such taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges are required to be withheld or deducted by (i) the laws (or any regulations or ruling promulgated thereunder) of a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or (ii) an official position regarding the application, administration, interpretation or enforcement of any such laws, regulations or rulings (including, without limitation, a holding by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a taxing authority in a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof). If a withholding or deduction at source is required, the Company shall, subject to certain limitations and exceptions set forth below, pay to the Holder of any such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto such Additional Amounts as may be necessary so that every net payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or any other amount made to such Holder, after such withholding or deduction, shall not be less than the amount provided for in such Security, any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture to be then due and payable; provided, however,

 

 

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that the Company shall not be required to make payment of such Additional Amounts for or on account of:

(1) any tax, fee, duty, assessment or governmental charge of whatever nature which would not have been imposed but for the fact that such Holder: (A) was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or otherwise had some connection with the relevant taxing jurisdiction other than by reason of the mere ownership of, or receipt of payment under, such Security; (B) presented such Security for payment in the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof, unless such Security could not have been presented for payment elsewhere; or (C) presented such Security more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the payment in respect of such Security first became due and payable or provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts if it had presented such Security for payment on any day within such period of thirty (30) days;

(2) any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(3) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by the Holder or the beneficial owner of such Security to comply with any reasonable request by the Company addressed to the Holder within 90 days of such request (A) to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the Holder or such beneficial owner or (B) to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any information or reporting requirement, which, in the case of (A) or (B), is required or imposed by statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge; or

(4) any combination of items (1), (2) and (3);

nor shall Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, interest or any other amounts on, any such Security to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such Security to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the relevant taxing jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or relevant taxing authority thereof or therein) to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or partner or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the Holder of the Security.

Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium, interest or any other amounts on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or any Coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof

 

 

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pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding the payment of Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of the applicable series, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Securities (or if the Securities of such series shall not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of and premium, if any, interest or any other amounts on the Securities of such series shall be made to Holders of Securities of such series or the Coupons appertaining thereto without withholding for or on account of any tax, fee, duty, assessment or other governmental charge described in this Section 10.4. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by taxing jurisdiction the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities or Coupons, and the Company agrees to pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by this Section 10.4. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 10.4.

Section 10.5. Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 8, each of the Company and the Guarantor shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not obligate the Company or the Guarantor to preserve any such right or franchise if the Company or the Guarantor shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to any Holder.

Section 10.6. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company and the Guarantor may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 10.7 with respect to the Securities of any series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either shall waive such compliance in such instance or generally shall have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the Guarantor and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

 

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Section 10.7. Company and Guarantor’s Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults.

(1) The Company and the Guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement (which need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate or Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate) signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, stating that

(a) a review of the activities of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, during such year and of its performance under this Indenture has been made under his or her supervision, and

(b) to the best of his or her knowledge, based on such review, (a) the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, has complied with all the conditions and covenants imposed on it under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such condition or covenant, specifying each such default known to him or her and the nature and status thereof, and (b) no event has occurred and is continuing which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, or, if such an event has occurred and is continuing, specifying each such event known to him and the nature and status thereof.

(2) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within five days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any Event of Default or any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default pursuant to clause (4) or (5) of Section 5.1.

(3) The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the Company’s compliance with the covenants contained in this Article 10 other than as specifically set forth in this Section 10.7.

Section 10.8. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on any Outstanding Original Issue Discount Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Code, as amended from time to time.

Article 11

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 11.1. Applicability of Article.

Redemption of Securities of any series as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.

 

 

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Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of (a) less than all of the Securities of any series or (b) all of the Securities of any series, with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed.

Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Securities of any series with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Registered Security of such series not redeemed to less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein or pursuant hereto.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted into Common Stock of the Company or exchanged for other securities in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice by mailing in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portion thereof.

 

 

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Any notice that is mailed to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date, and if such redemption date is conditional, a description of the event upon which it is conditioned,

(2) the Redemption Price,

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, in the case of a Registered Security, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto, and that unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and other amounts then due, interest thereon, if applicable, shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the place or places where such Securities, together (in the case of Bearer Securities) with all Coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing on or after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto,

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all Coupons maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption or the amount of any such missing Coupon or Coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and any Paying Agent is furnished,

(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and no Registered Securities of such series are to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on the Redemption Date pursuant to Section 3.5 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made,

 

 

 

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(10) in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible into Common Stock of the Company or exchangeable for other securities, the conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such series to be redeemed will commence or terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and

(11) the CUSIP number or the Euroclear or the Clearstream reference numbers of such Securities, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depository to identify such Securities).

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 1.6 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.

Notice of redemption of Securities shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit, with respect to the Securities of any series called for redemption, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money in the applicable Currency sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 or in the Securities of such series) any accrued interest on and Additional Amounts with respect thereto, all such Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, become due and payable on the Redemption Date, at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest or Additional Amounts) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and the Coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization and the Coupons, installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of Coupons for such interest (at an Office or Agency located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2), and provided, further, that, except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and

 

 

 

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the provisions of Section 3.7 and installments of interest on Registered Securities for which the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or before the following Interest Payment Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant Coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that any interest or Additional Amounts represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an Office or Agency for such Security located outside of the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Office or Agency for such Security (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Security in global form is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the U.S. Depository or other Depository for such Security in global form as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security in global form so surrendered.

 

 

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Article 12

 

SINKING FUNDS

Section 12.1. Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and this Indenture.

Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Company), together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto, and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such series of Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If, as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 12.2, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to satisfy the remaining sinking fund payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the written request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.

 

 

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Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 75 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 11.6 and Section 11.7.

Article 13

 

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 13.1. Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 3.9, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a written directive that such Securities be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13.1, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Company may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the close of business on the repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Company on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Company to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.

Article 14

 

SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Section 14.1. Applicability of Article.

Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated

 

 

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in the same Currency, or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in the form of Security of any particular series or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Currency other than Dollars shall be treated for any such action or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination of rights or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such action, determination of rights or distribution) as the Company may specify in a written notice to the Trustee.

Article 15

 

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Section 15.1. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

Section 15.2. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(1) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or, if Securities of such series have been issued in whole or in part as Bearer Securities, in London or in such place outside the United States as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(2) In case at any time the Company (by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed notice of or made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request (whichever shall be required pursuant to Section 1.6) or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or, if Securities of such series are to be issued as Bearer Securities, in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in clause (1) of this Section.

 

 

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Section 15.3. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 15.4. Quorum; Action.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any reconvened meeting, such reconvened meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such reconvened meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 15.2(1), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the Coupons appertaining thereto, whether or not such Holders were present or represented at the meeting.

Section 15.5. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of

 

 

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Securities of such series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 or by having the signature of the person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 1.4 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 1.4 or other proof.

(2) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 15.2(2), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(3) At any meeting, each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

(4) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 15.2 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 15.6. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports of all votes cast at the meeting. A record least of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that

 

 

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said notice was given as provided in Section 15.2 and, if applicable, Section 15.4. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

Article 16

 

GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY

Section 16.1. The Guarantee.

The Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee all obligations of the Company under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement.

Section 16.2. Ranking of Guarantee.

Each Holder of Securities issued hereunder agrees that the payment by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee with respect to all Securities of each series issued hereunder, shall rank in right of payment pari passu with all similar guarantee agreements issued by the Guarantor as senior, unsecured obligations.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank]

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

[SEAL]		RENAISSANCERE FINANCE INC.
Attest:
		By:
			Name: Title:
[SEAL]		RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., as Guarantor
Attest:
		By:
			Name: Title:
[SEAL]		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
Attest:
		By:
			Name: Title:

 

 

 

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FORM OF SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., Issuer

To

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of _____________, 2007

Subordinated Debt Securities

 

 

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Reconciliation and tie between

Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”) and
Indenture

 

Trust Indenture Act Section		Indenture Section
§§ 310(a)(1)		6.7
(a)(2) 6.7 (b)		6.8
§§. 312(a)		7.1
(b)		7.2
(c)		7.2
§§. 313(a)		7.3
(b)(2)		7.3
(c)		7.3
(d)		7.3
§§. 314(a)		7.4
(c)(1)		1.2
(c)(2)		1.2
(e)		1.2
(f)		1.2
§§. 316(a) (last sentence)		1.1
(a)(1)(A)		5.2, 5.12
(a)(1)(B)		5.13
(b)		5.8
§§. 317(a)(1)		5.3
(a)(2)		5.4
(b)		10.3
§§. 318(a)		1.8

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Article 1 DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION		1
Section 1.1	Definitions.	1
Section 1.2	Compliance Certificates and Opinions.	11
Section 1.3	Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.	12
Section 1.4	Acts of Holders.	12
Section 1.5	Notices, etc. to Trustee and Company.	14
Section 1.6	Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.	15
Section 1.7	Language of Notices.	16
Section 1.8	Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.	16
Section 1.9	Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.	16
Section 1.10	Successors and Assigns.	16
Section 1.11	Separability Clause.	16
Section 1.12	Benefits of Indenture.	16
Section 1.13	Governing Law.	16
Section 1.14	Legal Holidays.	16
Section 1.15	Counterparts.	17
Section 1.16	Judgment Currency.	17
Section 1.17	No Security Interest Created.	17
Section 1.18	Limitation on Individual Liability.	18
Section 1.19	Submission to Jurisdiction.	18
Article 2 SECURITIES FORMS		19
Section 2.1	Forms Generally.	19
Section 2.2	Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.	19
Section 2.3	Securities in Global Form.	20
Article 3 THE SECURITIES		20
Section 3.1	Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.	20
Section 3.2	Currency; Denominations.	25
Section 3.3	Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.	25
Section 3.4	Temporary Securities.	27
Section 3.5	Registration, Transfer and Exchange.	27
Section 3.6	Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.	31
Section 3.7	Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.	32
Section 3.8	Persons Deemed Owners.	34
Section 3.9	Cancellation.	34
Section 3.10	Computation of Interest.	35
Section 3.11	CUSIP Numbers.	35
Article 4 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE		35
Section 4.1	Satisfaction and Discharge.	35
Section 4.2	Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.	36

 

 

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Section 4.3	Application of Trust Money.	41
Article 5 REMEDIES		41
Section 5.1	Events of Default.	41
Section 5.2	Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.	43
Section 5.3	Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.	44
Section 5.4	Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.	45
Section 5.5	Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities or Coupons.	46
Section 5.6	Application of Money Collected.	46
Section 5.7	Limitations on Suits.	46
Section 5.8	Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.	47
Section 5.9	Restoration of Rights and Remedies.	47
Section 5.10	Rights and Remedies Cumulative.	47
Section 5.11	Delay or Omission Not Waiver.	48
Section 5.12	Control by Holders of Securities.	48
Section 5.13	Waiver of Past Defaults.	48
Section 5.14	Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.	49
Section 5.15	Undertaking for Costs.	49
Article 6 THE TRUSTEE		49
Section 6.1	Certain Rights of Trustee.	49
Section 6.2	Notice of Defaults.	51
Section 6.3	Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.	52
Section 6.4	May Hold Securities.	52
Section 6.5	Money Held in Trust.	52
Section 6.6	Compensation and Reimbursement.	52
Section 6.7	Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.	53
Section 6.8	Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.	53
Section 6.9	Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.	55
Section 6.10	Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.	56
Section 6.11	Appointment of Authenticating Agent.	56
Article 7 HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY		58
Section 7.1	Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.	58
Section 7.2	Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.	59
Section 7.3	Reports by Trustee.	59
Section 7.4	Reports by Company.	59
Article 8 CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATIONS, MERGER AND SALES		60
Section 8.1	Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.	60
Section 8.2	Successor Person Substituted for Company.	61
Article 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES		61
Section 9.1	Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.	61
Section 9.2	Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.	62
Section 9.3	Execution of Supplemental Indentures.	64

 

 

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Section 9.4	Effect of Supplemental Indentures.	64
Section 9.5	Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.	64
Section 9.6	Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.	64
Section 9.7	Effect on Senior Indebtedness.	64
Section 9.8	Notice of Supplemental Indenture.	64
Article 10 COVENANTS		65
Section 10.1	Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.	65
Section 10.2	Maintenance of Office or Agency.	65
Section 10.3	Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.	66
Section 10.4	Additional Amounts.	68
Section 10.5	Corporate Existence.	70
Section 10.6	Waiver of Certain Covenants.	70
Section 10.7	Company Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults.	70
Section 10.8	Calculation of Original Issue Discount.	71
Article 11 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES		71
Section 11.1	Applicability of Article.	71
Section 11.2	Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.	71
Section 11.3	Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.	71
Section 11.4	Notice of Redemption.	72
Section 11.5	Deposit of Redemption Price.	73
Section 11.6	Securities Payable on Redemption Date.	74
Section 11.7	Securities Redeemed in Part.	75
Article 12 SINKING FUNDS		75
Section 12.1	Applicability of Article.	75
Section 12.2	Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.	75
Section 12.3	Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.	76
Article 13 REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS		76
Section 13.1	Applicability of Article.	76
Article 14 SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES		77
Section 14.1	Applicability of Article.	77
Article 15 MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES		77
Section 15.1	Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.	77
Section 15.2	Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.	77
Section 15.3	Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.	78
Section 15.4	Quorum; Action.	78
Section 15.5	Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.	79
Section 15.6	Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.	80
Article 16 SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES		80
Section 16.1	Agreement to Subordinate.	80
Section 16.2	Default on Senior Indebtedness.	81

 

 

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Section 16.3	Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.	81
Section 16.4	Subrogation.	82
Section 16.5	Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.	83
Section 16.6	Notice by the Company.	83
Section 16.7	Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness.	84
Section 16.8	Subordination May Not Be Impaired.	85
Section 16.9	Application by Trustee of Assets Deposited with It.	85

 

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of ______________, 2007 (the “Indenture”), between RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., a company duly organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal executive office located at Renaissance House, 8-20 East Broadway, Pembroke HM 19, Bermuda and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), having its Corporate Trust Office located at 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005.

RECITALS

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its subordinated unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Securities”), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder that are required to be part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as herein defined) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof and any Coupons (as herein defined) as follows:

Article 1

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.1 Definitions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, 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, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

 

 

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(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the terms “generally accepted accounting principles” or “GAAP” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States of America at the date or time of such computation;

(4) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and

(5) the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”).

Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.

“Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified therein and which are owing to such Holders.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have the meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.11 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in an official language of the place of publication or in the English language, customarily published on each day that is a Business Day in the place of publication, whether or not published on days that are Legal Holidays in the place of publication, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any day that is a Business Day in the place of publication.

 

 

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“Authorized Officer” means, when used with respect to the Company, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, the Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company.

“Bearer Security” means any Security in the form established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is payable to bearer.

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for the Company hereunder.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day,” with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

“Capitalized Lease Obligation” means an obligation under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with such principles.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Common Stock” in respect of any Corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which has no preference as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Corporation, and which is not subject to redemption by such Corporation.

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable

 

 

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provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person, and any other obligor upon the Securities.

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company by an Authorized Officer, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country or the confederation which issued such Foreign Currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community, or (ii) any currency unit or composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of original execution of this Indenture is located at located at Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas , 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Services or at any other time at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the parties hereto or at the principal corporate trust office of any successor trustee as to which such successor trustee may notify the parties hereto in writing.

“Corporation” includes corporations, limited liability companies, incorporated associations, companies and business trusts.

“Coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

“Currency,” with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security, means Dollars or the Foreign Currency, as the case may be, in which such payment, deposit or other transfer is required to be made by or pursuant to the terms hereof or such Security and, with respect to any other payment, deposit or transfer pursuant to or contemplated by the terms hereof or such Security, means Dollars.

“CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, CUSIP Service Bureau.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

“Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.

“Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

 

 

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“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the other government or governments or confederation or association of governments which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Security or any Additional Amounts in respect thereof shall be payable, in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of such government or governments or confederation or association of governments or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments or confederation or association of governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments or confederation or association of governments, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

“Holder,” in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of any Bearer Security, means the bearer thereof and, in the case of any Coupon, means the bearer thereof.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, (i) the principal of and any premium and interest on (a) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (b) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (ii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations and all obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i) through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit); (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the amount thereof being deemed to be the lesser of the stated recourse, if limited, and the amount of the obligation or dividends of the other Person; (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; and

 

 

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(vii) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clauses (i) through (vi) above.

“Indenture” means this instrument as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, with respect to any Security, by the terms and provisions of such Security and any Coupon appertaining thereto established pursuant to Section 3.1 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof).

“Independent Public Accountants” means accountants or a firm of accountants that, with respect to the Company and any other obligor under the Securities or the Coupons, are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder, who may be the independent public accountants regularly retained by the Company or who may be other independent public accountants. Such accountants or firm shall be entitled to rely upon any Opinion of Counsel as to the interpretation of any legal matters relating to this Indenture or certificates required to be provided hereunder.

“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity or upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2 may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

“interest,” with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.4, includes such Additional Amounts.

“Interest Payment Date,” with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“Legal Holidays” has the meaning specified in Section 1.14.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance.

“Maturity,” with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption or repurchase, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise, and includes any Redemption Date and the date of any required repurchase or repayment.

“New York Banking Day” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“Office” or “Agency”, with respect to any Securities, means an office or agency of the Company maintained or designated as a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or any other office or agency of the Company maintained or designated for such

 

 

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Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 10.2 in lieu of such office or agency, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers, at least one of which is a principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer, that complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company or other counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that, if required by the Trust Indenture Act, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security issued pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization which provides for declaration of an amount less than the principal face amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2.

“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

a.

any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for cancellation;

b.

any such Security for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 4.2) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

c.

any such Security with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance pursuant to the terms hereof, except to the extent provided in Section 4.2;

d.

any such Security which has been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Security is held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Company; and

 

 

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e.

any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into Common Stock of the Company or other securities, if the terms of such Security provide for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 3.1;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the principal amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such Security of the then current principal amount) of such Security unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which shall have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee (A) the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and (B) that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto or an Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security or any Coupon on behalf of the Company.

“Person” means any individual, Corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Place of Payment,” with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security are payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same Indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or any Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall be deemed to

 

 

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evidence the same Indebtedness as the lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or the Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

“Preferred Stock” in respect of any Corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Corporation.

“principal” means as of any date of determination with respect to the Securities of any series, (i) in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or an Indexed Security, the amount due and payable with respect to principal upon an acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 at such time and (ii) in all other cases, par or the stated face amount of the related Security.

“Redemption Date,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

“Redemption Price,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, exclusive of accrued interest and any Additional Amounts with respect to accrued interest.

“Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is registered in a Security Register.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization as the “Regular Record Date”.

“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“Responsible Officer” means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, including any vice president, any assistant vice president, director, managing director, associate or any trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Security” or “Securities” means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of Indebtedness, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities,” with respect to any such Person, shall mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.

 

 

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“Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Securities of any particular series, all Indebtedness of the Company outstanding at any time, except (i) the Securities of such series, (ii) Indebtedness as to which, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same, it is provided that such Indebtedness is subordinated to or pari passu with the Securities of such series, (iii) Indebtedness of the Company to, or guaranteed on behalf of, a Subsidiary of the Company, or any officer, director or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iv) interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding referred to in Section 5.1(6) and Section 5.1(c)(8) unless such interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the Company in a proceeding under the applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, (v) trade accounts payable and (vi) any liability for income, franchise, real estate or other taxes owed or owing.

“Series Authorization” means, with respect to any series or class of Securities, (i) a Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or (ii) one or more indentures supplemental hereto, establishing such series or class of Securities and setting forth the terms thereof, including, in either case, a form of note or notes representing such Securities.

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Registered Security means a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 3.7.

“Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, means the date established by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is, or such Additional Amounts are, due and payable.

“Subsidiary” means, in respect of any Person, any Corporation, limited or general partnership or other business entity of which at the time of determination more than 50% of the voting power of the shares of its Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and any reference herein to the Trust Indenture Act or a particular provision thereof shall mean such Act or provision, as the case may be, as amended or replaced from time to time or as supplemented from time to time by rules or regulations adopted by the Commission under or in furtherance of the purposes of such Act or provision, as the case may be.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

 

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“United States,” except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“U.S. Depository” or “Depository” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, the Person designated as U.S. Depository or Depository by the Company in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, which Person must be, to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, if so provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “U.S. Depository” or “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the qualifying entity which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.

“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”.

Section 1.2 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, 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 or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

(a) a statement that the individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(b) 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;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

 

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Section 1.3 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.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, provided that such officer, after reasonable inquiry, has no reason to believe and does not believe that the Opinion of Counsel with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based is erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, provided that such counsel, after reasonable inquiry, has no reason to believe and does not believe that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 1.4 Acts of Holders.

(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or pursuant to this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. If, but only if, Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 15, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the

 

 

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manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 15.6.

(2) Without limiting the generality of this Section 1.4, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, a Holder, including a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such U.S. Depository’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(3) The Company shall fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interest in any permanent global Security held by a U.S. Depository entitled under the procedures of such U.S. Depository to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

(4) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing referred to in this Section 1.4 may be proved in any reasonable manner; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof, including written proof, with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

(5) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(6) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary reasonably acceptable to the Company, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Company and the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (i) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (ii) such

 

 

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Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (iii) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (iv) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by the Person so executing such instrument or writing and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same may also be proved in any other manner which the Company and the Trustee deem sufficient.

(7) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may at its option (but is not obligated to), by Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

(8) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such Act is made upon such Security.

Section 1.5 Notices, etc. to Trustee and Company.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or

(2) the Company by the Trustee or any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to the attention of its Treasurer, with a copy to the attention of its General Counsel, at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

 

 

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Section 1.6 Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event,

(1) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Registered Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Registered Security affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice; and

(2) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer Securities, if any, if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York and, if such Securities are then listed on any stock exchange outside the United States, in an Authorized Newspaper in such city as the Company shall advise the Trustee in writing that such stock exchange so requires, on a Business Day at least twice, the first such publication to be not earlier than the earliest date and the second such publication not later than the latest date prescribed for the giving of such notice.

In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

In case by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearers Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of any notice mailed to Holders of Registered Securities as provided above.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed in writing with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

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Section 1.7 Language of Notices.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that, if the Company so elects, any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Section 1.8 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with any duties under any required provision of the Trust Indenture Act imposed hereon by Section 318(c) thereof, such required provision shall control.

Section 1.9 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 1.10 Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.11 Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 1.12 Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and holders of Senior Indebtedness, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities or Coupons, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 1.13 Governing Law.

This Indenture, the Securities and any Coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made or instruments entered into and, in each case, performed in said state.

Section 1.14 Legal Holidays.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security, or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert or exchange Securities of a

 

 

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series that are convertible or exchangeable, shall be a Legal Holiday at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon other than a provision in any Security or Coupon that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof) payment need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, and such Securities need not be converted or exchanged on such date but such payment may be made, and such Securities may be converted or exchanged, on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity or on such last day for conversion or exchange, and no interest shall accrue on the amount payable on such date or at such time for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or last day for conversion or exchange, as the case may be, to such next succeeding Business Day.

Section 1.15 Counterparts.

This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 1.16 Judgment Currency.

The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the requisite amount of the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

Section 1.17 No Security Interest Created.

Nothing in this Indenture or in any Securities, express or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect in any jurisdiction where property of the Company or its Subsidiaries is or may be located.

 

 

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Section 1.18 Limitation on Individual Liability.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, manager, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, shareholders, managers, officers or directors, as such, of the Company, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, shareholder, manager, officer or director, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Security.

Section 1.19 Submission to Jurisdiction.

The Company agrees that any judicial proceedings instituted in relation to any matter arising under this Indenture, the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto may be brought in any United States Federal or New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York to the extent that such court has subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy and, by execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company hereby irrevocably accepts, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts, acknowledges their competence and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered in such proceeding. The Company also irrevocably and unconditionally waives for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and Coupons any immunity from jurisdiction and any immunity from legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in the aid of execution, execution or otherwise) in respect of this Indenture. The Company hereby irrevocably designates and appoints for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and Coupons for the term of this Indenture [Agent Name & Address] as its agent to receive on its behalf service of all process (with a copy of all such service of process to be delivered to [___________________]) brought against it with respect to any such proceeding in any such court in The City of New York, such service being hereby acknowledged by the Company to be effective and binding service on it in every respect whether or not the Company shall then be doing or shall have at any time done business in New York. Such appointment shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Securities or Coupons or the obligations of the Company hereunder remain outstanding or7 until the appointment of a successor by the Company and such successor’s acceptance of such appointment. Upon such acceptance, the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of such successor. The Company further agrees for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and the Coupons to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and

 

 

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appointment of said [Agent Name] in full force and effect so long as any of the Securities or Coupons or the obligations of the Company hereunder shall be outstanding. The Trustee shall not be obligated and shall have no responsibility with respect to any failure by the Company to take any such action. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by any law or limit the right of the Trustee or any Holder to institute proceedings against the Company in the courts of any other jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

Article 2

SECURITIES FORMS

Section 2.1 Forms Generally.

Each Registered Security, Bearer Security, Coupon and temporary or permanent global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Security or Coupon as evidenced by their execution of such Security or Coupon.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, the Securities shall be issuable in registered form without Coupons and shall not be issuable upon the exercise of warrants.

Definitive Securities and definitive Coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities or Coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or Coupons.

Section 2.2 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

Subject to Section 6.11, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
		By
			Authorized Officer

 

 

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Section 2.3 Securities in Global Form.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, the Securities of a series shall not be issuable in temporary or permanent global form. If Securities of a series shall be issuable in global form, any such Security may provide that it or any number of such Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 and, if applicable, Section 3.4, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver, in each case at the Company’s expense, any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing and, with respect to matters set forth in this Section 2.3, need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officers’ Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.7, unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, payment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security in temporary or permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.8 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a global Security (i) in the case of a global Security in registered form, the Holder of such global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a global Security in bearer form, the Person or Persons specified pursuant to Section 3.1.

Article 3

THE SECURITIES

Section 3.1 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. The Securities of each series shall be subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series as provided in Article 16.

With respect to any Securities to be authenticated and delivered hereunder, there shall be established in the related Series Authorization the following:

 

 

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(1) the title of such Securities and the series in which such Securities shall be included;

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such title or the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 9.5 or Section 11.7, upon repayment in part of any Registered Security of such series pursuant to Article 13, upon surrender in part of any Registered Security for conversion into Common Stock of the Company or exchange for other securities pursuant to its terms, or pursuant to or as contemplated by the terms of such Securities);

(3) if such Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities, as Bearer Securities or alternatively as Bearer Securities and Registered Securities, and whether the Bearer Securities are to be issuable with Coupons, without Coupons or both, and any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of the Bearer Securities and the terms, if any, upon which Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities and vice versa;

(4) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form, when any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and (i) whether such Securities are to be issued in temporary or permanent global form or both, (ii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interests for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 3.5, and (iii) the name of the Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, with respect to any such global Security;

(5) if any of such Securities are to be issuable as Bearer Securities or in global form, the date as of which any such Bearer Security or global Security shall be dated (if other than the date of original issuance of the first of such Securities to be issued);

(6) if any of such Securities are to be issuable as Bearer Securities, whether interest in respect of any portion of a temporary Bearer Security in global form payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date therefor prior to the exchange, if any, of such temporary Bearer Security for definitive Securities shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary Bearer Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date;

(7) the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal of such Securities is payable;

(8) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the date or

 

 

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dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable on a cash basis and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts on such Securities or any of them shall be payable, the notice, if any, to Holders regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate Security and the manner of giving such notice, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(9) if in addition to or other than the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, the place or places where the principal of, any premium and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, any of such Securities that are Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, any of such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be served, the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payment or Additional Amounts on a global Security on an Interest Payment Date, will be paid and the manner in which any principal of or premium, if any, on any global Security will be paid;

(10) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Company and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(11) whether the Company is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;

(12) the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Registered Securities shall be issuable if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Bearer Securities shall be issuable if other than the denomination of $5,000;

(13) whether the Securities of the series will be convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company and/or exchangeable for other securities, whether or not issued by the Company, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture to permit or to facilitate the issuance of such convertible or exchangeable Securities or the administration thereof;

(14) if other than the principal face amount thereof, the portion of the par or stated face amount of any of such Securities that shall be payable upon declaration of

 

 

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acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 or the method by which such portion is to be determined or, in the case of Indexed Securities, the portion of the principal face amount that shall be payable upon Stated Maturity or the method by which such portion is to be determined;

(15) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities shall be payable;

(16) if the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in Dollars or in a Foreign Currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities or any of them are to be paid pursuant to such election, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency;

(17) whether the amount of payments of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods (which index, formula or method or methods may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity securities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;

(18) the relative degree, if any, to which Securities of such series shall be senior to or be subordinated to other series of Securities or other Indebtedness of the Company in right of payment, whether such other series of Securities or other Indebtedness is outstanding or not;

(19) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to any of such Securities, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

(20) whether either or both of Section 4.2(2) relating to defeasance or Section 4.2(3) relating to covenant defeasance shall not be applicable to the Securities of such series, the covenants and obligations relating to the Securities of such series which shall be subject to covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 4.2(3), and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article 4 in respect of the Securities of such series;

 

 

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(21) whether any of such Securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants, and the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

(22) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(23) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent, Authenticating Agent or other agent with respect to such Securities; and

(24) the obligation, if any, of the Company to permit the conversion of the Securities of that series into Capital Stock of the Company, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion shall be effected (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period, any adjustment of the applicable conversion price, any requirements relative to hedging arrangements and reservation of shares for purposes of conversion and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto relative to such obligation);

(25) any other terms of such Securities and any other deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Securities.

All Securities of any one series and all Coupons, if any, appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except as to Currency of payments due thereunder, denomination and the rate of interest thereon, or method of determining the rate of interest, if any, Maturity, and the date from which interest, if any, shall accrue and except as may otherwise be provided by the Company in or pursuant to the Board Resolution and set forth in the Officers’ Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. The terms of the Securities of any series may provide, without limitation, that the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on original issue from time to time upon written order of persons designated in the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Officers’ Certificate or any applicable supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of the Securities of such series as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise so provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series shall be established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Board Resolution shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.

 

 

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Section 3.2 Currency; Denominations.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, Registered Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without Coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the Bearer Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in the denomination of $5,000. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

Section 3.3 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer and attested by a different Authorized Officer. Coupons shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Company. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto may be manual or facsimile.

Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons or did not hold such offices at the date of original issuance of such Securities or Coupons.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication and, provided that the Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 3.1 and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order and subject to the provisions hereof and of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in, and may conclusively rely upon,

(1) an Opinion or Opinions of Counsel to the effect that:

(a) the form or forms and terms of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) all conditions precedent to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that such Securities and Coupons, when completed by appropriate insertions, executed under the Company’s corporate seal and attested by duly authorized officers of the Company, delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company to

 

 

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the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be subject to or limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and will entitle the Holders thereof to the benefits of this Indenture; such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to the availability of equitable remedies;

(c) all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been complied with; and

(d) this Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; and

(2) an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the execution, authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that, to the best knowledge of the Persons executing such certificate, no event which is, or after notice or lapse of time would become, an Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate at the time of issuance of each Security, but such opinion and certificate, with appropriate modifications, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series. After any such first delivery, any separate written request by an Authorized Officer of the Company or any person designated in writing by an Authorized Officer that the Trustee authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue will be deemed to be a certification by the Company that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to authentication and delivery of such Securities continue to have been complied with.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities, nor will it be liable for its refusal to authenticate or cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities, if the issue of such Securities will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Each Bearer Security and any Bearer Security in global form shall be dated as of the date specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization.

 

 

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No Security or Coupon appertaining thereto shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in Section 2.2 or Section 6.11 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers. Such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Except as permitted by Section 3.6 or Section 3.7, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all Coupons appertaining thereto then matured have been detached and cancelled.

Section 3.4 Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 3.3, temporary Securities in lieu thereof which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form or, if authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, in bearer form with one or more Coupons or without Coupons and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions thereof, if temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of the same series and containing terms and provisions that are identical to those of any temporary Securities, such temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at an Office or Agency for such Securities, without charge to any Holder thereof. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities (accompanied by any unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee upon Company Order shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical terms and provisions; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided, further, that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization with respect to a temporary global Security, until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

Section 3.5 Registration, Transfer and Exchange.

With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Company shall cause to be kept a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security

 

 

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Register”) at an Office or Agency for such series in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of such series and of transfers of the Registered Securities of such series. Such Office or Agency shall be the “Security Registrar” for that series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Trustee shall be the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities. The Company shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided that no such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Company and shall have accepted such appointment by the Company. In the event that the Trustee shall not be or shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Security Register for each series of Securities.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any Office or Agency for such series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

If provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, with respect to Securities of any series, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of such series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series containing identical terms, denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization and in the same aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series, with all unmatured Coupons and all matured Coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured Coupon or Coupons or matured Coupon or Coupons in default, such exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company and the Trustee in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing Coupon or Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Bearer Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, interest represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an Office or Agency for such series located outside the United States.

 

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such Office or Agency for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series and like tenor after the close of business at such Office or Agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date of payment, as the case may be (or, if such Coupon is so surrendered with such Bearer Security, such Coupon shall be returned to the Person so surrendering the Bearer Security), and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but shall be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

If provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of such series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

Whenever any Securities are surrendered for exchange as contemplated by the immediately preceding two paragraphs, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any global Security shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities only if (i) the Depository is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of the date the Company is so informed in writing, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that such global Security shall be so exchangeable, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities. If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for definitive Securities as the result of an event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding sentence, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in such form and denominations as are required by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and of the same series, containing identical terms and in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be surrendered from time to time by the U.S. Depository or such other Depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto, and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the U.S. Depository or such other Depository, as the case may be (which instructions shall be in writing but need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate or be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities as described above without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of

 

 

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such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged, which (unless such Securities are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, in which case the definitive Securities exchanged for the global Security shall be issuable only in the form in which the Securities are issuable, as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization) shall be in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof, but subject to the satisfaction of any certification or other requirements to the issuance of Bearer Securities; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of the same series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date; and provided, further, that (unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization) no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, or such other Depository or U.S. Depository referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the Office or Agency for such Security where such exchange occurs on or after (i) any Regular Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar for such Security) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar for such Security duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, or redemption of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge and any other expenses (including fees and expenses of the Trustee) that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 9.5 or Section 11.7 not involving any transfer.

 

 

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Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of like tenor and the same series under Section 11.4 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security selected for redemption except, to the extent provided with respect to such Bearer Security, that such Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of like tenor and the same series, provided that such Registered Security shall be immediately surrendered for redemption with written instruction for payment consistent with the provisions of this Indenture or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

Section 3.6 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated Coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.6, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

If there be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or Coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or Coupon has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute and, upon the Company’s request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains with all appurtenant Coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.6, in case any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or Coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security or Coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, be payable only at an Office or Agency for such Securities located outside the United States and, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on Bearer Securities and any Additional Amounts with respect to such interest shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto.

 

 

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Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.6, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the fees and expenses of the Trustee’s counsel) connected therewith.

Every new Security, with any Coupons appertaining thereto issued pursuant to this Section 3.6 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall constitute a separate obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and Coupons appertaining thereto or the destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series and any Coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 3.6, as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall be 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 Securities or Coupons.

Section 3.7

Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, and are punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed by the Company in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on such Registered Security, the Special Record Date therefor and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust in a segregated trust account pursuant to express written instructions of the

 

 

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Company for the benefit of the Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. The Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after notification to the Trustee of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holder of such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, but such publication shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Security may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any particular series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, at the option of the Company, interest on Registered Securities that bear interest may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.5, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any particular series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, in the case of any Registered Security of any series that is convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company or exchangeable for other securities, which Registered Security is converted or exchanged after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Registered Security with respect to which the Stated Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion or exchange, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Registered Security (or one or more predecessor

 

 

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Registered Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Registered Security which is converted or exchanged, interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion or exchange of such Registered Security shall not be payable.

Section 3.8 Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security or the bearer of any Coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or Coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Security or Coupon shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary

No Holder of any beneficial interest in any global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such global Security, and such Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 3.9 Cancellation.

All Securities and Coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and Coupons, as well as Securities and Coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization. All cancelled Securities and Coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee, unless by a Company Order the Company directs their return to it.

 

 

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Section 3.10 Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Section 3.11 CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP,” “CINS” and “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use CUSIP, CINS or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders and no representation shall be made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption or exchange.

Article 4

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 4.1 Satisfaction and Discharge.

Upon the direction of the Company by a Company Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Order and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Order, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when

(1) either

(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all Coupons appertaining thereto (other than (i) Coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series surrendered in exchange for Registered Securities of such series and maturing after such exchange whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 3.5, (ii) Securities and Coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, (iii) Coupons appertaining to Securities of such series called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 11.7, and (iv) Securities and Coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(i) have become due and payable,

 

 

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(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company or pursuant to the operation of a sinking fund, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in the Currency in which such Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto (based upon applicable law as in effect on the date of such deposit), to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

In the event there are Securities of two or more series hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of such series as to which it is Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.6 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 4.3, Section 10.2, Section 10.3, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4(but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.1(b)), and with respect to any rights to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or other securities shall survive.

Section 4.2 Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.

(1) Unless pursuant to Section 3.1, either or both of (i) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (2) of this Section 3.1 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series or (ii) covenant defeasance of the Securities

 

 

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of or within a series under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then such provisions, together with the other provisions of this Section 4.2 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 4.2 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, elect to have Section 4.2(2) or Section 4.2(3) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 4.2.

(2) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 4.2(2) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of clause (5) of this Section 4.2 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 and as more fully set forth in such clause, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due, and any rights of such Holder to convert such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or exchange such Securities for other securities, (ii) the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to such Securities under Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 10.2 and Section 10.3 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4 (but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.2(a) below), and with respect to any rights to convert such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or exchange such Securities for other securities, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder including, without limitation, the compensation, reimbursement and indemnities provided in Section 6.6 herein and (iv) this Section 4.2 The Company may exercise its option under this Section 4.2(2) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto.

(3) Upon the Company’s exercise of the option to have this Section 4.2(3) apply with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under any covenant applicable to such Securities specified pursuant

 

 

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to Section 3.1(20), including any obligation to redeem or repurchase such securities at the option of the Holder thereof, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any such covenant or obligation, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Company may omit to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant or obligation, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or obligation or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant or obligation to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto shall be unaffected thereby.

(4) The following shall be the conditions to application of clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any Coupons appertaining thereto:

(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.7 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 4.2 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount in Dollars or in such Foreign Currency in which such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (y) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto (based upon applicable law as in effect on the date of such deposit), such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto at the Stated Maturity or

 

 

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Redemption Date of such principal or installment of principal or premium or interest and (z) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto on the days on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and, if applicable, shall have made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of any Securities to be redeemed at the option of the Company in connection with such deposit.

(b) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (after giving effect thereto) and, with respect to defeasance only, no event described in Section 5.1(6) or (7) shall have occurred at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(c) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

(d) In the case of an election under clause (2) of this Section 4.2, with respect to Registered Securities and any Bearer Securities for which the Place of Payment is within the United States, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from the Internal Revenue Service a letter ruling, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service a Revenue Ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

(e) In the case of an election under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to Registered Securities and any Bearer Securities for which the Place of Payment is within the United States, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

 

 

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(f) With respect to defeasance only, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, after the 91st day after the date of deposit, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) pursuant to this clause (4) to be held in trust will not be subject to recapture or avoidance as a preference in any case or proceeding (whether voluntary or involuntary) in respect of the Company under any Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or any decree or order for relief in respect of the Company issued in connection therewith (for which purpose such Opinion of Counsel may assume that no Holder is an “insider”).

(g) With respect to defeasance only, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as to solvency and the absence of any intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company.

(h) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or covenant defeasance under clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 (as the case may be) have been complied with.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4.2(4), such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.1.

(5) Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 4.2(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 3.1 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 4.2(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the Foreign Currency in which the deposit pursuant to Section 4.2(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on (x) in the case of payments made pursuant to clause (a) above, the applicable market exchange rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, or (y) with respect to a Conversion Event, the applicable market exchange rate for such Foreign Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

 

 

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The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 4.2(i)(5) and Section 4.3, the “Trustee”) against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to this Section 4.2 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto.

Anything in this Section 4.2(a) to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in clause (4) of this Section 4.2(a) which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 4.2(a).

Section 4.3 Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any; but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Article 5

REMEDIES

Section 5.1 Events of Default.

“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless such event is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization:

(1) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of such series, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such interest becomes or such Additional Amounts become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 60 days; or

(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of such series, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such

 

 

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principal or premium becomes or such Additional Amounts become due and payable at their Maturity; or

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security of such series; or

(4) default in the performance of the provisions of Section 7.4(1) and continuance of such default for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(5) default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture or the Securities (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than such series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(6) the entry by a court having competent jurisdiction of:

(a) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency) or other similar law and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(b) a decree or order adjudging the Company to be insolvent, or approving a petition seeking reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency), arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(c) a final and non-appealable order appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of the property of the Company, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company; or

(8) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency) or other similar law or of a voluntary proceeding seeking to be adjudicated insolvent or the consent by the Company to the

 

 

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entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by the Company of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company or relief under any applicable law, or the consent by the Company to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or similar official of the Company or any substantial part of the property of the Company or the making by the Company of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or

(9) any other Event of Default provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 5.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) of Section 5.1) occurs and is continuing, then the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series may declare the principal of all the Securities of such series, to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal, together with accrued interest thereon, shall become immediately due and payable.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) of Section 5.1 occurs, all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on the Outstanding Securities of that series shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of any Security of that series.

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay

(a) all overdue installments of any interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of such series and any Coupon appertaining thereto,

(b) the principal of and any premium on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

 

 

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(c) to the extent that payment of such interest or Additional Amounts is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of any interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

(d) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6; and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Company covenants that if

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto when such interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at their Maturity, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the whole amount of money then due and payable with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, with interest upon the overdue principal, any premium and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.

If the Company fails to pay the money it is required to pay the Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph forthwith upon the demand of the Trustee, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the money so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, wherever situated.

 

 

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If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 5.4 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of any series or the property of the Company or such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts) shall be entitled and empowered, to the extent permitted by applicable law by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of any applicable series, of the principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders of Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(2) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities or any Coupons to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities or any Coupons, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or any Coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or Coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or any Coupon in any such proceeding.

 

 

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Section 5.5 Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities or Coupons.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or Coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or Coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of each and every Holder of the Securities or Coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 5.6 Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal, or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts, upon presentation of the Securities or Coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.6;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and any Coupons for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and Coupons for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts, respectively;

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.

Section 5.7 Limitations on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee such indemnity as is reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

 

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(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

Section 5.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or Coupon shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security or payment of such Coupon, as the case may be, on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities therefor specified in such Security or Coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of such Holder if provided with respect to such Security, on the date such repayment is due) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 5.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or a Coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and each such Holder shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and each such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or Coupons in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to each and every Holder of a Security or a Coupon is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

 

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Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or Coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to any Holder of a Security or a Coupon may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by such Holder, as the case may be.

Section 5.12 Control by Holders of Securities.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto, provided that

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or with the Securities of such series,

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

(3) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of the other Holders of Securities of such series not joining in such action.

Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series or any Coupons appertaining thereto, or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

 

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Section 5.14 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

The Company covenants that (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company expressly waives (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 5.15 Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of any undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.15 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, and, in the case of repayment or repurchase, on or after the date for repayment or repurchase) or for the enforcement of the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security into Common Stock or other securities in accordance with its terms.

Article 6

THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.1 Certain Rights of Trustee.

Subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:

(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order (in each case, other than delivery of any Security, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 3.3 which shall be sufficiently

 

 

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evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture 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 shall be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written 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;

(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as is reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(6) 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, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may but shall not be obligated to make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine, during business hours and upon reasonable notice, the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys, custodians or nominees and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;

(9) the Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, and Security Registrar shall have the same protections as the Trustee set forth hereunder;

(10) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with an Act of the Holders hereunder, and, to the extent not so provided herein, with respect to any act requiring the Trustee to exercise its own discretion, relating to the time, method and place of

 

 

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conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture or any Securities, unless it shall be proved that, in connection with any such action taken, suffered or omitted or any such act, the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;

(11) the Trustee is not responsible to see that the Company or any other Person is maintaining any insurance required by the Indenture;

(12) the Trustee shall not be responsible for the recording, rerecording, filing of UCC Statements or UCC Continuation Statements;

(13) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee which conform to the requirements of the Indenture;

(14) except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(15) except as expressly required by the terms of this Indenture, none of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, 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 indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it; and

(16) in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

Section 6.2 Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series entitled to receive reports pursuant to Section 7.3(3), notice of such default hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer of 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 of (or premium, if any), or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts or any sinking fund or purchase fund installment with respect to, any Security of such series, 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 determine that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the Holders of Securities and Coupons of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.1(4) or 5.1(5) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the

 

 

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purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 6.3 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any Coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or the Coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Securities or the proceeds thereof.

Section 6.4 May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities or Coupons and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person.

Section 6.5 Money Held in Trust.

Except as provided in Section 4.3 and Section 10.3, money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed to in writing with the Company.

Section 6.6 Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by the Trustee hereunder as agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder (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 the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith; and

 

 

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(3) to indemnify the Trustee and its agents, officers, directors and employees for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent that any such loss, liability or expense was due to the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto.

To the extent permitted by law, any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified in or pursuant to Section 5.1 is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 6.6 shall include any predecessor Trustee but the negligence or bad faith of any Trustee shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 6.6.

The provisions of this Section 6.6 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee and shall apply with equal force and effect to the Trustee in its capacity as Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Security Registrar.

Section 6.7 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, that is eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000, and that is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authority. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 6.8 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(1) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to Section 6.9.

(2) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.9 shall not have been delivered to 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 with respect to such series.

 

 

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(3) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and the Company.

(4) If at any time:

(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Company or any Holder of a Security of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months, or

(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.7 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or any such Holder, or

(c) 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 such case, (i) the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or the Securities of such series, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(5) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of such series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.9. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapacity, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.9, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.9, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others

 

 

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similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

(6) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register and, if Securities of such series are issued as Bearer Securities, by publishing notice of such event once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment located outside the United States. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

(7) In no event shall any retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.

Section 6.9 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties hereunder of the retiring Trustee; but, on the written request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 10.3, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.6.

(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, such successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts

 

 

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hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and, upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, 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 with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on written request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates and subject to Section 10.3 shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, subject to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.6.

(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section, as the case may be.

(4) No Person shall accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

Section 6.10 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, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

Section 6.11 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Company with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption or partial repayment or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be

 

 

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valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.

Each Authenticating Agent must be acceptable to the Company and, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, shall at all times be a Corporation that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any Corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such Corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall (i) mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, and (ii) if Securities of the series are issued as Bearer Securities, publish notice of such appointment at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the place where such successor Authenticating Agent has its principal office if such office is located outside the United States. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section. If the Trustee makes such payments, it shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.6.

The provisions of Section 3.8, Section 6.3 and Section 6.4 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

 

 

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If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
		By
		as Authenticating Agent
		By
		Authorized Officer

If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officers’ Certificate by the Company), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.

Article 7

HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 7.1 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

(1) semi-annually with respect to Securities of each series not later than May 1 and November 1 of the year or upon such other dates as are set forth in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, a list, in each case in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of the applicable date, and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished.

 

 

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Section 7.2 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

Every Holder of Securities or Coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.3 Reports by Trustee.

(1) Within 60 days after September 15 of each year commencing with the first September 15 following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit, pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such September 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding September 15 and the date of this Indenture.

(2) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act at the times specified therein.

(3) Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted in the manner and to the Persons required by Sections 313(c) and 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.4 Reports by Company.

The Company, pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, 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 Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission 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 said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

 

 

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(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company, with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(3) transmit within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, 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 paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

Article 8

CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATIONS, MERGER AND SALES

Section 8.1 Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

The Company shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company), and the Company shall not permit any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company; unless:

(1) in case the Company shall consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety shall be a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, Bermuda, or any other country which is on the date of this Indenture a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, executed by the successor Person and delivered to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of every obligation in this Indenture and the Outstanding Securities on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and shall provide for conversion or exchange rights in accordance with the provisions of the Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or other securities;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default or event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

 

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(3) either the Company or the successor Person shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.2 Successor Person Substituted for Company.

Upon any consolidation or amalgamation by the Company with or merger of the Company into any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation 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 Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture, the Securities and the Coupons.

Article 9

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.1 Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or Coupons, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained herein and in the Securities; or

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(3) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be exchanged for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto in any material respect; or

 

 

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(4) to establish the forms or terms of Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1; or

(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.9; or

(6) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series then Outstanding or any Coupons appertaining thereto in any material respect; or

(7) to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth; or

(8) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture); or

(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Article 4, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of an Outstanding Security of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto or any other Outstanding Security or Coupon in any material respect; or

(10) to secure the Securities; or

(11) to make provisions with respect to conversion or exchange rights of Holders of Securities of any series; or

(12) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, provided that no such amendment or supplement shall materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Securities then Outstanding.

Section 9.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Company’s Board Resolution) and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture or of the Securities of such

 

 

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series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any premium or installment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof (or modify the calculation of such principal amount) or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or otherwise, or change the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.4 (except as contemplated by Section 3.11 and 3.14 and by Section 8.1(1) and permitted by Section 9.1(1)), or change the redemption provisions or adversely affect the right of repayment at the option of any Holder as contemplated by Article 13, or change the Place of Payment, Currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the date for repayment), or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 15.4 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Indenture relating to the subordination of the Securities in a manner adverse to Holders of Securities, or

(4) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.6, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, or

(5) make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any Security into or for Common Stock of the Company or other securities (whether or not issued by the Company), cash or property in accordance with its terms.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which shall have been included expressly and solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

 

 

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Section 9.3 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

As a condition to executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the execution of such supplemental indenture have been fulfilled. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.4 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any Coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

Section 9.5 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

Section 9.6 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.7 Effect on Senior Indebtedness.

No supplemental indenture shall directly or indirectly modify or eliminate the provisions of Article 16 in any manner which might terminate or impair the subordination of the Securities of any series to Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series without the prior written consent of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

Section 9.8 Notice of Supplemental Indenture.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.2, the Company shall transmit to the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series affected thereby a notice setting forth the substance of such supplemental indenture.

 

 

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Article 10

COVENANTS

Section 10.1 Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of each series that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series in accordance with the terms thereof, any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Any interest due on any Bearer Security on or before the Maturity thereof, and any Additional Amounts payable with respect to such interest, shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto for such interest as they severally mature.

Section 10.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an Office or Agency where Securities of such series (but not Bearer Securities, except as otherwise provided below, unless such Place of Payment is located outside the United States) may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of such series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series relating thereto and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization shall maintain, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, an Office or Agency in a Place of Payment for such series which is located outside the United States where Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided, however, that if the Securities of such series are listed on The International Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company shall maintain a Paying Agent in London, Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of such series are listed on such exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such Office or Agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Office or Agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment at the place specified for the purpose with respect to such Securities as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, no payment of principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect to Bearer Securities shall be made at any Office or Agency in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by wire transfer to an account maintained with a bank

 

 

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located in the United States; provided, however, if amounts owing with respect to any Bearer Securities shall be payable in Dollars, payment of principal of, any premium or interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any such Security may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or any Office or Agency designated by the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts at all offices outside the United States maintained for such purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other Offices or Agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an Office or Agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other Office or Agency. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Company hereby designates as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the Office or Agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for such purpose. The Company may subsequently appoint a different Office or Agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for the Securities of any series.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one exchange rate agent.

Section 10.3 Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it shall, on or prior to each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities of such series, deposit with any Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal and any premium, interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of

 

 

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the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

The Company shall cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent shall:

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series; and

(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or 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 sums.

Except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of any series or any Coupon appertaining thereto and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal or any such premium or interest or any such Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, at the expense of the Company may cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series or to be mailed to Holders of Registered Securities of such series, or both, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing nor shall it be later than two years after such principal or any premium or

 

 

 

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interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 10.4 Additional Amounts.

All payments of principal of and premium, if any, interest and any other Amounts on, or in respect of, the Securities of any series or any Coupon appertaining thereto shall be made without withholding or deduction at source for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of Bermuda or any other jurisdiction in which the Company is organized (each, a “taxing jurisdiction”) or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, unless such taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges are required to be withheld or deducted by (i) the laws (or any regulations or ruling promulgated thereunder) of a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or (ii) an official position regarding the application, administration, interpretation or enforcement of any such laws, regulations or rulings (including, without limitation, a holding by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a taxing authority in a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof). If a withholding or deduction at source is required, the Company shall, subject to certain limitations and exceptions set forth below, pay to the Holder of any such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto such Additional Amounts as may be necessary so that every net payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or any other amount made to such Holder, after such withholding or deduction, shall not be less than the amount provided for in such Security, any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to make payment of such Additional Amounts for or on account of:

(1) any tax, fee, duty, assessment or governmental charge of whatever nature which would not have been imposed but for the fact that such Holder: (A) was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or otherwise had some connection with the relevant taxing jurisdiction other than by reason of the mere ownership of, or receipt of payment under, such Security; (B) presented such Security for payment in the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof, unless such Security could not have been presented for payment elsewhere; or (C) presented such Security more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the payment in respect of such Security first became due and payable or provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts if it had presented such Security for payment on any day within such period of thirty (30) days;

(2) any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(3) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by the Holder or the beneficial owner of such Security to comply with any reasonable request by the Company addressed to the Holder within 90 days of such request (A) to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the Holder or such beneficial owner or (B) to make any declaration or other

 

 

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similar claim or satisfy any information or reporting requirement, which, in the case of (A) or (B), is required or imposed by statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge; or

(4) any combination of items (1), (2) and (3);

nor shall Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, interest or any other amounts on, any such Security to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such Security to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the relevant taxing jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or relevant taxing authority thereof or therein) to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or partner or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the Holder of the Security.

Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium, interest or any other amounts on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or any Coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding the payment of Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of the applicable series, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Securities (or if the Securities of such series shall not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of and premium, if any, interest or any other amounts on the Securities of such series shall be made to Holders of Securities of such series or the Coupons appertaining thereto without withholding for or on account of any tax, fee, duty, assessment or other governmental charge described in this Section 10.4 If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by taxing jurisdiction the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities or Coupons, and the Company agrees to pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by this Section 10.4 The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 10.4

 

 

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Section 10.5 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 8, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not obligate the Company to preserve any such right or franchise if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to any Holder.

Section 10.6 Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 10.45 with respect to the Securities of any series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either shall waive such compliance in such instance or generally shall have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10.7 Company Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults.

(1) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement (which need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate) signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, stating that

(a) a review of the activities of the Company during such year and of its performance under this Indenture has been made under his or her supervision, and

(b) to the best of his or her knowledge, based on such review, (a) the Company has complied with all the conditions and covenants imposed on it under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such condition or covenant, specifying each such default known to him or her and the nature and status thereof, and (b) no event has occurred and is continuing which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, or, if such an event has occurred and is continuing, specifying each such event known to him and the nature and status thereof.

(2) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within five days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any Event of Default or any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default pursuant to clause (4) of Section 5.1

 

 

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(3) The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the Company’s compliance with the covenants contained in this Article 10 other than as specifically set forth in this Section 10.7

Section 10.8 Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on any Outstanding Original Issue Discount Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Code, as amended from time to time.

Article 11

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 11.1 Applicability of Article.

Redemption of Securities of any series as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.

Section 11.2 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of (a) less than all of the Securities of any series or (b) all of the Securities of any series, with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed.

Section 11.3 Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Securities of any series with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Registered Security of such series not redeemed to less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein or pursuant hereto.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

 

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For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted into Common Stock of the Company or exchanged for other securities in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

Section 11.4 Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice by mailing in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date, and if such redemption date is conditional, a description of the event upon which it is conditioned;

(2) the Redemption Price,

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, in the case of a Registered Security, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts

 

 

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pertaining thereto, and that unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and other amounts then due, interest thereon, if applicable, shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the place or places where such Securities, together (in the case of Bearer Securities) with all Coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing on or after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto,

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all Coupons maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption or the amount of any such missing Coupon or Coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and any Paying Agent is furnished,

(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and no Registered Securities of such series are to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on the Redemption Date pursuant to Section 3.5 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made,

(10) in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible into Common Stock of the Company or exchangeable for other securities, the conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such series to be redeemed will commence or terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and

(11) the CUSIP number or the Euroclear or the Clearstream reference numbers of such Securities, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depository to identify such Securities).

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 1.6 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.

Notice of redemption of Securities shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 11.5 Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit, with respect to the Securities of any series called for redemption, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money in the applicable Currency sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 or in the Securities of such series) any accrued interest on and

 

 

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Additional Amounts with respect thereto, all such Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 11.6 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, become due and payable on the Redemption Date, at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest or Additional Amounts) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and the Coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization and the Coupons, installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of Coupons for such interest (at an Office or Agency located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2), and provided, further, that, except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7 and installments of interest on Registered Securities for which the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or before the following Interest Payment Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant Coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that any interest or Additional Amounts represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an Office or Agency for such Security located outside of the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

 

 

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Section 11.7 Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Office or Agency for such Security (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Security in global form is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the U.S. Depository or other Depository for such Security in global form as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security in global form so surrendered.

Article 12

SINKING FUNDS

Section 12.1 Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2 Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and this Indenture.

Section 12.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Company), together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto, and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such series of Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption

 

 

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Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If, as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 12.2, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to satisfy the remaining sinking fund payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the written request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.

Section 12.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 75 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 11.6 and Section 11.7.

Article 13

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 13.1 Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 3.9, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a written directive that such Securities be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13.1, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Company may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of

 

 

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such Securities on or before the close of business on the repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Company on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Company to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.

Article 14

SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Section 14.1 Applicability of Article.

Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency, or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in the form of Security of any particular series or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Currency other than Dollars shall be treated for any such action or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination of rights or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such action, determination of rights or distribution) as the Company may specify in a written notice to the Trustee.

Article 15

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Section 15.1 Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

Section 15.2 Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(1) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or, if Securities of such series have been issued in whole or in part as Bearer Securities, in London or in such place outside the United States as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(2) In case at any time the Company (by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, by written request setting forth in

 

 

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reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed notice of or made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request (whichever shall be required pursuant to Section 1.6) or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or, if Securities of such series are to be issued as Bearer Securities, in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in clause (1) of this Section.

Section 15.3 Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 15.4 Quorum; Action.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any reconvened meeting, such reconvened meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such reconvened meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 15.2(1), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the

 

 

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Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the Coupons appertaining thereto, whether or not such Holders were present or represented at the meeting.

Section 15.5 Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 or by having the signature of the person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 1.4 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 1.4 or other proof.

(2) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 15.2, in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(3) At any meeting, each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

(4) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 15.2 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

 

 

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Section 15.6 Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports of all votes cast at the meeting. A record of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 15.2 and, if applicable, Section 15.4. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

Article 16

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 16.1 Agreement to Subordinate.

The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued hereunder and under any indenture supplemental hereto or pursuant to a Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate (“Additional Provisions”) by such Holder’s acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article 16; and each Holder of a Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

The payment by the Company of the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of each series issued hereunder and under any Additional Provisions shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth and subject to the provisions of the relates Series Authorization, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

No provision of this Article 16 shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

All references in this Article 16 to Holders of Securities shall be deemed to include Holders of Coupons.

 

 

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Section 16.2 Default on Senior Indebtedness.

In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other amount due on any Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series has been accelerated because of a default, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including redemption and sinking fund payments) of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series or to acquire such Securities (other than pursuant to the conversion of such Securities).

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 16.2, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on such Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

Section 16.3 Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.

Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any total or partial dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshaling of assets of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings relating to the Company or its assets, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company on account of the principal of, premium or interest on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series; and in any such case, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee (on behalf of Holders with respect to the principal of, premium or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such Series) would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article 16, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders having equal seniority on the basis of the respective amounts of such Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment

 

 

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or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of the Securities of such series or to the Trustee.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing shall be received by the Trustee before all such Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all such Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

For purposes of this Article 16, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article 16 with respect to the Securities of the relevant series to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation or amalgamation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance, transfer or lease of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article 8 of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 16.3 if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article 8 of this Indenture.

Section 16.4 Subrogation.

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series, the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article 16, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16 to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities of such series or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of such Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities of such series, be deemed to be a payment

 

 

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by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article 16 are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series on the other hand.

Nothing contained in this Article 16 or elsewhere in this Indenture, any Additional Provisions or in the Securities of any series is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series, and the Holders of the Securities of such series, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities of such series the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series and creditors of the Company, other than the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security of such series from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article 16 of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, as the case may be, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article 16, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, and the Holders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities of any series, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series and other indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 16.

Section 16.5 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

Each Holder of Securities by such Holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article 16 and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 16.6 Notice by the Company.

The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 16 or any other provision of this Indenture or any Additional Provisions, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the

 

 

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Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 16.6 at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series (or a trustee on behalf of such holder), to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 16, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 16, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article 16, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding-up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities of any series, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 16.

Section 16.7 Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 16 in respect of any Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of such Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture or any Additional Provisions shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

 

 

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With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article 16, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture or any Additional Provisions against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of the Securities of such series, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 16 or otherwise.

Nothing in this Article 16 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6.

Section 16.8 Subordination May Not Be Impaired.

No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of Securities of such series, without incurring responsibility to such Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article 16 or the obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Securities of such series to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.

Section 16.9 Application by Trustee of Assets Deposited with It.

Amounts deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with this Indenture, including without limitation pursuant to Article 4 hereof, shall be for the sole benefit of the Holders of the Securities and, to the extent allocated for the payment of Securities, shall not be subject to the subordination provisions of this Article 16. Otherwise, any deposit of assets with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (whether or not in trust) for the payment of any Securities shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 16.1, 16.2, and 16.3; provided that, if prior to two Business Days preceding the date on which by the terms of this Indenture any such assets may become distributable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of

 

 

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any amount due on any Security) the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall not have received with respect to such assets the written notice provided for in Section 16.6, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have full power and authority to receive such assets and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such date.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

[SEAL]		RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.
Attest:		By
			Name:
			Title:

 

[SEAL]		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
Attest:		By
			Name:
			Title:

 

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FORM OF SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

RENAISSANCERE FINANCE INC., Issuer

And

RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., GUARANTOR

To

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of _____________, 2007

Subordinated Debt Securities

 

 

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Reconciliation and tie between

Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”) and

Indenture

 

Trust Indenture Act Section		Indenture Section
§§ 310(a)(1)		6.7
(a)(2) 6.7 (b)		6.8
§§. 312(a)		7.1
(b)		7.2
(c)		7.2
§§. 313(a)		7.3
(b)(2)		7.3
(c)		7.3
(d)		7.3
§§. 314(a)		7.4
(c)(1)		1.2
(c)(2)		1.2
(e)		1.2
(f)		1.2
§§. 316(a) (last sentence)		1.1
(a)(1)(A)		5.2, 5.12
(a)(1)(B)		5.13
(b)		5.8
§§. 317(a)(1)		5.3
(a)(2)		5.4
(b)		10.3
§§. 318(a)		1.8

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	Article 1
	DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.1	Definitions		1
Section 1.2	Compliance Certificates and Opinions		12
Section 1.3	Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee		12
Section 1.4	Acts of Holders		13
Section 1.5	Notices, etc.		15
Section 1.6	Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver		15
Section 1.7	Language of Notices		16
Section 1.8	Conflict with Trust Indenture Act		16
Section 1.9	Effect of Headings and Table of Contents		17
Section 1.10	Successors and Assigns		17
Section 1.11	Separability Clause		17
Section 1.12	Benefits of Indenture		17
Section 1.13	Governing Law		17
Section 1.14	Legal Holidays		17
Section 1.15	Counterparts		18
Section 1.16	Judgment Currency		18
Section 1.17	No Security Interest Created		18
Section 1.18	Limitation on Individual Liability		18
Section 1.19	Submission to Jurisdiction		19
	Article 2
	SECURITIES FORMS
Section 2.1	Forms Generally		20
Section 2.2	Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication		20
Section 2.3	Securities in Global Form		20
	Article 3
	THE SECURITIES
Section 3.1	Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series		21
Section 3.2	Currency; Denominations		25
Section 3.3	Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating		26
Section 3.4	Temporary Securities		28
Section 3.5	Registration, Transfer and Exchange		28
Section 3.6	Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities		32
Section 3.7	Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved		33
Section 3.8	Persons Deemed Owners		35
Section 3.9	Cancellation		35
Section 3.10	Computation of Interest		35
Section 3.11	CUSIP Numbers		36

 

 

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	Article 4
	SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
Section 4.1	Satisfaction and Discharge		36
Section 4.2	Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance		37
Section 4.3	Application of Trust Money		42
	Article 5
	REMEDIES
Section 5.1	Events of Default		42
Section 5.2	Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment		44
Section 5.3	Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee		45
Section 5.4	Trustee May File Proofs of Claim		46
Section 5.5	Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities or Coupons		47
Section 5.6	Application of Money Collected		47
Section 5.7	Limitations on Suits		48
Section 5.8	Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts		48
Section 5.9	Restoration of Rights and Remedies		49
Section 5.10	Rights and Remedies Cumulative		49
Section 5.11	Delay or Omission Not Waiver		49
Section 5.12	Control by Holders of Securities		49
Section 5.13	Waiver of Past Defaults		50
Section 5.14	Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws		50
Section 5.15	Undertaking for Costs		50
	Article 6
	THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1	Certain Rights of Trustee		51
Section 6.2	Notice of Defaults		53
Section 6.3	Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities		53
Section 6.4	May Hold Securities		53
Section 6.5	Money Held in Trust		54
Section 6.6	Compensation and Reimbursement		54
Section 6.7	Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility		55
Section 6.8	Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor		55
Section 6.9	Acceptance of Appointment by Successor		56
Section 6.10	Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business		58
Section 6.11	Appointment of Authenticating Agent		58
	Article 7
	HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.1	Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders		60
Section 7.2	Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders		60
Section 7.3	Reports by Trustee		60
Section 7.4	Reports by Company		61

 

 

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	Article 8
	CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATIONS, MERGER AND SALES
Section 8.1	Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms		61
Section 8.2	Successor Person Substituted for Company		62
	Article 9
	SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.1	Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders		64
Section 9.2	Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders		65
Section 9.3	Execution of Supplemental Indentures		66
Section 9.4	Effect of Supplemental Indentures		67
Section 9.5	Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures		67
Section 9.6	Conformity with Trust Indenture Act		67
Section 9.7	Effect on Senior Indebtedness		67
Section 9.8	Notice of Supplemental Indenture		67
	Article 10
	COVENANTS
Section 10.1	Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts		67
Section 10.2	Maintenance of Office or Agency		68
Section 10.3	Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust		69
Section 10.4	Additional Amounts		70
Section 10.5	Corporate Existence		72
Section 10.6	Waiver of Certain Covenants		73
Section 10.7	Company Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults		73
Section 10.8	Calculation of Original Issue Discount		73
	Article 11
	REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.1	Applicability of Article		74
Section 11.2	Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee		74
Section 11.3	Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed		74
Section 11.4	Notice of Redemption		75
Section 11.5	Deposit of Redemption Price		76
Section 11.6	Securities Payable on Redemption Date		76
Section 11.7	Securities Redeemed in Part		77
	Article 12
	SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.1	Applicability of Article		78
Section 12.2	Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities		78
Section 12.3	Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund		79
	Article 13
	REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
Section 13.1	Applicability of Article		79

 

 

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	Article 14
	SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Section 14.1	Applicability of Article.		80
	Article 15
	MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Section 15.1	Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called		80
Section 15.2	Call, Notice and Place of Meetings		80
Section 15.3	Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings		81
Section 15.4	Quorum; Action		81
Section 15.5	Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings		82
Section 15.6	Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings		82
	Article 16
	SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
Section 16.1	Agreement to Subordinate		83
Section 16.2	Default on Senior Indebtedness		84
Section 16.3	Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy		84
Section 16.4	Subrogation		85
Section 16.5	Trustee to Effectuate Subordination		86
Section 16.6	Notice by the Company		86
Section 16.7	Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness		87
Section 16.8	Subordination May Not Be Impaired		88
Section 16.9	Application by Trustee of Assets Deposited with It		88

 

 

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of __________, 2007 (the “Indenture”), among RENAISSANCERE FINANCE INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal executive office located at 5080 Spectrum Drive, Suite 900 East, Addison, Texas, 75001, RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., a company duly organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (hereinafter called the “Guarantor”), having its principal executive office located at Renaissance House, 8-20 East Broadway, Pembroke HM 19, Bermuda and DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, a New York banking corporation (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), having its Corporate Trust Office located at 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005.

RECITALS

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its subordinated unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Securities”), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

For value received, the Guarantor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of the Guarantee and the indemnity provided for herein. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Guarantor, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder that are required to be part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as herein defined) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof and any Coupons (as herein defined) as follows:

Article 1

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.1 Definitions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:

 

 

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(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, 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, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the terms “generally accepted accounting principles” or “GAAP” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States of America at the date or time of such computation;

(4) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and

(5) the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”).

Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.

“Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company or the Guarantor in respect of certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified therein and which are owing to such Holders.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have the meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.11 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in an official language of the place of publication or in the English language, customarily published on each day that is a Business Day in the place of publication, whether or not published on days that are Legal Holidays in the place of publication, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the

 

 

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same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any day that is a Business Day in the place of publication.

“Authorized Officer” means, when used with respect to the Company, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, the Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company.

“Bearer Security” means any Security in the form established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is payable to bearer.

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for the Company hereunder.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors or the Guarantor’s Board of Directors, as the case may be, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day,” with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

“Capitalized Lease Obligation” means an obligation under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with such principles.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Common Stock” in respect of any Corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which has no preference as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Corporation, and which is not subject to redemption by such Corporation.

 

 

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“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person, and any other obligor upon the Securities.

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company by an Authorized Officer, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country or the confederation which issued such Foreign Currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community, or (ii) any currency unit or composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of original execution of this Indenture is located at located at Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Services or at any other time at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the parties hereto or at the principal corporate trust office of any successor trustee as to which such successor trustee may notify the parties hereto in writing.

“Corporation” includes corporations, limited liability companies, incorporated associations, companies and business trusts.

“Coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

“Currency,” with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security, means Dollars or the Foreign Currency, as the case may be, in which such payment, deposit or other transfer is required to be made by or pursuant to the terms hereof or such Security and, with respect to any other payment, deposit or transfer pursuant to or contemplated by the terms hereof or such Security, means Dollars.

“CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, CUSIP Service Bureau.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

“Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.

“Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other

 

 

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than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the other government or governments or confederation or association of governments which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Security or any Additional Amounts in respect thereof shall be payable, in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of such government or governments or confederation or association of governments or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments or confederation or association of governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments or confederation or association of governments, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

“Guarantee” means the unconditional guarantee of payment of the principal of, any premium or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on, and any Additional Amounts and Additional Sums with respect to the Securities by the Guarantor, as more fully set forth in Article 17.

“Guarantor” means the Person named as the “Guarantor” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Guarantor” shall mean each successor Person.

“Guarantor’s Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Guarantor or any committee of that board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for the Guarantor hereunder.

“Guarantor’s Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Guarantor’s Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel or the Secretary of the Guarantor, that complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trustee Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.

 

 

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“Guarantor Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Guarantor by the Chairman of the Guarantor’s Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel or the Secretary of the Guarantor, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Holder,” in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of any Bearer Security, means the bearer thereof and, in the case of any Coupon, means the bearer thereof.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, (i) the principal of and any premium and interest on (a) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (b) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (ii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations and all obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i) through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit); (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the amount thereof being deemed to be the lesser of the stated recourse, if limited, and the amount of the obligation or dividends of the other Person; (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; and (vii) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clauses (i) through (vi) above.

“Indenture” means this instrument as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, with respect to any Security, by the terms and provisions of such Security and any Coupon appertaining thereto established pursuant to Section 3.1 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof).

“Independent Public Accountants” means accountants or a firm of accountants that, with respect to the Company, the Guarantor and any other obligor under the Securities or the Coupons, are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder, who may be the independent public accountants regularly retained by the Company or the Guarantor or who may be other independent public accountants. Such accountants or firm shall be entitled to rely upon any Opinion of Counsel as to the interpretation of any legal matters relating to this Indenture or certificates required to be provided hereunder.

 

 

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“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity or upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2 may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

“Interest,” with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.4, includes such Additional Amounts.

“Interest Payment Date,” with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“Legal Holidays” has the meaning specified in Section 1.14.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance.

“Maturity,” with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption or repurchase, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise, and includes any Redemption Date and the date of any required repurchase or repayment.

“New York Banking Day” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“Office” or “Agency”, with respect to any Securities, means an office or agency of the Company maintained or designated as a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or any other office or agency of the Company maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 10.2 in lieu of such office or agency, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers, at least one of which is a principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer, that complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, the Guarantor or other counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that, if required by the Trust Indenture Act, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security issued pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization which provides for declaration of an amount less than the principal face amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2.

 

 

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“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

a.

any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for cancellation;

b.

any such Security for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 4.2) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company or the Guarantor) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company or the Guarantor (if the Company shall act as its own, or authorize the Guarantor to act as, Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

c.

any such Security with respect to which the Company or the Guarantor has effected defeasance pursuant to the terms hereof, except to the extent provided in Section 4.2;

d.

any such Security which has been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Security is held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Company; and

e.

any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into Common Stock of the Company or the Guarantor or other securities of another issuer, if the terms of such Security provide for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 3.1;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the principal amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such Security of the then current principal amount) of such Security unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company, the

 

 

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Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company, the Guarantor or such other obligor, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which shall have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee (A) the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and (B) that the pledgee is not the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto or an Affiliate of the Company, the Guarantor or such other obligor.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security or any Coupon on behalf of the Company.

“Person” means any individual, Corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Place of Payment,” with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security are payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same Indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or any Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same Indebtedness as the lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or the Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

“Preferred Stock” in respect of any Corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Corporation.

“Principal” means, as of any date of determination with respect to the Securities of any series, (i) in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or an Indexed Security, the amount due and payable with respect to principal upon an acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 at such time and (ii) in all other cases, par or the stated face amount of the related Security.

“Redemption Date,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

 

 

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“Redemption Price,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, exclusive of accrued interest and any Additional Amounts with respect to accrued interest.

“Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is registered in a Security Register.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization as the “Regular Record Date”.

“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“Responsible Officer” means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, including any vice president, any assistant vice president, director, managing director, associate or any trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Security” or “Securities” means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of Indebtedness, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities,” with respect to any such Person, shall mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.

“Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Securities of any particular series, all Indebtedness of the Company outstanding at any time, except (a) the Securities of such series or any other Indebtedness ranking pari passu therewith, (b) Indebtedness as to which, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same, it is provided that such Indebtedness is subordinated to or pari passu with the Securities of such series, (c) Indebtedness of the Company to, or guaranteed on behalf of, a Subsidiary of the Company, or any officer, director or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (d) interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding relating to the Company referred to in Section 5.1(6) unless such interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the Company in a proceeding under federal or state bankruptcy laws, (e) trade accounts payable, (f) any liability for income, franchise, real estate or other taxes owed or owing and (g) any Indebtedness, including all other debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt securities, initially issued to any trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Company which is a financing vehicle of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company in connection with the issuance by such entity of preferred securities or other securities which are similar to preferred securities that are guaranteed by the Company.

 

 

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“Series Authorization” means, with respect to any series or class of Securities, (i) a Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or (ii) one or more indentures supplemental hereto, establishing such series or class of Securities and setting forth the terms thereof, including, in either case, a form of note or notes representing such Securities.

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Registered Security means a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 3.7.

“Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, means the date established by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is, or such Additional Amounts are, due and payable.

“Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement” means the Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.

“Subsidiary” means, in respect of any Person, any Corporation, limited or general partnership or other business entity of which at the time of determination more than 50% of the voting power of the shares of its Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and any reference herein to the Trust Indenture Act or a particular provision thereof shall mean such Act or provision, as the case may be, as amended or replaced from time to time or as supplemented from time to time by rules or regulations adopted by the Commission under or in furtherance of the purposes of such Act or provision, as the case may be.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

“United States,” except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“U.S. Depository” or “Depository” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, the Person designated as U.S. Depository or Depository by the Company in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, which Person must be, to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, if so provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more

 

 

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than one such Person, “U.S. Depository” or “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the qualifying entity which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.

“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”.

Section 1.2 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, 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 or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

(a) a statement that the individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(b) 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;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 1.3 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.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or the Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, provided that such

 

 

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officer, after reasonable inquiry, has no reason to believe and does not believe that the Opinion of Counsel with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based is erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company or the Guarantor stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, provided that such counsel, after reasonable inquiry, has no reason to believe and does not believe that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 1.4 Acts of Holders.

(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or pursuant to this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. If, but only if, Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 15, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, by the Company or the Guarantor. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company, the Guarantor and any agent of the Trustee, the Company or the Guarantor, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 15.6.

(2) Without limiting the generality of this Section 1.4, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, a Holder, including a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the

 

 

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beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such U.S. Depository’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(3) The Company shall fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interest in any permanent global Security held by a U.S. Depository entitled under the procedures of such U.S. Depository to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

(4) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing referred to in this Section 1.4 may be proved in any reasonable manner; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof, including written proof, with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

(5) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(6) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary reasonably acceptable to the Company, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Company and the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (i) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (ii) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (iii) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (iv) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by the Person so executing such instrument or writing and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same may also be proved in any other manner which the Company and the Trustee deem sufficient.

(7) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may at its option (but is not obligated to), by Board Resolution, fix in advance

 

 

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a record date for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

(8) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such Act is made upon such Security.

Section 1.5 Notices, etc.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or

(2) the Company or the Guarantor by the Trustee or any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company or the Guarantor addressed to the attention of its Treasurer, with a copy to the attention of its General Counsel, at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company or the Guarantor.

Section 1.6 Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event,

(1) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Registered Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Registered Security affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not

 

 

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later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice; and

(2) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer Securities, if any, if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York and, if such Securities are then listed on any stock exchange outside the United States, in an Authorized Newspaper in such city as the Company shall advise the Trustee in writing that such stock exchange so requires, on a Business Day at least twice, the first such publication to be not earlier than the earliest date and the second such publication not later than the latest date prescribed for the giving of such notice.

In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

In case by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearers Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of any notice mailed to Holders of Registered Securities as provided above.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed in writing with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

Section 1.7 Language of Notices.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that, if the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, so elects, any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Section 1.8 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with any duties under any required provision of the Trust Indenture Act imposed hereon by Section 318(c) thereof, such required provision shall control.

 

 

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Section 1.9 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 1.10 Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company or the Guarantor shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.11 Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 1.12 Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and holders of Senior Indebtedness, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities or Coupons, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 1.13 Governing Law.

This Indenture, the Securities and any Coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made or instruments entered into and, in each case, performed in said state.

Section 1.14 Legal Holidays.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security, or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert or exchange Securities of a series that are convertible or exchangeable, shall be a Legal Holiday at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon other than a provision in any Security or Coupon that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof) payment need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, and such Securities need not be converted or exchanged on such date but such payment may be made, and such Securities may be converted or exchanged, on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity or on such last day for conversion or exchange, and no interest shall accrue on the amount payable on such date or at such time for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or last day for conversion or exchange, as the case may be, to such next succeeding Business Day.

 

 

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Section 1.15 Counterparts.

This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 1.16 Judgment Currency.

The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the requisite amount of the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

Section 1.17 No Security Interest Created.

Nothing in this Indenture or in any Securities, express or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect in any jurisdiction where property of the Company or its Subsidiaries is or may be located.

Section 1.18 Limitation on Individual Liability.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder (except in a shareholder’s corporate capacity as Guarantor), manager, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, shareholders, managers, officers or directors, as such, of the Company, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason

 

 

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of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, shareholder, manager, officer or director, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Security.

Section 1.19 Submission to Jurisdiction.

The Company agrees that any judicial proceedings instituted in relation to any matter arising under this Indenture, the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto may be brought in any United States Federal or New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York to the extent that such court has subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy and, by execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company hereby irrevocably accepts, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts, acknowledges their competence and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered in such proceeding. The Company also irrevocably and unconditionally waives for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and Coupons any immunity from jurisdiction and any immunity from legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in the aid of execution, execution or otherwise) in respect of this Indenture. The Company hereby irrevocably designates and appoints for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and Coupons for the term of this Indenture [___________________] as its agent to receive on its behalf service of all process (with a copy of all such service of process to be delivered to [___________________]) brought against it with respect to any such proceeding in any such court in The City of New York, such service being hereby acknowledged by the Company to be effective and binding service on it in every respect whether or not the Company shall then be doing or shall have at any time done business in New York. Such appointment shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Securities or Coupons or the obligations of the Company hereunder remain outstanding until the appointment of a successor by the Company and such successor’s acceptance of such appointment. Upon such acceptance, the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of such successor. The Company further agrees for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and the Coupons to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of said [___________________] in full force and effect so long as any of the Securities or Coupons or the obligations of the Company hereunder shall be outstanding. The Trustee shall not be obligated and shall have no responsibility with respect to any failure by the Company to take any such action. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by any law or limit the right of the Trustee or any Holder to institute proceedings against the Company in the courts of any other jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

 

 

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Article 2

SECURITIES FORMS

Section 2.1 Forms Generally.

Each Registered Security, Bearer Security, Coupon and temporary or permanent global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Security or Coupon as evidenced by their execution of such Security or Coupon.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, the Securities shall be issuable in registered form without Coupons and shall not be issuable upon the exercise of warrants.

Definitive Securities and definitive Coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities or Coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or Coupons.

Section 2.2 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

Subject to Section 6.11, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
		By
			Authorized Officer

Section 2.3 Securities in Global Form.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, the Securities of a series shall not be issuable in temporary or permanent global form. If Securities of a series shall be issuable in global form, any such Security may provide that it or any number of such Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount,

 

 

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or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 and, if applicable, Section 3.4, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver, in each case at the Company’s expense, any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing and, with respect to matters set forth in this Section 2.3, need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officers’ Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.7, unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, payment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security in temporary or permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.8 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a global Security (i) in the case of a global Security in registered form, the Holder of such global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a global Security in bearer form, the Person or Persons specified pursuant to Section 3.1.

Article 3

THE SECURITIES

Section 3.1 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. The Securities of each series shall be subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series as provided in Article 16.

With respect to any Securities to be authenticated and delivered hereunder, there shall be established in the related Series Authorization the following:

(1) the title of such Securities and the series in which such Securities shall be included;

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such title or the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 9.5 or Section 11.7, upon repayment in part of any Registered Security of such series pursuant to Article 13, upon surrender in part of any Registered Security for conversion into Common Stock of the Company or exchange for

 

 

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other securities pursuant to its terms, or pursuant to or as contemplated by the terms of such Securities);

(3) if such Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities, as Bearer Securities or alternatively as Bearer Securities and Registered Securities, and whether the Bearer Securities are to be issuable with Coupons, without Coupons or both, and any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of the Bearer Securities and the terms, if any, upon which Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities and vice versa;

(4) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form, when any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and (i) whether such Securities are to be issued in temporary or permanent global form or both, (ii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interests for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 3.5, and (iii) the name of the Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, with respect to any such global Security;

(5) if any of such Securities are to be issuable as Bearer Securities or in global form, the date as of which any such Bearer Security or global Security shall be dated (if other than the date of original issuance of the first of such Securities to be issued);

(6) if any of such Securities are to be issuable as Bearer Securities, whether interest in respect of any portion of a temporary Bearer Security in global form payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date therefor prior to the exchange, if any, of such temporary Bearer Security for definitive Securities shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary Bearer Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date;

(7) the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal of such Securities is payable;

(8) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the date or dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable on a cash basis and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts on such Securities or any of them shall be payable, the notice, if any, to Holders regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate Security and the manner of giving such notice, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

 

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(9) if in addition to or other than the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, the place or places where the principal of, any premium and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, any of such Securities that are Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, any of such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and notices or demands to or upon the Company or the Guarantor in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be served, the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payment or Additional Amounts on a global Security on an Interest Payment Date, will be paid and the manner in which any principal of or premium, if any, on any global Security will be paid;

(10) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Company and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(11) whether the Company is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;

(12) the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Registered Securities shall be issuable if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Bearer Securities shall be issuable if other than the denomination of $5,000;

(13) whether the Securities of the series will be convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company and/or exchangeable for other securities, whether or not issued by the Company, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture to permit or to facilitate the issuance of such convertible or exchangeable Securities or the administration thereof;

(14) if other than the principal face amount thereof, the portion of the par or stated face amount of any of such Securities that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 or the method by which such portion is to be determined or, in the case of Indexed Securities, the portion of the principal face amount that shall be payable upon Stated Maturity or the method by which such portion is to be determined;

(15) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities shall be payable;

 

 

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(16) if the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in Dollars or in a Foreign Currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities or any of them are to be paid pursuant to such election, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency;

(17) whether the amount of payments of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods (which index, formula or method or methods may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity securities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;

(18) the relative degree, if any, to which Securities of such series and the Guarantee in respect thereof shall be senior to or be subordinated to other series of Securities and the Guarantee in respect thereof or other Indebtedness of the Company in right of payment, whether such other series of Securities or other Indebtedness is outstanding or not;

(19) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company or the Guarantor with respect to any of such Securities, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

(20) whether either or both of Section 4.2(2) relating to defeasance or Section 4.2(3) relating to covenant defeasance shall not be applicable to the Securities of such series, or any covenants relating to the Securities of such series which shall be subject to covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 4.2(3), and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article 4 in respect of the Securities of such series;

(21) the form or forms of the Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement, if different from the Subordinated Debt Securities Agreement contemplated hereby and defined herein;

(22) whether any of such Securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants, and the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

(23) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary

 

 

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Security) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(24) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent with respect to such Securities;

(25) the obligation, if any, of the Company to permit the conversion of the Securities of that series into Capital Stock of the Company or the Guarantor, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion shall be effected (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period, any adjustment of the applicable conversion price, any requirements relative to hedging arrangements and reservation of shares for purposes of conversion and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto relative to such obligation); and

(26) any other terms of such Securities and any other deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Securities.

All Securities of any one series and all Coupons, if any, appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except as to Currency of payments due thereunder, denomination and the rate of interest thereon, or method of determining the rate of interest, if any, Maturity, and the date from which interest, if any, shall accrue and except as may otherwise be provided by the Company in or pursuant to the Board Resolution and set forth in the Officers’ Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. The terms of the Securities of any series may provide, without limitation, that the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on original issue from time to time upon written order of persons designated in the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Officers’ Certificate or any applicable supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of the Securities of such series as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise so provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series shall be established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Board Resolution shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.

Section 3.2 Currency; Denominations.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, Registered Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without Coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the Bearer Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in

 

 

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the denomination of $5,000. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

Section 3.3 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer and attested by a different Authorized Officer. Coupons shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Company. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto may be manual or facsimile.

Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company and the Guarantor, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons or did not hold such offices at the date of original issuance of such Securities or Coupons.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication and, provided that the Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 3.1 and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order and subject to the provisions hereof and of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in, and may conclusively rely upon,

(1) an Opinion or Opinions of Counsel to the effect that:

(a) the form or forms and terms of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) all conditions precedent to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that such Securities and Coupons, when completed by appropriate insertions, executed under the Company’s corporate seal and attested by duly authorized officers of the Company, delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be subject to or limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws relating to or

 

 

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affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and will entitle the Holders thereof to the benefits of this Indenture; such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to the availability of equitable remedies;

(c) all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been complied with; and

(d) this Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; and

(2) an Officers’ Certificate and a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate, in each case stating that all conditions precedent to the execution, authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that, to the best knowledge of the Persons executing such certificate, no event which is, or after notice or lapse of time would become, an Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel, an Officers’ Certificate and a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate at the time of issuance of each Security, but such opinion and certificate, with appropriate modifications, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series. After any such first delivery, any separate written request by an Authorized Officer of the Company or any person designated in writing by an Authorized Officer that the Trustee authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue will be deemed to be a certification by the Company and the Guarantor that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to authentication and delivery of such Securities continue to have been complied with.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities, nor will it be liable for its refusal to authenticate or cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities, if the issue of such Securities will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Each Bearer Security and any Bearer Security in global form shall be dated as of the date specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization.

No Security or Coupon appertaining thereto shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in Section 2.2 or Section 6.11 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers. Such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Except as permitted by Section 3.6 or Section 3.7, the Trustee shall not authenticate

 

 

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and deliver any Bearer Security unless all Coupons appertaining thereto then matured have been detached and cancelled.

Section 3.4 Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 3.3, temporary Securities in lieu thereof which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form or, if authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, in bearer form with one or more Coupons or without Coupons and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions thereof, if temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of the same series and containing terms and provisions that are identical to those of any temporary Securities, such temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at an Office or Agency for such Securities, without charge to any Holder thereof. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities (accompanied by any unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee upon Company Order shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical terms and provisions; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided, further, that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization with respect to a temporary global Security, until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

Section 3.5 Registration, Transfer and Exchange.

With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Company shall cause to be kept a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) at an Office or Agency for such series in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of such series and of transfers of the Registered Securities of such series. Such Office or Agency shall be the “Security Registrar” for that series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Trustee shall be the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities. The Company shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided that no

 

 

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such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Company and shall have accepted such appointment by the Company. In the event that the Trustee shall not be or shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Security Register for each series of Securities.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any Office or Agency for such series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

If provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, with respect to Securities of any series, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of such series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series containing identical terms, denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization and in the same aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series, with all unmatured Coupons and all matured Coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured Coupon or Coupons or matured Coupon or Coupons in default, such exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing Coupon or Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Bearer Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, interest represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an Office or Agency for such series located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such Office or Agency for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series and like tenor after the close of business at such Office or Agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date

 

 

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or proposed date of payment, as the case may be (or, if such Coupon is so surrendered with such Bearer Security, such Coupon shall be returned to the Person so surrendering the Bearer Security), and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but shall be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

If provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of such series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

Whenever any Securities are surrendered for exchange as contemplated by the immediately preceding two paragraphs, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any global Security shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities only if (i) the Depository is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of the date the Company is so informed in writing, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that such global Security shall be so exchangeable, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities. If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for definitive Securities as the result of an event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding sentence, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in such form and denominations as are required by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and of the same series, containing identical terms and in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be surrendered from time to time by the U.S. Depository or such other Depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto, and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the U.S. Depository or such other Depository, as the case may be (which instructions shall be in writing but need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate or be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities as described above without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged, which (unless such Securities are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, in which case the definitive Securities exchanged for the global Security shall be issuable only in the form in which the Securities are issuable, as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization) shall be in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner

 

 

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thereof, but subject to the satisfaction of any certification or other requirements to the issuance of Bearer Securities; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of the same series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date; and provided, further, that (unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization) no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, or such other Depository or U.S. Depository referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the Office or Agency for such Security where such exchange occurs on or after (i) any Regular Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company and the Guarantor evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar for such Security) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar for such Security duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, or redemption of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge and any other expenses (including fees and expenses of the Trustee) that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 9.5 or Section 11.7 not involving any transfer.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of like tenor and the same series under Section 11.4 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security selected for redemption except, to the extent provided with respect

 

 

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to such Bearer Security, that such Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of like tenor and the same series, provided that such Registered Security shall be immediately surrendered for redemption with written instruction for payment consistent with the provisions of this Indenture or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

Section 3.6 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated Coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.6, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

If there be delivered to the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or Coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee that such Security or Coupon has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute and, upon the Company’s request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains with all appurtenant Coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.6, in case any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or Coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security or Coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, be payable only at an Office or Agency for such Securities located outside the United States and, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on Bearer Securities and any Additional Amounts with respect to such interest shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.6, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the fees and expenses of the Trustee’s counsel) connected therewith.

Every new Security, with any Coupons appertaining thereto issued pursuant to this Section 3.6 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to

 

 

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which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall constitute a separate obligation of the Company and the Guarantor, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and Coupons appertaining thereto or the destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series and any Coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 3.6, as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall be 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 Securities or Coupons.

Section 3.7 Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, and are punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed by the Company in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on such Registered Security, the Special Record Date therefor and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust in a segregated trust account pursuant to express written instructions of the Company for the benefit of the Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. The Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after notification to the Trustee of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holder of such Registered Security (or a

 

 

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Predecessor Security thereof) at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, but such publication shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Security may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any particular series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, at the option of the Company, interest on Registered Securities that bear interest may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.5, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

In the case of any Registered Security of any series that is convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company or exchangeable for other securities, which Registered Security is converted or exchanged after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Registered Security with respect to which the Stated Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion or exchange, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Registered Security (or one or more predecessor Registered Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Registered Security which is converted or exchanged, interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion or exchange of such Registered Security shall not be payable.

 

 

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Section 3.8 Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security or the bearer of any Coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or Coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Security or Coupon shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No Holder of any beneficial interest in any global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such global Security, and such Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 3.9 Cancellation.

All Securities and Coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and Coupons, as well as Securities and Coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization. All cancelled Securities and Coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee, unless by a Company Order the Company directs their return to it.

Section 3.10 Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

 

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Section 3.11 CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP,” “CINS” and “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use CUSIP, CINS or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders and no representation shall be made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption or exchange.

Article 4

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 4.1 Satisfaction and Discharge.

Upon the direction of the Company by a Company Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Order and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Order, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when

(1) either

(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all Coupons appertaining thereto (other than (i) Coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series surrendered in exchange for Registered Securities of such series and maturing after such exchange whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 3.5, (ii) Securities and Coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, (iii) Coupons appertaining to Securities of such series called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 11.7, and (iv) Securities and Coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(i) have become due and payable,

(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company or pursuant to the operation of a sinking fund, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice

 

 

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of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in the Currency in which such Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto (based upon applicable law as in effect on the date of such deposit), to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

In the event there are Securities of two or more series hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of such series as to which it is Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.6 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 4.3, Section 10.2, and Section 10.3, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4 (but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.1(b)), and with respect to any rights to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or other securities shall survive.

Section 4.2 Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.

(1) Unless pursuant to Section 3.1, either or both of (i) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (2) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series or (ii) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then such provisions, together with the other provisions of this Section 4.2 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.14 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by

 

 

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Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, elect to have Section 4.2(2) or Section 4.2(3) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 4.2.

(2) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 4.2(2) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, each of the Company and the Guarantor shall be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and under the Guarantee in respect thereof, respectively, on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and under the Guarantee in respect thereof, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of clause (5) of this Section 4.2 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and under the Guarantee in respect thereof, and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Guarantee in respect thereof, are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company and the Guarantor, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 and as more fully set forth in such clause, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due, and any rights of such Holder to convert such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or exchange such Securities for securities of the Guarantor or another issuer, (ii) the obligations of the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.5, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4(but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) below), and with respect to any rights to convert such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or exchange such Securities for securities of the Guarantor or another issuer, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder including, without limitation, the compensation, reimbursement and indemnities provided in Section 6.6 herein and (iv) this Section 4.2. The Company may exercise its option under this Section 4.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto.

(3) Upon the Company’s exercise of the option to have this Section 4.2(3) apply with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company and the Guarantor shall be released from their respective obligations under any covenant applicable to such Securities specified pursuant to Section 3.1(19), including any obligation to redeem or

 

 

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repurchase such securities at the option of the Holder thereof, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Guarantee in respect thereof, on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any such covenant or obligation, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Company and the Guarantor may omit to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant or obligation, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or obligation or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto and the Guarantee in respect thereof shall be unaffected thereby.

(4) The following shall be the conditions to application of clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any Coupons appertaining thereto and the Guarantee in respect thereof:

(a) The Company or the Guarantor shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.7 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 4.2 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount in Dollars or in such Foreign Currency in which such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (y) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto (based upon applicable law as in effect on the date of such deposit), such Outstanding

 

 

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Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto at the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date of such principal or installment of principal or premium or interest and (z) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto on the days on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and, if applicable, shall have made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of any Securities to be redeemed at the option of the Company in connection with such deposit.

(b) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (after giving effect thereto) and, with respect to defeasance only, no event described in Section 5.1(7) or (8) at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(c) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

(d) In the case of an election under clause (2) of this Section 4.2, with respect to Registered Securities and any Bearer Securities for which the Place of Payment is within the United States, the Company or the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company or the Guarantor has received from the Internal Revenue Service a letter ruling, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service a Revenue Ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

(e) In the case of an election under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to Registered Securities and any Bearer Securities for which the Place of Payment is within the United States, the Company or the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

 

 

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(f) With respect to defeasance only, the Company or the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, after the 91st day after the date of deposit, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) pursuant to this clause (4) to be held in trust will not be subject to recapture or avoidance as a preference in any case or proceeding (whether voluntary or involuntary) in respect of the Company or the Guarantor under any Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or any decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or the Guarantor issued in connection therewith (for which purpose such Opinion of Counsel may assume that no Holder is an “insider”).

(g) With respect to defeasance only, the Company and the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate as to solvency and the absence of any intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company.

(h) The Company and the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or covenant defeasance under clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 (as the case may be) have been complied with.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4.2, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company or the Guarantor in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.1.

(5) Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 4.2(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 3.1 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 4.2(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the Foreign Currency in which the deposit pursuant to Section 4.2(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on (x) in the case of payments made pursuant to clause (a) above, the applicable market exchange rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, or (y) with respect to a Conversion Event, the applicable market exchange

 

 

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rate for such Foreign Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Company and the Guarantor (without duplication) shall pay and indemnify the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 4.2(i)(5) and Section 4.3, the “Trustee”) against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to this Section 4.2 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto.

Anything in this Section 4.2 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request, or the Guarantor upon a Guarantor Request, as the case may be, any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 4.2.

Section 4.3 Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any; but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Article 5

REMEDIES

Section 5.1 Events of Default.

“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless such event is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization:

(1) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of such series, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such interest becomes or

 

 

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such Additional Amounts become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 60 days; or

(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of such series, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such principal or premium becomes or such Additional Amounts become due and payable at their Maturity; or

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security of such series; or

(4) default in the performance of the provisions of Section 7.4(1) and continuance of such default for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(5) default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or warranty of the Company or the Guarantor in this Indenture or the Securities (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than such series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee or the Guarantor and the Trustee, as the case may be, by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(6) the Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement cases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof, or the Guarantor or a Person acting by or on behalf of the Guarantor denies or disaffirms the Guarantee’s obligations under this Indenture or the Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement and such default continues for a period of 10 days after notice has been given by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee or the Guarantor and the Trustee, as the case may be, by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

(7) the entry by a court having competent jurisdiction of:

(a) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or the Guarantor in an involuntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that

 

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does not relate to insolvency) or other similar law and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(b) a decree or order adjudging the Company or the Guarantor to be insolvent, or approving a petition seeking reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency), arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company or the Guarantor and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(c) a final and non-appealable order appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or other similar official of the Company or the Guarantor or of any substantial part of the property of the Company or the Guarantor, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company or the Guarantor; or

(8) the commencement by the Company or the Guarantor of a voluntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency) or other similar law or of a voluntary proceeding seeking to be adjudicated insolvent or the consent by the Company or the Guarantor to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by the Company or the Guarantor of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company or the Guarantor or relief under any applicable law, or the consent by the Company or the Guarantor to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or similar official of the Company or the Guarantor or any substantial part of the property of the Company or the Guarantor or the making by the Company or the Guarantor of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or the Guarantor in furtherance of any such action; or

(9) any other Event of Default provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 5.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 5.1) occurs and is continuing, then the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series may declare the principal of all the Securities of such series, to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall become immediately due and payable.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 5.1 occurs, all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on the Outstanding Securities of that series shall ipso

 

 

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facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of any Security of that series.

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

(1) the Company or the Guarantor has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay

(a) all overdue installments of any interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of such series and any Coupon appertaining thereto,

(b) the principal of and any premium on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

(c) to the extent that payment of such interest or Additional Amounts is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of any interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

(d) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6; and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Company covenants that if

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto when such interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

 

 

 

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(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at their Maturity,

the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the whole amount of money then due and payable with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, with interest upon the overdue principal, any premium and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.

If the Company and the Guarantor fail to pay the money the Company is required to pay the Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph forthwith upon the demand of the Trustee, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the money so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 5.4 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company and/or the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities of any series or the property of the Company and/or the Guarantor or such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company and/or the Guarantor for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts) shall be entitled and empowered, to the extent permitted by applicable law by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of any applicable series, of the principal and any

 

 

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premium, interest and Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders of Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(2) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities or any Coupons to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities or any Coupons, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or any Coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or Coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or any Coupon in any such proceeding.

Section 5.5 Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities or Coupons.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or Coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or Coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of each and every Holder of the Securities or Coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 5.6 Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal, or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts, upon presentation of the Securities or Coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.6;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and any Coupons for principal and any premium, interest and Additional

 

 

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Amounts in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and Coupons for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts, respectively;

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.

Section 5.7 Limitations on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee such indemnity as is reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

Section 5.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or Coupon shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security or payment of such Coupon, as the case may be, on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities therefor specified in such Security or Coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of such Holder if provided with respect to such Security, on the date such repayment is due) and

 

 

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to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 5.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or a Coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee and each such Holder shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and each such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or Coupons in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to each and every Holder of a Security or a Coupon is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or Coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to any Holder of a Security or a Coupon may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by such Holder, as the case may be.

Section 5.12 Control by Holders of Securities.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto, provided that

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or with the Securities of such series,

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

 

 

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(3) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of the other Holders of Securities of such series not joining in such action.

Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series or any Coupons appertaining thereto, or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.14 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

The Company and the Guarantor each covenants that (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or, in the case of the Guarantor, of the Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement; and the Company and the Guarantor each expressly waives (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 5.15 Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of any undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.15 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if

 

 

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any) or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, and, in the case of repayment or repurchase, on or after the date for repayment or repurchase) or for the enforcement of the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security into Common Stock or other securities in accordance with its terms.

Article 6

THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.1 Certain Rights of Trustee.

Subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:

(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order (in each case, other than delivery of any Security, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 3.3 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture 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 shall be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written 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;

(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as is reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(6) 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, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may but shall not be obligated to make such further

 

 

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inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine, during business hours and upon reasonable notice, the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys, custodians or nominees and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;

(9) the Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, and Security Registrar shall have the same protections as the Trustee set forth hereunder;

(10) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with an Act of the Holders hereunder, and, to the extent not so provided herein, with respect to any act requiring the Trustee to exercise its own discretion, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture or any Securities, unless it shall be proved that, in connection with any such action taken, suffered or omitted or any such act, the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;

(11) the Trustee is not responsible to see that the Company or any other Person is maintaining any insurance required by the Indenture;

(12) the Trustee shall not be responsible for the recording, rerecording, filing of UCC Statements or UCC Continuation Statements;

(13) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee which conform to the requirements of the Indenture;

(14) except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(15) except as expressly required by the terms of this Indenture, none of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have

 

 

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reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it; and

(16) in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

Section 6.2 Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series entitled to receive reports pursuant to Section 7.3(3), notice of such default hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer of 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 of (or premium, if any), or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts or any sinking fund or purchase fund installment with respect to, any Security of such series, 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 determine that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the Holders of Securities and Coupons of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Sections 5.1(4) or 5.1(5) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 6.3 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any Coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or the Coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Securities or the proceeds thereof.

Section 6.4 May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities or Coupons and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company or the Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person.

 

 

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Section 6.5 Money Held in Trust.

Except as provided in Section 4.3 and Section 10.3, money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed to in writing with the Company.

Section 6.6 Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by the Trustee hereunder as agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder (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 the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith; and

(3) to indemnify the Trustee and its agents, officers, directors and employees for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent that any such loss, liability or expense was due to the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto.

To the extent permitted by law, any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified in or pursuant to Section 5.1 is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 6.6 shall include any predecessor Trustee but the negligence or bad faith of any Trustee shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 6.6.

The provisions of this Section 6.6 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee and shall apply with equal force and effect to the Trustee in its capacity as Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Security Registrar.

 

 

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Section 6.7 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, that is eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000, and that is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authority. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 6.8 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(1) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to Section 6.9.

(2) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company and the Guarantor. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.9 shall not have been delivered to 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 with respect to such series.

(3) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee, the Company and the Guarantor.

(4) If at any time:

(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Company or any Holder of a Security of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months, or

(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.7 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or any such Holder, or

(c) 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 such case, (i) the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or the Securities of such series, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on

 

 

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behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(5) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of such series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.9. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapacity, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.9, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.9, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such 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 with respect to the Securities of such series.

(6) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register and, if Securities of such series are issued as Bearer Securities, by publishing notice of such event once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment located outside the United States. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

(7) In no event shall any retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.

Section 6.9 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company, the Guarantor and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties hereunder

 

 

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of the retiring Trustee; but, on the written request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 10.3, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.6.

(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, such successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and, upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, 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 with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on written request of the Company, the Guarantor or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates and subject to Section 10.3 shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, subject to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.6.

(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in

 

 

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and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section, as the case may be.

(4) No Person shall accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

Section 6.10 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, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

Section 6.11 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Company with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption or partial repayment or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.

Each Authenticating Agent must be acceptable to the Company and, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, shall at all times be a Corporation that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any Corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such Corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the

 

 

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execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee, the Company and the Guarantor. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and the Guarantor and shall (i) mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, and (ii) if Securities of the series are issued as Bearer Securities, publish notice of such appointment at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the place where such successor Authenticating Agent has its principal office if such office is located outside the United States. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section. If the Trustee makes such payments, it shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.6.

The provisions of Section 3.8, Section 6.3 and Section 6.4 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
		By
			as Authenticating Agent
		By
			Authorized Officer

If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series

 

 

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authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officers’ Certificate by the Company), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.

Article 7

HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 7.1 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

(1) semi-annually with respect to Securities of each series not later than May 1 and November 1 of the year or upon such other dates as are set forth in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, a list, in each case in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of the applicable date, and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished.

Section 7.2 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

Every Holder of Securities or Coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.3 Reports by Trustee.

(1) Within 60 days after September 15 of each year commencing with the first September 15 following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit, pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such September 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding September 15 and the date of this Indenture.

 

 

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(2) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act at the times specified therein.

(3) Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted in the manner and to the Persons required by Sections 313(c) and 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.4 Reports by Company.

The Company, pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Guarantor files the same with the Commission, 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 Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Guarantor may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; or, if the Guarantor is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Guarantor shall file with the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(2) file with the Trustee and the Guarantor shall file with the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company and the Guarantor, with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(3) transmit within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, 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 Guarantor pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Section or by the Company pursuant to paragraph (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

Article 8

CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATIONS, MERGER AND SALES

Section 8.1 Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

The Company shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company), and the Company shall not permit any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into the Company

 

 

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or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company; unless:

(1) in case the Company shall consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety shall be a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, Bermuda, or any other country which is on the date of this Indenture a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, executed by the successor Person and delivered to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of every obligation in this Indenture and the Outstanding Securities on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and shall provide for conversion or exchange rights in accordance with the provisions of the Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or other securities;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default with respect to the Company or event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the Company, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) either the Company or the successor Person shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.2 Successor Person Substituted for Company.

Upon any consolidation or amalgamation by the Company with or merger of the Company into any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation 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 Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture, the Securities and the Coupons.

 

 

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Section 8.3 Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

The Guarantor shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor), or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor), and the Guarantor shall not permit any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor) to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into the Guarantor or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Guarantor; unless:

(1) in case the Guarantor shall consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Guarantor is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety shall be a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, Bermuda, or any other country which is on the date of this Indenture a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, executed by the successor Person and the Company and delivered to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of every obligation in this Indenture and the Outstanding Securities on the part of the Guarantor to be performed or observed and shall provide for conversion or exchange rights in accordance with the provisions of the Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or other securities of the Guarantor;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default with respect to the Guarantor, or event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the Guarantor, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) either the Guarantor or the successor Person shall have delivered to the Trustee a Guarantor’s Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.4 Successor Person Substituted for Guarantor.

Upon any consolidation or amalgamation by the Guarantor with or merger of the Guarantor into any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Guarantor substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 8.3, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Guarantor is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be

 

 

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substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Guarantor under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Guarantor herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture, the Securities and the Coupons and the Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement.

Article 9

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.1 Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or Coupons, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), the Guarantor (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution by the Guarantor’s Board of Directors) and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company and the Guarantor, as applicable, contained herein and in the Securities; or

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor; or

(3) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be exchanged for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto in any material respect; or

(4) to establish the forms or terms of Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1; or

(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.9; or

 

 

 

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(6) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series then Outstanding or any Coupons appertaining thereto in any material respect; or

(7) to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth; or

(8) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture); or

(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Article 4, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of an Outstanding Security of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto or any other Outstanding Security or Coupon in any material respect; or

(10) to secure the Securities; or

(11) to make provisions with respect to conversion or exchange rights of Holders of Securities of any series; or

(12) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, provided that no such amendment or supplement shall materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Securities then Outstanding.

Section 9.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Company’s Board Resolution), the Guarantor (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Guarantor’s Board of Directors) and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture or of the Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any premium or installment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof (or modify the calculation of such principal amount) or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or otherwise, or change the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant

 

 

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to Section 10.4 (except as contemplated by Section 8.1(1) and permitted by Section 9.1(1)), or change the redemption provisions or adversely affect the right of repayment at the option of any Holder as contemplated by Article 13, or change the Place of Payment, Currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the date for repayment), or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 15.4 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Indenture relating to the subordination of the Securities in a manner adverse to Holders of Securities, or

(4) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.6, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, or

(5) make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any Security into or for Common Stock of the Company or other securities (whether or not issued by the Company), cash or property in accordance with its terms.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which shall have been included expressly and solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.3 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

As a condition to executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the execution of such supplemental indenture have been fulfilled. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such

 

 

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supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.4 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any Coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

Section 9.5 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

Section 9.6 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.7 Effect on Senior Indebtedness.

No supplemental indenture shall directly or indirectly modify or eliminate the provisions of Article 16 in any manner which might terminate or impair the subordination of the Securities of any series to Indebtedness of the Company which constitutes Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series without the prior written consent of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

Section 9.8 Notice of Supplemental Indenture.

Promptly after the execution by the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.2, the Company shall transmit to the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series affected thereby a notice setting forth the substance of such supplemental indenture.

Article 10

COVENANTS

Section 10.1 Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of each series that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, any premium and

 

 

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interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series in accordance with the terms thereof, any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Any interest due on any Bearer Security on or before the Maturity thereof, and any Additional Amounts payable with respect to such interest, shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto for such interest as they severally mature.

Section 10.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an Office or Agency where Securities of such series (but not Bearer Securities, except as otherwise provided below, unless such Place of Payment is located outside the United States) may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of such series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series relating thereto and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization shall maintain, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, an Office or Agency in a Place of Payment for such series which is located outside the United States where Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided, however, that if the Securities of such series are listed on The Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company shall maintain a Paying Agent in London, Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of such series are listed on such exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such Office or Agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Office or Agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment at the place specified for the purpose with respect to such Securities as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, no payment of principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect to Bearer Securities shall be made at any Office or Agency in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by wire transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, if amounts owing with respect to any Bearer Securities shall be payable in Dollars, payment of principal of, any premium or interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any such Security may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or any Office or Agency designated by the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts at all offices outside the United States maintained for such purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

 

 

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The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other Offices or Agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an Office or Agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other Office or Agency. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Company hereby designates as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the Office or Agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for such purpose. The Company may subsequently appoint a different Office or Agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for the Securities of any series.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one exchange rate agent.

Section 10.3 Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it shall, on or prior to each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities of such series, deposit with any Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal and any premium, interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

The Company shall cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent shall:

 

 

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(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series; and

(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or 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 sums.

Except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of any series or any Coupon appertaining thereto and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal or any such premium or interest or any such Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, at the expense of the Company may cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series or to be mailed to Holders of Registered Securities of such series, or both, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing nor shall it be later than two years after such principal or any premium or interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 10.4 Additional Amounts.

All payments of principal of and premium, if any, interest and any other Amounts on, or in respect of, the Securities of any series or any Coupon appertaining thereto shall be made without withholding or deduction at source for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on

 

 

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behalf of Bermuda or any other jurisdiction in which the Company is organized (each, a “taxing jurisdiction”) or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, unless such taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges are required to be withheld or deducted by (i) the laws (or any regulations or ruling promulgated thereunder) of a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or (ii) an official position regarding the application, administration, interpretation or enforcement of any such laws, regulations or rulings (including, without limitation, a holding by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a taxing authority in a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof). If a withholding or deduction at source is required, the Company shall, subject to certain limitations and exceptions set forth below, pay to the Holder of any such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto such Additional Amounts as may be necessary so that every net payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or any other amount made to such Holder, after such withholding or deduction, shall not be less than the amount provided for in such Security, any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to make payment of such Additional Amounts for or on account of:

(1) any tax, fee, duty, assessment or governmental charge of whatever nature which would not have been imposed but for the fact that such Holder: (A) was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or otherwise had some connection with the relevant taxing jurisdiction other than by reason of the mere ownership of, or receipt of payment under, such Security; (B) presented such Security for payment in the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof, unless such Security could not have been presented for payment elsewhere; or (C) presented such Security more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the payment in respect of such Security first became due and payable or provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts if it had presented such Security for payment on any day within such period of thirty (30) days;

(2) any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(3) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by the Holder or the beneficial owner of such Security to comply with any reasonable request by the Company addressed to the Holder within 90 days of such request (A) to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the Holder or such beneficial owner or (B) to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any information or reporting requirement, which, in the case of (A) or (B), is required or imposed by statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge; or

(4) any combination of items (1), (2) and (3);

nor shall Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, interest or any other amounts on, any such Security to any Holder who is a

 

 

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fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such Security to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the relevant taxing jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or relevant taxing authority thereof or therein) to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or partner or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the Holder of the Security.

Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium, interest or any other amounts on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or any Coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding the payment of Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of the applicable series, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to a series of Securities (or if the Securities of such series shall not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of and premium, if any, interest or any other amounts on the Securities of such series shall be made to Holders of Securities of such series or the Coupons appertaining thereto without withholding for or on account of any tax, fee, duty, assessment or other governmental charge described in this Section 10.4 If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by taxing jurisdiction the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities or Coupons, and the Company agrees to pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by this Section 10.4. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 10.4

Section 10.5 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 8, each of the Company and the Guarantor shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not obligate the Company or the Guarantor to preserve any such right or franchise if the Company or the Guarantor shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to any Holder.

 

 

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Section 10.6 Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company and the Guarantor may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 10.7 with respect to the Securities of any series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either shall waive such compliance in such instance or generally shall have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the Guarantor and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10.7 Company and Guarantor’s Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults.

(1) The Company and the Guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement (which need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate or Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate) signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, stating that

(a) a review of the activities of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, during such year and of its performance under this Indenture has been made under his or her supervision, and

(b) to the best of his or her knowledge, based on such review, (a) the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, has complied with all the conditions and covenants imposed on it under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such condition or covenant, specifying each such default known to him or her and the nature and status thereof, and (b) no event has occurred and is continuing which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, or, if such an event has occurred and is continuing, specifying each such event known to him and the nature and status thereof.

(2) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within five days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any Event of Default or any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default pursuant to clause (4) or (5) of Section 5.1.

(3) The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the Company’s compliance with the covenants contained in this Article 10 other than as specifically set forth in this Section 10.7.

Section 10.8 Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and

 

 

 

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accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Original Issue Discount Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Code, as amended from time to time.

Article 11

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 11.1 Applicability of Article.

Redemption of Securities of any series as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.

Section 11.2 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of (a) less than all of the Securities of any series or (b) all of the Securities of any series, with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed.

Section 11.3 Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Securities of any series with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Registered Security of such series not redeemed to less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein or pursuant hereto.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted into Common Stock of the Company or exchanged for other securities in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the

 

 

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converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

Section 11.4 Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice by mailing in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date, and if such redemption date is conditional, a description of the event upon which it is conditioned,

(2) the Redemption Price,

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, in the case of a Registered Security, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto, and that unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and other amounts then due, interest thereon, if applicable, shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the place or places where such Securities, together (in the case of Bearer Securities) with all Coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing on or after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto,

 

 

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(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all Coupons maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption or the amount of any such missing Coupon or Coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and any Paying Agent is furnished,

(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and no Registered Securities of such series are to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on the Redemption Date pursuant to Section 3.5 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made,

(10) in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible into Common Stock of the Company or exchangeable for other securities, the conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such series to be redeemed will commence or terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and

(11) the CUSIP number or the Euroclear or the Clearstream reference numbers of such Securities, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depository to identify such Securities).

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 1.6 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.

Notice of redemption of Securities shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 11.5 Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit, with respect to the Securities of any series called for redemption, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money in the applicable Currency sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 or in the Securities of such series) any accrued interest on and Additional Amounts with respect thereto, all such Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 11.6 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, become due and payable on the Redemption Date, at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest or Additional Amounts) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and the Coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so

 

 

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to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization and the Coupons, installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of Coupons for such interest (at an Office or Agency located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2), and provided, further, that, except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7 and installments of interest on Registered Securities for which the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or before the following Interest Payment Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant Coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that any interest or Additional Amounts represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an Office or Agency for such Security located outside of the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

Section 11.7 Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Office or Agency for such Security (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Security in global form is so surrendered, the

 

 

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Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the U.S. Depository or other Depository for such Security in global form as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security in global form so surrendered.

Article 12

SINKING FUNDS

Section 12.1 Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2 Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and this Indenture.

Section 12.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Company), together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto, and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such series of Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If, as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 12.2, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to satisfy the remaining sinking fund payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the written request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of

 

 

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Securities of that series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.

Section 12.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 75 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 11.6 and Section 11.7.

Article 13

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 13.1 Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 3.9, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a written directive that such Securities be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13.1, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Company may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the close of business on the repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Company on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Company to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.

 

 

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Article 14

SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Section 14.1 Applicability of Article.

Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency, or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in the form of Security of any particular series or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Currency other than Dollars shall be treated for any such action or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination of rights or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such action, determination of rights or distribution) as the Company may specify in a written notice to the Trustee.

Article 15

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Section 15.1 Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

Section 15.2 Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(1) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or, if Securities of such series have been issued in whole or in part as Bearer Securities, in London or in such place outside the United States as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(2) In case at any time the Company (by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed notice of or made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request (whichever shall be required pursuant to Section 1.6) or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the

 

 

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case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or, if Securities of such series are to be issued as Bearer Securities, in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in clause (1) of this Section.

Section 15.3 Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 15.4 Quorum; Action.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any reconvened meeting, such reconvened meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such reconvened meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 15.2(1), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series.

 

 

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Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the Coupons appertaining thereto, whether or not such Holders were present or represented at the meeting.

Section 15.5 Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 or by having the signature of the person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 1.4 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 1.4 or other proof.

(2) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 15.2(2), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(3) At any meeting, each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

(4) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 15.2 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 15.6 Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders

 

 

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of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports of all votes cast at the meeting. A record of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 15.2 and, if applicable, Section 15.4. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

Article 16

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 16.1 Agreement to Subordinate.

The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued hereunder and under any indenture supplemental hereto or pursuant to a Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate (“Additional Provisions”) by such Holder’s acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article 16; and each Holder of a Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

The payment by the Company of the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of each series issued hereunder and under any Additional Provisions shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth and subject to the provisions of the relates Series Authorization, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Indebtedness of the Company which constitutes Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

No provision of this Article 16 shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

All references in this Article 16 to Holders of Securities shall be deemed to include Holders of Coupons.

 

 

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Section 16.2 Default on Senior Indebtedness.

In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other amount due on any Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series has been accelerated because of a default, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including redemption and sinking fund payments) of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series or to acquire such Securities (other than pursuant to the conversion of such Securities).

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 16.2, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on such Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

Section 16.3 Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.

Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any total or partial dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshaling of assets of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings relating to the Company or its assets, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company on account of the principal of, premium or interest on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series; and in any such case, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee (on behalf of Holders with respect to the principal of, premium or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such Series) would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article 16, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders having equal seniority on the basis of the respective amounts of such Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment

 

 

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or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of the Securities of such series or to the Trustee.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing shall be received by the Trustee before all such Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all such Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

For purposes of this Article 16, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article 16 with respect to the Securities of the relevant series to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation or amalgamation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance, transfer or lease of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article 8 of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 16.3 if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article 8 of this Indenture.

Section 16.4 Subrogation.

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series, the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article 16, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16 to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities of such series or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of such Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities of such series, be deemed to be a payment

 

 

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by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article 16 are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series on the other hand.

Nothing contained in this Article 16 or elsewhere in this Indenture, any Additional Provisions or in the Securities of any series is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series, and the Holders of the Securities of such series, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities of such series the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series and creditors of the Company, other than the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security of such series from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article 16 of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, as the case may be, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article 16, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, and the Holders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities of any series, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series and other indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 16.

Section 16.5 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

Each Holder of Securities by such Holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article 16 and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 16.6 Notice by the Company.

The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 16 or any other provision of this Indenture or any Additional Provisions, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the

 

 

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Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 16.6 at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series (or a trustee on behalf of such holder), to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 16, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 16, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article 16, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding-up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities of any series, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 16.

Section 16.7 Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 16 in respect of any Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of such Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture or any Additional Provisions shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

 

 

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With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article 16, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture or any Additional Provisions against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of the Securities of such series, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 16 or otherwise.

Nothing in this Article 16 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6.

Section 16.8 Subordination May Not Be Impaired.

No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of Securities of such series, without incurring responsibility to such Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article 16 or the obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Securities of such series to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.

Section 16.9 Application by Trustee of Assets Deposited with It.

Amounts deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with this Indenture, including without limitation pursuant to Article 4 hereof, shall be for the sole benefit of the Holders of the Securities and, to the extent allocated for the payment of Securities, shall not be subject to the subordination provisions of this Article 16. Otherwise, any deposit of assets with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (whether or not in trust) for the payment of any Securities shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 16.1, 16.2, and 16.3; provided that, if prior to two Business Days preceding the date on which by the terms of this Indenture any such assets may become distributable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of

 

 

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any amount due on any Security) the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall not have received with respect to such assets the written notice provided for in Section 16.6, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have full power and authority to receive such assets and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such date.

Article 17

GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY

Section 17.1 The Guarantee.

The Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee all obligations of the Company under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement.

Section 17.2 Subordination of Guarantee.

Each Holder of Securities issued hereunder agrees that the payment by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee with respect to all Securities of each series issued hereunder, shall be subordinate in right of payment to the extent and in the manner set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank]

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[SEAL]		RENAISSANCERE FINANCE INC.
Attest:
		By:
			Name:
			Title:

 

[SEAL]		RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., as Guarantor
Attest:
		By:
			Name:
			Title:

 

[SEAL]		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
Attest:
		By:
			Name:
			Title:

 

 

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FORM OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., Issuer

to

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, Trustee

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INDENTURE

---

Dated as of ____________, 2007

Junior Subordinated Debt Securities

 

 

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Reconciliation and tie between
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”)
and Indenture

 

Trust Indenture Act Section		Indenture Section
§§ 310(a)(1)		6.7
(a)(2)		6.7
(b)		6.8
§§ 312(a)		7.1
(b)		7.2
(c)		7.2
§§.313(a)		7.3
(b)(2)		7.3
(c)		7.3
(d)		7.3
§§.314(a)		7.4
(c)(1)		1.2
(c)(2)		1.2
(e)		1.2
(f)		1.2
§§.316(a) (last sentence)		1.1
(a)(1)(A)		5.2, 5.12
(a)(1)(B)		5.13
(b)		5.8
§§.317(a)(1)		5.3
(a)(2)		5.4
(b)		10.3
§§.318(a)		10.8

______________

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page No.
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION		1
Section 1.1. Definitions.		1
Section 1.2. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.		13
Section 1.3. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.		14
Section 1.4. Acts of Holders.		14
Section 1.5. Notices, etc. to Trustee and Company.		16
Section 1.6. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.		17
Section 1.7. Language of Notices.		18
Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.		18
Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.		18
Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns.		18
Section 1.11. Separability Clause.		18
Section 1.12. Holders of Preferred Securities as Third Party Beneficiaries.		18
Section 1.13. Benefits of Indenture.		18
Section 1.14. Governing Law.		19
Section 1.15. Legal Holidays.		19
Section 1.16. Counterparts.		19
Section 1.17. Judgment Currency.		19
Section 1.18. No Security Interest Created.		20
Section 1.19. Limitation on Individual Liability.		20
Section 1.20. Submission to Jurisdiction.		20
ARTICLE II. SECURITIES FORMS		21
Section 2.1. Forms Generally.		21
Section 2.2. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.		22
Section 2.3. Securities in Global Form.		22
ARTICLE III. THE SECURITIES		23
Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.		23
Section 3.2. Currency; Denominations.		27
Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.		27

 

 

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Section 3.4. Temporary Securities.		29
Section 3.5. Registration, Transfer and Exchange.		30
Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.		33
Section 3.7. Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.		34
Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners.		36
Section 3.9. Cancellation.		37
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest.		37
Section 3.11. Extension of Interest Payment Period.		37
Section 3.12. Right of Set-Off.		38
Section 3.13. Agreed Tax Treatment.		38
Section 3.14. Extension of Stated Maturity; Adjustment of Stated Maturity Upon an Exchange.		38
Section 3.15. CUSIP Numbers.		39
ARTICLE IV. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE		39
Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge.		39
Section 4.2. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.		41
Section 4.3. Application of Trust Money.		45
ARTICLE V. REMEDIES		46
Section 5.1. Events of Default.		46
Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.		47
Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.		49
Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.		50
Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities or Coupons.		51
Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected.		51
Section 5.7. Limitations on Suits.		51
Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.		52
Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.		53
Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.		53
Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.		53
Section 5.12. Control by Holders of Securities.		53
Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.		54
Section 5.14. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.		54

 

 

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Section 5.15. Undertaking for Costs.		54
ARTICLE VI. THE TRUSTEE		55
Section 6.1. Certain Rights of Trustee.		55
Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults.		57
Section 6.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.		57
Section 6.4. May Hold Securities.		58
Section 6.5. Money Held in Trust.		58
Section 6.6. Compensation and Reimbursement.		58
Section 6.7. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.		59
Section 6.8. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.		59
Section 6.9. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.		61
Section 6.10. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.		62
Section 6.11. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.		62
ARTICLE VII. HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY		64
Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.		64
Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.		64
Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee.		65
Section 7.4. Reports by Company.		65
ARTICLE VIII. CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATIONS, MERGER AND SALES		66
Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.		66
Section 8.2. Successor Person Substituted for Company.		67
Section 8.3. [RESERVED]
Section 8.4. [RESERVED]
ARTICLE IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES		67
Section 9.1. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.		67
Section 9.2. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.		68
Section 9.3. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.		70
Section 9.4. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.		70
Section 9.5. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.		70
Section 9.6. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.		71
Section 9.7. Effect on Senior Indebtedness.		71

 

 

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Section 9.8. Notice of Supplemental Indenture.		71
ARTICLE X. COVENANTS		71
Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.		71
Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency.		71
Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.		73
Section 10.4. Additional Amounts.		74
Section 10.5. Corporate Existence.		75
Section 10.6. Waiver of Certain Covenants.		75
Section 10.7. Company Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults.		76
Section 10.8. [RESERVED]		76
Section 10.9. Additional Sums.		76
Section 10.10. Prohibition Against Dividends, etc.		77
Section 10.11. Payment of Expenses of Each RenaissanceRe Trust.		77
Section 10.12. Ownership of Common Securities.		78
Section 10.13. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.		78
ARTICLE XI. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES		78
Section 11.1. Applicability of Article.		78
Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.		78
Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.		79
Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption.		79
Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.		81
Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.		81
Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part.		82
Section 11.8. Right of Redemption of Securities Issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust.		82
ARTICLE XII. SINKING FUNDS		83
Section 12.1. Applicability of Article.		83
Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.		83
Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.		84
ARTICLE XIII. REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS		84
Section 13.1. Applicability of Article.		84

 

 

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ARTICLE XIV. SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES		85
Section 14.1. Applicability of Article.		85
ARTICLE XV. MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES		85
Section 15.1. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.		85
Section 15.2. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.		85
Section 15.3. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.		86
Section 15.4. Quorum; Action.		86
Section 15.5. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.		87
Section 15.6. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.		88
ARTICLE XVI. SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES		88
Section 16.1. Agreement to Subordinate.		88
Section 16.2. Default on Company Senior Indebtedness.		89
Section 16.3. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.		89
Section 16.4. Subrogation.		90
Section 16.5. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.		91
Section 16.6. Notice by the Company.		92
Section 16.7. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Company Senior Indebtedness.		93
Section 16.8. Subordination May Not Be Impaired.		93
Section 16.9. Application by Trustee of Assets Deposited with It.		94

 

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of __________, 2007 (the “Indenture”), between RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., a company duly organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal executive office located at Renaissance House, 8-20 East Broadway, Pembroke HM 19, Bermuda and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), having its Corporate Trust Office located at 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005.

RECITALS

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its subordinated unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Securities”), including, without limitation, Securities issued to evidence loans made to the Company of the proceeds from the issuance from time to time by one or more RenaissanceRe Trusts (as defined herein) of preferred beneficial interests in the assets of such Trusts (the “Preferred Securities”) and common beneficial interests in the assets of such Trusts (the “Common Securities” and, collectively with the Preferred Securities, the “Trust Securities”), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder that are required to be part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as herein defined) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof and any Coupons (as herein defined), as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.1. Definitions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

 

 

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(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the terms “generally accepted accounting principles” or “GAAP” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States of America at the date or time of such computation;

(4) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and

(5) the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”).

Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.

“Act”, when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified therein and which are owing to such Holders.

“Additional Interest” means the interest, if any, that shall accrue on any interest on the Securities of any series the payment of which has not been made on the applicable Interest Payment Date and which shall accrue at the rate per annum specified or determined as specified in such Security.

“Additional Sums” has the meaning specified in Section 10.9.

“Additional Taxes” means the sum of any additional taxes, duties and other governmental charges to which a RenaissanceRe Trust has become subject from time to time as a result of a Tax Event.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person; provided, however, that an Affiliate of the Company shall not be deemed to include any RenaissanceRe Trust to which Securities in respect thereof have been issued. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have the meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

 

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“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.11 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in an official language of the place of publication or in the English language, customarily published on each day that is a Business Day in the place of publication, whether or not published on days that are not Business Days in the place of publication, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any day that is a Business Day in the place of publication.

“Authorized Officer” means, when used with respect to the Company, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, the Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company.

“Bearer Security” means any Security in the form established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is payable to bearer. “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for the Company hereunder.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day”, with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

“Capitalized Lease Obligation” means an obligation under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with such principles.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

 

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“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Common Securities” has the meaning specified in the first recital of this Indenture.

“Common Stock” in respect of any Corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which has no preference as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Corporation, and which is not subject to redemption by such Corporation.

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person, and any other obligor upon the Securities.

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company by an Authorized Officer, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Company Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Securities of any particular series, all Indebtedness of the Company outstanding at any time, except (i) the Securities of such series, (ii) Indebtedness as to which, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same, it is provided that such Indebtedness is subordinated to or pari passu with the Securities of such series, (iii) Indebtedness of the Company to, or guaranteed on behalf of, a Subsidiary of the Company or any officer, director or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iv) interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding relating to the Company referred to in Section 5.1(6) and 5.1(7) unless such interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the Company in a proceeding under the applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, (v) trade accounts payable, (vi) any liability for income, franchise, real estate or other taxes owed or owing and (vii) any Indebtedness, including all other debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt securities, initially issued to (x) any RenaissanceRe Trust or (y) any trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Company which is a financing vehicle of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company in connection with the issuance by such entity of Preferred Securities or other securities which are similar to Preferred Securities that are guaranteed by the Company pursuant to an instrument that ranks pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Preferred Securities Guarantees.

“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country or the confederation which issued such Foreign Currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community or (ii) any currency unit or composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.

 

 

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“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of original execution of this Indenture is located at located at Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas , 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Services or at any other time at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the parties hereto or at the principal corporate trust office of any successor trustee as to which such successor trustee may notify the parties hereto in writing.

“Corporation” includes corporations, limited liability companies, incorporated associations, companies and business trusts.

“Coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

“Currency”, with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security, means Dollars or the Foreign Currency, as the case may be, in which such payment, deposit or other transfer is required to be made by or pursuant to the terms hereof or such Security and, with respect to any other payment, deposit or transfer pursuant to or contemplated by the terms hereof or such Security, means Dollars.

“CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, CUSIP Service Bureau.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

“Direct Action” has the meaning specified in Section 5.8.

“Distributions”, with respect to any ReniassanceRe Trust, has the meaning specified in the applicable Trust Agreement of such RenaissanceRe Trust.

“Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.

“Extension Period” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11.

“Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the other government or governments or confederation or association of governments which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Security or any Additional Amounts in respect thereof shall be payable, in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith

 

 

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and credit of such government or governments or confederation or association of governments or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments or confederation or association of governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments or confederation or association of governments, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

“Guarantee Agreement” means the Guarantee Agreement with respect to the Preferred Securities of a RenaissanceRe Trust, substantially in such form as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to the Securities of any series, in each case as amended from time to time.

“Holder”, in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of any Bearer Security, means the bearer thereof and, in the case of any Coupon, means the bearer thereof.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, (i) the principal of and any premium and interest on (a) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (b) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (ii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations and all obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i) through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit); (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the amount thereof being deemed to be the lesser of the stated recourse, if limited, and the amount of the obligation or dividends of the other Person; (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; and

 

 

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(vii) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clauses (i) through (vi) above.

“Indenture” means this instrument as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, with respect to any Security, by the terms and provisions of such Security and any Coupon appertaining thereto established pursuant to Section 3.1 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof).

“Independent Public Accountants” means accountants or a firm of accountants that, with respect to the Company and any other obligor under the Securities or the Coupons, are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder, who may be the independent public accountants regularly retained by the Company or who may be other independent public accountants. Such accountants or firm shall be entitled to rely upon any Opinion of Counsel as to the interpretation of any legal matters relating to this Indenture or certificates required to be provided hereunder.

“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity or upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2 may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

“interest”, with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.4, includes such Additional Amounts.

“Interest Payment Date”, with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Investment Company Event” means, in respect of a RenaissanceRe Trust, the receipt by such RenaissanceRe Trust of an Opinion of Counsel, rendered by an independent law firm experienced in such matters, to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a written change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a “Change in 1940 Act Law”), such RenaissanceRe Trust is or will be considered an investment company that is required to be registered under the 1940 Act, which Change in 1940 Act Law becomes effective on or after the date of original issuance of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust.

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.17.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance.

“Maturity”, with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption or repurchase, notice of option to elect

 

 

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repayment or otherwise, and includes any Redemption Date and the date of any required repurchase or repayment.

“New York Banking Day” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

“Office” or “Agency”, with respect to any Securities, means an office or agency of the Company maintained or designated as a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or any other office or agency of the Company maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 10.2 in lieu of such office or agency, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers, at least one of which is a principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer, that complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, as the case may be, or other counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that, if required by the Trust Indenture Act, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security issued pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization which provides for declaration of an amount less than the principal face amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2.

“Outstanding”, when used with respect to any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a)

any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for cancellation;

(b)

any such Security for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 4.2) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(c)

any such Security with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance pursuant to the terms hereof, except to the extent provided in Section 4.2;

 

 

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(d)

any such Security which has been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Security is held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Company; and

(e)

any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into securities of the Company or another issuer, if the terms of such Security provide for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 3.1;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the principal amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such Security of the then current principal amount) of such Security, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which shall have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee (A) the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and (B) that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto or an Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security or any Coupon on behalf of the Company.

“Person” means any individual, Corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Place of Payment”, with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security are payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

 

 

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“Preferred Securities” has the meaning specified in the first recital of this Indenture.

“Preferred Securities Guarantee” means the guarantee by the Company in its capacity as guarantor with respect to the Preferred Securities of a RenaissanceRe Trust, of distributions on such Preferred Securities to the extent provided in the Guarantee Agreement.

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same Indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or any Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same Indebtedness as the lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or the Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

“Preferred Stock” in respect of any Corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Corporation.

“principal” means as of any date of determination with respect to the Securities of any series, (i) in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or an Indexed Security, the amount due and payable with respect to principal upon an acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 at such time and (ii) in all other cases, par or the stated face amount of the related Security.

“Property Trustee”, with respect to any ReniassanceRe Trust, means the entity acting in the capacity of Property Trustee pursuant to the related Trust Agreement.

“Redemption Date”, with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

“Redemption Price”, with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, exclusive of accrued interest and any Additional Amounts with respect to accrued interest.

“Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is registered in a Security Register.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization as the “Regular Record Date”.

“RenaissanceRe Trusts” means, collectively, RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, and any other similar

 

 

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trust which may be created to issue Trust Securities and to use the proceeds from the sale thereof to purchase Securities issued under this Indenture.

“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.17.

“Responsible Officer” means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, including any vice president, any assistant vice president, director, managing director, associate, or any trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Security” or “Securities” means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of Indebtedness, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities,” with respect to any such Person, shall mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.

“Series Authorization” means, with respect to any series or class of Securities, (i) a Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or (ii) one or more indentures supplemental hereto, establishing such series or class of Securities and setting forth the terms thereof, including, in either case, a form of note or notes representing such Securities.

“Special Event” means an Investment Company Event or a Tax Event.

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Registered Security means a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 3.7.

“Stated Maturity”, with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, means the date established by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is, or such Additional Amounts are, due and payable.

“Subsidiary” means, in respect of any Person, any Corporation, limited or general partnership or other business entity of which at the time of determination more than 50% of the voting power of the shares of its Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

“Tax Event” means, in respect of a RenaissanceRe Trust, the receipt by such RenaissanceRe Trust or the Company of an Opinion of Counsel, rendered by an independent law

 

 

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firm experienced in such matters, to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) such RenaissanceRe Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to United States Federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the corresponding series of Securities, (ii) interest payable by the Company on the corresponding series of Securities is not, or within 90 days of the date of such Opinion of Counsel will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States Federal income tax purposes or (iii) such RenaissanceRe Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

“Trust Agreement” means the Trust Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, as amended by an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement substantially in such form as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to the Securities of any series, in each case as amended from time to time.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and any reference herein to the Trust Indenture Act or a particular provision thereof shall mean such Act or provision, as the case may be, as amended or replaced from time to time or as supplemented from time to time by rules or regulations adopted by the Commission under or in furtherance of the purposes of such Act or provision, as the case may be.

“Trust Securities”, with respect to any RenaissanceRe Trust, means, collectively, the Common Securities and Preferred Securities issued by such RenaissanceRe Trust.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

“United States”, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“United States Alien”, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, means any Person who, for United States Federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual, a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign partnership one or more of the members of which is, for United States Federal income tax purposes, a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual or a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.

 

 

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“U.S. Depository” or “Depository” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, the Person designated as U.S. Depository or Depository by the Company in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, which Person must be, to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, if so provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “U.S. Depository” or “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the qualifying entity which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.

“Vice President”, when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”.

Section 1.2. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, 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 or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

(a) a statement that the individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(b) 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;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

 

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Section 1.3. 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.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, provided that such officer, after reasonable inquiry, has no reason to believe and does not believe that the Opinion of Counsel with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based is erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company provided that such counsel, after reasonable inquiry, has no reason to believe and does not believe that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 1.4. Acts of Holders.

(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or pursuant to this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders or by holders of Preferred Securities may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders or holders of Preferred Securities, as applicable, in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. If, but only if, Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 15, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders or holders of Preferred Securities signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company and any agent of the

 

 

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Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 15.6.

(2) Without limiting the generality of this Section 1.4, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, a Holder, including a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such U.S. Depository’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(3) The Company shall fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interest in any permanent global Security held by a U.S. Depository entitled under the procedures of such U.S. Depository to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

(4) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing referred to in this Section 1.4 may be proved in any reasonable manner; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof, including written proof, with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

(5) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(6) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary reasonably acceptable to the Company, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Company and the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (i) another certificate

 

 

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or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (ii) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (iii) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (iv) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by the Person so executing such instrument or writing and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same may also be proved in any other manner which the Company and the Trustee deem sufficient.

(7) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may at its option (but is not obligated to), by Board Resolution fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

(8) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such Act is made upon such Security.

Section 1.5. Notices, etc. to Trustee and Company.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or

(2) the Company by the Trustee or any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to the attention of its Treasurer, with a copy to the attention of its General Counsel, at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

 

 

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Section 1.6. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event,

(1) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Registered Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Registered Security affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice; and

(2) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer Securities, if any, if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York and, if such Securities are then listed on any stock exchange outside the United States, in an Authorized Newspaper in such city as the Company shall advise the Trustee in writing that such stock exchange so requires, on a Business Day at least twice, the first such publication to be not earlier than the earliest date and the second such publication not later than the latest date prescribed for the giving of such notice.

In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

In case by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearers Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of any notice mailed to Holders of Registered Securities as provided above.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed in writing with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

 

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Section 1.7. Language of Notices.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that, if the Company so elects, any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with any duties under any required provision of the Trust Indenture Act imposed hereon by Section 318(c) thereof, such required provision shall control.

Section 1.9. 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 1.10. Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.11. Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 1.12. Holders of Preferred Securities as Third Party Beneficiaries.

The Company hereby acknowledges that, to the extent specifically set forth herein, the holders of the Preferred Securities of a RenaissanceRe Trust shall expressly be third party beneficiaries of this Indenture. The Company further acknowledges that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series held by such RenaissanceRe Trust, any holder of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust may institute a Direct Action against the Company.

Section 1.13. Benefits of Indenture.

Except as other expressly provided herein with respect to holders of Preferred Securities, nothing in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and the holders of Company Senior Indebtedness, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities or Coupons, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

 

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Section 1.14. Governing Law.

This Indenture, the Securities and any Coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made or instruments entered into and, in each case, performed in said state.

Section 1.15. Legal Holidays.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security, or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert or exchange Securities of a series that are convertible or exchangeable, shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon other than a provision in any Security or Coupon that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof) payment need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, and such Securities need not be converted or exchanged on such date, but such payment may be made, and such Securities may be converted or exchanged, on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day at such Place of Payment, and no interest shall accrue on the amount payable on such date or at such time for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or last day for conversion or exchange, as the case may be, to such next succeeding Business Day, except that if such next succeeding Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment may be made, and such Securities may be converted or exchanged, on the immediately preceding Business Day (in the case of each of the foregoing, with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date or at such Stated Maturity or Maturity or on such last day for conversion or exchange, as the case may be).

Section 1.16. Counterparts.

This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 1.17. Judgment Currency.

The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the requisite amount of the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of

 

 

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recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii)shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

Section 1.18. No Security Interest Created.

Nothing in this Indenture or in any Securities, express or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect in any jurisdiction where property of the Company or its Subsidiaries is or may be located.

Section 1.19. Limitation on Individual Liability.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, manager, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, shareholders, managers officers or directors, as such, of the Company, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, shareholder, manager, officer or director, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Security.

Section 1.20. Submission to Jurisdiction.

The Company agrees that any judicial proceedings instituted in relation to any matter arising under this Indenture, the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto may be brought in any United States Federal or New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York to the extent that such court has subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy, and, by execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company hereby irrevocably accepts, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts, acknowledges their competence and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered in such proceeding. The Company also irrevocably and unconditionally waives for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and Coupons any immunity from jurisdiction and any immunity from legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in the aid of execution, execution or otherwise) in respect of this

 

 

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Indenture. The Company hereby irrevocably designates and appoints for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and Coupons for the term of this Indenture [Name of Agent & Agent Address], as its agent to receive on its behalf service of all process (with a copy of all such service of process to be delivered to [___________________]) brought against it with respect to any such proceeding in any such court in The City of New York, such service being hereby acknowledged by the Company to be effective and binding service on it in every respect whether or not the Company shall then be doing or shall have at any time done business in New York. Such appointment shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Securities or Coupons or the obligations of the Company hereunder remain outstanding, or until the appointment of a successor by the Company and such successor’s acceptance of such appointment. Upon such acceptance, the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of such successor. The Company further agrees for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and the Coupons to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of said [Agent Name] in full force and effect so long as any of the Securities or Coupons or the obligations of the Company hereunder shall be outstanding. The Trustee shall not be obligated and shall have no responsibility with respect to any failure by the Company to take any such action. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by any law or limit the right of the Trustee or any Holder to institute proceedings against the Company in the courts of any other jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

ARTICLE II.

SECURITIES FORMS

Section 2.1. Forms Generally.

Each Registered Security, Bearer Security, Coupon and temporary or permanent global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Security or Coupon as evidenced by their execution of such Security or Coupon.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, the Securities shall be issuable in registered form without Coupons and shall not be issuable upon the exercise of warrants.

Definitive Securities and definitive Coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities or Coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or Coupons.

 

 

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Section 2.2. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

Subject to Section 6.11, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
		as Trustee
		By
		Authorized Officer

Section 2.3. Securities in Global Form.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, the Securities of a series shall not be issuable in temporary or permanent global form. If Securities of a series shall be issuable in global form, any such Security may provide that it or any number of such Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.4 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 and, if applicable, Section 3.4, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver, in each case at the Company’s expense, any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.4 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing and, with respect to matters set forth in this Section 2.3, need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officers’ Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.7, unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, payment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security in temporary or permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.8 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a global Security (i) in the case of a global Security in registered form, the Holder of such global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a global Security in bearer form, the Person or Persons specified pursuant to Section 3.1.

 

 

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ARTICLE III.

THE SECURITIES

Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. The Securities of each series shall be subordinated in right of payment to all Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series as provided in Article 16.

With respect to any Securities to be authenticated and delivered hereunder, there shall be established in the related Series Authorization the following:

(1) the title of such Securities and the series in which such Securities shall be included;

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such title or the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 9.5 or 11.7, upon repayment in part of any Registered Security of such series pursuant to Article 13, upon surrender in part of any Registered Security for conversion into other securities of the Company or exchange for securities of the Company or another issuer pursuant to its terms, or pursuant to or as contemplated by the terms of such Securities);

(3) if such Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities, as Bearer Securities or alternatively as Bearer Securities and Registered Securities, and whether the Bearer Securities are to be issuable with Coupons, without Coupons or both, and any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of the Bearer Securities and the terms, if any, upon which Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities and vice versa;

(4) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form, when any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and (i) whether such Securities are to be issued in temporary or permanent global form or both, (ii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interests for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 3.5, and (iii) the name of the Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, with respect to any such global Security;

(5) if any of such Securities are to be issuable as Bearer Securities or in global form, the date as of which any such Bearer Security or global Security shall be dated (if other than the date of original issuance of the first of such Securities to be issued);

 

 

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(6) if any of such Securities are to be issuable as Bearer Securities, whether interest in respect of any portion of a temporary Bearer Security in global form payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date therefor prior to the exchange, if any, of such temporary Bearer Security for definitive Securities shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary Bearer Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date;

(7) the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal of such Securities is payable;

(8) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the rate or rates and the extent to which Additional Interest, if any, shall be payable in respect of such Securities, the date or dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable on a cash basis and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, the right, pursuant to Section 3.11 hereof or as otherwise set forth therein, of the Company to defer or extend an interest payment period and the duration of any such Extension Period, including the maximum consecutive period during which interest payment periods may be extended, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts on such Securities or any of them shall be payable, the notice, if any, to Holders regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate Security and the manner of giving such notice, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(9) if in addition to or other than the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, the place or places where the principal of, any premium and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, any of such Securities that are Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, any of such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be served, the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payment or Additional Amounts on a global Security on an Interest Payment Date, will be paid and the manner in which any principal of or premium, if any, on any global Security will be paid;

(10) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Company and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(11) whether the Company is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which,

 

 

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the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;

(12) the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Registered Securities shall be issuable if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Bearer Securities shall be issuable if other than the denomination of $5,000;

(13) whether the Securities of the series will be convertible into other securities of the Company and/or exchangeable for securities of the Company or another issuer, and if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture to permit or to facilitate the issuance of such convertible or exchangeable Securities or the administration thereof;

(14) if other than the principal face amount thereof, the portion of the par or stated face amount of any of such Securities that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 or the method by which such portion is to be determined or, in the case of Indexed Securities, the portion of the principal face amount that shall be payable upon Stated Maturity or the method by which such portion is to be determined;

(15) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities shall be payable;

(16) if the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in Dollars or in a Foreign Currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities or any of them are to be paid pursuant to such election, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency;

(17) whether the amount of payments of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods (which index, formula or method or methods may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity securities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;

 

 

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(18) the relative degree, if any, to which Securities of such series shall be senior to or be subordinated to other series of Securities or other Indebtedness of the Company, in right of payment, whether such other series of Securities or other Indebtedness is outstanding or not;

(19) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to any of such Securities, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

(20) whether either or both of Section 4.2(2) relating to defeasance or Section 4.2(3) relating to covenant defeasance shall not be applicable to the Securities of such series, the covenants and obligations relating to the Securities of such series which shall be subject to covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 4.2(3), and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article 4 in respect of the Securities of such series;

(21) the respective forms of the Trust Agreement (if different from the form attached hereto as Annex A), Amended and Restated Trust Agreement and Guarantee Agreement;

(22) whether any of such Securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants, and the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

(23) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(24) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent with respect to such Securities;

(25) whether any Additional Amounts are to be payable with respect to such Securities; and

(26) any other terms of such Securities and any other deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Securities.

All Securities of any one series and all Coupons, if any, appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except as to Currency of payments due thereunder, denomination and the rate of interest thereon, or method of determining the rate of interest, if any, Maturity, and the date from which interest, if any, shall accrue and except as may otherwise be provided by the Company in or pursuant to the Board Resolution and set forth in the Officers’ Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. The terms of the Securities of any series may provide, without limitation,

 

 

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that the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on original issue from time to time upon written order of persons designated in the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Officers’ Certificate or any applicable supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of the Securities of such series as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise so provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series shall be established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Board Resolution shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.

Section 3.2. Currency; Denominations.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, Registered Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without Coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the Bearer Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in the denomination of $5,000. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman, its President, its Treasurer or a Vice President under its corporate seal reproduced thereon and attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. Coupons shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto may be manual or facsimile.

Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons or did not hold such offices at the date of original issuance of such Securities or Coupons.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication and, provided that the Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 3.1 and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order and subject to the provisions hereof and of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver

 

 

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such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in, and may conclusively rely upon,

(1) an Opinion or Opinions of Counsel to the effect that:

(a) the form or forms and terms of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) all conditions precedent to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that such Securities and Coupons, when completed by appropriate insertions, executed under the Company’s corporate seal and attested by duly authorized officers of the Company, delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be subject to or limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and will entitle the Holders thereof to the benefits of this Indenture, including the Guarantee; such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to the availability of equitable remedies;

(c) all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been complied with; and

(d) this Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; and

(2) an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the execution, authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with, and no event which is, or after notice or lapse of time would become, an Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate at the time of issuance of each Security, but such opinion and certificate, with appropriate modifications, shall be delivered

 

 

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at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series. After any such first delivery, any separate written request by an Authorized Officer of the Company or any person designated in writing by an Authorized Officer that the Trustee authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue will be deemed to be a certification by the Company that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to authentication and delivery of such Securities continue to have been complied with and that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities has occurred or is continuing.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities, nor will it be liable for its refusal to authenticate or cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities, if the issue of such Securities will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Each Bearer Security and any Bearer Security in global form shall be dated as of the date specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization.

No Security or Coupon appertaining thereto shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in Section 2.2 or 6.11 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers. Such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Except as permitted by Section 3.6 or 3.7, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all Coupons appertaining thereto then matured have been detached and cancelled.

Section 3.4. Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 3.3, temporary Securities in lieu thereof which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form or, if authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, in bearer form with one or more Coupons or without Coupons and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions thereof, if temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of the same series and containing terms and provisions that are identical to those of any temporary Securities, such temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at an

 

 

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Office or Agency for such Securities, without charge to any Holder thereof. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities (accompanied by any unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee upon Company Order shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical terms and provisions; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided, further, that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization with respect to a temporary global Security, until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

Section 3.5. Registration, Transfer and Exchange.

With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Company shall cause to be kept a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) at an Office or Agency for such series in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of such series and of transfers of the Registered Securities of such series. Such Office or Agency shall be the “Security Registrar” for that series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Trustee shall be the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities. The Company shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided that no such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Company and shall have accepted such appointment by the Company. In the event that the Trustee shall not be or shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Security Register for each series of Securities.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any Office or Agency for such series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

 

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If provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, with respect to Securities of any series, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of such series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series containing identical terms, denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization and in the same aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series, with all unmatured Coupons and all matured Coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured Coupon or Coupons or matured Coupon or Coupons in default, such exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company and the Trustee in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing Coupon or Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Bearer Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, interest represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an Office or Agency for such series located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such Office or Agency for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series and like tenor after the close of business at such Office or Agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date of payment, as the case may be (or, if such Coupon is so surrendered with such Bearer Security, such Coupon shall be returned to the Person so surrendering the Bearer Security), and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but shall be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

If provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of such series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

Whenever any Securities are surrendered for exchange as contemplated by the immediately preceding two paragraphs, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any global Security shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities only if (i) the Depository is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of the date the Company is so informed in writing, (ii) the Company executes and delivers

 

 

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to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that such global Security shall be so exchangeable, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities. If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for definitive Securities as the result of an event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding sentence, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in such form and denominations as are required by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and of the same series, containing identical terms and in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be surrendered from time to time by the U.S. Depository or such other Depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto, and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the U.S. Depository or such other Depository, as the case may be (which instructions shall be in writing but need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate or be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities as described above without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged, which (unless such Securities are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, in which case the definitive Securities exchanged for the global Security shall be issuable only in the form in which the Securities are issuable, as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization) shall be in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof, but subject to the satisfaction of any certification or other requirements to the issuance of Bearer Securities; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of the same series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date; and provided, further, that (unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization) no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, or such other Depository or U.S. Depository referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the Office or Agency for such Security where such exchange occurs on or after (i) any Regular Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

 

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All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar for such Security) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar for such Security duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, or redemption of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge and any other expenses (including fees and expenses of the Trustee) that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, 9.5 or 11.7 not involving any transfer.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of like tenor and the same series under Section 11.4 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security selected for redemption except, to the extent provided with respect to such Bearer Security, that such Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of like tenor and the same series, provided that such Registered Security shall be immediately surrendered for redemption with written instruction for payment consistent with the provisions of this Indenture or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated Coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.6, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

If there be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or Coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or Coupon has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute and, upon the Company’s request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any

 

 

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such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains with all appurtenant Coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.6, in case any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or Coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security or Coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, be payable only at an Office or Agency for such Securities located outside the United States and, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on Bearer Securities and any Additional Amounts with respect to such interest shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.6, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the fees and expenses of the Trustee’s counsel) connected therewith.

Every new Security, with any Coupons appertaining thereto issued pursuant to this Section 3.6 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall constitute a separate obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and Coupons appertaining thereto or the destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series and any Coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 3.6, as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall be 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 Securities or Coupons.

Section 3.7. Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, and are punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

 

 

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Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed by the Company in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on such Registered Security, the Special Record Date therefor and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust in a segregated trust account pursuant to express written instructions of the Company for the benefit of the Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. The Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after notification to the Trustee of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holder of such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, but such publication shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Security may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

 

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Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any particular series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, at the option of the Company, interest on Registered Securities that bear interest may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.5, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any particular series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, in the case of any Registered Security of any series that is convertible into other securities of the Company or exchangeable for securities of another issuer, which Registered Security is converted or exchanged after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Registered Security with respect to which the Stated Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion or exchange, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Registered Security (or one or more predecessor Registered Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Registered Security which is converted or exchanged, interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion or exchange of such Registered Security shall not be payable.

Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, any premium and (subject to Sections 3.5 and 3.7) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security or the bearer of any Coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or Coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Security or Coupon shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

 

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No Holder of any beneficial interest in any global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such global Security, and such Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 3.9. Cancellation.

All Securities and Coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and Coupons, as well as Securities and Coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization. All cancelled Securities and Coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee, unless by a Company Order directs their return to it.

Section 3.10. Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Section 3.11. Extension of Interest Payment Period.

If specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to the Securities of a particular series and subject to the terms, conditions and covenants, if any, so specified, the Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the term of such series, to defer the payment of interest on such Securities for such period or periods as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 (each, an “Extension Period”), during which Extension Periods the Company shall have the right to defer interest in whole or in part, otherwise due make partial payments of interest on any Interest Payment Date. No Extension Period shall end on a day other than an Interest Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period, the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Securities (together with Additional Interest thereon, if any, at the rate specified for the Securities of such series to the extent permitted by applicable law). Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Company may further extend the interest payment period, provided that no Extension Period shall exceed the period or periods specified in such Securities or extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the principal of such Securities. Upon termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and any Additional Interest then due on any Interest Payment

 

 

 

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Date, the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof.

The Company shall give the Holders of the Securities of such series and the Trustee written notice of its election to begin any such Extension Period at least one Business Day prior to the Interest Payment Date or, with respect to the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust are payable or (ii) the date the trustees of such RenaissanceRe Trust are required to give notice to any securities exchange or other applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of such Preferred Securities of the record date or the date such Distributions are payable, but in any event not less than one Business Day prior to such record date.

The Trustee shall promptly give notice of the Company’s election to begin any such Extension Period to the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such series.

Section 3.12. Right of Set-Off.

With respect to the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, the Company shall have the right to set-off any payment it is otherwise required to make thereunder in respect of any such Security to the extent the Companyhas theretofore made, or is concurrently on the date of such payment making, a payment under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to such Security or under Section 5.8 hereof, as applicable.

Section 3.13. Agreed Tax Treatment.

Each Security issued hereunder shall provide that the Company and by its acceptance of a Security or a beneficial interest therein, the Holder of, and any Person that acquires a beneficial interest in, such Security agree that for United States Federal, state and local tax purposes it is intended that such Security constitute indebtedness.

Section 3.14. Extension of Stated Maturity; Adjustment of Stated Maturity Upon an Exchange.

If specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to the Securities of a particular series, the Company shall have the right to (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series upon the liquidation of the applicable RenaissanceRe Trust and the exchange of such Securities for the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust, or (b) extend the Stated Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series; provided that, at the time any election to extend such Stated Maturity is made and at the time of such extension, (i) the Company is not in bankruptcy, otherwise insolvent or in liquidation, (ii) the Company is not in default in the payment of any interest or principal or Additional Amounts on the Securities of such series and no deferred interest payments thereon have accrued, (iii) the applicable RenaissanceRe Trust is not in arrears on payments of Distributions on its Preferred Securities and no deferred Distributions thereon have accumulated, (iv) the Securities of such series are rated not less than BBB- by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or Baa3 by Moody’s

 

 

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Investors Service, Inc. or the equivalent by any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization and (v) the extended Stated Maturity is no later than the 49th anniversary of the initial issuance of the Preferred Securities of the applicable RenaissanceRe Trust; provided, further, that, if the Company exercises its right to liquidate the applicable RenaissanceRe Trust and exchange the Securities of such series for the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust as specified in clause (a) above, any changed Stated Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series shall be no earlier than the date that is five years after the initial issue date of the Preferred Securities and no later than the date 30 years (plus an extended term of up to an additional 19 years if the above-referenced conditions are satisfied) after the initial issue date of the Preferred Securities of the applicable RenaissanceRe Trust.

Section 3.15. CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP,” “CINS” and “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use CUSIP, CINS or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders and no representation shall be made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption or exchange.

ARTICLE IV.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge.

Upon the direction of the Company by a Company Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Order and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Order, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when

(1) either

(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all Coupons appertaining thereto (other than (i) Coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series surrendered in exchange for Registered Securities of such series and maturing after such exchange whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 3.5, (ii) Securities and Coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, (iii) Coupons appertaining to Securities of such series called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 11.7, and (iv) Securities and Coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company, or discharged from such trust, as

 

 

 

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provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(i) have become due and payable,

(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company or pursuant to the operation of a sinking fund, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in the Currency in which such Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto (based upon applicable law as in effect on the date of such deposit), to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

In the event there are Securities of two or more series hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of such series as to which it is Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.6 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Sections 3.5, 3.6, 4.3, 10.2 and 10.3, with respect to the payment of Additional

 

 

 

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Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4 (but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.1(1)(b)), and with respect to any rights to convert or exchange such Securities into securities of the Company or another issuer shall survive.

Section 4.2. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.

(1) Unless pursuant to Section 3.1, either or both of (i) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (2) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series or (ii) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then such provisions, together with the other provisions of this Section 4.2 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, elect to have Section 4.2(2) or Section 4.2(3) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 4.2.

(2) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 4.2(2) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and under the Guarantee in respect thereof, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of clause (5) of this Section 4.2 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 and as more fully set forth in such clause, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest), if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due, and any rights of such Holder to convert such Securities into other securities of the Company or exchange such Securities for securities of another issuer, (ii) the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.5, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4 (but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect

 

 

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of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) below), and with respect to any rights to convert such Securities into other securities of the Company or exchange such Securities for securities of another issuer, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder including, without limitation, the compensation, reimbursement and indemnities provided in Section 6.6 herein and (iv) this Section 4.2. The Company may exercise its option under this Section 4.2(2) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto.

(3) Upon the Company’s exercise of the option to have this Section 4.2(3) apply with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under any covenant applicable to such Securities specified pursuant to Section 3.1(20), including any obligation to redeem or repurchase such securities at the option of the Holder thereof, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any such covenant or obligation, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Company may omit to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant or obligation, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant or obligation to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto shall be unaffected thereby.

(4) The following shall be the conditions to application of clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any Coupons appertaining thereto:

(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.7 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 4.2 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount in Dollars or in such Foreign Currency in which such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated

 

 

 

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Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (y) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest), if any, on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto (based upon applicable law as in effect on the date of such deposit), such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto at the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date of such principal or installment of principal or premium or interest and (z) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto on the days on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and, if applicable, shall have made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of any Securities to be redeemed at the option of the Company in connection with such deposit.

(b) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (after giving effect thereto) and, with respect to defeasance only, no event described in Section 5.1(6) or (7) shall have occurred at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(c) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

(d) In the case of an election under clause (2) of this Section 4.2, with respect to Registered Securities and any Bearer Securities for which the Place of Payment is within the United States, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from the Internal Revenue Service a letter ruling, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service a Revenue Ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the

 

 

 

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effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

(e) In the case of an election under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to Registered Securities and any Bearer Securities for which the Place of Payment is within the United States, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

(f) With respect to defeasance only, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, after the 91st day after the date of deposit, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) pursuant to this clause (4) to be held in trust will not be subject to recapture or avoidance as a preference in any case or proceeding (whether voluntary or involuntary) in respect of the Company under any Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or any decree or order for relief in respect of the Company issued in connection therewith (for which purpose such Opinion of Counsel may assume that no Holder is an “insider”).

(g) With respect to defeasance only, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as to solvency and the absence of any intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company.

(h) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or covenant defeasance under clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 (as the case may be) have been complied with.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4.2(4), such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.1.

 

 

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(5) Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 4.2(4)(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 3.1 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the Foreign Currency in which the deposit pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest (including any Additional Interest), if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on (x) in the case of payments made pursuant to clause (a) above, the applicable market exchange rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, or (y) with respect to a Conversion Event, the applicable market exchange rate for such Foreign Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 4.2(5) and Section 4.3, the “Trustee”) against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to this Section 4.2 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto.

Anything in this Section 4.2 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 4.2.

Section 4.3. Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 or 4.2 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest) and Additional Amounts, if any; but such money and

 

 

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Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

ARTICLE V.

REMEDIES

Section 5.1. Events of Default.

“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless such event is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization:

(1) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of such series, including any Additional Interest in respect thereof, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such interest becomes or such Additional Amounts become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 60 days (subject to any deferral of any due date in the case of an Extension Period); or

(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of such series, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such principal or premium becomes or such Additional Amounts become due and payable at their Maturity; or

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security of such series; or

(4) default in the performance of the provisions of and continuance of such default for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series or, if that series of Securities is held by a RenaissanceRe Trust, the holders of at least 25% in liquidation amount of the then-outstanding Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust, a written notice specifying such default and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(5) default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture or the Securities (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than such series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company, by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee, by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such

 

 

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series or, if that series of Securities is held by a RenaissanceRe Trust, the holders of at least 25% in liquidation amount of the then-outstanding Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(6) the entry by a court having competent jurisdiction of:

(a) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency) or other similar law and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(b) a decree or order adjudging the Company to be insolvent, or approving a petition seeking reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency), arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(c) a final and non-appealable order appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or other similar official of the Company of any substantial part of the property of the Company or ordering the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company; or

(7) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency) or other similar law or of a voluntary proceeding seeking to be adjudicated insolvent or the consent by the Company to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by the Company of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company or relief under any applicable law, or the consent by the Company to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or similar official of the Company or any substantial part of the property of the Company or the making by the Company of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or

(8) any other Event of Default provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) of Section 5.1) occurs and is continuing, then the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series may declare the principal of all the Securities of such

 

 

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series, to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal, together with accrued interest (including Additional Interest) thereon, shall become immediately due and payable; provided that, in the case of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, if, upon an Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series fail to declare the principal of all the Securities of such series, to be immediately due and payable, the holders of at least 25% in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust then outstanding shall have such right by a notice in writing to the Company, the Trustee and the Property Trustee; and upon any such declaration such principal or such lesser amount and all accrued and unpaid interest (including any Additional Interest) thereon shall become immediately due and payable, provided that the payment of principal and interest and all other amounts due with respect to such Securities shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in Article 16.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) of Section 5.1 occurs, all unpaid principal of and accrued interest (including any Additional Interest) on the Outstanding Securities of that series shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of any Security of that series.

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series (subject to, in the case of any series of Securities issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, such consent of the holders of the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust as may be required under the Trust Agreement of such RenaissanceRe Trust), by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay

(a) all overdue installments of any interest (including any Additional Interest) on and Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of such series and any Coupon appertaining thereto,

(b) the principal of and any premium on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

(c) to the extent that payment of such interest or Additional Amounts is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of any interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

(d) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the

 

 

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Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6; and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

In the case of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, should the Holders of such Securities fail to rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust then outstanding shall have such right by written notice to the Company, the Trustee and the Property Trustee, subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above of this Section 5.2.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Company covenants that if

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto when such interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at their Maturity,

the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the whole amount of money then due and payable with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, with interest (including any Additional Interest) upon the overdue principal, any premium and (to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable and, if the Securities are held by a RenaissanceRe Trust, without duplication of any other amounts paid to such RenaissanceRe Trust in respect thereof) upon any overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.

If the Company fails to pay the money it is required to pay the Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph forthwith upon the demand of the Trustee, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the money so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and any

 

 

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Coupons appertaining thereto and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of any series or the property of the Company or such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, interest (including any Additional Interest) or Additional Amounts) shall be entitled and empowered, to the extent permitted by applicable law by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of any applicable series, of the principal and any premium, interest (including any Additional Interest) and Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders of Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(2) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities or any Coupons to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities or any Coupons, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or any Coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or Coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or any Coupon in any such proceeding.

 

 

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Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities or Coupons.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or Coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or Coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of each and every Holder of the Securities or Coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal, or any premium, interest (including any Additional Interest) or Additional Amounts, upon presentation of the Securities or Coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.6;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and any Coupons for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and Coupons for principal and any premium, interest (including any Additional Interest) and Additional Amounts, respectively;

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.

Section 5.7. Limitations on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

 

 

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(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee such indemnity as is reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or Coupon shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, any premium and (subject to Sections 3.5, 3.7 and 3.11) interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security or payment of such Coupon, as the case may be, on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities therefor specified in such Security or Coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of such Holder if provided with respect to such Security, on the date such repayment is due) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder. In the case of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, any holder of Preferred Securities issued by such RenaissanceRe Trust shall have the right, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section 5.1(1) or 5.1(2) hereof, to institute directly a proceeding against the Company for enforcement of payment to such holder of principal of, and any premium and (subject to Sections 3.5, 3.7 and 3.11) interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities having a principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of such Preferred Securities held by such holder (a “Direct Action”).

Notwithstanding any payments made to a holder of Preferred Securities by the Company in connection with a Direct Action, the Company shall remain obligated to pay the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to the related Securities, and the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder of such Preferred Securities with respect to payments on the Preferred Securities to the extent of any payments made by the Company to such holder in any Direct Action.

 

 

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Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or a Coupon has, or the holders of Preferred Securities have, instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee, to such Holder or to the holders of such Preferred Securities, then and in every such case the Company the Trustee and each such Holder or the holders of such Preferred Securities shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and each such Holder or the holders of such Preferred Securities shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or Coupons in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee, to each and every Holder of a Security or a Coupon or to the holders of Preferred Securities is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or Coupon or of the holders of Preferred Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to any Holder of a Security or a Coupon or to the holders of Preferred Securities may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee, by such Holder or by such holders of Preferred Securities, as the case may be.

Section 5.12. Control by Holders of Securities.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto, provided that

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or with the Securities of such series,

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

 

 

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(3) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of the other Holders of Securities of such series not joining in such action.

Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto and, in the case of any Securities issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities issued by such RenaissanceRe Trust then outstanding, may waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series or any Coupons appertaining thereto, or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.14. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

The Company covenants that (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company expressly waives (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 5.15. Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of any undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.15 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series or, if a series of

 

 

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Securities is held by a RenaissanceRe Trust, any holder, or group of holders holding more than 10% in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of that RenaissanceRe Trust then outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Holder or any holder of Preferred Securities for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest), if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, and, in the case of repayment or repurchase, on or after the date for repayment or repurchase) or for the enforcement of the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security into other securities in accordance with its terms.

ARTICLE VI.

THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.1. Certain Rights of Trustee.

Subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:

(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order, as the case may be (in each case, other than delivery of any Security, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 3.3 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture 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 shall be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written 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;

(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as is reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs,

 

 

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expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(6) 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, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may, but shall not be obligated to make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine, during business hours and upon reasonable notice, the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys, custodians or nominees and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;

(9) the Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, and Security Registrar shall have the same protections as the Trustee set forth hereunder;

(10) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with an Act of the Holders hereunder, and, to the extent not so provided herein, with respect to any act requiring the Trustee to exercise its own discretion, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture or any Securities, unless it shall be proved that, in connection with any such action taken, suffered or omitted or any such act, the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;

(11) the Trustee is not responsible to see that the Company or any other Person is maintaining any insurance required by the Indenture;

(12) the Trustee shall not be responsible for the recording, rerecording, filing of UCC Statements or UCC Continuation Statements;

(13) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee which conform to the requirements of the Indenture;

(14) except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this

 

 

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Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(15) except as expressly required by the terms of this Indenture, none of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, 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 indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it; and

(16) in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series entitled to receive reports pursuant to Section 7.3(3), notice of such default hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer of 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 of (or premium, if any), or interest (including any Additional Interest), if any, on, or Additional Amounts or any sinking fund or purchase fund installment with respect to, any Security of such series, 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 determine that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the Holders of Securities and Coupons of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.1(4) or with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 6.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any Coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or the Coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Securities or the proceeds thereof.

 

 

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Section 6.4. May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities or Coupons and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person.

Section 6.5. Money Held in Trust.

Except as provided in Section 4.3 and Section 10.3, money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed to in writing with the Company.

Section 6.6. Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by the Trustee hereunder as agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder (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 the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith; and

(3) to indemnify the Trustee and its agents, officers, directors and employees for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent that any such loss, liability or expense was due to the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto.

 

 

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To the extent permitted by law, any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified in or pursuant to Section 5.1 is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 6.6 shall include any predecessor Trustee but the negligence or bad faith of any Trustee shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 6.6.

The provisions of this Section 6.6 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee and shall apply with equal force and effect to the Trustee in its capacity as Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Security Registrar.

Section 6.7. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, that is eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000, and that is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authority. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 6.8. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(1) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to Section 6.9.

(2) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.9 shall not have been delivered to 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 with respect to such series.

(3) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and the Company.

(4) If at any time:

(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Company or any Holder of a Security of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months, or

 

 

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(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.7 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or any such Holder, or

(c) 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 such case, (i) the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or the Securities of such series, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(5) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of such series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.9. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapacity, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.9, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.9, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such 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 with respect to the Securities of such series.

(6) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register and, if Securities of such series are issued as Bearer Securities, by publishing notice of such event once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment located outside the

 

 

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United States. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

(7) In no event shall any retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.

Section 6.9. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties hereunder of the retiring Trustee; but, on the written request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 10.3, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.6.

(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, such successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and, upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,

 

 

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powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on written request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates and subject to Section 10.3 shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, subject to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.6.

(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section, as the case may be.

(4) No Person shall accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

Section 6.10. 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, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

Section 6.11. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Company with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption or partial repayment or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.

Each Authenticating Agent must be acceptable to the Company and, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, shall at all times be a Corporation that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its

 

 

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charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any Corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such Corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall (i) mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, and (ii) if Securities of the series are issued as Bearer Securities, publish notice of such appointment at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the place where such successor Authenticating Agent has its principal office if such office is located outside the United States. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section. If the Trustee makes such payments, it shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.6.

The provisions of Sections 3.8, 6.3 and 6.4 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

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		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
		By
			as Authenticating Agent
		By
			Authorized Officer

 

If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officers’ Certificate by the Company), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.

ARTICLE VII.

HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

(1) semi-annually with respect to Securities of each series not later than May 1 and November 1 of the year or upon such other dates as are set forth in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, a list, in each case in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of the applicable date, and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished.

Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

Every Holder of Securities or Coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with

 

 

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Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee.

(1) Within 60 days after September 15 of each year commencing with the first September 15 following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit, pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such September 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding September 15 and the date of this Indenture.

(2) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act at the times specified therein.

(3) September 15 following the first issuance of Securities Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted in the manner and to the Persons required by Sections 313(c) and 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.4. Reports by Company.

The Company, pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, 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 Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission 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 said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(3) transmit within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, 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

 

 

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Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

ARTICLE VIII.

CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATIONS, MERGER AND SALES

Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

The Company shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company), and the Company shall not permit any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company; unless:

(1) in case the Company shall consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety shall be a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, Bermuda, or any other country which is on the date of this Indenture a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, executed by the successor Person and delivered to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of every obligation in this Indenture and the Outstanding Securities on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and shall provide for conversion or exchange rights in accordance with the provisions of the Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or other securities;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default or event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing;

(3) in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, such transaction is permitted under the related Trust Agreement and does not give rise to any breach or violation of such Trust Agreement; and

(4) either the Company or the successor Person shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with

 

 

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this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.2. Successor Person Substituted for Company.

Upon any consolidation or amalgamation by the Company with or merger of the Company into any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation 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 Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture, the Securities and the Coupons.

ARTICLE IX.

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.1. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or Coupons, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained herein and in the Securities; or

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(3) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be exchanged for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto in any material respect; or

(4) to establish the forms or terms of Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1; or

 

 

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(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.9; or

(6) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series then Outstanding or any Coupons appertaining thereto or, in the case of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust and for so long as any of the Preferred Securities issued by such RenaissanceRe Trust shall remain outstanding, the holders of such Preferred Securities, in any material respect; or

(7) to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth; or

(8) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture); or

(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Article 4, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of an Outstanding Security of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto or any other Outstanding Security or Coupon or, in the case of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust and for so long as any of the Preferred Securities issued by such RenaissanceRe Trust shall remain outstanding, the holders of such Preferred Securities, in any material respect; or

(10) to secure the Securities; or

(11) to make provisions with respect to conversion or exchange rights of Holders of Securities of any series; or

(12) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, provided that no such amendment or supplement shall materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Securities then Outstanding.

Section 9.2. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (and, in the case of any series of Securities held as assets of a RenaissanceRe Trust, such consent of holders of the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust as may be required under the Trust Agreement of such RenaissanceRe Trust), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a

 

 

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Company’s Board Resolution) and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture or of the Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any premium or installment of interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof (or modify the calculation of such principal amount) or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest (including any Additional Interest) thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or otherwise, or change the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to the terms hereof (except as contemplated by Section 8.1(1) and permitted by Section 9.1(1)), or change the redemption provisions or adversely affect the right of repayment at the option of any Holder as contemplated by Article 13, or change the Place of Payment, Currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the date for repayment), or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 15.4 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Indenture relating to the subordination of the Securities in respect thereof in a manner adverse to Holders of Securities, or

(4) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.6, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, or

(5) make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any Security into or for securities of the Company or other securities (whether or not issued by the Company), cash or property in accordance with its terms,

provided, however, that, in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, so long as any of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust remain outstanding, no such amendment shall be made that adversely affects the holders of such Preferred Securities, and no termination of this Indenture shall occur, and no waiver of any Event

 

 

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of Default or compliance with any covenant under this Indenture shall be effective in respect of such Preferred Securities, without the prior consent of the holders of at least a majority of the liquidation amount of such Preferred Securities then outstanding unless and until the principal of, any premium or, subject to Section 3.7, interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series have been paid in full; and provided further that in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, so long as any of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust remain outstanding, no amendment shall be made to Section 5.8 of this Indenture without the prior consent of the holder of each Preferred Security then outstanding unless and until the principal of, any premium or, subject to Section 3.7, interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series have been paid in full.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which shall have been included expressly and solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities or holders of Preferred Securities under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.3. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

As a condition to executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the execution of such supplemental indenture have been fulfilled. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.4. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any Coupon appertaining thereto and every holder of a Preferred Security shall be bound thereby.

Section 9.5. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to

 

 

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conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

Section 9.6. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.7. Effect on Company Senior Indebtedness.

No supplemental indenture shall directly or indirectly modify or eliminate the provisions of Article 16 or Article 18, as the case may be, in any manner which might terminate or impair the subordination of the Securities of any series to Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series without the prior written consent of the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness.

Section 9.8. Notice of Supplemental Indenture.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.2, the Company shall transmit to the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series affected thereby a notice setting forth the substance of such supplemental indenture.

ARTICLE X.

COVENANTS

Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of each series that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series in accordance with the terms thereof, any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Any interest due on any Bearer Security on or before the Maturity thereof, and any Additional Amounts payable with respect to such interest, shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto for such interest as they severally mature.

Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an Office or Agency where Securities of such series (but not Bearer Securities, except as otherwise provided below, unless such Place of Payment is located outside the United States) may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of such series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and where notices

 

 

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and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series relating thereto and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization shall maintain, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, an Office or Agency in a Place of Payment for such series which is located outside the United States where Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided, however, that if the Securities of such series are listed on The International Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company shall maintain a Paying Agent in London, Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of such series are listed on such exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such Office or Agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Office or Agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment at the place specified for the purpose with respect to such Securities as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, no payment of principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect to Bearer Securities shall be made at any Office or Agency in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by wire transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, if amounts owing with respect to any Bearer Securities shall be payable in Dollars, payment of principal of, any premium or interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any such Security may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or any Office or Agency designated by the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts at all offices outside the United States maintained for such purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other Offices or Agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an Office or Agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other Office or Agency. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Company hereby designates as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New

 

 

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York, and initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the Office or Agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for such purpose. The Company may subsequently appoint a different Office or Agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for the Securities of any series.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one exchange rate agent.

Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or Additional Amounts with respect to any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal or any premium, interest (including any Additional Interest) or Additional Amounts so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it shall, on or prior to each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities of such series, deposit with any Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal and any premium, interest (including any Additional Interest) or Additional Amounts so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

The Company shall cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent shall:

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any payment of principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series; and

 

 

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(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or 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 sums.

Except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of any series or any Coupon appertaining thereto and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal or any such premium or interest or any such Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, at the expense of the Company may cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series or to be mailed to Holders of Registered Securities of such series, or both, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing nor shall it be later than two years after such principal or any premium or interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 10.4.

(1) Additional Amounts.

If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company agrees to pay to the Holder of any such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto Additional Amounts as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Securities. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or any Coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

 

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Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of the applicable series, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Securities (or if the Securities of such series shall not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of such series shall be made to Holders of Securities of such series or the Coupons appertaining thereto who are United States Aliens without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of such series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities or Coupons, and the Company agrees to pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 10.4.

(2) Net Payments.

Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium, interest or any other amounts on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or any Coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding the payment of Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

Section 10.5. Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 8, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not obligate the Company to preserve any such right or franchise if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to any Holder.

Section 10.6. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 10.5 with respect to the Securities of any series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the

 

 

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Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either shall waive such compliance in such instance or generally shall have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10.7. Company Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults.

(1) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement (which need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate) signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, stating that

(a) a review of the activities of the Company during such year and of its performance under this Indenture has been made under his or her supervision, and

(b) to the best of his or her knowledge, based on such review, (a) the Company has complied with all the conditions and covenants imposed on it under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such condition or covenant, specifying each such default known to him or her and the nature and status thereof, and (b) no event has occurred and is continuing which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, or, if such an event has occurred and is continuing, specifying each such event known to him and the nature and status thereof.

(2) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within five days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any Event of Default or any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default pursuant to clause (4) or (5) of Section 5.1.

(3) The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the Company’s compliance with the covenants contained in this Article 10 other than as specifically set forth in this Section 10.7.

Section 10.8. [RESERVED]

Section 10.9. Additional Sums.

In the case of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, in the event that (i) such RenaissanceRe Trust is the Holder of all of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (ii) a Tax Event in respect of such RenaissanceRe Trust shall have occurred and be continuing and (iii) the Company shall not have (i) redeemed the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 11.8 or (ii) terminated such RenaissanceRe Trust pursuant to Section 9.2(b) of the related Trust Agreement, the Company shall pay to such RenaissanceRe Trust (and its permitted successors or assigns under

 

 

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the related Trust Agreement), for so long as such RenaissanceRe Trust (or its permitted successor or assignee) is the registered holder of any Securities of such series, such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the amount of Distributions then due and payable by such RenaissanceRe Trust on the related Preferred Securities and Common Securities that at any time remain outstanding in accordance with the terms thereof shall not be reduced as a result of any Additional Taxes (the “Additional Sums”). Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or any Coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Sums provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Sums are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Sums (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Sums in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made, provided, however, that the extension of an interest payment period pursuant to Section 3.11 or the terms of the applicable Securities shall not extend the payment of any Additional Sums that may be due and payable during such interest payment period.

Section 10.10. Prohibition Against Dividends, etc.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Company covenants and agrees with each Holder of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust that it will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the outstanding capital stock of the Company or (b) make any payment of principal of, interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt security of the Company that ranks junior in interest to the Securities of such series or make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any Subsidiary of the Company if such guarantee ranks junior in interest to the Securities of such series (other than (i) dividends or distributions in Common Stock of the Company, (ii) redemptions or purchases of any rights outstanding under a shareholder rights plan of the Company or the declaration of a dividend of such rights or the issuance of stock under such plans in the future, (iii) payments under any Preferred Securities Guarantee, and (iv) purchases of Common Stock related to the issuance of Common Stock under any benefit plans of the Company for its directors, officers or employees) if at such time (1) there shall have occurred any event of which the Company has actual knowledge that (A) with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default hereunder and (B) in respect of which the Company shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, or (2) the Company shall have given notice of its election to begin an Extension Period as provided herein with respect to the Securities of such series and shall not have rescinded such notice, or such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing.

Section 10.11. Payment of Expenses of Each RenaissanceRe Trust.

The Company covenants for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities to pay or cause to be paid all of the obligations, costs and expenses of each RenaissanceRe Trust (other than payments in respect of Trust Securities) in accordance with the provisions of its Trust

 

 

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Agreement and to pay the taxes of such RenaissanceRe Trust in accordance with the provisions of its Trust Agreement in order to permit such RenaissanceRe Trust to make distributions on and redemptions of its Preferred Securities in accordance with such Trust Agreement.

Section 10.12. Ownership of Common Securities.

The Company covenants, as to each series of Securities issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust in connection with the issuance of Preferred Securities and Common Securities by that RenaissanceRe Trust, (a) to maintain directly or indirectly 100% ownership of the Common Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Company hereunder may succeed to the Company’s ownership of such Common Securities, (b) not to voluntarily dissolve, wind-up or liquidate such RenaissanceRe Trust, except in connection with (i) a distribution of the Securities of such series to the holders of Preferred Securities and Common Securities in liquidation of such RenaissanceRe Trust, (ii) the redemption of all of the Preferred Securities and Common Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Trust Agreement of such RenaissanceRe Trust and (c) to use its reasonable efforts, consistent with the terms and provisions of the related Trust Agreement, to cause such RenaissanceRe Trust to remain classified as a grantor trust and not an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.

Section 10.13. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on any Outstanding Original Issue Discount Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Code, as amended from time to time.

ARTICLE XI.

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 11.1. Applicability of Article.

Redemption of Securities of any series as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.

Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of (a) less than all of the Securities of any series or (b) all of the Securities of any series, with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. If the Securities of a series are held

 

 

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by a RenaissanceRe Trust, the Company shall also deliver a copy of such notice to the Property Trustee of such RenaissanceRe Trust.

Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Securities of any series with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Registered Security of such series not redeemed to less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein or pursuant hereto.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted into other securities of the Company or exchanged for securities of another issuer in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice by mailing in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

 

 

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(1) the Redemption Date, and if such redemption date is conditional, a description of the event upon which it is conditioned,

(2) the Redemption Price,

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, in the case of a Registered Security, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto, and that unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and other amounts then due, interest thereon, if applicable, shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the place or places where such Securities, together (in the case of Bearer Securities) with all Coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing on or after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto,

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all Coupons maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption or the amount of any such missing Coupon or Coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and any Paying Agent is furnished,

(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and no Registered Securities of such series are to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on the Redemption Date pursuant to Section 3.5 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made,

(10) in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible into Common Stock of the Company or exchangeable for other securities, the conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such series to be redeemed will commence or terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and

 

 

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(11) the CUSIP number or the Euroclear or the Clearstream reference numbers of such Securities, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depository to identify such Securities).

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 1.6 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.

Notice of redemption of Securities shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit, with respect to the Securities of any series called for redemption, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money in the applicable Currency sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 or in the Securities of such series) any accrued interest (including any Additional Interest) on and Additional Amounts with respect thereto, all such Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, become due and payable on the Redemption Date, at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest or Additional Amounts) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and the Coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization and the Coupons, installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of Coupons for such interest (at an Office or Agency located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2), and provided, further, that, except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7 and installments of interest on Registered Securities for which the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or before the following Interest Payment Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.

 

 

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If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant Coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that any interest or Additional Amounts represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an Office or Agency for such Security located outside of the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Office or Agency for such Security (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Security in global form is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the U.S. Depository or other Depository for such Security in global form as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security in global form so surrendered.

Section 11.8. Right of Redemption of Securities Issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust.

In the case of the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, if a Special Event in respect of such RenaissanceRe Trust shall occur and be continuing, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Securities of such series within 90 days of the occurrence of such Special Event, in whole but not in part, subject to the provisions of this Section 11.8 and the other provisions of this Article 11. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of such series, the redemption price for any Security so redeemed pursuant to this Section 11.8 shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Securities then Outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest, including any Additional Interest, to the date fixed for redemption.

 

 

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ARTICLE XII.

SINKING FUNDS

Section 12.1. Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Security of such series issued pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and this Indenture.

Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Company), together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto, and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such series of Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If, as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 12.2, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to satisfy the remaining sinking fund payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the written request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.

 

 

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Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 75 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.6 and 11.7.

ARTICLE XIII.

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 13.1. Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 3.9, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a written directive that such Securities be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13.1, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Company may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the close of business on the repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Company on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Company to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.

 

 

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ARTICLE XIV.

SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Section 14.1. Applicability of Article.

Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency, or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in the form of Security of any particular series or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Currency other than Dollars shall be treated for any such action or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination of rights or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such action, determination of rights or distribution) as the Company may specify in a written notice to the Trustee.

ARTICLE XV.

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Section 15.1. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

Section 15.2. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(1) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or, if Securities of such series have been issued in whole or in part as Bearer Securities, in London or in such place outside the United States as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(2) In case at any time the Company (by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed notice of or made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request (whichever shall be required pursuant

 

 

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to Section 1.6) or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or, if Securities of such series are to be issued as Bearer Securities, in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in clause (1) of this Section.

Section 15.3. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 15.4. Quorum; Action.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any reconvened meeting, such reconvened meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such reconvened meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 15.2(1), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series.

 

 

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Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the Coupons appertaining thereto, whether or not such Holders were present or represented at the meeting.

Section 15.5. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 or by having the signature of the person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 1.4 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 1.4 or other proof.

(2) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 15.2(2), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(3) At any meeting, each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

(4) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 15.2 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

 

 

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Section 15.6. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports of all votes cast at the meeting. A record of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 15.2 and, if applicable, Section 15.4. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

ARTICLE XVI.

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 16.1. Agreement to Subordinate.

The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued hereunder and under any indenture supplemental hereto or pursuant to a Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate (“Additional Provisions”) by such Holder’s acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article 16; and each Holder of a Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

The payment by the Company of the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of each series issued hereunder and under any Additional Provisions shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth and subject to the provisions of the related Series Authorization, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

No provision of this Article 16 shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

All references in this Article 16 to Holders of Securities shall be deemed to include Holders of Coupons.

 

 

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Section 16.2. Default on Company Senior Indebtedness.

In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other amount due on any Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series, or in the event that the maturity of any Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series has been accelerated because of a default, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including redemption and sinking fund payments) of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series or to acquire such Securities (other than pursuant to the conversion of such Securities).

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 16.2, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Company Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on such Company Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness.

Section 16.3. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.

Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any total or partial liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshaling of assets of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings relating to the Company or its assets, all amounts due upon all Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company on account of the principal of, premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series; and in any such case, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee (on behalf of Holders with respect to the principal of, premium or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such Series) would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article 16, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders having equal seniority on the basis of the respective amounts of such Company Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Company Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as

 

 

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their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Company Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of the Securities of such series or to the Trustee.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing shall be received by the Trustee before all such Company Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Company Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all such Company Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Company Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness.

For purposes of this Article 16, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article 16 with respect to the Securities of the relevant series to the payment of all Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such Company Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation or amalgamation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance, transfer or lease of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided for in Sections 8.1 and 8.2 of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 16.3 if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Sections 8.1 and 8.2 of this Indenture.

Section 16.4. Subrogation.

Subject to the payment in full of all Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series, the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to such Company Senior Indebtedness until the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which

 

 

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the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article 16, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16 to or for the benefit of the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities of such series or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities of such series, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of such Company Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article 16 are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series, on the one hand, and the holders of the Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series on the other hand.

Nothing contained in this Article 16 or elsewhere in this Indenture, any Additional Provisions or in the Securities of any series is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series, and the Holders of the Securities of such series, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities of such series the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series and creditors of the Company, other than the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security of such series from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article 16 of the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, as the case may be, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article 16, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, and the Holders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities of any series, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series and other indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 16.

Section 16.5. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

Each Holder of Securities by such Holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article 16 and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

 

 

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Section 16.6. Notice by the Company.

The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 16 or any other provision of this Indenture or any Additional Provisions, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 16.6 at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series (or a trustee on behalf of such holder), to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Company Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of such Company Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 16, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Company Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 16, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article 16, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding-up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities of any series, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series and other

 

 

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indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 16.

Section 16.7. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Company Senior Indebtedness.

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 16 in respect of any Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of such Company Senior 99 Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture or any Additional Provisions shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

With respect to the holders of Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article 16, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture or any Additional Provisions against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such Company Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of the Securities of such series, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such Company Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 16 or otherwise.

Nothing in this Article 16 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6.

Section 16.8. Subordination May Not Be Impaired.

No right of any present or future holder of any Company Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Company Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of Securities of such series, without incurring responsibility to such Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article 16 or the obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Securities of such series to the holders of such Company Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Company Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Company Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Company Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such Company Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the

 

 

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collection of such Company Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.

Section 16.9. Application by Trustee of Assets Deposited with It.

Amounts deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with this Indenture, including without limitation pursuant to Article 4 hereof, shall be for the sole benefit of the Holders of the Securities and, to the extent allocated for the payment of Securities, shall not be subject to the subordination provisions of this Article 16. Otherwise, any deposit of assets with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (whether or not in trust) for the payment of any Securities shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 16.1, 16.2, and 16.3; provided that, if prior to two Business Days preceding the date on which by the terms of this Indenture any such assets may become distributable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of any amount due on any Security) the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall not have received with respect to such assets the written notice provided for in Section 16.6, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have full power and authority to receive such assets and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such date.

* * *

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

[SEAL]		RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.
Attest:		By
			Name:
			Title:
[SEAL]		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
		as Trustee
Attest:		By
			Name:
			Title:
[SEAL]
Attest:

 

 

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FORM OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

RENAISSANCERE FINANCE INC., Issuer

And

RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., Guarantor

to

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, Trustee

---

INDENTURE

---

Dated as of ____________, 2007

Junior Subordinated Debt Securities

 

 

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Reconciliation and tie between

Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”)

and Indenture

 

Trust Indenture Act Section		Indenture Section
§§ 310(a)(1)		6.7
(a)(2)		6.7
(b)		6.8
§§ 312(a)		7.1
(b)		7.2
(c)		7.2
§§.313(a)		7.3
(b)(2)		7.3
(c)		7.3
(d)		7.3
§§.314(a)		7.4
(c)(1)		1.2
(c)(2)		1.2
(e)		1.2
(f)		1.2
§§.316(a) (last sentence)		1.1
(a)(1)(A)		5.2, 5.12
(a)(1)(B)		5.13
(b)		5.8
§§.317(a)(1)		5.3
(a)(2)		5.4
(b)		10.3
§§.318(a)		10.8

______________

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page No.
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION		2
Section 1.1. Definitions		2
Section 1.2. Compliance Certificates and Opinions		14
Section 1.3. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee		14
Section 1.4. Acts of Holders		15
Section 1.5. Notices, etc.		17
Section 1.6. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver		17
Section 1.7. Language of Notices		18
Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act		18
Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents		19
Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns		19
Section 1.11. Separability Clause		19
Section 1.12. Holders of Preferred Securities as Third Party Beneficiaries		19
Section 1.13. Benefits of Indenture		19
Section 1.14. Governing Law		19
Section 1.15. Legal Holidays		19
Section 1.16. Counterparts		20
Section 1.17. Judgment Currency		20
Section 1.18. No Security Interest Created		20
Section 1.19. Limitation on Individual Liability		21
Section 1.20. Submission to Jurisdiction		21
ARTICLE II. SECURITIES FORMS		22
Section 2.1. Forms Generally		22
Section 2.2. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication		22
Section 2.3. Securities in Global Form		23
ARTICLE III. THE SECURITIES		23
Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series		23
Section 3.2. Currency; Denominations		28
Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating		28

 

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Section 3.4. Temporary Securities		30
Section 3.5. Registration, Transfer and Exchange		31
Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities		34
Section 3.7. Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved		35
Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners		37
Section 3.9. Cancellation		38
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest		38
Section 3.11. Extension of Interest Payment Period		38
Section 3.12. Right of Set-Off		39
Section 3.13. Agreed Tax Treatment		39
Section 3.14. Extension of Stated Maturity; Adjustment of Stated Maturity Upon an Exchange		39
Section 3.15. CUSIP Numbers		40
ARTICLE IV. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE		40
Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge		40
Section 4.2. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance		42
Section 4.3. Application of Trust Money		46
ARTICLE V. REMEDIES		47
Section 5.1. Events of Default		47
Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment		49
Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee		50
Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim		51
Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities or Coupons		52
Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected		52
Section 5.7. Limitations on Suits		53
Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts		53
Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies		54
Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative		54
Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver		55
Section 5.12. Control by Holders of Securities		55
Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults		55
Section 5.14. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws		56

 

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Section 5.15. Undertaking for Costs		56
ARTICLE VI. THE TRUSTEE		56
Section 6.1. Certain Rights of Trustee		56
Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults		58
Section 6.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities		59
Section 6.4. May Hold Securities		59
Section 6.5. Money Held in Trust		59
Section 6.6. Compensation and Reimbursement		59
Section 6.7. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility		60
Section 6.8. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor		61
Section 6.9. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor		62
Section 6.10. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business		64
Section 6.11. Appointment of Authenticating Agent		64
ARTICLE VII. HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY		66
Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders		66
Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders		66
Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee		66
Section 7.4. Reports by Company		67
ARTICLE VIII. CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATIONS, MERGER AND SALES		67
Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms		67
Section 8.2. Successor Person Substituted for Company		68
Section 8.3. Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms		69
Section 8.4. Successor Person Substituted for Guarantor		70
ARTICLE IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES		70
Section 9.1. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders		70
Section 9.2. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders		71
Section 9.3. Execution of Supplemental Indentures		73
Section 9.4. Effect of Supplemental Indentures		73
Section 9.5. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures		73
Section 9.6. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act		74
Section 9.7. Effect on Senior Indebtedness		74

 

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Section 9.8. Notice of Supplemental Indenture		74
ARTICLE X. COVENANTS		74
Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts		74
Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency		74
Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust		76
Section 10.4. Additional Amounts		77
Section 10.5. Corporate Existence		78
Section 10.6. Waiver of Certain Covenants		78
Section 10.7. Company and Guarantor’s Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults		79
Section 10.8. [RESERVED]		79
Section 10.9. Additional Sums		79
Section 10.10. Prohibition Against Dividends, etc.		80
Section 10.11. Payment of Expenses of Each RenaissanceRe Trust		81
Section 10.12. Ownership of Common Securities		81
Section 10.13. Calculation of Original Issue Discount		81
ARTICLE XI. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES		82
Section 11.1. Applicability of Article		82
Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee		82
Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed		82
Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption		83
Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price		84
Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date		84
Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part		85
Section 11.8. Right of Redemption of Securities Issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust		86
ARTICLE XII. SINKING FUNDS		86
Section 12.1. Applicability of Article		86
Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities		86
Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund		87
ARTICLE XIII. REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS		87
Section 13.1. Applicability of Article		87

 

iv

 

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ARTICLE XIV. SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES		88
Section 14.1. Applicability of Article		88
ARTICLE XV. MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES		88
Section 15.1. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called		88
Section 15.2. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings		88
Section 15.3. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings		89
Section 15.4. Quorum; Action		89
Section 15.5. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings		90
Section 15.6. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings		91
ARTICLE XVI. SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES		91
Section 16.1. Agreement to Subordinate		91
Section 16.2. Default on Senior Indebtedness		92
Section 16.3. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy		92
Section 16.4. Subrogation		93
Section 16.5. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination		94
Section 16.6. Notice by the Company		94
Section 16.7. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness		96
Section 16.8. Subordination May Not Be Impaired		96
Section 16.9. Application by Trustee of Assets Deposited with It		97
ARTICLE XVII. Guarantee and indemnity		97
Section 17.1. The Guarantee		97
Section 17.2. Net Payments		97
Section 17.3. Subordination of Guarantee		97

 

v

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of __________, 2007 (the “Indenture”), among RENAISSANCERE FINANCE INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal executive office located at 5080 Spectrum Drive, Suite 900 East, Addison, Texas, 75001, RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., a company duly organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (hereinafter called the “Guarantor”), having its principal executive office located at Renaissance House, 8-20 East Broadway, Pembroke HM 19, Bermuda and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), having its Corporate Trust Office located at 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005.

RECITALS

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its subordinated unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Securities”), including, without limitation, Securities issued to evidence loans made to the Company of the proceeds from the issuance from time to time by one or more RenaissanceRe Trusts (as defined herein) of preferred beneficial interests in the assets of such Trusts (the “Preferred Securities”) and common beneficial interests in the assets of such Trusts (the “Common Securities” and, collectively with the Preferred Securities, the “Trust Securities”), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

For value received, the Guarantor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of the Guarantee and the indemnity provided for herein. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Guarantor, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder that are required to be part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as herein defined) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof and any Coupons (as herein defined), as follows:

 

 

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ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.1. Definitions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, 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, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the terms “generally accepted accounting principles” or “GAAP” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States of America at the date or time of such computation;

(4) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and

(5) the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”).

Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.

“Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company or the Guarantor in respect of certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified therein and which are owing to such Holders.

“Additional Interest” means the interest, if any, that shall accrue on any interest on the Securities of any series the payment of which has not been made on the applicable Interest Payment Date and which shall accrue at the rate per annum specified or determined as specified in such Security.

“Additional Sums” has the meaning specified in Section 10.9.

 

 

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“Additional Taxes” means the sum of any additional taxes, duties and other governmental charges to which a RenaissanceRe Trust has become subject from time to time as a result of a Tax Event.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person; provided, however, that an Affiliate of the Company or the Guarantor shall not be deemed to include any RenaissanceRe Trust to which Securities and the Guarantee in respect thereof have been issued. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have the meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.11 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in an official language of the place of publication or in the English language, customarily published on each day that is a Business Day in the place of publication, whether or not published on days that are not Business Days in the place of publication, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any day that is a Business Day in the place of publication.

“Authorized Officer” means, when used with respect to the Company, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, the Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company.

“Bearer Security” means any Security in the form established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is payable to bearer. “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for the Company hereunder.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors or the Guarantor’s Board of Directors, as the case may be, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day,” with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

 

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“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

“Capitalized Lease Obligation” means an obligation under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with such principles.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Common Securities” has the meaning specified in the first recital of this Indenture.

“Common Stock” in respect of any Corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which has no preference as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Corporation, and which is not subject to redemption by such Corporation.

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person, and any other obligor upon the Securities.

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company by an Authorized Officer, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country or the confederation which issued such Foreign Currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community or (ii) any currency unit or composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of original execution of this Indenture is located at located at Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Services or at any other time at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the parties hereto or at the principal

 

 

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corporate trust office of any successor trustee as to which such successor trustee may notify the parties hereto in writing.

“Corporation” includes corporations, limited liability companies, incorporated associations, companies and business trusts.

“Coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

“Currency,” with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security, means Dollars or the Foreign Currency, as the case may be, in which such payment, deposit or other transfer is required to be made by or pursuant to the terms hereof or such Security and, with respect to any other payment, deposit or transfer pursuant to or contemplated by the terms hereof or such Security, means Dollars.

“CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, CUSIP Service Bureau.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

“Direct Action” has the meaning specified in Section 5.8.

“Distributions,” with respect to any ReniassanceRe Trust, has the meaning specified in the applicable Trust Agreement of such RenaissanceRe Trust.

“Dollars” or“$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.

“Extension Period” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11.

“Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the other government or governments or confederation or association of governments which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Security or any Additional Amounts in respect thereof shall be payable, in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of such government or governments or confederation or association of governments or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments or confederation or association of governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments or confederation or association of governments, and

 

 

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which, in the case of (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

“Guarantee” means the unconditional guarantee of payment of the principal of, any premium or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on, and any Additional Amounts and Additional Sums with respect to the Securities by the Guarantor, as more fully set forth in Article 17.

“Guarantor” means the Person named as the “Guarantor” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Guarantor” shall mean each successor Person.

“Guarantor’s Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Guarantor or any committee of that board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for the Guarantor hereunder.

“Guarantor’s Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Guarantor’s Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel or the Secretary of the Guarantor, that complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trustee Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.

“Guarantor Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Guarantor by the Chairman of the Guarantor’s Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel or the Secretary of the Guarantor, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Holder,” in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of any Bearer Security, means the bearer thereof and, in the case of any Coupon, means the bearer thereof.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, (i) the principal of and any premium and interest on (a) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (b) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (ii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations and all obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit

 

 

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securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i) through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit); (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the amount thereof being deemed to be the lesser of the stated recourse, if limited, and the amount of the obligation or dividends of the other Person; (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; and (vii) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clauses (i) through (vi) above.

“Indenture” means this instrument as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, with respect to any Security, by the terms and provisions of such Security and any Coupon appertaining thereto established pursuant to Section 3.1 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof).

“Independent Public Accountants” means accountants or a firm of accountants that, with respect to the Company, the Guarantor and any other obligor under the Securities or the Coupons, are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder, who may be the independent public accountants regularly retained by the Company or the Guarantor or who may be other independent public accountants. Such accountants or firm shall be entitled to rely upon any Opinion of Counsel as to the interpretation of any legal matters relating to this Indenture or certificates required to be provided hereunder.

“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity or upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2 may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

“interest”, with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.4, includes such Additional Amounts.

“Interest Payment Date,” with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Investment Company Event” means, in respect of a RenaissanceRe Trust, the receipt by such RenaissanceRe Trust of an Opinion of Counsel, rendered by an independent law firm experienced in such matters, to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a written change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a “Change in 1940 Act

 

 

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Law”), such RenaissanceRe Trust is or will be considered an investment company that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, which Change in 1940 Act Law becomes effective on or after the date of original issuance of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust.

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.17.

“Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement” means the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance.

“Maturity”, with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption or repurchase, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise, and includes any Redemption Date and the date of any required repurchase or repayment.

“New York Banking Day” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.

“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

“Office” or “Agency,” with respect to any Securities, means an office or agency of the Company maintained or designated as a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or any other office or agency of the Company maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 10.2 in lieu of such office or agency, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers, at least one of which is a principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer, that complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, the Guarantor or other counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that, if required by the Trust Indenture Act, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security issued pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization which provides for declaration of an amount less than the principal face amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2.

“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

 

 

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(a)

any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for cancellation;

(b)

any such Security for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 4.2) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company or the Guarantor) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company or the Guarantor (if the Company shall act as its own, or authorize the Guarantor to act as, Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(c)

any such Security with respect to which the Company or the Guarantor has effected defeasance pursuant to the terms hereof, except to the extent provided in Section 4.2;

(d)

any such Security which has been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Security is held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Company; and

(e)

any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into Common Stock of the Company or other securities of the Guarantor or another issuer, if the terms of such Security provide for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 3.1;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the principal amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such Security of the then current principal amount) of such Security, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company, the Guarantor or such other obligor, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which shall have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee (A) the pledgee’s right

 

 

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so to act with respect to such Securities and (B) that the pledgee is not the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto or an Affiliate of the Company, the Guarantor or such other obligor.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security or any Coupon on behalf of the Company.

“Person” means any individual, Corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Place of Payment,” with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security are payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

“Preferred Securities” has the meaning specified in the first recital of this Indenture.

“Preferred Securities Guarantee” means the guarantee by RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., in its capacity as guarantor with respect to the Preferred Securities of a RenaissanceRe Trust, of distributions on such Preferred Securities to the extent provided in the Guarantee Agreement.

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same Indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or any Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same Indebtedness as the lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or the Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

“Preferred Stock” in respect of any Corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Corporation.

“principal” means as of any date of determination with respect to the Securities of any series, (i) in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or an Indexed Security, the amount due and payable with respect to principal upon an acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 at such time and (ii) in all other cases, par or the stated face amount of the related Security.

“Property Trustee,” with respect to any ReniassanceRe Trust, means the entity acting in the capacity of Property Trustee pursuant to the related Trust Agreement.

 

 

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“Redemption Date,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

“Redemption Price,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, exclusive of accrued interest and any Additional Amounts with respect to accrued interest.

“Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is registered in a Security Register.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization as the “Regular Record Date”.

“RenaissanceRe Trusts” means, collectively, RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II, RenaissanceRe Capital Trust III, each a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, and any other similar trust created to issue Trust Securities and to use the proceeds from the sale thereof to purchase Securities issued under this Indenture or any indenture entered into by the Company to effect similar financing.

“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.17.

“Responsible Officer” means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, including any vice president, any assistant vice president, director, managing director, associate, or any trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Security” or “Securities” means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of Indebtedness, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities,” with respect to any such Person, shall mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.

“Senior Indebtedness,” means, with respect to the Securities of any particular series, all Indebtedness of the Company outstanding at any time, except (a) the Securities of such series, (b) Indebtedness as to which, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same, it is provided that such Indebtedness is subordinated to or pari passu with the Securities of such series or any other Indebtedness ranking pari passu therewith, (c) Indebtedness of the Company to, or guaranteed on behalf of, a Subsidiary of the Company or any officer, director or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (d) interest accruing after the

 

 

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filing of a petition initiating any proceeding relating to the Company referred to in Section 5.1(6) and 5.1(8) unless such interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the Company in a proceeding under federal or state bankruptcy laws, (e) trade accounts payable, (f) any liability for income, franchise, real estate or other taxes owed or owing and (g) any Indebtedness, including all other debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt securities, initially issued to (x) any RenaissanceRe Trust or (y) any trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Company which is a financing vehicle of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company in connection with the issuance by such entity of Preferred Securities or other securities which are similar to Preferred Securities that are guaranteed by the Company pursuant to an instrument that ranks pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Preferred Securities Guarantees.

“Series Authorization” means, with respect to any series or class of Securities, (i) a Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or (ii) one or more indentures supplemental hereto, establishing such series or class of Securities and setting forth the terms thereof, including, in either case, a form of note or notes representing such Securities.

“Special Event” means either an Investment Company Event or a Tax Event.

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Registered Security means a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 3.7.

“Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, means the date established by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is, or such Additional Amounts are, due and payable.

“Subsidiary” means, in respect of any Person, any Corporation, limited or general partnership or other business entity of which at the time of determination more than 50% of the voting power of the shares of its Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

“Tax Event” means, in respect of a RenaissanceRe Trust, the receipt by such RenaissanceRe Trust or the Company of an Opinion of Counsel, rendered by an independent law firm experienced in such matters, to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) such RenaissanceRe Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to United States Federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the corresponding series of Securities, (ii) interest payable by the Company on the corresponding series of Securities is not,

 

 

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or within 90 days of the date of such Opinion of Counsel will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States Federal income tax purposes or (iii) such RenaissanceRe Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

“Trust Agreement” means the Trust Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, as amended by an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement substantially in such form as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to the Securities of any series, in each case as amended from time to time.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and any reference herein to the Trust Indenture Act or a particular provision thereof shall mean such Act or provision, as the case may be, as amended or replaced from time to time or as supplemented from time to time by rules or regulations adopted by the Commission under or in furtherance of the purposes of such Act or provision, as the case may be.

“Trust Securities,” with respect to any ReniassanceRe Trust, means, collectively, the Common Securities and Preferred Securities issued by such RenaissanceRe Trust.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

“United States,” except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“United States Alien,” except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, means any Person who, for United States Federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual, a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign partnership one or more of the members of which is, for United States Federal income tax purposes, a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual or a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.

“U.S. Depository” or “Depository” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, the Person designated as U.S. Depository or Depository by the Company in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, which Person must be, to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, if so provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “U.S. Depository” or “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the qualifying entity which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.

 

 

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“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”.

Section 1.2. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, 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 or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

(a) a statement that the individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(b) 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;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 1.3. 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.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or the Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, provided that such officer, after reasonable inquiry, has no reason to believe and does not believe that the Opinion of Counsel with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based is erroneous.

 

 

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Any such Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company or the Guarantor stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, provided that such counsel, after reasonable inquiry, has no reason to believe and does not believe that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 1.4. Acts of Holders.

(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or pursuant to this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders or by holders of Preferred Securities may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders or holders of Preferred Securities, as applicable, in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. If, but only if, Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 15, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, by the Company or the Guarantor. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders or holders of Preferred Securities signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company, the Guarantor and any agent of the Trustee, the Company or the Guarantor, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 15.6.

(2) Without limiting the generality of this Section 1.4, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, a Holder, including a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the

 

 

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beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such U.S. Depository’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(3) The Company shall fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interest in any permanent global Security held by a U.S. Depository entitled under the procedures of such U.S. Depository to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

(4) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing referred to in this Section 1.4 may be proved in any reasonable manner; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof, including written proof, with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

(5) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(6) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary reasonably acceptable to the Company, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Company and the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (i) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (ii) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (iii) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (iv) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by the Person so executing such instrument or writing and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same may also be proved in any other manner which the Company and the Trustee deem sufficient.

(7) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other

 

 

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Act, the Company may at its option (but is not obligated to), by Board Resolution fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

(8) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such Act is made upon such Security.

Section 1.5. Notices, etc.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or

(2) the Company or the Guarantor by the Trustee or any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company or the Guarantor addressed to the attention of its Treasurer, with a copy to the attention of its General Counsel, at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company or the Guarantor.

Section 1.6. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event,

(1) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Registered Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Registered Security affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security

 

 

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Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice; and

(2) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer Securities, if any, if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York and, if such Securities are then listed on any stock exchange outside the United States, in an Authorized Newspaper in such city as the Company shall advise the Trustee in writing that such stock exchange so requires, on a Business Day at least twice, the first such publication to be not earlier than the earliest date and the second such publication not later than the latest date prescribed for the giving of such notice.

In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

In case by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearers Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of any notice mailed to Holders of Registered Securities as provided above.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed in writing with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

Section 1.7. Language of Notices.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that, if the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, so elects, any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with any duties under any required provision of the Trust Indenture Act imposed hereon by Section 318(c) thereof, such required provision shall control.

 

 

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Section 1.9. 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 1.10. Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company or the Guarantor shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.11. Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 1.12. Holders of Preferred Securities as Third Party Beneficiaries.

The Company and the Guarantor hereby acknowledge that, to the extent specifically set forth herein, the holders of the Preferred Securities of a RenaissanceRe Trust shall expressly be third party beneficiaries of this Indenture. The Company and the Guarantor further acknowledges that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and is attributable to the failure of the Company and/or the Guarantor to pay the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series held by such RenaissanceRe Trust, any holder of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust may institute a Direct Action against the Company and/or the Guarantor.

Section 1.13. Benefits of Indenture.

Except as other expressly provided herein with respect to holders of Preferred Securities, nothing in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and the holders of Senior Indebtedness, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities or Coupons, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 1.14. Governing Law.

This Indenture, the Securities and any Coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made or instruments entered into and, in each case, performed in said state.

Section 1.15. Legal Holidays.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security, or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert or exchange Securities of a series that are convertible or exchangeable, shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment,

 

 

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then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon other than a provision in any Security or Coupon that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof) payment need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, and such Securities need not be converted or exchanged on such date, but such payment may be made, and such Securities may be converted or exchanged, on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day at such Place of Payment, and no interest shall accrue on the amount payable on such date or at such time for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or last day for conversion or exchange, as the case may be, to such next succeeding Business Day, except that if such next succeeding Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment may be made, and such Securities may be converted or exchanged, on the immediately preceding Business Day (in the case of each of the foregoing, with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date or at such Stated Maturity or Maturity or on such last day for conversion or exchange, as the case may be).

Section 1.16. Counterparts.

This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 1.17. Judgment Currency.

The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the requisite amount of the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii)shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

Section 1.18. No Security Interest Created.

Nothing in this Indenture or in any Securities, express or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar

 

 

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legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect in any jurisdiction where property of the Company or its Subsidiaries is or may be located.

Section 1.19. Limitation on Individual Liability.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder (except in a shareholder’s corporate capacity as Guarantor), manager, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, shareholders, managers, officers or directors, as such, of the Company, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, shareholder, manager, officer or director, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Security.

Section 1.20. Submission to Jurisdiction.

The Company agrees that any judicial proceedings instituted in relation to any matter arising under this Indenture, the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto may be brought in any United States Federal or New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York to the extent that such court has subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy and, by execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company hereby irrevocably accepts, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts, acknowledges their competence and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered in such proceeding. The Company also irrevocably and unconditionally waives for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and Coupons any immunity from jurisdiction and any immunity from legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in the aid of execution, execution or otherwise) in respect of this Indenture. The Company hereby irrevocably designates and appoints for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and Coupons for the term of this Indenture [___________________] as its agent to receive on its behalf service of all process (with a copy of all such service of process to be delivered to [___________________]) brought against it with respect to any such proceeding in any such court in The City of New York, such service being hereby acknowledged by the Company to be effective and binding service on it in every respect whether or not the Company shall then be doing or shall have at any time done business in New York. Such appointment shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Securities or Coupons or the obligations of the Company hereunder remain outstanding until the appointment of a successor by the Company and such successor’s acceptance of such appointment. Upon such acceptance,

 

 

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the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of such successor. The Company further agrees for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and the Coupons to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of said [___________________] in full force and effect so long as any of the Securities or Coupons or the obligations of the Company hereunder shall be outstanding. The Trustee shall not be obligated and shall have no responsibility with respect to any failure by the Company to take any such action. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by any law or limit the right of the Trustee or any Holder to institute proceedings against the Company in the courts of any other jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

ARTICLE II.

 

SECURITIES FORMS

Section 2.1. Forms Generally.

Each Registered Security, Bearer Security, Coupon and temporary or permanent global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Security or Coupon as evidenced by their execution of such Security or Coupon.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, the Securities shall be issuable in registered form without Coupons and shall not be issuable upon the exercise of warrants.

Definitive Securities and definitive Coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities or Coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or Coupons.

Section 2.2. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

Subject to Section 6.11, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
		By
		Authorized Officer

 

 

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Section 2.3. Securities in Global Form.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, the Securities of a series shall not be issuable in temporary or permanent global form. If Securities of a series shall be issuable in global form, any such Security may provide that it or any number of such Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.4 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 and, if applicable, Section 3.4, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver, in each case at the Company’s expense, any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.4 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing and, with respect to matters set forth in this Section 2.3, need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officers’ Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.7, unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, payment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security in temporary or permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.8 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a global Security (i) in the case of a global Security in registered form, the Holder of such global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a global Security in bearer form, the Person or Persons specified pursuant to Section 3.1.

ARTICLE III.

 

THE SECURITIES

Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. The Securities of each series shall be subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series as provided in Article 16.

 

 

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With respect to any Securities to be authenticated and delivered hereunder, there shall be established in the related Series Authorization the following:

(1) the title of such Securities and the series in which such Securities shall be included;

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such title or the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.3, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 9.5 or Section 11.7, upon repayment in part of any Registered Security of such series pursuant to Article 13, upon surrender in part of any Registered Security for conversion into Common Stock of the Company or exchange for other securities pursuant to its terms, or pursuant to or as contemplated by the terms of such Securities);

(3) if such Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities, as Bearer Securities or alternatively as Bearer Securities and Registered Securities, and whether the Bearer Securities are to be issuable with Coupons, without Coupons or both, and any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of the Bearer Securities and the terms, if any, upon which Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities and vice versa;

(4) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form, when any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and (i) whether such Securities are to be issued in temporary or permanent global form or both, (ii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interests for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 3.5, and (iii) the name of the Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, with respect to any such global Security;

(5) if any of such Securities are to be issuable as Bearer Securities or in global form, the date as of which any such Bearer Security or global Security shall be dated (if other than the date of original issuance of the first of such Securities to be issued);

(6) if any of such Securities are to be issuable as Bearer Securities, whether interest in respect of any portion of a temporary Bearer Security in global form payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date therefor prior to the exchange, if any, of such temporary Bearer Security for definitive Securities shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary Bearer Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date;

 

 

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(7) the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal of such Securities is payable;

(8) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the rate or rates and the extent to which Additional Interest, if any, shall be payable in respect of such Securities, the date or dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable on a cash basis and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, the right, pursuant to Section 3.11 hereof or as otherwise set forth therein, of the Company to defer or extend an interest payment period and the duration of any such Extension Period, including the maximum consecutive period during which interest payment periods may be extended, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts on such Securities or any of them shall be payable, the notice, if any, to Holders regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate Security and the manner of giving such notice, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(9) if in addition to or other than the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, the place or places where the principal of, any premium and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, any of such Securities that are Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, any of such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and notices or demands to or upon the Company or the Guarantor in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be served, the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payment or Additional Amounts on a global Security on an Interest Payment Date, will be paid and the manner in which any principal of or premium, if any, on any global Security will be paid;

(10) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Company and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(11) whether the Company is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;

(12) the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Registered Securities shall be issuable if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Bearer Securities shall be issuable if other than the denomination of $5,000;

 

 

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(13) whether the Securities of the series will be convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company and/or exchangeable for other securities, whether or not issued by the Company, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture to permit or to facilitate the issuance of such convertible or exchangeable Securities or the administration thereof;

(14) if other than the principal face amount thereof, the portion of the par or stated face amount of any of such Securities that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 or the method by which such portion is to be determined or, in the case of Indexed Securities, the portion of the principal face amount that shall be payable upon Stated Maturity or the method by which such portion is to be determined;

(15) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities shall be payable;

(16) if the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in Dollars or in a Foreign Currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities or any of them are to be paid pursuant to such election, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency;

(17) whether the amount of payments of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods (which index, formula or method or methods may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity securities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;

(18) the relative degree, if any, to which Securities of such series and the Guarantee in respect thereof shall be senior to or be subordinated to other series of Securities and the Guarantee in respect thereof or other Indebtedness of the Company in right of payment, whether such other series of Securities or other Indebtedness is outstanding or not;

(19) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company or the Guarantor with respect to any of such

 

 

 

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Securities, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

(20) whether either or both of Section 4.2(2) relating to defeasance or Section 4.2(3) relating to covenant defeasance shall not be applicable to the Securities of such series, or any covenants relating to the Securities of such series which shall be subject to covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 4.2(3), and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article 4 in respect of the Securities of such series;

(21) the form or forms of the Trust Agreement (if different from the form attached hereto as Annex A), Amended and Restated Trust Agreement and Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement;

(22) whether any of such Securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants, and the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

(23) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(24) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent with respect to such Securities;

(25) the obligation, if any, of the Company to permit the conversion of the Securities of that series into Capital Stock of the Company or the Guarantor, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion shall be effected (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period, any adjustment of the applicable conversion price, any requirements relative to hedging arrangements and reservation of shares for purposes of conversion and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto relative to such obligation); and

(26) any other terms of such Securities and any other deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Securities.

All Securities of any one series and all Coupons, if any, appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except as to Currency of payments due thereunder, denomination and the rate of interest thereon, or method of determining the rate of interest, if any, Maturity, and the date from which interest, if any, shall accrue and except as may otherwise be provided by the Company in or pursuant to the Board Resolution and set forth in the Officers’ Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. The terms of the Securities of any series may provide, without limitation, that the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on original issue from time

 

 

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to time upon written order of persons designated in the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Officers’ Certificate or any applicable supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of the Securities of such series as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise so provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series shall be established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Board Resolution shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.

Section 3.2. Currency; Denominations.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, Registered Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without Coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the Bearer Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in the denomination of $5,000. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer and attested by a different Authorized Officer. Coupons shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Company. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto may be manual or facsimile.

Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company and the Guarantor, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons or did not hold such offices at the date of original issuance of such Securities or Coupons.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication and, provided that the Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 3.1 and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order and subject to the provisions hereof and of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the

 

 

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Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in, and may conclusively rely upon,

(1) an Opinion or Opinions of Counsel to the effect that:

(a) the form or forms and terms of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) all conditions precedent to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that such Securities and Coupons, when completed by appropriate insertions, executed under the Company’s corporate seal and attested by duly authorized officers of the Company, delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be subject to or limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and will entitle the Holders thereof to the benefits of this Indenture, including the Guarantee; such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to the availability of equitable remedies;

(c) all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been complied with; and

(d) this Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; and

(2) an Officers’ Certificate and a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate, in each case stating that all conditions precedent to the execution, authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that, to the best knowledge of the Persons executing such certificate, no event which is, or after notice or lapse of time would become, an Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel, an Officers’ Certificate and a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate at the time of issuance of each Security, but such opinion and certificate, with appropriate modifications, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security

 

 

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of such series. After any such first delivery, any separate written request by an Authorized Officer of the Company or any person designated in writing by an Authorized Officer that the Trustee authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue will be deemed to be a certification by the Company and the Guarantor that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to authentication and delivery of such Securities continue to have been complied with.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities, nor will it be liable for its refusal to authenticate or cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities, if the issue of such Securities will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Each Bearer Security and any Bearer Security in global form shall be dated as of the date specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization.

No Security or Coupon appertaining thereto shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in Section 2.2 or Section 6.11 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers. Such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Except as permitted by Section 3.6 or Section 3.7, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all Coupons appertaining thereto then matured have been detached and cancelled.

Section 3.4. Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 3.3, temporary Securities in lieu thereof which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form or, if authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, in bearer form with one or more Coupons or without Coupons and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions thereof, if temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of the same series and containing terms and provisions that are identical to those of any temporary Securities, such temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at an

 

 

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Office or Agency for such Securities, without charge to any Holder thereof. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities (accompanied by any unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee upon Company Order shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical terms and provisions; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided, further, that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization with respect to a temporary global Security, until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

Section 3.5. Registration, Transfer and Exchange.

With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Company shall cause to be kept a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) at an Office or Agency for such series in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of such series and of transfers of the Registered Securities of such series. Such Office or Agency shall be the “Security Registrar” for that series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Trustee shall be the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities. The Company shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided that no such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Company and shall have accepted such appointment by the Company. In the event that the Trustee shall not be or shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Security Register for each series of Securities.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any Office or Agency for such series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

 

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If provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, with respect to Securities of any series, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of such series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series containing identical terms, denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization and in the same aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series, with all unmatured Coupons and all matured Coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured Coupon or Coupons or matured Coupon or Coupons in default, such exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing Coupon or Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Bearer Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, interest represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an Office or Agency for such series located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such Office or Agency for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series and like tenor after the close of business at such Office or Agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date of payment, as the case may be (or, if such Coupon is so surrendered with such Bearer Security, such Coupon shall be returned to the Person so surrendering the Bearer Security), and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but shall be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

If provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of such series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

Whenever any Securities are surrendered for exchange as contemplated by the immediately preceding two paragraphs, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any global Security shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities only if (i) the Depository is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of the date the Company is so informed in writing, (ii) the Company executes and delivers

 

 

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to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that such global Security shall be so exchangeable, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities. If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for definitive Securities as the result of an event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding sentence, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in such form and denominations as are required by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and of the same series, containing identical terms and in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be surrendered from time to time by the U.S. Depository or such other Depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto, and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the U.S. Depository or such other Depository, as the case may be (which instructions shall be in writing but need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate or be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities as described above without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged, which (unless such Securities are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, in which case the definitive Securities exchanged for the global Security shall be issuable only in the form in which the Securities are issuable, as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization) shall be in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof, but subject to the satisfaction of any certification or other requirements to the issuance of Bearer Securities; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of the same series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date; and provided, further, that (unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization) no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, or such other Depository or U.S. Depository referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the Office or Agency for such Security where such exchange occurs on or after (i) any Regular Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

 

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All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company and the Guarantor, respectively, evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar for such Security) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar for such Security duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, or redemption of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge and any other expenses (including fees and expenses of the Trustee) that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 9.5 or Section 11.7 not involving any transfer.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of like tenor and the same series under Section 11.4 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security selected for redemption except, to the extent provided with respect to such Bearer Security, that such Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of like tenor and the same series, provided that such Registered Security shall be immediately surrendered for redemption with written instruction for payment consistent with the provisions of this Indenture or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated Coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.6, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

If there be delivered to the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or Coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee that such Security or Coupon has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute

 

 

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and, upon the Company’s request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains with all appurtenant Coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.6, in case any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or Coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security or Coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, be payable only at an Office or Agency for such Securities located outside the United States and, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on Bearer Securities and any Additional Amounts with respect to such interest shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.6, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the fees and expenses of the Trustee’s counsel) connected therewith.

Every new Security, with any Coupons appertaining thereto issued pursuant to this Section 3.6 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall constitute a separate obligation of the Company and the Guarantor, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and Coupons appertaining thereto or the destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series and any Coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 3.6, as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall be 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 Securities or Coupons.

Section 3.7. Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, and are punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

 

 

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Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed by the Company in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on such Registered Security, the Special Record Date therefor and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust in a segregated trust account pursuant to express written instructions of the Company for the benefit of the Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. The Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after notification to the Trustee of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holder of such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, but such publication shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Security may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

 

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Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any particular series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, at the option of the Company, interest on Registered Securities that bear interest may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.5, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

In the case of any Registered Security of any series that is convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company or exchangeable for other securities, which Registered Security is converted or exchanged after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Registered Security with respect to which the Stated Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion or exchange, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Registered Security (or one or more predecessor Registered Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Registered Security which is converted or exchanged, interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion or exchange of such Registered Security shall not be payable.

Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security or the bearer of any Coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or Coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Security or Coupon shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No Holder of any beneficial interest in any global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such global Security, and such Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or

 

 

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the Trustee as the owner of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 3.9. Cancellation.

All Securities and Coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and Coupons, as well as Securities and Coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization. All cancelled Securities and Coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee, unless by a Company Order the Company directs their return to it.

Section 3.10. Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Section 3.11. Extension of Interest Payment Period.

If specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to the Securities of a particular series and subject to the terms, conditions and covenants, if any, so specified, the Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the term of such series, to defer the payment of interest on such Securities for such period or periods as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 (each, an “Extension Period”), during which Extension Periods the Company shall have the right to make partial payments of interest on any Interest Payment Date. No Extension Period shall end on a day other than an Interest Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period, the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Securities (together with Additional Interest thereon, if any, at the rate specified for the Securities of such series to the extent permitted by applicable law). Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Company may further extend the interest payment period, provided that no Extension Period shall exceed the period or periods specified in such Securities or extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the principal of such Securities. Upon termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and any Additional Interest then due on any Interest Payment Date, the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof.

 

 

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The Company shall give the Holders of the Securities of such series and the Trustee written notice of its election to begin any such Extension Period at least one Business Day prior to the Interest Payment Date or, with respect to the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust are payable or (ii) the date the trustees of such RenaissanceRe Trust are required to give notice to any securities exchange or other applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of such Preferred Securities of the record date or the date such Distributions are payable, but in any event not less than one Business Day prior to such record date.

The Trustee shall promptly give notice of the Company’s election to begin any such Extension Period to the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such series.

Section 3.12. Right of Set-Off.

With respect to the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, the Company shall have the right to set-off any payment it is otherwise required to make thereunder in respect of any such Security to the extent the Company, as applicable, has theretofore made, or is concurrently on the date of such payment making, a payment under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to such Security or under Section 5.8 hereof, as applicable.

Section 3.13. Agreed Tax Treatment.

Each Security issued hereunder shall provide that the Company and by its acceptance of a Security or a beneficial interest therein, the Holder of, and any Person that acquires a beneficial interest in, such Security agree that for United States Federal, state and local tax purposes it is intended that such Security constitute indebtedness.

Section 3.14. Extension of Stated Maturity; Adjustment of Stated Maturity Upon an Exchange.

If specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to the Securities of a particular series, the Company shall have the right to (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series upon the liquidation of the applicable RenaissanceRe Trust and the exchange of such Securities for the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust, or (b) extend the Stated Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series; provided that, at the time any election to extend such Stated Maturity is made and at the time of such extension, (i) the Company is not in bankruptcy, otherwise insolvent or in liquidation, (ii) the Company is not in default in the payment of any interest or principal or Additional Amounts on the Securities of such series and no deferred interest payments thereon have accrued, (iii) the applicable RenaissanceRe Trust is not in arrears on payments of Distributions on its Preferred Securities and no deferred Distributions thereon have accumulated, (iv) the Securities of such series are rated not less than BBB- by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or the equivalent by any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization and (v) the extended Stated Maturity is no later than the 49th anniversary of the initial issuance of the Preferred Securities of the applicable RenaissanceRe Trust; provided,

 

 

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further, that, if the Company exercises its right to liquidate the applicable RenaissanceRe Trust and exchange the Securities of such series for the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust as specified in clause (a) above, any changed Stated Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series shall be no earlier than the date that is five years after the initial issue date of the Preferred Securities and no later than the date 30 years (plus an extended term of up to an additional 19 years if the above-referenced conditions are satisfied) after the initial issue date of the Preferred Securities of the applicable RenaissanceRe Trust.

Section 3.15. CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP,” “CINS” and “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use CUSIP, CINS or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders and no representation shall be made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption or exchange.

ARTICLE IV.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge.

Upon the direction of the Company by a Company Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Order and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Order, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when

(1) either

(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all Coupons appertaining thereto (other than (i) Coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series surrendered in exchange for Registered Securities of such series and maturing after such exchange whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 3.5, (ii) Securities and Coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, (iii) Coupons appertaining to Securities of such series called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 11.7, and (iv) Securities and Coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company, or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the

 

 

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Trustee for cancellation

(i) have become due and payable,

(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company or pursuant to the operation of a sinking fund, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in the Currency in which such Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto (based upon applicable law as in effect on the date of such deposit), to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

In the event there are Securities of two or more series hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of such series as to which it is Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.6 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 4.3, Section 10.2, and Section 10.3, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4(but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.1(b)), and with respect to any rights to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or other securities shall survive.

 

 

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Section 4.2. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.

(1) Unless pursuant to Section 3.1, either or both of (i) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (2) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series or (ii) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then such provisions, together with the other provisions of this Section 4.2 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, elect to have Section 4.2(2) or Section 4.2(3) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 4.2.

(2) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 4.2(2) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, each of the Company and the Guarantor shall be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and under the Guarantee in respect thereof, respectively, on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and under the Guarantee in respect thereof, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of clause (5) of this Section 4.2 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and under the Guarantee in respect thereof, and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Guarantee in respect thereof, are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company and the Guarantor, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 and as more fully set forth in such clause, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest), if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due, and any rights of such Holder to convert such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or exchange such Securities for securities of the Guarantor or another issuer, (ii) the obligations of the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.5, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Sections 10.4 and 17.2 (but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) below), and with respect to any rights to convert such Securities into Common Stock of the Company or exchange such Securities for securities of the

 

 

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Guarantor or another issuer, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder including, without limitation, the compensation, reimbursement and indemnities provided in Section 6.6 herein and (iv) this Section 4.2. The Company may exercise its option under this Section 4.2(2) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto.

(3) Upon the Company’s exercise of the option to have this Section 4.2(3) apply with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company and the Guarantor shall be released from their respective obligations under any covenant applicable to such Securities specified pursuant to Section 3.1(20), including any obligation to redeem or repurchase such securities at the option of the Holder thereof, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and the Guarantee in respect thereof, on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any such covenant or obligation, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Company and the Guarantor may omit to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant or obligation, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or obligation or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant or obligation to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto and the Guarantee in respect thereof shall be unaffected thereby.

(4) The following shall be the conditions to application of clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any Coupons appertaining thereto and the Guarantee in respect thereof:

(a) The Company or the Guarantor shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.7 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 4.2 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount in Dollars or in such Foreign Currency in which such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as

 

 

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payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (y) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest), if any, on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto (based upon applicable law as in effect on the date of such deposit), such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto at the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date of such principal or installment of principal or premium or interest and (z) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto on the days on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, and, if applicable, shall have made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of any Securities to be redeemed at the option of the Company in connection with such deposit.

(b) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (after giving effect thereto) and, with respect to defeasance only, no event described in Section 5.1(7) or (8) at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(c) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

(d) In the case of an election under clause (2) of this Section 4.2, with respect to Registered Securities and any Bearer Securities for which the Place of Payment is within the United States, the Company or the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company or the Guarantor has received from the Internal Revenue Service a letter ruling, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service a Revenue Ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable

 

 

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Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

(e) In the case of an election under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to Registered Securities and any Bearer Securities for which the Place of Payment is within the United States, the Company or the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

(f) With respect to defeasance only, the Company or the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, after the 91st day after the date of deposit, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) pursuant to this clause (4) to be held in trust will not be subject to recapture or avoidance as a preference in any case or proceeding (whether voluntary or involuntary) in respect of the Company or the Guarantor under any Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or any decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or the Guarantor issued in connection therewith (for which purpose such Opinion of Counsel may assume that no Holder is an “insider”).

(g) With respect to defeasance only, the Company and the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate as to solvency and the absence of any intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company.

(h) The Company and the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or covenant defeasance under clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 (as the case may be) have been complied with.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4.2(4), such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or

 

 

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limitations which may be imposed on the Company or the Guarantor in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.1.

(5) Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Series Authorization, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 4.2(4)(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 3.1 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the Foreign Currency in which the deposit pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest (including any Additional Interest), if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on (x) in the case of payments made pursuant to clause (a) above, the applicable market exchange rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, or (y) with respect to a Conversion Event, the applicable market exchange rate for such Foreign Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Company and the Guarantor (without duplication) shall pay and indemnify the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 4.2(5) and Section 4.3, the “Trustee”) against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to this Section 4.2 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto.

Anything in this Section 4.2 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request, or the Guarantor upon a Guarantor Request, as the case may be, any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 4.2.

Section 4.3. Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 4.1 or 4.2 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or

 

 

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through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent or the Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest) and Additional Amounts, if any; but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

ARTICLE V.

REMEDIES

Section 5.1. Events of Default.

“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless such event is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization:

(1) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of such series, including any Additional Interest in respect thereof, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such interest becomes or such Additional Amounts become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 60 days (subject to any deferral of any due date in the case of an Extension Period); or

(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of such series, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such principal or premium becomes or such Additional Amounts become due and payable at their Maturity; or

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security of such series; or

(4) default in the performance of the provisions of Section 7.4(1) and continuance of such default for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(5) default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or warranty of the Company or the Guarantor in this Indenture or the Securities (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than such series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company, or the Guarantor, as the case may be, by the Trustee or

 

 

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(ii) to the Company and the Trustee, or the Guarantor and the Trustee, as the case may be, by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series or, if that series of Securities is held by a RenaissanceRe Trust, the holders of at least 25% in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of that RenaissanceRe Trust then outstanding, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(6) the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement cases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof, or the Guarantor or a Person acting by or on behalf of the Guarantor denies or disaffirms the Guarantee’s obligations under this Indenture or the Guarantee Agreement and such default continues for a period of 10 days after notice has been given by registered or certified mail, (i) to the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, by the Trustee or (ii) to the Company and the Trustee or the Guarantor and the Trustee, as the case may be, by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder

(7) the entry by a court having competent jurisdiction of:

(a) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or the Guarantor in an involuntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency) or other similar law and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(b) a decree or order adjudging the Company or the Guarantor to be insolvent, or approving a petition seeking reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency), arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company or the Guarantor and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(c) a final and non-appealable order appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or other similar official of the Company or the Guarantor or of any substantial part of the property of the Company or the Guarantor, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company or the Guarantor; or

(8) the commencement by the Company or the Guarantor of a voluntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization (other than a reorganization under a foreign law that does not relate to insolvency) or other similar law or of a voluntary proceeding seeking to be adjudicated insolvent or the consent by the Company or the Guarantor to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by the

 

 

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Company or the Guarantor of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of the Company or the Guarantor or relief under any applicable law, or the consent by the Company or the Guarantor to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or similar official of the Company or the Guarantor or any substantial part of the property of the Company or the Guarantor or the making by the Company or the Guarantor of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or the Guarantor in furtherance of any such action; or

(9) any other Event of Default provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 5.1) occurs and is continuing, then the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series may declare the principal of all the Securities of such series, be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal shall become immediately due and payable; provided that, in the case of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, if, upon an Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series fail to declare the principal of all the Securities of such series, to be immediately due and payable, the holders of at least 25% in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust then outstanding shall have such right by a notice in writing to the Company, the Trustee and the Property Trustee; and upon any such declaration such principal or such lesser amount and all accrued and unpaid interest (including any Additional Interest) thereon shall become immediately due and payable, provided that the payment of principal and interest and all other amounts due with respect to such Securities shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in Article 16.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 5.1 occurs, all unpaid principal of and accrued interest (including any Additional Interest) on the Outstanding Securities of that series shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of any Security of that series.

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series (subject to, in the case of any series of Securities held as assets of a RenaissanceRe Trust, such consent of the holders of the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust as may be required under the Trust Agreement of such RenaissanceRe Trust), by written notice to the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

 

 

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(1) the Company or the Guarantor has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay

(a) all overdue installments of any interest (including any Additional Interest) on and Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of such series and any Coupon appertaining thereto,

(b) the principal of and any premium on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

(c) to the extent that payment of such interest or Additional Amounts is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of any interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

(d) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6; and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

In the case of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, should the Holders of such Securities fail to rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust then outstanding shall have such right by written notice to the Company, the Trustee and the Property Trustee, subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above of this Section 5.2.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Company covenants that if

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto when such interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

 

 

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(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at their Maturity,

the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the whole amount of money then due and payable with respect to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, with interest (including any Additional Interest) upon the overdue principal, any premium and (to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable and, if the Securities are held by a RenaissanceRe Trust, without duplication of any other amounts paid to such RenaissanceRe Trust in respect thereof) upon any overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.

If the Company and the Guarantor fail to pay the money the Company is required to pay the Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph forthwith upon the demand of the Trustee, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the money so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, wherever situated

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company and/or the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities of any series or the property of the Company and/or the Guarantor or such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company and/or the Guarantor for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, interest (including any Additional Interest) or Additional Amounts) shall be entitled and empowered, to the extent permitted by applicable law by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

 

 

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(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of any applicable series, of the principal and any premium, interest (including any Additional Interest) and Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders of Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(2) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities or any Coupons to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities or any Coupons, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.6.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or any Coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or Coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or any Coupon in any such proceeding.

Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities or Coupons.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or Coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or Coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of each and every Holder of the Securities or Coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal, or any premium, interest (including any Additional Interest) or Additional Amounts, upon presentation of the Securities or Coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

 

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FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.6;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and any Coupons for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and Coupons for principal and any premium, interest (including any Additional Interest) and Additional Amounts, respectively;

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.

Section 5.7. Limitations on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee such indemnity as is reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or Coupon shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the

 

 

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principal of, any premium and (subject to Sections 3.5, 3.7 and 3.11) interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security or payment of such Coupon, as the case may be, on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities therefor specified in such Security or Coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of such Holder if provided with respect to such Security, on the date such repayment is due) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder. In the case of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, any holder of Preferred Securities issued by such RenaissanceRe Trust shall have the right, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Sections 5.1(1) or 5.1(2) hereof, to institute directly a proceeding against the Company and/or the Guarantor for enforcement of payment to such holder of principal of, and any premium and (subject to Sections 3.5, 3.7 and 3.11) interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities having a principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of such Preferred Securities held by such holder (a “Direct Action”).

Notwithstanding any payments made to a holder of Preferred Securities by the Company and/or the Guarantor in connection with a Direct Action, the Company and the Guarantor shall remain obligated to pay the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to the related Securities, and the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder of such Preferred Securities with respect to payments on the Preferred Securities to the extent of any payments made by the Company to such holder in any Direct Action.

Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or a Coupon has, or the holders of Preferred Securities have, instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee, to such Holder or to the holders of such Preferred Securities, then and in every such case the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee and each such Holder or the holders of such Preferred Securities shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and each such Holder or the holders of such Preferred Securities shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or Coupons in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee, to each and every Holder of a Security or a Coupon or to the holders of Preferred Securities is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

 

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Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or Coupon or of the holders of Preferred Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to any Holder of a Security or a Coupon or to the holders of Preferred Securities may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee, by such Holder or by such holders of Preferred Securities, as the case may be.

Section 5.12. Control by Holders of Securities.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto, provided that

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or with the Securities of such series,

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

(3) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of the other Holders of Securities of such series not joining in such action.

Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto and, in the case of any Securities issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities issued by such RenaissanceRe Trust then outstanding, may waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series or any Coupons appertaining thereto, or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

 

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Section 5.14. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

The Company and the Guarantor each covenants that (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or, in the case of the Guarantor, of the Guarantee Agreement; and the Company and the Guarantor each expressly waives (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 5.15. Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of any undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.15 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series or, if a series of Securities is held by a RenaissanceRe Trust, the holders of more than 10% in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of that RenaissanceRe Trust then outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Holder or any holder of Preferred Securities for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest), if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, and, in the case of repayment or repurchase, on or after the date for repayment or repurchase) or for the enforcement of the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security into Common Stock or other securities in accordance with its terms.

ARTICLE VI.

THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.1. Certain Rights of Trustee.

Subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:

(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

 

 

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(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order (in each case, other than delivery of any Security, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 3.3 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture 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 shall be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written 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;

(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as is reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(6) 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, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may, but shall not be obligated to make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine, during business hours and upon reasonable notice, the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys, custodians or nominees and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;

 

 

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(9) the Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, and Security Registrar shall have the same protections as the Trustee set forth hereunder;

(10) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with an Act of the Holders hereunder, and, to the extent not so provided herein, with respect to any act requiring the Trustee to exercise its own discretion, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture or any Securities, unless it shall be proved that, in connection with any such action taken, suffered or omitted or any such act, the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;

(11) the Trustee is not responsible to see that the Company or any other Person is maintaining any insurance required by the Indenture;

(12) the Trustee shall not be responsible for the recording, rerecording, filing of UCC Statements or UCC Continuation Statements;

(13) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee which conform to the requirements of the Indenture;

(14) except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(15) except as expressly required by the terms of this Indenture, none of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, 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 indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it; and

(16) in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series entitled to receive reports pursuant to Section 7.3(3), notice of such default hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer of 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

 

 

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of (or premium, if any), or interest (including any Additional Interest), if any, on, or Additional Amounts or any sinking fund or purchase fund installment with respect to, any Security of such series, 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 determine that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the Holders of Securities and Coupons of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Sections 5.1(4) or 5.1(5) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 6.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any Coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or the Coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Securities or the proceeds thereof.

Section 6.4. May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee, the Guarantor or the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities or Coupons and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company or the Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person.

Section 6.5. Money Held in Trust.

Except as provided in Section 4.3 and Section 10.3, money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed to in writing with the Company.

Section 6.6. Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by the Trustee hereunder as agreed in writing between the Company

 

 

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and the Trustee (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder (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 the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith; and

(3) to indemnify the Trustee and its agents, officers, directors and employees for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent that any such loss, liability or expense was due to the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities or any Coupons appertaining thereto.

To the extent permitted by law, any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified in or pursuant to Section 5.1 is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 6.6 shall include any predecessor Trustee but the negligence or bad faith of any Trustee shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 6.6.

The provisions of this Section 6.6 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee and shall apply with equal force and effect to the Trustee in its capacity as Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Security Registrar.

Section 6.7. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, that is eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000, and that is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authority. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

 

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Section 6.8. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(1) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to Section 6.9.

(2) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company and the Guarantor. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.9 shall not have been delivered to 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 with respect to such series.

(3) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee, the Company and the Guarantor.

(4) If at any time:

(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Company or any Holder of a Security of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months, or

(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.7 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or any such Holder, or

(c) 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 such case, (i) the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or the Securities of such series, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(5) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of such series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with

 

 

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respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.9. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapacity, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.9, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.9, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such 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 with respect to the Securities of such series.

(6) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register and, if Securities of such series are issued as Bearer Securities, by publishing notice of such event once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment located outside the United States. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

(7) In no event shall any retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.

Section 6.9. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company, the Guarantor and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties hereunder of the retiring Trustee; but, on the written request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 10.3, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.6.

(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring

 

 

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Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, such successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and, upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, 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 with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on written request of the Company, the Guarantor or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates and subject to Section 10.3 shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, subject to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.6.

(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section, as the case may be.

(4) No Person shall accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

 

 

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Section 6.10. 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, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

Section 6.11. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Company with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption or partial repayment or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.

Each Authenticating Agent must be acceptable to the Company and, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, shall at all times be a Corporation that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any Corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such Corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee, the Company and the Guarantor. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the

 

 

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provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and the Guarantor and shall (i) mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, and (ii) if Securities of the series are issued as Bearer Securities, publish notice of such appointment at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the place where such successor Authenticating Agent has its principal office if such office is located outside the United States. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section. If the Trustee makes such payments, it shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.6.

The provisions of Sections 3.8, 6.3 and 6.4 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
		By
			as Authenticating Agent
		By
			Authorized Officer

If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officers’ Certificate by the Company), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.

 

 

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ARTICLE VII.

HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

(1) semi-annually with respect to Securities of each series not later than May 1 and November 1 of the year or upon such other dates as are set forth in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, a list, in each case in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of the applicable date, and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company or the Guarantor of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished, provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished.

Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

Every Holder of Securities or Coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee.

(1) Within 60 days after September 15 of each year commencing with the first September 15 following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit, pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such September 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding September 15 and the date of this Indenture.

(2) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act at the times specified therein.

 

 

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(3) Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted in the manner and to the Persons required by Sections 313(c) and 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.4. Reports by Company.

The Company, pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Guarantor files the same with the Commission, 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 Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Guarantor may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; or, if the Guarantor is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Guarantor shall file with the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(2) file with the Trustee and the Guarantor shall file with the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company and the Guarantor, with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(3) transmit within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, 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 Guarantor pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Section or by the Company pursuant to paragraph (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

ARTICLE VIII.

CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATIONS, MERGER AND SALES

Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

The Company shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company), and the Company shall not permit any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company; unless:

 

 

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(1) in case the Company shall consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety shall be a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, Bermuda, or any other country which is on the date of this Indenture a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, executed by the successor Person and delivered to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of every obligation in this Indenture and the Outstanding Securities on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and shall provide for conversion or exchange rights in accordance with the provisions of the Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or other securities;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Company at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default with respect to the Company, or event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the Company, shall have occurred and be continuing;

(3) in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, such transaction is permitted under the related Trust Agreement and does not give rise to any breach or violation of such Trust Agreement; and

(4) either the Company or the successor Person shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.2. Successor Person Substituted for Company.

Upon any consolidation or amalgamation by the Company with or merger of the Company into any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation 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 Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture, the Securities and the Coupons.

 

 

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Section 8.3. Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

The Guarantor shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor), or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor), and the Guarantor shall not permit any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor) to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into the Guarantor or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Guarantor; unless:

(1) in case the Guarantor shall consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Guarantor is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety shall be a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, Bermuda, or any other country which is on the date of this Indenture a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, executed by the successor Person and the Company and delivered to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on and any Additional Amounts and Additional Sums with respect to all the Securities and the performance of every obligation in this Indenture and the Outstanding Securities on the part of the Guarantor to be performed or observed and shall provide for conversion or exchange rights in accordance with the provisions of the Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or other securities of the Guarantor;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Guarantor or a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Guarantor or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default with respect to the Guarantor, or event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the Guarantor, shall have occurred and be continuing;

(3) in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, such transaction is permitted under the related Guarantee Agreement and does not give rise to any breach or violation of such Guarantee Agreement; and

(4) either the Guarantor or the successor Person shall have delivered to the Trustee a Guarantor’s Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

 

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Section 8.4. Successor Person Substituted for Guarantor.

Upon any consolidation or amalgamation by the Guarantor with or merger of the Guarantor into any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Guarantor substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 8.3, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Guarantor 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 Guarantor under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Guarantor herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture, the Securities and the Coupons and the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement.

ARTICLE IX.

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.1. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or Coupons, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), the Guarantor (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution by the Guarantor’s Board of Directors) and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company and the Guarantor, as applicable, contained herein and in the Securities; or

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or the Guarantor or both the Company and the Guarantor; or

(3) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be exchanged for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto in any material respect; or

(4) to establish the forms or terms of Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1; or

 

 

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(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.9; or

(6) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series then Outstanding or any Coupons appertaining thereto or, in the case of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust and for so long as any of the Preferred Securities issued by such RenaissanceRe Trust shall remain outstanding, the holders of such Preferred Securities, in any material respect; or

(7) to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth; or

(8) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture); or

(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Article 4, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of an Outstanding Security of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto or any other Outstanding Security or Coupon or, in the case of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust and for so long as any of the Preferred Securities issued by such RenaissanceRe Trust shall remain outstanding, the holders of such Preferred Securities, in any material respect; or

(10) to secure the Securities; or

(11) to make provisions with respect to conversion or exchange rights of Holders of Securities of any series; or

(12) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, provided that no such amendment or supplement shall materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Securities then Outstanding.

Section 9.2. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (and, in the case of any series of Securities held as assets of a RenaissanceRe Trust, such consent of holders of the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust as may be required under the Trust Agreement of such RenaissanceRe Trust), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a

 

 

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Company’s Board Resolution), the Guarantor (when authorized pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Guarantor’s Board of Directors) and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture or of the Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any premium or installment of interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof (or modify the calculation of such principal amount) or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest (including any Additional Interest) thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or otherwise, or change the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to the terms hereof (except as contemplated by Section 8.1(1) and permitted by Section 10.4), or change the redemption provisions or adversely affect the right of repayment at the option of any Holder as contemplated by Article 13, or change the Place of Payment, Currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the date for repayment), or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 15.4 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Indenture relating to the subordination of the Securities in respect thereof in a manner adverse to Holders of Securities, or

(4) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.6, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, or

(5) make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any Security into or for Common Stock of the Company or other securities (whether or not issued by the Company), cash or property in accordance with its terms, provided that, in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, so long as any of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust remain outstanding, no such amendment shall be made that adversely affects the holders of such Preferred

 

 

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Securities, and no termination of this Indenture shall occur, and no waiver of any Event of Default or compliance with any covenant under this Indenture shall be effective, without the prior consent of the holders of at least a majority of the liquidation amount of such Preferred Securities then outstanding unless and until the principal of, any premium or, subject to Section 3.7, interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series have been paid in full; and provided further that in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, so long as any of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust remain outstanding, no amendment shall be made to Section 5.8 of this Indenture without the prior consent of the holder of each Preferred Security then outstanding unless and until the principal of, any premium or, subject to Section 3.7, interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series have been paid in full.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which shall have been included expressly and solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities or holders of Preferred Securities under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.3. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

As a condition to executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the execution of such supplemental indenture have been fulfilled. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.4. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any Coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

Section 9.5. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a

 

 

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notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

Section 9.6. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.7. Effect on Senior Indebtedness.

No supplemental indenture shall directly or indirectly modify or eliminate the provisions of Article 16 or Article 18, as the case may be, in any manner which might terminate or impair the subordination of the Securities of any series to Indebtedness of the Company which constitutes Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series without the prior written consent of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

Section 9.8. Notice of Supplemental Indenture.

Promptly after the execution by the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.2, the Company shall transmit to the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series affected thereby a notice setting forth the substance of such supplemental indenture.

ARTICLE X.

COVENANTS

Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of each series that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series in accordance with the terms thereof, any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Any interest due on any Bearer Security on or before the Maturity thereof, and any Additional Amounts payable with respect to such interest, shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto for such interest as they severally mature.

Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an Office or Agency where Securities of such series (but not Bearer Securities, except as otherwise provided below, unless such Place of Payment is located outside the United States) may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be

 

 

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surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of such series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series relating thereto and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization shall maintain, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, an Office or Agency in a Place of Payment for such series which is located outside the United States where Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided, however, that if the Securities of such series are listed on The Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company shall maintain a Paying Agent in London, Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of such series are listed on such exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such Office or Agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Office or Agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment at the place specified for the purpose with respect to such Securities as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, no payment of principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect to Bearer Securities shall be made at any Office or Agency in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by wire transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, if amounts owing with respect to any Bearer Securities shall be payable in Dollars, payment of principal of, any premium or interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any such Security may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or any Office or Agency designated by the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts at all offices outside the United States maintained for such purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other Offices or Agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an Office or Agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other Office or Agency. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, the Company hereby designates as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the Office or Agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for such purpose. The Company may subsequently appoint a different Office or Agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New

 

 

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York for such purpose. The Company may subsequently appoint a different Office or Agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for the Securities of any series.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one exchange rate agent.

Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, or if the Guarantor shall act as Paying Agent, with respect to any series of Securities, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or Additional Amounts with respect to any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal or any premium, interest (including any Additional Interest) or Additional Amounts so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it shall, on or prior to each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities of such series, deposit with any Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal and any premium, interest (including any Additional Interest) or Additional Amounts so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

The Company shall cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent shall:

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any payment of principal of,

 

 

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any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series; and

(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or 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 sums.

Except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of any series or any Coupon appertaining thereto and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal or any such premium or interest or any such Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, at the expense of the Company may cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series or to be mailed to Holders of Registered Securities of such series, or both, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing nor shall it be later than two years after such principal or any premium or interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 10.4. Additional Amounts.

If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company agrees to pay to the Holder of any such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto Additional Amounts as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Securities. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or any Coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

 

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Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Securities (or if the Securities of such series shall not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of such series shall be made to Holders of Securities of such series or the Coupons appertaining thereto who are United States Aliens without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of such series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities or Coupons, and the Company agrees to pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 10.4.

Section 10.5. Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 8, each of the Company and the Guarantor shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not obligate the Company or the Guarantor to preserve any such right or franchise if the Company or the Guarantor shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to any Holder.

Section 10.6. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company and the Guarantor may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 10.7 with respect to the Securities of any series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either shall waive such compliance in such instance or generally shall have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the Guarantor and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

 

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Section 10.7. Company and Guarantor’s Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults.

(1) The Company and the Guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement (which need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate or Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate) signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, stating that

(a) a review of the activities of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, during such year and of its performance under this Indenture has been made under his or her supervision, and

(b) to the best of his or her knowledge, based on such review, (a) the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, has complied with all the conditions and covenants imposed on it under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such condition or covenant, specifying each such default known to him or her and the nature and status thereof, and (b) no event has occurred and is continuing which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, or, if such an event has occurred and is continuing, specifying each such event known to him and the nature and status thereof.

(2) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within five days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any Event of Default or any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default pursuant to clause (4) of Section 5.1.

(3) The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the Company’s compliance with the covenants contained in this Article 10 other than as specifically set forth in this Section 10.7.

Section 10.8. [RESERVED]

Section 10.9. Additional Sums.

In the case of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, in the event that (i) such RenaissanceRe Trust is the Holder of all of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (ii) a Tax Event in respect of such RenaissanceRe Trust shall have occurred and be continuing and (iii) the Company shall not have (i) redeemed the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 11.8 or (ii) terminated such RenaissanceRe Trust pursuant to Section 9.2(b) of the related Trust Agreement, the Company shall pay to such RenaissanceRe Trust (and its permitted successors or assigns under the related Trust Agreement), for so long as such RenaissanceRe Trust (or its permitted successor or assignee) is the registered holder of any Securities of such series, such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the amount of Distributions then due and payable by

 

 

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such RenaissanceRe Trust on the related Preferred Securities and Common Securities that at any time remain outstanding in accordance with the terms thereof shall not be reduced as a result of any Additional Taxes (the “Additional Sums”). Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or any Coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Sums provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Sums are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Sums (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Sums in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made, provided, however, that the extension of an interest payment period pursuant to Section 3.11 or the terms of the applicable Securities shall not extend the payment of any Additional Sums that may be due and payable during such interest payment period.

Section 10.10. Prohibition Against Dividends, etc.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Company and the Guarantor each covenant and agree with each Holder of Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust that it will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its outstanding capital stock or (b) make any payment of principal of, interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt security of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, that ranks equal to or junior in interest to the Securities of such series or the Guarantee in respect thereof, as the case may be, or make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, of the debt securities of any Subsidiary of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, if such guarantee ranks equal to or junior in interest to the Securities of such series or the Guarantee in respect thereof, as the case may be (other than (i) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants, rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, common shares of the Guarantor, (ii) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholder’s rights plan of the Guarantor, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (iii) the purchase of fractional shares resulting from a reclassification of the Guarantor’s capital stock, (iv) the exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Guarantor’s (or any subsidiary’s) capital stock for another class or series of the Guarantor’s (or any subsidiary’s) capital stock or of any class or series of the Guarantor’s (or any subsidiary’s) indebtedness pursuant to the terms of the capital stock or indebtedness as originally issued, (v) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Guarantor’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged; and (vi) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Guarantor or any subsidiary under any employment agreement or benefit plan for the benefit of the Guarantor’s directors, officers, or employees, or any dividend reinvestment or director, officer or employee stock purchase plan of the Guarantor) if at such time (1) there shall have occurred any event of which the Company has actual knowledge that (A) with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default hereunder and (B) in respect of which the Company shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (2) the Guarantor shall be in default with respect to its payment of any

 

 

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obligations under the related Preferred Securities Guarantee or (3) the Company shall have given notice of its election to begin an Extension Period as provided herein with respect to the Securities of such series and shall not have rescinded such notice, or such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing.

Section 10.11. Payment of Expenses of Each RenaissanceRe Trust.

The Company and the Guarantor, each jointly and severally, covenant for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities to pay or cause to be paid all of the obligations, costs and expenses of each RenaissanceRe Trust (other than payments in respect of Trust Securities) in accordance with the provisions of its Trust Agreement and to pay the taxes of such RenaissanceRe Trust in accordance with the provisions of its Trust Agreement in order to permit such RenaissanceRe Trust to make distributions on and redemptions of its Preferred Securities in accordance with such Trust Agreement.

Section 10.12. Ownership of Common Securities.

The Company covenants, as to each series of Securities issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust in connection with the issuance of Preferred Securities and Common Securities by that RenaissanceRe Trust, (a) to maintain directly or indirectly 100% ownership of the Common Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Company hereunder may succeed to the Company’s ownership of such Common Securities, (b) not to voluntarily dissolve, wind-up or liquidate such RenaissanceRe Trust, except in connection with (i) a distribution of the Securities of such series to the holders of Preferred Securities and Common Securities in liquidation of such RenaissanceRe Trust, (ii) the redemption of all of the Preferred Securities and Common Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Trust Agreement of such RenaissanceRe Trust and (c) to use its reasonable efforts, consistent with the terms and provisions of the related Trust Agreement, to cause such RenaissanceRe Trust to remain classified as a grantor trust and not an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.

Section 10.13. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on any Outstanding Original Issue Discount Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Code, as amended from time to time.

 

 

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ARTICLE XI.

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 11.1. Applicability of Article.

Redemption of Securities of any series as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.

Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of (a) less than all of the Securities of any series or (b) all of the Securities of any series, with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. If the Securities of a series are held by a RenaissanceRe Trust, the Company shall also deliver a copy of such notice to the Property Trustee of such RenaissanceRe Trust.

Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Securities of any series with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Registered Security of such series not redeemed to less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein or pursuant hereto.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization of any series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted into Common Stock of the Company or exchanged for other securities in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected

 

 

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for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice by mailing in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date, and if such redemption date is conditional, a description of the event upon which it is conditioned,

(2) the Redemption Price,

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, in the case of a Registered Security, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto, and that unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and other amounts then due, interest thereon, if applicable, shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the place or places where such Securities, together (in the case of Bearer Securities) with all Coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing on or after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto,

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

 

 

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(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all Coupons maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption or the amount of any such missing Coupon or Coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and any Paying Agent is furnished,

(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and no Registered Securities of such series are to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on the Redemption Date pursuant to Section 3.5 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made,

(10) in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible into Common Stock of the Company or exchangeable for other securities, the conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such series to be redeemed will commence or terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and

(11) the CUSIP number or the Euroclear or the Clearstream reference numbers of such Securities, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depository to identify such Securities).

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 1.6 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.

Notice of redemption of Securities shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit, with respect to the Securities of any series called for redemption, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money in the applicable Currency sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 or in the Securities of such series) any accrued interest (including any Additional Interest) on and Additional Amounts with respect thereto, all such Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, become due and payable on the Redemption Date, at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest or Additional Amounts) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and the Coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such

 

 

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Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization and the Coupons, installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of Coupons for such interest (at an Office or Agency located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2), and provided, further, that, except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to the related Series Authorization, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7 and installments of interest on Registered Securities for which the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or before the following Interest Payment Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant Coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that any interest or Additional Amounts represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an Office or Agency for such Security located outside of the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Office or Agency for such Security (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Security in global form is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the U.S. Depository or

 

 

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other Depository for such Security in global form as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security in global form so surrendered.

Section 11.8. Right of Redemption of Securities Issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust.

In the case of the Securities of a series issued to a RenaissanceRe Trust, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, if a Special Event in respect of such RenaissanceRe Trust shall occur and be continuing, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Securities of such series within 90 days of the occurrence of such Special Event, in whole but not in part, subject to the provisions of this Section 11.8 and the other provisions of this Article 11. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of such series, the redemption price for any Security so redeemed pursuant to this Section 11.8 shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Securities then Outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest, including any Additional Interest, to the date fixed for redemption.

ARTICLE XII.

SINKING FUNDS

Section 12.1. Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Security of such series issued pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and this Indenture.

Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Company), together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto, and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such series of Securities have not been previously so credited.

 

 

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Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If, as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 12.2, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to satisfy the remaining sinking fund payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the written request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.

Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 75 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.6 and 11.7.

ARTICLE XIII.

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 13.1. Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 3.9, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a written directive that such Securities be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13.1, in connection with any repayment of Securities,

 

 

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the Company may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the close of business on the repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Company on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Company to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.

ARTICLE XIV.

SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Section 14.1. Applicability of Article.

Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency, or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in the form of Security of any particular series or pursuant to this Indenture or the related Series Authorization, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Currency other than Dollars shall be treated for any such action or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination of rights or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such action, determination of rights or distribution) as the Company may specify in a written notice to the Trustee.

ARTICLE XV.

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Section 15.1. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

Section 15.2. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(1) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or, if Securities of such series have been issued in whole or in part as Bearer Securities, in London or in such place outside the United States as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

 

 

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(2) In case at any time the Company (by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed notice of or made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request (whichever shall be required pursuant to Section 1.6) or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or, if Securities of such series are to be issued as Bearer Securities, in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in clause (1) of this Section.

Section 15.3. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 15.4. Quorum; Action.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any reconvened meeting, such reconvened meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such reconvened meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 15.2(1), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or

 

 

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taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the Coupons appertaining thereto, whether or not such Holders were present or represented at the meeting.

Section 15.5. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 or by having the signature of the person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 1.4 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 1.4 or other proof.

(2) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 15.2(2), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(3) At any meeting, each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

(4) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 15.2 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding

 

 

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Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 15.6. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports of all votes cast at the meeting. A record of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 15.2 and, if applicable, Section 15.4. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and the Guarantor, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

ARTICLE XVI.

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 16.1. Agreement to Subordinate.

The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued hereunder and under any indenture supplemental hereto or pursuant to a Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate (“Additional Provisions”) by such Holder’s acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article 16; and each Holder of a Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

The payment by the Company of the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of each series issued hereunder and under any Additional Provisions shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth and subject to the provisions of the relates Series Authorization, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Indebtedness of the Company which constitutes Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

No provision of this Article 16 shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

All references in this Article 16 to Holders of Securities shall be deemed to include Holders of Coupons.

 

 

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Section 16.2. Default on Senior Indebtedness.

In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other amount due on any Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series has been accelerated because of a default, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including redemption and sinking fund payments) of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series or to acquire such Securities (other than pursuant to the conversion of such Securities).

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 16.2, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on such Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

Section 16.3. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.

Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any total or partial liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshaling of assets of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings relating to the Company or its assets, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company on account of the principal of, premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series; and in any such case, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee (on behalf of Holders with respect to the principal of, premium or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such Series) would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article 16, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders having equal seniority on the basis of the respective amounts of such Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect

 

 

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to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of the Securities of such series or to the Trustee.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing shall be received by the Trustee before all such Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all such Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

For purposes of this Article 16, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article 16 with respect to the Securities of the relevant series to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation or amalgamation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance, transfer or lease of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article 8 of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 16.3 if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article 8 of this Indenture.

Section 16.4. Subrogation.

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series, the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article 16, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16 to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities of such series or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its

 

 

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creditors other than holders of such Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities of such series, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article 16 are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series on the other hand.

Nothing contained in this Article 16 or elsewhere in this Indenture, any Additional Provisions or in the Securities of any series is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series, and the Holders of the Securities of such series, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities of such series the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series and creditors of the Company, other than the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security of such series from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article 16 of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, as the case may be, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article 16, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, and the Holders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities of any series, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series and other indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 16.

Section 16.5. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

Each Holder of Securities by such Holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article 16 and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 16.6. Notice by the Company.

The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 16 or any other provision of this

 

 

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Indenture or any Additional Provisions, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 16.6 at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series (or a trustee on behalf of such holder), to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 16, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 16, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article 16, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding-up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities of any series, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 16.

 

 

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Section 16.7. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 16 in respect of any Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of such Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture or any Additional Provisions shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article 16, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture or any Additional Provisions against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of the Securities of such series, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 16 or otherwise.

Nothing in this Article 16 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6.

Section 16.8. Subordination May Not Be Impaired.

No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of any series may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of Securities of such series, without incurring responsibility to such Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article 16 or the obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Securities of such series to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.

 

 

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Section 16.9. Application by Trustee of Assets Deposited with It.

Amounts deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with this Indenture, including without limitation pursuant to Article 4 hereof, shall be for the sole benefit of the Holders of the Securities and, to the extent allocated for the payment of Securities, shall not be subject to the subordination provisions of this Article 16. Otherwise, any deposit of assets with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (whether or not in trust) for the payment of any Securities shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 16.1, 16.2, and 16.3; provided that, if prior to two Business Days preceding the date on which by the terms of this Indenture any such assets may become distributable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of any amount due on any Security) the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall not have received with respect to such assets the written notice provided for in Section 16.6, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have full power and authority to receive such assets and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such date.

ARTICLE XVII.

 

GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY

Section 17.1. The Guarantee.

The Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee all obligations of the Company under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement.

Section 17.2. Net Payments.

Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium, interest or any other amounts on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or any Coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding the payment of Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

Section 17.3. Subordination of Guarantee.

Each Holder of Securities issued hereunder agrees that the payment by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee with respect to all Securities of each series issued hereunder, shall be subordinate in right of payment to the extent and in the manner set forth in Sections 6.2 and 6.3 of the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

[SEAL]		RENAISSANCERE FINANCE INC.
Attest:		By
			Name:
			Title:
[SEAL]		RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD., as Guarantor
Attest:		By
			Name:
			Title:
[SEAL]		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
Attest:		By
			Name:
			Title:

 

 

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FORM OF

SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.

(AS GUARANTOR)

AND

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS

(AS GUARANTEE TRUSTEE)

DATED AS OF

_______ __, 2007

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS		1
SECTION 1.1 Definitions		1
ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT		3
SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act: Application		3
SECTION 2.2 List of Holders		4
SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee		4
SECTION 2.4 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent		4
SECTION 2.5 Events of Default; Waiver		4
SECTION 2.6 Event of Default; Notice		4
SECTION 2.7 Conflicting Interests		5
ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE		5
SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee		5
SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of the Guarantee Trustee		6
SECTION 3.3 Indemnity		8
ARTICLE IV GUARANTEE TRUSTEE		8
SECTION 4.1 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility		8
SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustees		9
ARTICLE V GUARANTEE		9
SECTION 5.1 Guarantee		9
SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand		10
SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected		10
SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders		11
SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment		11
SECTION 5.6 Subrogation		11
SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations		11
SECTION 5.8 Net Payments		11
ARTICLE VI RANKING		13
SECTION 6.1 Ranking		13
SECTION 6.2 Pari Passu Guarantees		13
ARTICLE VII TERMINATION		13
SECTION 7.1 Termination		13

 

(i)

 

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ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS		13
SECTION 8.1 Successors and Assigns		13
SECTION 8.2 Amendments		14
SECTION 8.3 Notices		14
SECTION 8.4 Benefit		15
SECTION 8.5 Governing Law		15
SECTION 8.6 Interpretation		15
SECTION 8.7 Submission to Jurisdiction		16
SECTION 8.8 Judgment Currency		17

 

(ii)

 

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SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

This SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this “Guarantee Agreement” or this “Guarantee”), dated as of _______ __, 2007, is executed and delivered by RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda company (“RenaissanceRe” or the “Guarantor”), having its principal executive offices at Renaissance House, 8-20 East Broadway, Pembroke HM 19, Bermuda, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation (the “Guarantee Trustee”), having its Corporate Trust Office located at 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005, for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Debentures (as defined herein) issued by RenaissanceRe Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to a Senior Indenture, dated as of _______ __, 2007 (the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and [         ], a New York banking corporation, as trustee thereunder, the Issuer is issuing $___________ aggregate principal amount of its unsecured senior debt securities (the “Debentures”).

WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders (as defined in the Indenture) to purchase such Debentures, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally, to guarantee the obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by the Holders of the Debentures, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1 Definitions

As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the terms set forth below shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings. Capitalized or otherwise defined terms used, but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture as in effect on the date hereof.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by the terms of the Debentures, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Guarantor in respect of certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified herein and therein and which are owing to such Holders.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person; provided, however, that an Affiliate of the Guarantor shall not be deemed to include the Issuer. For the purpose of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

 

 

 

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“Authorized Officer” means, when used with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, a Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of such Person.

“Capitalized Lease Obligations” means an obligation under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with such principles.

“Debentures” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

“Event of Default” means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment or other obligations under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that, except with respect to a payment default, the Guarantor shall have received notice of default and shall not have cured such default within 90 days after receipt of such notice.

“Guarantee Trustee” means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement and thereafter means each such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, (i) the principal of and any premium and interest on (a) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (b) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (ii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations and all obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i) through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit); (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the amount thereof being deemed to be the lesser of the state recourse, if limited, and the amount of the obligation or dividends of the other Person; (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; and (vii) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clauses (i) through (vi) above.

“Indenture” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

 

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“List of Holders” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).

“Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers, at least one of which is a principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer, and is delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any Officers’ Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Guarantee shall include:

(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers’ Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by such officer in rendering the Officers’ Certificate;

(c) a statement that such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer’s opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

“Person” means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

“Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee, any officer of the Guarantee Trustee with direct responsibility for administration of this Guarantee Agreement and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Successor Guarantee Trustee” means a successor Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

ARTICLE II

TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act: Application

(a) This Guarantee Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Guarantee Agreement and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

 

 

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(b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Guarantee Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

SECTION 2.2 List of Holders

(a) Within 30 days after the receipt by the Guarantor of a request in writing from the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantor shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee a list, in such form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders (“List of Holders”), such List of Holders to be as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such List of Holders is furnished, in each case to the extent such information is in the possession or control of the Guarantor and is not identical to a previously supplied list of Holders or has not otherwise been received by the Guarantee Trustee in its capacity as such. The Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.

(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section 311(a), Section 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee

Within 60 days after_______ 15 of each year commencing with _______ 15, 200_, the Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.4 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent

The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Guarantee Agreement that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate.

SECTION 2.5 Events of Default; Waiver

The holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures may, by vote, on behalf of all Holders, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 2.6 Event of Default; Notice

(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default known to the Guarantee Trustee, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the

 

 

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Holders, notices of all such Events of Default, unless such defaults have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice, provided, except in the case of a default in the payment by the Guarantor of any amount due under this Guarantee Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice, or a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee shall have actual knowledge or shall have obtained written notice, of such Event of Default.

SECTION 2.7 Conflicting Interests

The Indenture shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Guarantee Agreement for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

ARTICLE III

POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee

(a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(iv) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, upon acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment hereunder, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(b) If an Event of Default hereunder or under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.

(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder or under the Indenture and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred hereunder or under the Indenture (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.5), the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

 

 

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(d) No provision of this Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its negligent failure to act or its own bad faith or willful misconduct, except that:

(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder or under the Indenture and after the curing or waiving of any such Events of Default that may have occurred:

(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee Agreement, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement, and

(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement;

(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

(iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and

(iv) no provision of this Guarantee shall require the Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee Agreement or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of the Guarantee Trustee

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:

(i) The Guarantee Trustee may rely upon, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,

 

 

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report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.

(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate unless otherwise prescribed herein.

(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and rely upon an Officers’ Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.

(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with competent legal counsel, and the written advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Guarantee Agreement from any court of competent jurisdiction.

(v) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(v) shall be taken to relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder or under the Indenture, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement.

(vi) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(vii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys, custodians or nominees, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed with due care by it hereunder.

 

 

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(viii) Any action taken by the Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders, and the signature of the Guarantee Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action. No third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Guarantee Agreement, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Guarantee Trustee’s or its agent’s taking such action.

(ix) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request instructions from the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures, (B) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (C) shall be protected in acting in accordance with such instructions.

(b) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty to act in accordance with such power and authority.

SECTION 3.3 Indemnity

The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the Guarantee Trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Guarantee Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder and including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel. The Guarantee Trustee will not claim or exact any lien or charge on any Guarantee Agreement as a result of any amount due to it under this Guarantee Agreement.

The provisions of this Section 3.3 shall survive the termination of this Guarantee Agreement or the resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee.

ARTICLE IV

GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 4.1 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility

(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:

(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor or the Issuer; and

 

 

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(ii) be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and shall be a corporation meeting the requirements of Section 310(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority, then, for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).

(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustees

(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.

(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.

(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee Trustee.

(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Guarantee Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.

ARTICLE V

GUARANTEE

SECTION 5.1 Guarantee

The Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any

 

 

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Additional Amounts with respect to any Debenture held by such Holder, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of such Debenture and of the Indenture. The Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Guarantee Trustee, on the other hand, the maturity of the Debentures guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 5 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Debentures guaranteed hereby.

SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand

The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Guarantee Agreement and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.

SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected

The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall be as if it were a principal debtor, and not merely a surety, and shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Debentures to be performed or observed by the Issuer;

(b) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Debentures, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;

(c) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;

(d) any invalidity or unenforceability of, or defect or deficiency in, the Debentures; or

(e) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.

There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain the consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

 

 

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SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders

The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that: (i) this Guarantee Agreement will be deposited with the Guarantee Trustee to be held for the benefit of the Holders; (ii) the Guarantee Trustee has the right to enforce this Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Holders; (iii) the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee Agreement or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and (iv) any Holder may, to the extent permitted by law, institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Guarantee Agreement, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action on this Guarantee Agreement be brought first against the Issuer or any other Person or entity before proceeding directly against the Guarantor.

SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment

This Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not be discharged except by payment in full of all amounts (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer) owed under the Debentures.

SECTION 5.6 Subrogation

The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights, if any, of the Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of applicable law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee Agreement, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee Agreement. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations

The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Debentures, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make all payments with respect to the Debentures pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (e), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.

SECTION 5.8 Net Payments

All payments required to be made hereunder shall be made by the Guarantor without withholding or deduction at source for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the Islands of Bermuda or such other jurisdiction in which the Guarantor (or any of its successors

 

 

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under the Guarantee Agreement) may be organized (each, a “taxing jurisdiction”) or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, unless such taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges are required to be withheld or deducted by (i) the laws (or any regulations or ruling promulgated thereunder) of a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or (ii) an official position regarding the application, administration, interpretation or enforcement of any such laws, regulations or rulings (including, without limitation, a holding by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a taxing authority in a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof). If a withholding or deduction at source is required, the Guarantor shall, subject to certain limitations and exceptions set forth below, pay to the Holder of any Debenture such Additional Amounts as may be necessary so that every guarantee payment made to such Holder, after such withholding or deduction, shall not be less than the amount provided for in the Indenture and this Guarantee Agreement to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not be required to make payment of such Additional Amounts for or on account of:

(1) any tax, fee, duty, assessment or governmental charge of whatever nature which would not have been imposed but for the fact that such Holder: (A) was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or otherwise had some connection with the relevant taxing jurisdiction other than by reason of the mere ownership of, or receipt of payment under, such Debenture; (B) presented such Debenture for payment in the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof, unless such Debenture could not have been presented for payment elsewhere; or (C) presented such Debenture more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the payment in respect of such Debenture first became due and payable or provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts if it had presented such Debenture for payment on any day within such period of thirty (30) days;

(2) any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(3) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by the Holder or the beneficial owner of such Debenture to comply with any reasonable request by the Issuer addressed to the Holder within 90 days of such request (A) to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the Holder or such beneficial owner or (B) to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any information or reporting requirement, which, in the case of (A) or (B), is required or imposed by statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge; or

(4) any combination of items (1), (2) and (3);

nor shall Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any Guarantee Payment to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of the related Debenture, but only to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the relevant taxing jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or relevant taxing authority thereof or therein) to be included in the

 

 

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income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or partner or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the Holder of such Debenture.

ARTICLE VI

RANKING

SECTION 6.1 Ranking

This Guarantee Agreement will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank senior to the Guarantor’s common shares.

SECTION 6.2 Pari Passu Guarantees

This Guarantee Agreement shall rank pari passu with any similar guarantee agreements issued by the Guarantor on behalf of holders of senior debentures issued by any entity affiliated with the Guarantor which is a financing vehicle of the Guarantor.

ARTICLE VII

TERMINATION

SECTION 7.1 Termination

This Guarantee shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Debentures and all other amounts then due and payable under the Indenture, or (ii) the full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guarantee Agreement will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder must restore payment of any sums paid with respect to the Debentures or under this Guarantee Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 8.1 Successors and Assigns

All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Debentures then outstanding. Except in connection with a consolidation, merger, or sale involving the Guarantor that is permitted under Article 8 of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee agrees in writing to perform the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, the Guarantor shall not assign its obligations hereunder.

 

 

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SECTION 8.2 Amendments

Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders in any material respect (in which case no consent of Holders will be required) and any changes to Section 5 hereof, which may only be amended in writing with the prior approval of each Holder, this Guarantee Agreement may only be amended in writing by the parties hereto with the prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures. The provisions of Article 15 of the Indenture concerning meetings of Holders apply to the giving of such approval.

SECTION 8.3 Notices

Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

(a) If given to the Guarantee Trustee, at the Guarantee Trustee’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Guarantor and the Holders):

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

60 Wall Street

MS NYC 60-2515

New York, New York 10005

Attention: [Institutional Trust Services]

(b) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Holders):

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

Renaissance House

8-20 East Broad

Pembroke HM 19

Bermuda

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy to:

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019

Attention: John S. D’Alimonte, Esq.

(c) If given to the Issuer, in care of the Guarantee Trustee, at the Issuer’s (and the Guarantee Trustee’s) address set forth below or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the Issuer may give notice to the Holders:

RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.

 

 

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c/o Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.

5080 Spectrum Drive

Suite 900 East

Addison, Texas 75001

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy to:

	[	]
	[	]

[

]

Attention: Institutional Trust Services

(d) If given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 8.4 Benefit

This Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders and is not separately transferable from the Debentures.

SECTION 8.5 Governing Law

THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN THAT STATE.

SECTION 8.6 Interpretation

In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) capitalized terms used in this Guarantee Agreement, but not defined in the preamble hereto have the respective meanings assigned to them in Section 1.1 or in the Indenture, as the case may be;

(b) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the same meaning throughout;

(c) all references to “the Guarantee Agreement” or “this Guarantee Agreement” are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

(d) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement, unless otherwise specified;

 

 

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(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when used in this Guarantee Agreement, unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;

(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and

(g) the masculine, feminine, or neuter genders used herein shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders.

SECTION 8.7 Submission to Jurisdiction

The Guarantor agrees that any judicial proceedings instituted in relation to any matter arising under this Guarantee Agreement may be brought in any United States Federal or New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York to the extent that such court has subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy, and, by execution and delivery of this Guarantee Agreement, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably accepts, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts, acknowledges their competence and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered in such proceeding. The Guarantor also irrevocably and unconditionally waives for the benefit of the Guarantee Trustee and the Holders any immunity from jurisdiction and any immunity from legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in the aid of execution, execution or otherwise) in respect of this Guarantee Agreement. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably designates and appoints, for the benefit of the Guarantee Trustee and the Holders for the term of this Guarantee Agreement, Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc., 5080 Spectrum Drive, Suite 900 East, Addison, Texas, 75001, as its agent to receive on its behalf service of all process (with a copy of all such service of process to be delivered to Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, Attention: John S. D’Alimonte, Esq.) brought against it with respect to any such proceeding in any such court in The City of New York, such service being hereby acknowledged by the Guarantor to be effective and binding service on it in every respect whether or not the Guarantor shall then be doing or shall have at any time done business in New York. Such appointment shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Securities or the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder remain outstanding, or until the appointment of a successor located in New York or Texas by the Guarantor and such successor’s acceptance of such appointment. Upon such acceptance, the Guarantor shall notify the Guarantee Trustee in writing of the name and address of such successor. The Guarantor further agrees for the benefit of the Guarantee Trustee and the Holders to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of said Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc. in full force and effect so long as any of the Debentures or the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be outstanding. The Guarantee Trustee shall not be obligated and shall have no responsibility with respect to any failure by the Guarantor to take any such action. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by any law or limit the right of the Guarantee Trustee or any Holder to institute proceedings against the Guarantor in the courts of any other jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

 

 

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SECTION 8.8 Judgment Currency

The Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of any guarantee payment (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Guarantee Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the requisite amount of the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Guarantee Agreement to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Guarantee Agreement. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

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THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

		RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.,      as Guarantor
		By:
			Name:
			Title:

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,      as Guarantee Trustee
		By:
			Name:
			Title:

 

 

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FORM OF

SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.

(AS GUARANTOR)

AND

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS

(AS GUARANTEE TRUSTEE)

DATED AS OF

_______ __, 2007

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS		1
SECTION 1.1 Definitions		1
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT		4
SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act: Application		4
SECTION 2.2 List of Holders		4
SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee		4
SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent		5
SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver		5
SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice		5
SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests		5
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE		5
SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee		5
SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of the Guarantee Trustee		7
SECTION 3.3 Indemnity		9
ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE		9
SECTION 4.1 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility		9
SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustees		9
ARTICLE V
GUARANTEE		10
SECTION 5.1 Guarantee		10
SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand		10
SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected		10
SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders		11
SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment		11
SECTION 5.6 Subrogation		12

 

 

(i)

 

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SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations		12
SECTION 5.8 Net Payments		12
ARTICLE VI
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; RANKING		13
SECTION 6.1 Ranking		13
SECTION 6.2 Pari Passu Guarantees		14
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION		14
SECTION 7.1 Termination		14
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS		14
SECTION 8.1 Successors and Assigns		14
SECTION 8.2 Amendments		14
SECTION 8.3 Notices		14
SECTION 8.4 Benefit		16
SECTION 8.5 Governing Law		16
SECTION 8.6 Interpretation		16
SECTION 8.7 Submission to Jurisdiction		16
SECTION 8.8 Judgment Currency		17

 

 

(ii)

 

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SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

This SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this “Guarantee Agreement” or this “Guarantee”), dated as of _______ __, 2007, is executed and delivered by RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda company (“RenaissanceRe” or the “Guarantor”), having its principal executive offices at Renaissance House, 8-20 East Broadway, Pembroke HM 19, Bermuda, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation (the “Guarantee Trustee”), having its Corporate Trust Office located at 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005, for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Debentures (as defined herein) issued by RenaissanceRe Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to a Subordinated Indenture, dated as of _______ __, 2007 (the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation, as trustee thereunder, the Issuer is issuing $___________ aggregate principal amount of its unsecured subordinated debt securities (the “Debentures”).

WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders (as defined in the Indenture) to purchase such Debentures, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally, to guarantee the obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by the Holders of the Debentures, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1 Definitions

As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the terms set forth below shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings. Capitalized or otherwise defined terms used, but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture as in effect on the date hereof.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by the terms of the Debentures, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Guarantor in respect of certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified herein and therein and which are owing to such Holders.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person; provided, however, that an Affiliate of the Guarantor shall not be deemed to include the Issuer. For the purpose of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

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“Authorized Officer” means, when used with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, a Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of such Person.

“Capitalized Lease Obligations” means an obligation under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with such principles.

“Debentures” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

“Event of Default” means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment or other obligations under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that, except with respect to a payment default, the Guarantor shall have received notice of default and shall not have cured such default within 90 days after receipt of such notice.

“Guarantee Trustee” means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement and thereafter means each such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

“Guarantor Senior Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness of the Guarantor outstanding at any time, except (a) Indebtedness as to which, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same, it is provided that such Indebtedness is subordinated to or pari passu with the Guarantor’s obligations under this Guarantee in respect of the Debentures or any other Indebtedness ranking pari passu therewith, (b) Indebtedness to a Subsidiary of the Guarantor or to any officer, director or employee of the Guarantor or any Subsidiary of the Guarantor, (c) any guarantee of Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of the Guarantor or any officer, director or employee of the Guarantor or any Subsidiary of the Guarantor, (d) interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding relating to the Guarantor referred to in Section 5.1(7) and Section 5.1(8) of the Indenture unless such interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the Guarantor in a proceeding under federal or state bankruptcy laws, (e) trade accounts payable, (f) the Guarantor’s obligations (x) under this Guarantee in respect of the Debentures or (y) pursuant to its guarantee of other securities which are similar to the Debentures issued by any entity affiliated with the Guarantor which is a financing vehicle of the Guarantor or of any Affiliate of the Guarantor to any trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Guarantor which is a financing vehicle of the Guarantor or of any Affiliate of the Guarantor and (g) all guarantees with respect to securities issued by any trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Guarantor which is a financing vehicle of the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, (i) the principal of and any premium and interest on (a) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (b) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (ii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations and all obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding

 

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trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i) through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit); (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the amount thereof being deemed to be the lesser of the stated recourse, if limited, and the amount of the obligation or dividends of the other Person; (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; and (vii) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clauses (i) through (vi) above.

“Indenture” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

“List of Holders” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).

“Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers, at least one of which is a principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer, and is delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any Officers’ Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Guarantee shall include:

(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers’ Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by such officer in rendering the Officers’ Certificate;

(c) a statement that such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer’s opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

“Person” means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

“Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee, any officer of the Guarantee Trustee with direct responsibility for administration of this Guarantee Agreement and

 

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also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Successor Guarantee Trustee” means a successor Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

ARTICLE II

TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act: Application

(a) This Guarantee Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Guarantee Agreement and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

(b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Guarantee Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

SECTION 2.2 List of Holders

(a) Within 30 days after the receipt by the Guarantor of a request in writing from the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantor shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee a list, in such form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders (“List of Holders”), such List of Holders to be as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such List of Holders is furnished, in each case to the extent such information is in the possession or control of the Guarantor and is not identical to a previously supplied list of Holders or has not otherwise been received by the Guarantee Trustee in its capacity as such. The Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.

(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section 311(a), Section 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee

Within 60 days after_______ 15 of each year commencing with _______ 15, 200_, the Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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SECTION 2.4 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent

The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Guarantee Agreement that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate.

SECTION 2.5 Events of Default; Waiver

The holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures may, by vote, on behalf of all Holders, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 2.6 Event of Default; Notice

(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default known to the Guarantee Trustee, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders, notices of all such Events of Default, unless such defaults have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice, provided, except in the case of a default in the payment by the Guarantor of any amount due under this Guarantee Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice, or a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee shall have actual knowledge or shall have obtained written notice, of such Event of Default.

SECTION 2.7 Conflicting Interests

The Indenture shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Guarantee Agreement for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

ARTICLE III

POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee

(a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(iv) or to a Successor

 

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Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, upon acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment hereunder, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(b) If an Event of Default hereunder or under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.

(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder or under the Indenture and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred hereunder or under the Indenture (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.5), the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(d) No provision of this Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its negligent failure to act or its own bad faith or willful misconduct, except that:

(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder or under the Indenture and after the curing or waiving of any such Events of Default that may have occurred:

(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee Agreement, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement, and

(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement;

(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved

 

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that the Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

(iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and

(iv) no provision of this Guarantee shall require the Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee Agreement or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of the Guarantee Trustee

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:

(i) The Guarantee Trustee may rely upon, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.

(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate unless otherwise prescribed herein.

(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and rely upon an Officers’ Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.

(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with competent legal counsel, and the written advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Guarantee Agreement from any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

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(v) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(v) shall be taken to relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder or under the Indenture, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement.

(vi) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(vii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys, custodians or nominees, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(viii) Any action taken by the Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders, and the signature of the Guarantee Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action. No third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Guarantee Agreement, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Guarantee Trustee’s or its agent’s taking such action.

(ix) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request instructions from the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures, (B) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (C) shall be protected in acting in accordance with such instructions.

(b) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty to act in accordance with such power and authority.

 

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SECTION 3.3 Indemnity

The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the Guarantee Trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Guarantee Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder and including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel. The Guarantee Trustee will not claim or exact any lien or charge on any Guarantee Agreement as a result of any amount due to it under this Guarantee Agreement.

The provisions of this Section 3.3 shall survive the termination of this Guarantee Agreement or the resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee.

ARTICLE IV

GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 4.1 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility

(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:

(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor or the Issuer; and

(ii) be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and shall be a corporation meeting the requirements of Section 310(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority, then, for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).

(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustees

(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.

 

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(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.

(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee Trustee.

(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Guarantee Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.

ARTICLE V

GUARANTEE

SECTION 5.1 Guarantee

The Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Debenture held by such Holder, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of such Debenture and of the Indenture. The Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Guarantee Trustee, on the other hand, the maturity of the Debentures guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 5 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Debentures guaranteed hereby.

SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand

The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Guarantee Agreement and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.

SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected

The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall be as if it were a principal debtor, and not merely a surety, and shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

 

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(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Debentures to be performed or observed by the Issuer;

(b) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Debentures, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;

(c) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;

(d) any invalidity or unenforceability of, or defect or deficiency in, the Debentures; or

(e) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.

There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain the consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders

The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that: (i) this Guarantee Agreement will be deposited with the Guarantee Trustee to be held for the benefit of the Holders; (ii) the Guarantee Trustee has the right to enforce this Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Holders; (iii) the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee Agreement or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and (iv) any Holder may, to the extent permitted by law, institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Guarantee Agreement, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action on this Guarantee Agreement be brought first against the Issuer or any other Person or entity before proceeding directly against the Guarantor.

SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment

This Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not be discharged except by payment in full of all amounts (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer) owed under the Debentures.

 

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SECTION 5.6 Subrogation

The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights, if any, of the Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of applicable law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee Agreement, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee Agreement. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations

The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Debentures, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make all payments with respect to the Debentures pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (e), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.

SECTION 5.8 Net Payments

All payments required to be made hereunder shall be made by the Guarantor without withholding or deduction at source for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the Islands of Bermuda or such other jurisdiction in which the Guarantor (or any of its successors under the Guarantee Agreement) may be organized (each, a “taxing jurisdiction”) or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, unless such taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges are required to be withheld or deducted by (i) the laws (or any regulations or ruling promulgated thereunder) of a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or (ii) an official position regarding the application, administration, interpretation or enforcement of any such laws, regulations or rulings (including, without limitation, a holding by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a taxing authority in a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof). If a withholding or deduction at source is required, the Guarantor shall, subject to certain limitations and exceptions set forth below, pay to the Holder of any Debenture such Additional Amounts as may be necessary so that every guarantee payment made to such Holder, after such withholding or deduction, shall not be less than the amount provided for in the Indenture and this Guarantee Agreement to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not be required to make payment of such Additional Amounts for or on account of:

(1) any tax, fee, duty, assessment or governmental charge of whatever nature which would not have been imposed but for the fact that such Holder: (A) was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or otherwise had some connection with the relevant taxing jurisdiction other than by reason of the mere ownership of, or receipt of payment under, such Debenture; (B) presented such Debenture for payment in

 

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the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof, unless such Debenture could not have been presented for payment elsewhere; or (C) presented such Debenture more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the payment in respect of such Debenture first became due and payable or provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts if it had presented such Debenture for payment on any day within such period of thirty (30) days;

(2) any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(3) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by the Holder or the beneficial owner of such Debenture to comply with any reasonable request by the Issuer addressed to the Holder within 90 days of such request (A) to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the Holder or such beneficial owner or (B) to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any information or reporting requirement, which, in the case of (A) or (B), is required or imposed by statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge; or

(4) any combination of items (1), (2) and (3);

nor shall Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any Guarantee Payment to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of the related Debenture, but only to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the relevant taxing jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or relevant taxing authority thereof or therein) to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or partner or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the Holder of such Debenture.

ARTICLE VI

RANKING

SECTION 6.1 Ranking

This Guarantee Agreement will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate in right of payment to Guarantor Senior Indebtedness, it being understood that the terms of Article 16 of the Indenture shall apply to the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement as if (w) such Article 16 were set forth herein in full, (x) such guarantee obligations provided were substituted for the term “Securities” appearing in such Article 16 (y) Guarantor Senior Indebtedness were substituted for the term “Senior Indebtedness” appearing in such Article 16 and (z) the Guarantor were substituted for the term “Company” appearing in such Article 16 and (ii) senior to the Guarantor’s common shares.

 

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SECTION 6.2 Pari Passu Guarantees

This Guarantee Agreement shall rank pari passu with any similar guarantee agreements issued by the Guarantor on behalf of holders of subordinated debentures issued by any entity affiliated with the Guarantor which is a financing vehicle of the Guarantor.

ARTICLE VII

TERMINATION

SECTION 7.1 Termination

This Guarantee shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Debentures and all other amounts then due and payable under the Indenture, or (ii) the full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guarantee Agreement will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder must restore payment of any sums paid with respect to the Debentures or under this Guarantee Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 8.1 Successors and Assigns

All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Debentures then outstanding. Except in connection with a consolidation, merger, or sale involving the Guarantor that is permitted under Article 8 of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee agrees in writing to perform the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, the Guarantor shall not assign its obligations hereunder.

SECTION 8.2 Amendments

Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders in any material respect (in which case no consent of Holders will be required) and any changes to Section 5 hereof, which may only be amended in writing with the prior approval of each Holder, this Guarantee Agreement may only be amended in writing by the parties hereto with the prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures. The provisions of Article 15 of the Indenture concerning meetings of Holders apply to the giving of such approval.

SECTION 8.3 Notices

Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

 

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(a) If given to the Guarantee Trustee, at the Guarantee Trustee’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Guarantor and the Holders):

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

60 Wall Street

MS NYC 60-2515

New York, New York 10005

Attention: [Institutional Trust Services]

(b) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Holders):

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

Renaissance House

8-20 East Broadway

Pembroke HM 19

Bermuda

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy to:

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019

Attention: John S. D’Alimonte, Esq.

(c) If given to the Issuer, in care of the Guarantee Trustee, at the Issuer’s (and the Guarantee Trustee’s) address set forth below or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the Issuer may give notice to the Holders:

RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.

c/o Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.

5080 Spectrum Drive

Suite 900 East

Addison, Texas 75001

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy to:

[

]

[

]

[

]

Attention: Institutional Trust Services

(d) If given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

 

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All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 8.4 Benefit

This Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders and is not separately transferable from the Debentures.

SECTION 8.5 Governing Law

THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN THAT STATE.

SECTION 8.6 Interpretation

In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) capitalized terms used in this Guarantee Agreement, but not defined in the preamble hereto have the respective meanings assigned to them in Section 1.1 or in the Indenture, as the case may be;

(b) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the same meaning throughout;

(c) all references to “the Guarantee Agreement” or “this Guarantee Agreement” are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

(d) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement, unless otherwise specified;

(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when used in this Guarantee Agreement, unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;

(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and

(g) the masculine, feminine, or neuter genders used herein shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders.

SECTION 8.7 Submission to Jurisdiction

The Guarantor agrees that any judicial proceedings instituted in relation to any matter arising under this Guarantee Agreement may be brought in any United States Federal or New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York to the

 

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extent that such court has subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy, and, by execution and delivery of this Guarantee Agreement, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably accepts, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts, acknowledges their competence and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered in such proceeding. The Guarantor also irrevocably and unconditionally waives for the benefit of the Guarantee Trustee and the Holders any immunity from jurisdiction and any immunity from legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in the aid of execution, execution or otherwise) in respect of this Guarantee Agreement. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably designates and appoints, for the benefit of the Guarantee Trustee and the Holders for the term of this Guarantee Agreement, Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc., 5080 Spectrum Drive, Suite 900 East, Addison, Texas, 75001, as its agent to receive on its behalf service of all process (with a copy of all such service of process to be delivered to Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, Attention: John S. D’Alimonte, Esq.) brought against it with respect to any such proceeding in any such court in The City of New York, such service being hereby acknowledged by the Guarantor to be effective and binding service on it in every respect whether or not the Guarantor shall then be doing or shall have at any time done business in New York. Such appointment shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Securities or the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder remain outstanding, or until the appointment of a successor located in New York or Texas by the Guarantor and such successor’s acceptance of such appointment. Upon such acceptance, the Guarantor shall notify the Guarantee Trustee in writing of the name and address of such successor. The Guarantor further agrees for the benefit of the Guarantee Trustee and the Holders to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of said Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc. in full force and effect so long as any of the Debentures or the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be outstanding. The Guarantee Trustee shall not be obligated and shall have no responsibility with respect to any failure by the Guarantor to take any such action. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by any law or limit the right of the Guarantee Trustee or any Holder to institute proceedings against the Guarantor in the courts of any other jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

SECTION 8.8 Judgment Currency

The Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of any guarantee payment (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Guarantee Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the requisite amount of the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Guarantee Agreement to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by

 

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which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Guarantee Agreement. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

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THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

		RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.,
		as Guarantor
		By:
			Name:
			Title:

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
		as Guarantee Trustee
		By:
			Name:
			Title:

 

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FORM OF

JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.

(AS GUARANTOR)

AND

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS

(AS GUARANTEE TRUSTEE)

DATED AS OF

_______ __, 2007

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS		1
SECTION 1.1 Definitions		1
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT		4
SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act: Application		4
SECTION 2.2 List of Holders		5
SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee		5
SECTION 2.4 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent		5
SECTION 2.5 Events of Default; Waiver		5
SECTION 2.6 Event of Default; Notice		5
SECTION 2.7 Conflicting Interests		6
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE		6
SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee		6
SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of the Guarantee Trustee		7
SECTION 3.3 Indemnity		9
ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE		9
SECTION 4.1 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility		9
SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustees		10
ARTICLE V
GUARANTEE		10
SECTION 5.1 Guarantee		10
SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand		11
SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected		11
SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders		12
SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment		12
SECTION 5.6 Subrogation		12

 

 

(i)

 

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SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations		12
SECTION 5.8 Net Payments		12
ARTICLE VI
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; RANKING		14
SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions		14
SECTION 6.2 Ranking		14
SECTION 6.3 Pari Passu Guarantees		15
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION		15
SECTION 7.1 Termination		15
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS		15
SECTION 8.1 Successors and Assigns		15
SECTION 8.2 Amendments		15
SECTION 8.3 Notices		16
SECTION 8.4 Benefit		17
SECTION 8.5 Governing Law		17
SECTION 8.6 Interpretation		17
SECTION 8.7 Submission to Jurisdiction		18
SECTION 8.8 Judgment Currency		19

 

 

(ii)

 

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JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

This JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this “Guarantee Agreement” or this “Guarantee”), dated as of _______ __, 2007, is executed and delivered by RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda company (“RenaissanceRe” or the “Guarantor”), having its principal executive offices at Renaissance House, 8-20 East Broadway, Pembroke HM 19, Bermuda, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation (the “Guarantee Trustee”), having its Corporate Trust Office located at 60 Wall Street, MS NYC 60-2515, New York, New York 10005, for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Debentures (as defined herein) issued by RenaissanceRe Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to a Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of _______ __, 2007 (the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation, as trustee thereunder, the Issuer is issuing $___________ of its unsecured junior subordinated debt securities (the “Debentures”), including, without limitation, Debentures which will be deposited with Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as property trustee (the “Property Trustee”), as trust assets of RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II (the “Trust”) pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement dated as of _______ __, 2007 (the “Trust Agreement”) among RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., as depositor (the “Depositor”), the Property Trustee, [                              ], as Delaware trustee and the Administrative Trustees therein named.

WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders (as defined in the Indenture) to purchase such Debentures, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally, to guarantee the obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by the Property Trustee on behalf of the Trust of the Debentures, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1 Definitions

As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the terms set forth below shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings. Capitalized or otherwise defined terms used, but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture as in effect on the date hereof.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by the terms of the Debentures, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Guarantor in respect of certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified herein and therein and which are owing to such Holders.

 

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“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person; provided, however, that an Affiliate of the Guarantor shall not be deemed to include the Issuer. For the purpose of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Authorized Officer” means, when used with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President, a Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of such Person.

“Capitalized Lease Obligations” means an obligation under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with such principles.

“Debentures” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

“Event of Default” means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment or other obligations under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that, except with respect to a payment default, the Guarantor shall have received notice of default and shall not have cured such default within 90 days after receipt of such notice.

“Guarantee Trustee” means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement and thereafter means each such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

“Guarantor Senior Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness of the Guarantor outstanding at any time, except (a) the Guarantor’s obligations under the Guarantee in respect of the Debentures, (b) Indebtedness as to which, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same, it is provided that such Indebtedness is subordinated to or pari passu with the Guarantor’s obligations under the Guarantee in respect of the Debentures or any other Indebtedness ranking pari passu therewith, (c) Indebtedness of the Guarantor to, or guaranteed on behalf of, a Subsidiary of the Guarantor or any officer, director or employee of the Guarantor or any Subsidiary of the Guarantor, (d) interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding relating to the Guarantor referred to in Section 5.1(7) and Section 5.1(8) of the Indenture unless such interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the Guarantor in a proceeding under federal or state bankruptcy laws, (e) trade accounts payable, (f) the Guarantor’s obligations under the Guarantee in respect of the Debentures issued to (x) the Trust or (y) any other trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Guarantor which is a financing vehicle of the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor in connection with the issuance by such entity of Preferred Securities or other securities which are similar to Preferred Securities that are guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to an instrument that ranks pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Preferred Securities Guarantees and (g) all Preferred Securities

 

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Guarantees and all guarantees similar to the Preferred Securities Guarantees issued by any trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Guarantor which is a financing vehicle of the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.

“Holder” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, (i) the principal of and any premium and interest on (a) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (b) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (ii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations and all obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i) through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit); (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise the amount thereof being deemed to be the lesser of the stated recourse, if limited, and the amount of the obligation or dividends of the other Person; (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; and (vii) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clauses (i) through (vi) above

“Indenture” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

“List of Holders” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).

“Majority in liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities” means, except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Preferred Security Holder(s), voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of the liquidation preference of all then outstanding Preferred Securities issued by the Trust.

“Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers, at least one of which is a principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer, and is delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any Officers’ Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Guarantee shall include:

(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers’ Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

 

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(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by such officer in rendering the Officers’ Certificate;

(c) a statement that such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer’s opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

“Person” means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

“Preferred Securities Holder” shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Trust, of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that, in determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, “Preferred Securities Holder” shall not include the Guarantor, the Depositor, the Guarantee Trustee or any Affiliate of the Guarantor, the Depositor, or the Guarantee Trustee.

“Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee, any officer of the Guarantee Trustee with direct responsibility for administration of this Guarantee Agreement and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Successor Guarantee Trustee” means a successor Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

ARTICLE II

 

TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act: Application

(a) This Guarantee Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Guarantee Agreement and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

(b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Guarantee Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

 

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SECTION 2.2 List of Holders

(a) From and after the date that the Property Trustee is no longer the sole Holder, within 30 days after the receipt by the Guarantor of a request in writing from the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantor shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee a list, in such form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders (“List of Holders”), such List of Holders to be as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such List of Holders is furnished, in each case to the extent such information is in the possession or control of the Guarantor and is not identical to a previously supplied list of Holders or has not otherwise been received by the Guarantee Trustee in its capacity as such. The Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.

(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section 311(a), Section 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee

Within 60 days after _______ 15 of each year commencing with _______ 15, 200_, the Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.4 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent

The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Guarantee Agreement that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate.

SECTION 2.5 Events of Default; Waiver

The Holders of a Majority in liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Property Trustee as a Holder, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist in respect of the Debentures deposited in the Trust, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 2.6 Event of Default; Notice

(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default known to the Guarantee Trustee, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders, notices of all such Events of Default, unless such defaults have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice, provided, except in the case of a default in the payment by the Guarantor of any amount due under this Guarantee Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall be

 

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protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice, or a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee shall have actual knowledge or shall have obtained written notice, of such Event of Default.

SECTION 2.7 Conflicting Interests

The Trust Agreement shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Guarantee Agreement for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

ARTICLE III

 

POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee

(a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(iv) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, upon acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment hereunder, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(b) If an Event of Default hereunder or under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.

(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder or under the Indenture and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred hereunder or under the Indenture (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.5), the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(d) No provision of this Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its negligent failure to act or its own bad faith or willful misconduct, except that:

 

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(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder or under the Indenture and after the curing or waiving of any such Events of Default that may have occurred:

(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee Agreement, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement, and

(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement;

(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

(iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of not less than the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures or a Majority in liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and

(iv) no provision of this Guarantee shall require the Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee Agreement or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of the Guarantee Trustee

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:

(i) The Guarantee Trustee may rely upon, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

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(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate unless otherwise prescribed herein.

(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and rely upon an Officers’ Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.

(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with competent legal counsel, and the written advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Guarantee Agreement from any court of competent jurisdiction.

(v) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(v) shall be taken to relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder or under the Indenture, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement.

(vi) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(vii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys, custodians or nominees, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(viii) Any action taken by the Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders, and the signature of the Guarantee Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action. No third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with

 

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any of the terms and provisions of this Guarantee Agreement, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Guarantee Trustee’s or its agent’s taking such action.

(ix) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request instructions from the holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures or a Majority in liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities, (B) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (C) shall be protected in acting in accordance with such instructions.

(b) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty to act in accordance with such power and authority.

SECTION 3.3 Indemnity

The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the Guarantee Trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Guarantee Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder and including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel. The Guarantee Trustee will not claim or exact any lien or charge on any Guarantee Agreement as a result of any amount due to it under this Guarantee Agreement.

The provisions of this Section 3.3 shall survive the termination of this Guarantee Agreement or the resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee.

ARTICLE IV

 

GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 4.1 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility

(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:

(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor or the Issuer; and

(ii) be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and shall be a corporation meeting the requirements of Section 310(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. If

 

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such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority, then, for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).

(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustees

(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.

(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.

(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee Trustee.

(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Guarantee Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.

ARTICLE V

 

GUARANTEE

SECTION 5.1 Guarantee

The Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest (including any Additional Interest) on, any Additional Amounts, and, if applicable, any Additional Sums with respect to any Debenture held by such Holder, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, in

 

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accordance with the terms of such Debenture and of the Indenture. The Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Guarantee Trustee, on the other hand, the maturity of the Debentures guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 5 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Debentures guaranteed hereby.

SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand

The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Guarantee Agreement and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.

SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected

The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall be as if it were a principal debtor, and not merely a surety, and shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Debentures to be performed or observed by the Issuer;

(b) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Debentures, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;

(c) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;

(d) any invalidity or unenforceability of, or defect or deficiency in, the Debentures; or

(e) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.

There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain the consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

 

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SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders

The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that: (i) this Guarantee Agreement will be deposited with the Guarantee Trustee to be held for the benefit of the Holders; (ii) the Guarantee Trustee has the right to enforce this Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Holders; (iii) the Holders of a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding Debentures have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee Agreement or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and (iv) any Holder may, to the extent permitted by law, institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Guarantee Agreement, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action on this Guarantee Agreement be brought first against the Issuer or any other Person or entity before proceeding directly against the Guarantor.

SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment

This Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not be discharged except by payment in full of all amounts (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer) owed under the Debentures.

SECTION 5.6 Subrogation

The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights, if any, of the Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of applicable law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee Agreement, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee Agreement. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations

The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Debentures, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make all payments with respect to the Debentures pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (e), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.

SECTION 5.8 Net Payments

All payments required to be made hereunder shall be made by the Guarantor without withholding or deduction at source for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the Islands of Bermuda or such other jurisdiction in which the Guarantor (or any of its successors under the Guarantee Agreement) may be organized (each, a “taxing jurisdiction”) or any political

 

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subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, unless such taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges are required to be withheld or deducted by (i) the laws (or any regulations or ruling promulgated thereunder) of a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or (ii) an official position regarding the application, administration, interpretation or enforcement of any such laws, regulations or rulings (including, without limitation, a holding by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a taxing authority in a taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof). If a withholding or deduction at source is required, the Guarantor shall, subject to certain limitations and exceptions set forth below, pay to the Holder of any Debenture such Additional Amounts as may be necessary so that every guarantee payment made to such Holder, after such withholding or deduction, shall not be less than the amount provided for in the Indenture and this Guarantee Agreement to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not be required to make payment of such Additional Amounts for or on account of:

(1) any tax, fee, duty, assessment or governmental charge of whatever nature which would not have been imposed but for the fact that such Holder: (A) was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or otherwise had some connection with the relevant taxing jurisdiction other than by reason of the mere ownership of, or receipt of payment under, such Debenture; (B) presented such Debenture for payment in the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof, unless such Debenture could not have been presented for payment elsewhere; or (C) presented such Debenture more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the payment in respect of such Debenture first became due and payable or provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts if it had presented such Debenture for payment on any day within such period of thirty (30) days;

(2) any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(3) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by the Holder or the beneficial owner of such Debenture to comply with any reasonable request by the Issuer addressed to the Holder within 90 days of such request (A) to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the Holder or such beneficial owner or (B) to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any information or reporting requirement, which, in the case of (A) or (B), is required or imposed by statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge; or

(4) any combination of items (1), (2) and (3);

nor shall Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any Guarantee Payment to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of the related Debenture, but only to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the relevant taxing jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or relevant taxing authority thereof or therein) to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or partner or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a

 

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member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the Holder of such Debenture.

ARTICLE VI

 

LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; RANKING

SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions

The Guarantor hereby covenants and agrees that, so long as any Debentures remain outstanding, it will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the outstanding capital shares of the Guarantor or (b) make any payment of principal of, interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt security of the Guarantor that ranks equal to or junior in interest to the Debentures or the guarantee in respect thereof, as the case may be, or make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Guarantor of the debt securities of any Subsidiary of the Guarantor if such guarantee ranks equal to or junior in interest to the Debentures or the guarantee in respect thereof, as the case may be (other than (i) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants, rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, common shares of the Guarantor, (ii) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholder’s rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (iii) the purchase of fractional shares resulting from a reclassification of the Guarantor’s capital stock, (iv) the exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Guarantor’s (or any Subsidiary’s) capital stock for another class or series of the Guarantor’s (or any Subsidiary’s) capital stock or of any class or series of the Guarantor’s (or any Subsidiary’s) indebtedness, (v) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Guarantor’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged; and (vi) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Guarantor or any subsidiary under any employment agreement or benefit plan for the benefit of the Guarantor’s directors, officers, or employees, or any dividend reinvestment or director, officer or employee stock purchase plan of the Guarantor) if at such time (1) there shall have occurred any event of which the Guarantor has actual knowledge that (A) with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture and (B) in respect of which the Guarantor shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (2) the Guarantor shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under this Guarantee Agreement or (3) the Issuer shall have given notice of election to begin an Extension Period with respect to the Debentures as provided in the Indenture and shall not have rescinded such notice, or such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing.

SECTION 6.2 Ranking

This Guarantee Agreement will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to Guarantor Senior Indebtedness, it being understood that the terms of Article 16 of the Indenture shall apply to the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement as if (x) such Article 16 were set forth herein in full, (y) such guarantee obligations provided were substituted for the term “Securities” appearing in

 

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such Article 16 and (z) the Guarantor were substituted for the term “Company” appearing in such Article 16 and (ii) senior to the Guarantor’s common shares.

SECTION 6.3 Pari Passu Guarantees

This Guarantee Agreement shall rank pari passu with any similar guarantee agreements issued by the Guarantor on behalf of holders of junior subordinated debentures issued by any entity affiliated with the Guarantor which is a financing vehicle of the Guarantor to any other entity affiliated with the Guarantor which is a financing vehicle of the Guarantor in connection with the issuance by such other entity of preferred securities or other securities which are similar to preferred securities, which junior subordinated debentures are guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to an instrument that ranks pari passu in right of payment to this Guarantee Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

 

TERMINATION

SECTION 7.1 Termination

This Guarantee shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Debentures and all other amounts then due and payable under the Indenture, or (ii) the full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Trust Agreement upon liquidation of the Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guarantee Agreement will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder must restore payment of any sums paid with respect to the Debentures or under this Guarantee Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 8.1 Successors and Assigns

All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Debentures then outstanding. Except in connection with a consolidation, merger, or sale involving the Guarantor that is permitted under Article 8 of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee agrees in writing to perform the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, the Guarantor shall not assign its obligations hereunder.

SECTION 8.2 Amendments

Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders in any material respect (in which case no consent of Holders will be required) and any changes to Sections 5 and 6.1 hereof, which may only be amended in writing with the prior approval of each Holder of the Preferred Securities then outstanding, this Guarantee Agreement may only be amended in writing by the parties hereto with the prior approval of the Holders of at least a

 

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Majority in liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities. The provisions of Article 15 of the Indenture concerning meetings of Holders apply to the giving of such approval.

SECTION 8.3 Notices

Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

(a) If given to the Guarantee Trustee, at the Guarantee Trustee’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Guarantor and the Holders):

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

60 Wall Street

MS NYC 60-2515

New York, New York 10005

Attention: [Institutional Trust Services]

(b) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Holders):

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

Renaissance House

8-20 East Broadway

Pembroke HM 19

Bermuda

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy to:

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019

Attention: John S. D’Alimonte, Esq.

(c) If given to the Issuer, in care of the Guarantee Trustee, at the Issuer’s (and the Guarantee Trustee’s) address set forth below or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the Issuer may give notice to the Holders:

RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.

c/o Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.

5080 Spectrum Drive

Suite 900 East

Addison, Texas 75001

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy to:

 

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[

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Attention: Institutional Trust Services

(d) If given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 8.4 Holders of Preferred Securities as Third Party Beneficiaries.

The Guarantor hereby acknowledges that, to the extent specifically set forth herein, the holders of the Preferred Securities of a RenaissanceRe Trust shall expressly be third party beneficiaries of this Guarantee Agreement. The Guarantor further acknowledges that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and is attributable to the failure of the Guarantor to pay the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Debentures, any holder of the Preferred Securities of such RenaissanceRe Trust may institute a Direct Action against the Guarantor.

SECTION 8.5 Benefit

This Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders and is not separately transferable from the Debentures.

SECTION 8.6 Governing Law

THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN THAT STATE.

SECTION 8.7 Interpretation

In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) capitalized terms used in this Guarantee Agreement, but not defined in the preamble hereto have the respective meanings assigned to them in Section 1.1 or in the Indenture, as the case may be;

(b) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the same meaning throughout;

(c) all references to “the Guarantee Agreement” or “this Guarantee Agreement” are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

 

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(d) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement, unless otherwise specified;

(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when used in this Guarantee Agreement, unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;

(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and

(g) the masculine, feminine, or neuter genders used herein shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders.

SECTION 8.8 Submission to Jurisdiction

The Guarantor agrees that any judicial proceedings instituted in relation to any matter arising under this Guarantee Agreement may be brought in any United States Federal or New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York to the extent that such court has subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy, and, by execution and delivery of this Guarantee Agreement, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably accepts, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts, acknowledges their competence and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered in such proceeding. The Guarantor also irrevocably and unconditionally waives for the benefit of the Guarantee Trustee and the Holders any immunity from jurisdiction and any immunity from legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in the aid of execution, execution or otherwise) in respect of this Guarantee Agreement. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably designates and appoints, for the benefit of the Guarantee Trustee and the Holders for the term of this Guarantee Agreement, Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc., 5080 Spectrum Drive, Suite 900 East, Addison, Texas, 75001, as its agent to receive on its behalf service of all process (with a copy of all such service of process to be delivered to Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, Attention: John S. D’Alimonte, Esq.) brought against it with respect to any such proceeding in any such court in The City of New York, such service being hereby acknowledged by the Guarantor to be effective and binding service on it in every respect whether or not the Guarantor shall then be doing or shall have at any time done business in New York. Such appointment shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Securities or the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder remain outstanding, or until the appointment of a successor located in New York or Texas by the Guarantor and such successor’s acceptance of such appointment. Upon such acceptance, the Guarantor shall notify the Guarantee Trustee in writing of the name and address of such successor. The Guarantor further agrees for the benefit of the Guarantee Trustee and the Holders to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of said Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc. in full force and effect so long as any of the Debentures or the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be outstanding. The Guarantee Trustee shall not be obligated and shall have no responsibility with respect to any failure by the Guarantor to take any such action. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by any law or limit the right of the Guarantee Trustee or any Holder to institute proceedings against the Guarantor in the courts of any other jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

 

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SECTION 8.9 Judgment Currency

The Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of any guarantee payment (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Guarantee Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the requisite amount of the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Guarantee Agreement to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Guarantee Agreement. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

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THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

		RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.,
		as Guarantor
		By:
			Name: Title:

 

 

		DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
		as Guarantee Trustee
		By:
			Name: Title:

 

 

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7 June, 2007

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
Renaissance House
8 – 20 East Broadway
Pembroke HM 19
Bermuda

Dear Sirs

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (the ‘‘Company’’)

We have acted as special legal counsel in Bermuda to the Company in connection with the filing by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘‘Securities Act’’) of a registration statement on Form S-3 to which this is an exhibit (the ‘‘Registration Statement’’) in relation to the shelf registration of common shares of the Company (‘‘Common Shares’’), preference shares of the Company (‘‘Preference Shares’’ and, together with the Common Shares, ‘‘Equity Securities’’, which term includes any common shares or preference shares to be issued pursuant to the conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Securities), depositary receipts to be issued by a depository to be selected in respect of fractions of Common Shares or of Preference Shares (‘‘Depositary Shares’&rs quo;), senior debt securities (‘‘Senior Debt Securities’’), subordinated debt securities (‘‘Subordinated Debt Securities’’), junior subordinated debt securities (‘‘Junior Subordinated Debt Securities’’ and, together with Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities, the ‘‘Debt Securities’’), warrants to purchase Common Shares or Preference Shares or Debt Securities (the ‘‘Warrants’’), share purchase contracts (the ‘‘Contracts’’), share purchase units (‘‘Units’’) of the Company (collectively, the Common Shares, Preference Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Contracts and Units are the ‘‘Securities’’), and guarantees of (i) RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II’s preferred securities and (ii) senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities and/or junior subordinated debt securities contemplated to be issued by RenaissanceRe Finance Inc. and/or Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc. (collectively, the ‘‘Guarantees’’).

For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined an electronic copy of the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits and the documents incorporated by reference therein).

We have also reviewed the memorandum of association and the amended and restated bye-laws of the Company (the ‘‘Constitutional Documents’’), each certified by the Secretary of

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd
Page 2

the Company on 31 May, 2007, copies of minutes of meetings of the board of directors of the Company (the ‘‘Board’’) held on 7 and 8 August, 2006 as certified by the Secretary of the Company on 31 May, 2007 (together, the ‘‘Minutes’’) and such other documents and made such enquiries as to questions of law as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth below.

We have assumed (a) the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures and the conformity to the originals of all copies (whether or not certified) examined by us and the authenticity and completeness of the originals from which such copies were taken, (b) that where a document has been examined by us in draft form, it will be or has been executed and/or filed in the form of that draft, and where a number of drafts of a document have been examined by us all changes thereto have been marked or otherwise drawn to our attention, (c) the accuracy and completeness of all factual representations made in the Registration Statement and other documents reviewed by us, (d) that the resolutions contained in the Minutes were passed at one or more duly convened, constituted and quorate meetings, or by unanimous written resolutions, remain in full force and effect and have not been, and will not be, rescinded or amended, (e) that the Company will issue the Securities and the Guarantees in furtherance of its objects as set out in its memorandum of association, (f) that the Constitutional Documents will not be amended in any manner that would affect the opinions expressed herein, (g) that there is no provision of the law of any jurisdiction, other than Bermuda, which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein, (h) that the Company will have sufficient authorised capital to effect the issue of any of the Equity Securities at the time of issuance, whether as a principal issue or on the conversion, exchange or exercise of any Securities, (i) that the Company’s shares will be listed on an appointed stock exchange, as defined in the Companies Act 1981, as amended (the ‘‘Companies Act’’), and the consent to the issue and free transfer of the Securities given by the Bermuda Monetary Authority as of 7 July, 2000 will not have been revoked or amended at the time of issuance of any Securities, (j) that the form and terms of any Guar antees and any and all Securities (including, without limitation, the designation, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of Preference Shares) or other securities (or other obligations, rights, currencies, commodities or other subject matter) comprising the same or subject thereto (in the case of the Warrants and Units), the issuance and (except with respect to the Guarantees) the sale thereof by the Company, and the Company’s incurrence and performance of its obligations thereunder or in respect thereof (including, without limitation, its obligations under any related agreement, indenture or supplement thereto) in accordance with the terms thereof will not violate the Constitutional Documents nor any applicable law, regulation, order or decree in Bermuda, (k) that all necessary corporate action will be taken to authorise and approve any issuance of the Guarantees and that the Guarantees will be duly authorised, executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company a nd all other parties thereto, (l) that all necessary corporate action will be taken to authorise and approve any issuance of the Securities (including, if Preference Shares are to be issued, all necessary corporate action to establish one or more series of Preference Shares and fix the designation, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof), the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, and that the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement and, if Debt Securities are to be issued, the applicable indenture and any applicable supplements thereto, will be duly approved, executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company and all other parties thereto, (m) that the applicable Guarantees, purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, any Debt Security, any indenture and any supplement thereto and any other

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd
Page 3

agreement or other document relating to the Guarantees or any Security will be valid and binding in accordance with its terms pursuant to its governing law; (n) that the issuance and sale of and payment for the Securities will be in accordance with the applicable purchase, underwriting or similar agreement duly approved by the Board, the Registration Statement (including the prospectus set forth therein and any applicable supplement thereto) and, if Debt Securities are to be issued, the applicable indenture and any applicable supplements thereto, (o) that, upon the issue of any Equity Securities, the Company will receive consideration for the full issue price thereof which shall be equal to at least the par value thereof, (p) that the Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Part III of the Companies Act entitled ‘‘Prospectuses and Public Offers’’, (q) the capacity, power and authority of all parties other t han the Company to enter into and perform their obligations under any and all documents entered into by such parties in connection with the issuance of the Guarantees and/or the Securities, and the due execution and delivery thereof by each party thereto, (r) that none of the parties to such documents, other than the Company, carries on business from premises in Bermuda, at which it employs staff and pays salaries and other expenses.

The obligations of the Company in connection with any Guarantee, Security and any indenture or other agreement or document relating thereto (a) will be subject to the laws from time to time in effect relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, possessory liens, rights of set off, reorganisation, amalgamation, moratorium or any other laws or legal procedures, whether of a similar nature or otherwise, generally affecting the rights of creditors, (b) will be subject to statutory limitation of the time within which proceedings may be brought, (c) will be subject to general principles of equity and, as such, specific performance and injunctive relief, being equitable remedies, may not be available, (d) may not be given effect to by a Bermuda court if and to the extent they constitute the payment of an amount which is in the nature of a penalty and not in the nature of liquidated damages and (e) may not be given effect by a Bermuda court to the extent that they a re to be performed in a jurisdiction outside Bermuda and such performance would be illegal under the laws of that jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any contractual submission to the jurisdiction of specific courts, a Bermuda court has inherent discretion to stay or allow proceedings in the Bermuda courts.

We have made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than Bermuda. This opinion is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Bermuda and is limited to and is given on the basis of the current law and practice in Bermuda. This opinion is issued solely for the purpose of the filing of the Registration Statement and is not to be relied upon in respect of any other matter.

On the basis of and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

1.	The Company is duly incorporated and existing under the laws of Bermuda in good standing (meaning solely that it has not failed to make any filing with any Bermuda governmental authority or to pay any Bermuda government fee or tax which would make it liable to be struck off the Register of Companies and thereby cease to exist under the laws of Bermuda).

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd
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2.	Upon the due issuance of Common Shares and/or Preference Shares and payment of the consideration therefor, such Common Shares and/or Preference Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (which term means when used herein that no further sums are required to be paid by the holders thereof in connection with the issue of such shares).

3.

Upon the due issuance of: (a) Senior Debt Securities of any series; (b) Subordinated Debt Securities of any series; (c) Junior Subordinated Debt Securities of any series; (d) Warrants; and/or (e) Units, and payment of the consideration therefor, and (f) the Guarantees, such Securities and the Guarantees will be validly issued and (except in the case of any Equity Securities forming part of a Unit) will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company in accordance with the terms thereof.

4.	The statements in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement under the captions ‘‘Description of our Capital Shares’’, ‘‘Certain Tax Considerations’’ and ‘‘Enforcement of Civil Liabilities under United States Federal Securities Laws’’, insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the laws of Bermuda referred to therein, are accurate and correct in all material respects.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to this Firm in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Yours faithfully

/s/ Conyers Dill & Pearman

CONYERS DILL & PEARMAN

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June 7, 2007

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

Renaissance House

8-20 East Broadway

Pembroke HM 19, Bermuda

RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.

c/o Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.

5080 Spectrum Drive, Suite 900 East

Addison, TX 75001

Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.

5080 Spectrum Drive, Suite 900 East

Addison, TX 75001

RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware

1011 Centre Rd., Suite 200

Wilmington, DE 19805-1266

Re:	RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. RenaissanceRe Finance Inc. Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc. RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II Registration Statement on Form S-3

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda company (the “Company”), RenaissanceRe Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation (“RenaissanceRe Finance”), Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (“GUSH”), and RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II, a Delaware statutory business trust (the “Capital Trust”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) registering up to $750,000,000 of securities of the Company, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and the Capital Trust, consisting of: senior, subordinated and junior subordinated debt securities of the Company (collectively, the “Company Debt Securities”), senior, subordinated and junior subordinated debt securities of RenaissanceRe Finance and/or GUSH (collectively, the “Subsidiary Debt Securities” and, together with the Company Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”); the Company’s Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share

 

 

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.
Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.
RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II
June 7, 2007
Page 2

 

(the “Common Shares”); the Company’s Preference Shares, par value $1.00 per share (the “Preference Shares”); depositary shares representing fractional interests in the Common Shares and Preference Shares (the “Depositary Shares”); warrants to purchase Common Shares (the “Common Share Warrants”), warrants to purchase Preference Shares (the “Preference Share Warrants”), warrants to purchase Debt Securities (the “Debt Warrants,” and together with the Common Share Warrants and Preference Share Warrants, the “Warrants”); Share Purchase Contracts (the “Share Purchase Contracts”); Share Purchase Units (the “Share Purchase Units”); preferred securities of the Capital Trust (the “Trust Preferred Securities”); and the Company’s guarantees of the Subsidiary Debt Securities (the “Debt Securities Guarantees”) and of the Trust Preferred Securities (the “Trust Preferred Guarantees”). The Debt Securities, Common Shares, Preference Shares, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Trust Preferred Securities, Share Purchase Contracts, Share Purchase Units, Debt Securities Guarantees and Trust Preferred Guarantees are herein referred to collectively as the “Securities.” The Securities may be issued and sold from time to time after the Registration Statement, to which this opinion is an exhibit, becomes effective. The prospectus (the “Prospectus”) included in the Registration Statement relates to an aggregate of up to $750,000,000 of Securities. The terms used herein, unless otherwise defined, have the meanings assigned to them in the Registration Statement.

The Company Debt Securities may be issued by the Company under (i) a Senior Indenture between the Company, as Issuer, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (the “Company Senior Indenture”), (ii) a Subordinated Indenture between the Company, as Issuer, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (the “Company Subordinated Indenture”) or (iii) a Junior Subordinated Indenture between the Company, as Issuer, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (the “Company Junior Subordinated Indenture” and, together with the Company Senior Indenture and the Company Subordinated Indenture, the “Company Indentures”). Certain terms of the Company Debt Securities will be established by or pursuant to resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company as part of the corporate action taken and to be taken relating to the issuance of the Company Debt Securities.

The Subsidiary Debt Securities may be issued by RenaissanceRe Finance and/or GUSH under (i) a Senior Indenture among RenaissanceRe Finance or GUSH (as applicable), as Issuer, the Company, as Guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (the “Subsidiary Senior Indenture”), (ii) a Subordinated Indenture among RenaissanceRe Finance or GUSH (as applicable), as Issuer, the Company, as Guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (the “Subsidiary Subordinated Indenture”) or (iii) a Junior Subordinated Indenture among RenaissanceRe Finance or GUSH (as applicable), as Issuer, the Company, as Guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (the “Subsidiary Junior Subordinated Indenture” and, together with the Subsidiary Senior Indenture and the Subsidiary Subordinated Indenture, the “Subsidiary Indentures”). Each Debt Securities Guarantee may be issued by the Company pursuant to a senior, subordinated or junior subordinated debt securities guarantee agreement between the Company, as Guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (a “Debt Securities Guarantee

 

 

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.
Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.
RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II
June 7, 2007
Page 3

 

Agreement”). Certain terms of the Subsidiary Debt Securities will be established by or pursuant to resolutions of the Boards of Directors of the Company and of RenaissanceRe Finance or GUSH, as applicable, as part of the corporate action to be taken relating to the issuance of the Subsidiary Debt Securities.

The Warrants may be issued pursuant to the terms of one or more warrant agreements (the “Warrant Agreements”) to be entered into prior to the issuance of the Warrants, with certain terms of the Warrants to be established by or pursuant to resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company as part of the corporate action taken and to be taken relating to the issuance of the Warrants.

The Trust Preferred Securities may be issued by the Trust pursuant to the terms of (i) an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement among the Company, as Depositor, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Property Trustee, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware, as Delaware Trustee (the “Trust Agreement”), and the related Trust Preferred Guarantee may be issued by the Company pursuant to a Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement among the Company, as Guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Guarantee Trustee (the “Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement”), in each case to be entered into prior to the issuance of the Trust Preferred Securities, with certain terms of the Trust Preferred Securities and the Trust Preferred Guarantees to be established by or pursuant to actions taken by the Capital Trust or resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company as part of the actions to be taken relating to the issuance of the Trust Preferred Securities and the Trust Preferred Guarantees.

In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have examined and are familiar with (i) the Registration Statement to which this opinion will be filed as an exhibit, (ii) the form of Company Senior Indenture attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (iii) the form of Subsidiary Senior Indenture attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (iv) the form of Company Subordinated Indenture attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (v) the form of Subsidiary Subordinated Indenture attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (vi) the form of Company Junior Subordinated Indenture attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (vii) the form of Subsidiary Junior Subordinated Indenture attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (viii) the Certificate of Trust of the Capital Trust, dated as of January 5, 2001, incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (ix) the Trust Agreement, dated as of January 5, 2001 of the Capital Trust, among the Company, as Depositor, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Property Trustee, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware, as Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein, incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (x) the form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Agreement, (xii) the form of the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Agreement, (xiii) the form of Senior Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (xiv) the form of Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement attached as an exhibit to the Registration

 

 

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.
Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.
RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II
June 7, 2007
Page 4

 

Statement and (xv) the form of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

We have also examined such other documents and instruments and have made such further investigations as we have deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with this opinion. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as certified copies or photocopies. In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have relied on factual representations by officials of the Company, RenaissanceRe Finance, GUSH and the Capital Trust and statements of fact contained in the documents we have examined.

A. Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the qualifications expressed below, and having regard for legal considerations we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:

(i)

Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto of the Company Senior Indenture, the Company Subordinated Indenture or the Company Junior Subordinated Indenture, as the case may be, the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act, the qualification of the Company Senior Indenture, the Company Subordinated Indenture or the Company Junior Subordinated Indenture, as the case may be, under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the compliance with the “blue sky” laws of certain states, and the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto of each amendment of or supplement to the Company Senior Indenture, the Company Subordinated Indenture or the Company Junior Subordinated Indenture, as the case may be (each such Indenture, as so amended or supplemented, being referred to in this paragraph as a “Company Indenture,” and the trustee under any Company Indenture being referred to in this paragraph as a “Trustee”), that any equity securities which may underlie any convertible Company Debt Securities will be duly and validly authorized and reserved for issuance, and that the relevant Company Indenture will be consistent with the form thereof filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement: the Company Debt Securities will be duly and validly authorized and, when the Company Debt Securities are duly executed by the Company, authenticated by the relevant Trustee and sold and delivered at the price and in accordance with the terms set forth in the Registration Statement, the supplement or supplements to the Prospectus included therein and the relevant Company Indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, the Company Debt Securities will be valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits of the relevant Company Indenture.

(ii)

Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by RenaissanceRe Finance or GUSH, as applicable, and the parties thereto of the Subsidiary Senior Indenture, the Subsidiary Subordinated Indenture or the Subsidiary Junior Subordinated Indenture, as the case may be, the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act, the

 

 

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.
Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.
RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II
June 7, 2007
Page 5

 

qualification of the Subsidiary Senior Indenture, the Subsidiary Subordinated Indenture or the Subsidiary Junior Subordinated Indenture, as the case may be, under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the compliance with the “blue sky” laws of certain states, and the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto of each amendment of or supplement to the Subsidiary Senior Indenture, the Subsidiary Subordinated Indenture or the Subsidiary Junior Subordinated Indenture, as the case may be (each such Indenture, as so amended or supplemented, being referred to in this paragraph as a “Subsidiary Indenture,” and the trustee under any Subsidiary Indenture being referred to in this paragraph as a “Trustee”), that any equity securities which may underlie any convertible Subsidiary Debt Securities will be duly and validly authorized and reserved for issuance, and that the relevant Subsidiary Indenture will be consistent with the form thereof filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement: the Subsidiary Debt Securities will be duly and validly authorized and, when the Subsidiary Debt Securities are duly executed by RenaissanceRe Finance or GUSH, as applicable, authenticated by the relevant Trustee and sold and delivered at the price and in accordance with the terms set forth in the Registration Statement, the supplement or supplements to the Prospectus included therein and the relevant Subsidiary Indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, the Subsidiary Debt Securities will be valid and binding obligations of RenaissanceRe Finance or GUSH, as applicable, and enforceable against RenaissanceRe Finance or GUSH, as applicable, in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits of the relevant Subsidiary Indenture.

(iii)

Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto of a Deposit Agreement relating to Depositary Shares, and each amendment thereof or supplement thereto (each such Deposit Agreement, as so amended or supplemented, being referred to in this paragraph as a “Deposit Agreement”), the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act, the compliance with the “blue sky” laws of certain states, that any Common Shares or Preference Shares deposited pursuant to the Deposit Agreement will be duly authorized and validly issued, that the relevant Deposit Agreement is consistent with the summary description thereof set forth in the Registration Statement, and that the Common Shares or Preference Shares underlying such Depositary Shares will be deposited under the applicable Deposit Agreement with a bank or trust company which meets the requirements for the Depositary set forth in the Registration Statement or in the supplement or supplements to the Prospectus included therein: (a) the Deposit Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, and (b) the Depositary Shares will be duly and validly authorized and, when the depositary receipts evidencing rights in the Depositary Shares are duly executed by the relevant Depositary and registered, and the Depositary Shares sold and delivered at the price and in accordance with the terms set forth in the Registration Statement, the supplement or supplements to the Prospectus included therein and the Deposit Agreement and the

 

 

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.
Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.
RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II
June 7, 2007
Page 6

 

applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, will be validly issued and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the Deposit Agreement and the depositary receipts evidencing rights therein.

(iv)

Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto of the Warrant Agreement, and each amendment of or supplement to the Warrant Agreement, as the case may be (any such Warrant Agreement, as so amended or supplemented, being referred to in this paragraph as a “Warrant Agreement”), the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act, the compliance with the “blue sky” laws of certain states, that the relevant Warrant Agreement is consistent with the summary description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, and that any Common Shares, Preference Shares or Debt Securities underlying the relevant Warrant Agreement are duly authorized and validly issued: the Warrants will be duly and validly authorized and, when the Warrants are duly executed by the Company and sold and delivered at the price and in accordance with the terms set forth in the Registration Statement, the supplement or supplements to the Prospectus included therein and the relevant Warrant Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, the Warrants will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the relevant Warrant Agreement.

(v)

Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto of a Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement relating to the Trust Preferred Securities and each amendment thereof or supplement thereto (any such Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement, as so amended or supplemented, being referred to in this paragraph as a “Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement”), the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act, the compliance with the “blue sky” laws of certain states, and that the relevant Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement will be consistent with the form thereof incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement: when the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement is duly executed and delivered in connection with the sale of the Trust Preferred Securities in accordance with the assumptions set forth in paragraph A.(vii) below, the Trust Preferred Guarantee embodied therein will be a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

(vi)

Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto of a Share Purchase Contract and each amendment thereof or supplement thereto (any such Share Purchase Contract, as so amended or supplemented, being referred to in this paragraph as a “Share Purchase Contract”), the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act, the compliance with the “blue sky” laws of certain states, that the relevant Share Purchase Contract is consistent with the summary description thereof set forth in the Registration Statement, and that any Common Shares or Preference Shares underlying the relevant Share Purchase Contract are duly authorized and validly issued: the Share Purchase Contract, when duly executed and delivered, will be a legal and valid obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, and the

 

 

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.
Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.
RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II
June 7, 2007
Page 7

 

interests therein, when duly sold and delivered at the price and in accordance with the terms set forth in the Registration Statement, the supplement or supplements to the Prospectus included therein and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits provided by the Share Purchase Contract.

(vii)

Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto of a Share Purchase Contract and the applicable pledge agreement related to a Share Purchase Unit and each amendment thereof or supplement thereto (any such Share Purchase Contract together with the applicable pledge agreement, as so amended or supplemented, being referred to in this paragraph as a “Share Purchase Unit”), the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act, the compliance with the “blue sky” laws of certain states, that the relevant Share Purchase Unit is consistent with the summary description thereof set forth in the Registration Statement, and that any Common Shares or Preference Shares underlying the relevant Share Purchase Contract, and any Debt Securities, Trust Preferred Securities or debt obligations of third parties issued as security for the relevant Share Purchase Unit are duly authorized and validly issued: the Share Purchase Unit, when the related Share Purchase Contract and the applicable pledge agreement are duly executed and delivered, will be a legal and valid obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, and the interests therein, when duly sold and delivered at the price and in accordance with the terms set forth in the Registration Statement, the supplement or supplements to the Prospectus included therein and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits provided by the Share Purchase Unit.

(viii)

Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto of the Company Junior Subordinated Indenture or the Subsidiary Junior Subordinated Indenture, as applicable, the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto of the Trust Agreement, the due execution and delivery by the parties thereto of each amendment of or supplement to the Trust Agreement (as so amended or supplemented, being referred to in this paragraph as the “Trust Agreement”) or the applicable Junior Subordinated Indenture (as so amended or supplemented, being referred to in this paragraph as the “Applicable Junior Subordinated Indenture”), as the case may be (the trustees under any such instruments being referred to in this paragraph as “Trustees”), the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act, the qualification of the Applicable Junior Subordinated Indenture and the Trust Agreement, as the case may be, under the Trust Indenture Act, the compliance with the “blue sky” laws of certain states, and that the relevant Trust Agreement is consistent with the form thereof incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and the relevant Applicable Junior Subordinated Indenture is consistent with the form thereof filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement: when the Trust Preferred Securities are

 

 

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.
Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.
RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II
June 7, 2007
Page 8

 

duly executed by the Capital Trust, authenticated by the relevant Trustee and sold and delivered at the price and in accordance with the terms set forth in the Registration Statement, the supplement or supplements to the Prospectus included therein, the Trust Agreement and the Applicable Junior Subordinated Indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, the Trust Preferred Securities will represent valid and (subject to the provisions of the Trust Agreement providing that the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities may be obligated to make payments under certain circumstances), fully paid and nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Capital Trust.

(ix)

Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto of a Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement relating to the Subsidiary Debt Securities and each amendment thereof or supplement thereto (any such Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement, as so amended or supplemented, being referred to in this paragraph as a “Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement”), the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act, the compliance with the “blue sky” laws of certain states, and that the relevant Debt Securities Guarantee Agreement will be consistent with the form thereof filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement: when the Debt Securities Agreement is duly executed and delivered in connection with the sale of the Subsidiary Debt Securities in accordance with the assumptions set forth in paragraph A. (ii) above, the Debt Securities Guarantee embodied therein will be a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

B. The opinions expressed herein are subject to the following assumptions, qualifications and exceptions:

(i)

We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Business Trusts Act of the State of Delaware and the federal laws of the United States of America. Insofar as the opinions expressed herein relate to or depend upon matters governed by the laws of the Islands of Bermuda, we have relied upon the opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman dated the date hereof, which is being filed as exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.

(ii)

Enforcement of any contract or agreement or of any security or other instrument issued thereunder may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law), including principles of commercial reasonableness or conscionability and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, which principles of equity are of general application, and, when applied by a court, might cause such court to, among other things, (A) not allow a creditor to accelerate the maturity of a debt or terminate a forbearance period relating to a debt, or to realize upon any security for the payment of such debt, upon the occurrence of a default deemed

 

 

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.
Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.
RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II
June 7, 2007
Page 9

 

immaterial or (B) include a requirement that a creditor or other holder act with reasonableness and good faith.

(iii)

Certain of the remedial provisions, including waivers, with respect to the exercise of remedies contained in any contract or agreement or security or instrument referenced above are or may be unenforceable in whole or in part, but the inclusion of such provisions does not affect the validity of any such contract or agreement, taken as a whole.

(iv)	Insofar as any contract or agreement or security or instrument referenced above provides for indemnification or contribution or waivers of rights or defenses, enforcement thereof may be limited by public policy considerations or other applicable law.

(v)

We express no opinion as to provisions of any contract or agreement or security or instrument insofar as such provisions relate to: (1) the subject matter jurisdiction of the courts specified therein, if any, to adjudicate any controversy related to such contract or agreement, (2) any waiver of jury trial contained therein, (3) any right of set-off or provision for liquidated damages, (4) any limitations on the effectiveness of oral amendments, modifications, consents and waivers, and (5) any waiver of objection to venue set forth therein with respect to proceedings in the courts specified therein.

The opinions expressed herein are given as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update (including with respect to any action which may be required in the future to perfect or continue the perfection of any security interest) or supplement such opinions or views to reflect any fact or circumstance that may hereafter come to our attention or any change in law that may hereafter occur or hereinafter become effective. Upon finalization of the terms of any contract or agreement or security or instrument referenced above which was not been executed as of the date hereof, additional assumptions, qualifications and exceptions may be applicable in any future opinion addressing such contract or agreement or security or instrument.

We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Opinions” in the Prospectus. In giving the foregoing consents, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

 

			Very truly yours,
			/s/ Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
			WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER LLP

 

 

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June 7, 2007

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

Renaissance House

8-20 East Broadway

Pembroke HM 19, Bermuda

RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.

c/o Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.

5080 Spectrum Drive, Suite 900 East

Addison, TX 75001

Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.

5080 Spectrum Drive, Suite 900 East

Addison, TX 75001

RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware

1011 Centre Rd., Suite 200

Wilmington, DE 19805-1266

 

Re:	RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.

Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.

RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II

Registration Statement on Form S-3

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda company (the “Company”), RenaissanceRe Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation (“RenaissanceRe Finance”), Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (“GUSH”), and RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II, a Delaware statutory business trust (the “Capital Trust”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) registering up to $750,000,000 of securities of the Company, RenaissanceRe Finance, Glencoe and the Capital Trust, consisting of: senior, subordinated and junior subordinated debt securities of the Company (collectively, the “Company Debt Securities”), senior, subordinated and junior subordinated debt securities of RenaissanceRe Finance and/or GUSH (collectively, the “Subsidiary Debt Securities” and, together with the Company Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”); the Company’s Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Shares”); the Company’s Preference Shares, par value $1.00 per share (the “Preference Shares”); depositary shares representing fractional interests in the Common Shares and Preference Shares (the “Depositary Shares”); warrants to purchase Common Shares (the “Common Share Warrants”), warrants to purchase Preference Shares (the “Preference Share

 

 

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
RenaissanceRe Finance Inc.
Glencoe U.S. Holdings Inc.
RenaissanceRe Capital Trust II
June 7, 2007
Page 3

 

Warrants”), warrants to purchase Debt Securities (the “Debt Warrants,” and together with the Common Share Warrants and Preference Share Warrants, the “Warrants”); Share Purchase Contracts (the “Share Purchase Contracts”); Share Purchase Units (the “Share Purchase Units”); preferred securities of the Capital Trust (the “Trust Preferred Securities”); and the Company’s guarantees of the Subsidiary Debt Securities (the “Debt Securities Guarantees”) and of the Trust Preferred Securities (the “Trust Preferred Guarantees”). The Debt Securities, Common Shares, Preference Shares, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Trust Preferred Securities, Share Purchase Contracts, Share Purchase Units, Debt Securities Guarantees and Trust Preferred Guarantees are herein referred to collectively as the “Securities.” The Securities may be issued and sold from time to time after the Registration Statement, to which this opinion is an exhibit, becomes effective. The prospectus (the “Prospectus”) included in the Registration Statement relates to an aggregate of up to $750,000,000 of Securities. The terms used herein, unless otherwise defined, have the meanings assigned to them in the Registration Statement.

We have reviewed the Registration Statement and have considered such aspects of United States law as we have deemed relevant for purposes of the opinion set forth below. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and to the conditions and limitations contained in the discussion in the Registration Statement, (i) we are of the opinion that the discussion in the Registration Statement under the heading “Certain Tax Considerations—Taxation of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., Renaissance Reinsurance, Top Layer Re, DaVinci and Glencoe Insurance—United States” and “—Taxation of Shareholders—United States Taxation of U.S. Shareholders” addresses all material U.S. Federal income tax considerations affecting the Company and holders of Common Shares (other than those tax considerations that depend on circumstances specific to such holders) and the statements of law contained therein are accurate in all material respects, and (ii) such discussion is our opinion with respect to the matters of law referred to therein.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement referred to above and to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Certain Tax Considerations” and “Legal Opinions” in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER LLP

 

 

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RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

STATEMENT REGARDING RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE SHARE DIVIDENDS

			3 MONTHS
			ENDED
			MARCH 31,		FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(in thousands)			2007		2006		2005		2004		2003		2002
Net income (loss)			$     190,805		$     761,635		$    (281,413)		$     133,108		$     605,992		$     342,879
Add back:	Income taxes		107		935		-		4,003		(18)		(115)
	Minority interest		29,107		144,159		(156,449)		(41,420)		72,014		55,051
	Fixed charges and preference share dividends		23,476		74,453		64,301		57,835		45,049		33,301
	Distributed earnings from equity method investees		-		12,467		17,241		24,452		22,395		9,662
Less:	Undistributed earnings from equity method investees		(10,701)		(34,528)		(28,259)		(31,081)		(21,167)		(22,339)
Earnings available for fixed charges and preference share dividends			$     232,794		$     959,121		$    (384,579)		$     146,897		$     724,265		$     418,439
Fixed charges and preference share dividends
Interest expensed			$       11,979		$       37,602		$       28,218		$       25,968		$       18,252		$       13,069
Estimated interest within rental expense			361		1,376		1,433		733		526		443
Preference share dividends			11,136		35,475		34,650		31,134		18,801		12,184
Trust preferred minority interest			-		-		-		-		7,470		7,605
Total fixed charges and preference share dividends			$       23,476		$       74,453		$       64,301		$       57,835		$       45,049		$       33,301
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges			18.86		24.61		(12.97)		5.50		27.59		19.82
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference share dividends			9.92		12.88		(5.98)		2.54		16.08		12.57

GLENCOE U.S. HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENT REGARDING RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
			3 MONTHS
			ENDED
			MARCH 31,		FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(in thousands)			2007		2006		2005		2004		2003		2002
Net income (loss)			$        3,031		$       16,815		$       12,245		$      (12,857)		$       (9,738)		$      (13,946)
Add back:	Income taxes		107		893		-		4,003		(18)		(115)
	Minority interest		-		(151)		(50)		(189)		(200)		(212)
	Fixed charges		75		239		184		107		299		802
Earnings available for fixed charges			$        3,213		$       17,796		$       12,379		$       (8,936)		$       (9,657)		$      (13,471)
Fixed charges
Interest expensed			$               -		$                -		$               -		$               -		$           224		$           713
Estimated interest within   rental expense			75		239		184		107		75		89
Total fixed charges			$             75		$           239		$           184		$           107		$           299		$           802
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges			42.88		74.33		67.19		(83.84)		(32.32)		(16.79)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Registration Statement and related Prospectus of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. for the registration of $750,000,000 of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, guarantees and other securities registered thereon and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 28, 2007, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries, RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young

Hamilton, Bermuda

June 1, 2007