<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2000.
Registration No. 333-___
Registration No. 333-___
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II
(Exact Name of Co-Registrants as Specified in Charters)
Illinois 36-3873352 Delaware Applied for
(State or Other (I.R.S. Employer (State or Other (I.R.S. Employer
Jurisdiction of Identification Jurisdiction of Identification
Incorporation or Number) Incorporation or Number)
Organization) Organization)
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1951
(847) 615-4096
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
of Co-Registrants' Principal Executive Offices)
David A. Dykstra
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1951
(847) 615-4096
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
of Agent for Service for Co-Registrants)
Copies to:
Jennifer R. Evans, Esq. Harold R. Burroughs, Esq.
Jennifer D. King, Esq. Bryan Cave LLP
Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz One Metropolitan Square
222 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2600 211 North Broadway, Suite 3600
Chicago, Illinois 60601 St. Louis, Missouri 63102-2750
(312) 609-7500 (314) 259-2000
Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public: As soon as
practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [_]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [_]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
======================================================================================================================
Proposed Proposed
Amount Maximum Maximum Amount of
Title of Each Class of To be Offering Aggregate Registration
Securities to be Registered Registered/(1)/ Price per Unit Offering Price Fee/(2)/
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
___ % Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities
of Wintrust Capital Trust II............. 2,000,000 $10.00 $20,000,000 $5,280
___ % Junior Subordinated Debentures due
2030 of Wintrust Financial
Corporation/(3)(4)/
Guarantee of Preferred Securities/(3)(5)/
=======================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) Includes 200,000 of preferred securities which may be sold by Wintrust
Capital Trust II to cover over-allotments.
(2) The registration fee is calculated in accordance with Rule 457(i) and (n).
(3) This Registration Statement is deemed to cover the ___% Junior Subordinated
Debentures due 2030 of Wintrust Financial Corporation, the rights of holders
of ___% Junior Subordinated Debentures of Wintrust Financial Corporation
under the Indenture, and the rights of holders of the Preferred Securities
under the Trust Agreement, the Guarantee and the Expense Agreement entered
into by Wintrust Financial Corporation.
(4) The ___% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2030 will be purchased by
Wintrust Capital Trust II with the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred
Securities. Such securities may later be distributed for no additional
consideration to the holders of the Preferred Securities of Wintrust Capital
Trust II upon its dissolution and the distribution of its assets.
(5) No separate consideration will be received for this Guarantee.
THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a)
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may
not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 22, 2000
PROSPECTUS
1,800,000 Preferred Securities
WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II
___ % Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities
(Liquidation Amount $10 Per Preferred Security)
Fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed
on a subordinated basis, as described in this prospectus, by
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
___________________
The preferred securities represent undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of Wintrust Capital Trust II. The trust will invest all of the proceeds
of this offering of preferred securities to purchase ___% junior subordinated
debentures due 2030 of Wintrust Financial Corporation.
For each of the preferred securities that you own, you will receive
cumulative cash distributions at an annual rate of ___% on March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 31 of each year, beginning September 30, 2000, from
payments on the debentures. We may defer payments of distributions at any time
for up to 20 consecutive quarters. The preferred securities are effectively
subordinated to all senior and subordinated indebtedness of Wintrust and its
subsidiaries. The debentures mature and the preferred securities must be
redeemed by June 30, 2030. The trust may redeem the preferred securities, at a
redemption price of $10 per preferred security plus accrued and unpaid
distributions, at any time on or after June 30, 2005, or earlier under
circumstances specified in this prospectus.
The preferred securities are expected to be approved for trading on the
Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "WTFCO."
Investing in the preferred securities involves risks. See "Risk Factors"
beginning on page 11.
The preferred securities are not savings accounts, deposits or obligations
of any bank and are not insured by the Bank Insurance Fund of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per Preferred
Security Total
------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Public offering price........... $10.00 $18,000,000
Proceeds to the trust........... $10.00 $18,000,000
</TABLE>
This is a firm commitment underwriting. Wintrust will pay underwriting
commissions of $__________ per preferred security, or a total of $__________,
for arranging the investment in its junior subordinated debentures. The
underwriters have been granted a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional
200,000 preferred securities to cover over-allotments, if any.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the
adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company Howe Barnes Investments, Inc.
Incorporated
________________, 2000
<PAGE>
[MAP]
[Reflects locations and addresses of
Wintrust's operating subsidiaries]
i
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in, or incorporated
by reference into, this prospectus. Because this is a summary, it may not
contain all of the information that is important to you. Therefore, you should
also read the more detailed information set forth in this prospectus, our
financial statements and the other information that is incorporated by reference
in this prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this
prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their option to
purchase additional preferred securities to cover over-allotments.
Wintrust Financial Corporation
Wintrust Financial Corporation, an Illinois corporation, is a bank holding
company headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, with total assets of
approximately $1.8 billion at March 31, 2000. Wintrust engages in community
banking and specialty lending businesses through its operating subsidiaries:
Lake Forest Bank and Trust Company; Hinsdale Bank and Trust Company; North Shore
Community Bank and Trust Company; Libertyville Bank and Trust Company;
Barrington Bank and Trust Company, N.A.; Crystal Lake Bank and Trust Company,
N.A.; First Insurance Funding Corp., a commercial insurance premium finance
company; Wintrust Asset Management Company, N.A., a trust company subsidiary;
and Tricom, Inc., which provides financial and administrative services to the
temporary staffing industry.
Wintrust currently provides community-oriented, personal and commercial
banking services primarily to individuals and small to mid-size businesses
through 26 banking facilities. The table below provides information regarding
each of our banks and their respective markets.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Assets at Chicago-Area
March 31, 2000 Communities Number
Bank Date Opened (in thousands) Served of Facilities
- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lake Forest December 1991 $546,763 Lake Forest 5
Lake Bluff 1
Highwood 1
Hinsdale October 1993 372,832 Hinsdale 2
Clarendon Hills 1
Western Springs 1
Burr Ridge -
North Shore September 1994 394,084 Wilmette 3
Community Kenilworth -
Glencoe 2
Winnetka 1
Skokie 1
Libertyville October 1995 227,903 Libertyville 3
Mundelein -
Vernon Hills -
Wauconda 1
Barrington December 1996 198,699 Barrington 1
Barrington Hills -
Lake Barrington -
North Barrington -
South Barrington -
Inverness -
Crystal Lake December 1997 108,748 Crystal Lake 3
Cary -
</TABLE>
1
<PAGE>
Each of Wintrust's banking subsidiaries was founded as a de novo banking
organization (which means started new) within the last nine years. The
organizational efforts began in 1991, when a group of experienced bankers and
local business people identified an unfilled niche in the Chicago metropolitan
area community banking market. As large banks acquired smaller ones and personal
service was subjected to consolidation strategies, opportunities arose in
affluent suburbs for locally owned and operated banks emphasizing personal
service. In pursuit of this strategic opportunity, the group founded Lake Forest
Bank in December 1991 to serve the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff communities.
Thereafter, as desirable locations were procured in other attractive communities
where management successfully recruited locally known, experienced bank
officers, our other banks were organized with the participation of local
residents and business leaders in those communities.
Through First Insurance Funding, Wintrust originates commercial insurance
premium finance loans on a national basis. The majority of these loans are being
purchased by our banks in order to fulfill the lending capacity of the banks,
although from time to time we have sold a portion of new receivables to an
unrelated third party. The loans originated by First Insurance Funding provide
our banks with attractive yielding assets as a supplement to their lending
activities. First Insurance Funding, which commenced operations approximately
nine years ago, is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. Based on limited
industry data available and First Insurance Funding management's experience in
the industry, management estimates that First Insurance Funding is one of the
largest premium finance companies operating in the United States. First
Insurance Funding's loan volume is expected to exceed $900 million during 2000.
These loans are originated by First Insurance Funding, working with independent
medium and large insurance agents and brokers throughout the United States.
Insurance premiums are financed primarily for commercial customers' purchases of
liability, property and casualty and other commercial insurance.
Wintrust conducts trust operations through Wintrust Asset Management, a
separate subsidiary that began operations on September 30, 1998, to expand
Wintrust's trust services in the communities served by our banks. We employ
experienced trust professionals and offer a full range of trust and investment
services at Lake Forest Bank, North Shore Community Bank, Hinsdale Bank and
Barrington Bank. Prospective trust and investment customers at the other two
banks are currently being served on an appointment basis.
Wintrust has grown rapidly during the past few years; its banks have been
among the fastest growing community-oriented de novo banking operations in the
country. The historical financial performance of Wintrust has been affected by
costs associated with growing market share in deposits and loans, opening new
banking facilities and building an experienced management team. Wintrust's
financial performance over the past five years generally reflects the improving
profitability of our operating subsidiaries as they mature, offset by the
significant costs of opening new banks and branch offices. Wintrust's experience
has been that it generally takes from 13 to 24 months for new banking facilities
to first achieve operational profitability. Similarly, management currently
expects a start-up phase for Wintrust Asset Management for up to two more years
before the trust operations become profitable.
While committed to a continuing growth strategy, management's current focus
is to balance further asset growth with earnings growth. A key aspect of our
strategy is to continue to pursue specialized earning-asset niches and to manage
the mix of our earning assets so that loans are maintained within a target range
of 85% to 90% of our deposit funds. To date, Wintrust has identified and
finances loans in several specialized asset niches to enhance its loan-to-
deposit ratio, including premium finance loans originated by First Insurance
Funding, indirect auto loans, mortgage warehouse lending, medical and municipal
equipment leasing, and, more recently, homeowners and condominium association
lending. On October 26, 1999, we added a new earning asset and fee-based
business niche through our
2
<PAGE>
acquisition of Tricom, Inc., a financial and administrative service bureau to
the temporary staffing industry. Tricom provides high-yielding, short-term
accounts receivable financing and value-added, out-sourced administrative
services, such as data processing of payrolls, billing and cash management
services. Tricom's clients, located throughout the United States, provide
staffing services to businesses in diversified industries. Wintrust's funding
resources provide Tricom access to the additional capital necessary to expand
financing services in a national market. Based on first quarter 2000 volume,
Tricom currently processes payrolls with associated billings in excess of $200
million on an annualized basis.
Operational Strategy
Since the first bank was opened in 1991, Wintrust has been committed to the
same fundamental operational strategy, the key elements of which are:
. Maintaining decision-making authority locally within each of our banks
and providing a high level of personal and professional service. Our community
banking philosophy is driven by our emphasis on local independence and our
intention to maintain decision-making authority within each of our banks. While
senior management provides expertise to each of the subsidiaries in the areas of
capital planning, long-term strategic planning, marketing and advertising,
financial management, investment and asset/liability management, and technology,
the separate management teams of each of the banks, First Insurance Funding,
Wintrust Asset Management and Tricom have full managerial responsibilities with
respect to customer service and the ongoing day-to-day operations of their
respective organizations. Management believes that local authority and
management allow the banks to emphasize highly responsive and personalized
attention to customer service as a top priority. Our banks enjoy the competitive
advantages of being able to tailor products and services to meet the differing
needs of the customers that they serve, to make decisions affecting customers
quickly, and to participate actively in their communities. To ensure a high
level of personal and professional service to commercial and retail customers of
the banks, Wintrust emphasizes the recruitment and training of competent and
highly motivated employees at all levels of the organization and tries to
minimize employee turnover.
. Employing fewer, but highly qualified and productive individuals at
relatively high compensation rates and focusing on low net overhead ratios. Key
to Wintrust's growth and profitability is management's extensive experience in
providing community banking services. The banks' presidents and chief executive
officers were selected not only for their years of banking experience but also
for their business development skills and their strong ties to the communities
they serve. Wintrust's practice of employing fewer, but highly qualified and
productive individuals at all levels of the organization is key to maintaining a
decentralized management structure, and is designed to promote and support local
autonomy at our operating subsidiaries while at the same time enhancing overall
performance. Management believes its organizational structure and a strong
commitment to cost control throughout the organization will allow Wintrust to
continue to improve and maintain favorable net overhead ratios as the banks,
First Insurance Funding, Wintrust Asset Management and Tricom mature.
. Marketing innovative deposit and loan products. Each of our banks has
developed a strong customer base within its communities through the utilization
of innovative community-oriented marketing programs. Wintrust expects to
continue to exploit this community banking approach as we pursue expansion into
new communities, whether through branching, additional de novo bank formations
or selective acquisitions. Our banks have offered local residents highly
competitive retail products designed to attract customers and to provide the
banks with the opportunity to introduce their full range of personalized banking
services. To be more responsive to the needs of consumers in their specific
markets, the banks have introduced a variety of innovative deposit and loan
products to appeal to the unique needs of different types of bank customers,
such as different age groups and other special segments of the target markets.
Our banks market their products aggressively through creative
3
<PAGE>
newspaper and other advertising, special promotions and frequently sponsored
community events. Recently, we have introduced internet banking services to
offer customers an alternative service channel. In addition, each of our banks
has a large board of directors comprised of influential business persons and
prominent individuals within the respective communities who assist the banking
officers with business development.
Growth Strategy
Key elements of Wintrust's growth strategy are:
. Internal growth. Due to Wintrust's relatively short operating history, we
believe we have not yet realized the full deposit and asset generation potential
in the communities now served by our existing banking facilities. We believe we
can leverage our existing infrastructure to support additional business while
maintaining a high level of personalized customer service and responsiveness. As
the rapid pace of consolidation in the financial services industry persists,
management expects that more individuals and small businesses will become
disenchanted with the perceived lower level of service offered by the larger
institutions, providing continuing market share opportunity for Wintrust. With
management's focus on balancing further asset growth with earnings growth, our
current strategy is to continue to focus on less aggressive deposit pricing at
those banks with significant market share and more established customer bases.
. Expanding into attractive markets with limited local banking competition.
We plan to continue our geographic expansion where we believe we can leverage
our experience. As in the past, we will likely expand operations of our existing
banks by opening branch facilities in nearby communities where management
believes targeted customers would be attracted to a community banking
alternative. Consistent with this strategy, Libertyville Bank opened a new
branch in Wauconda, Illinois, in May of this year, and our banks are exploring
other new market opportunities. We also intend to continue the formation of
additional de novo banks in attractive markets in and around the Chicago
metropolitan area. Management has determined the location of our seventh bank
subsidiary in an affluent Chicago suburb and currently expects to open the new
bank during 2000. In addition, Wintrust intends to explore and consider
potential acquisitions of other community-oriented financial institutions that
are already operating in desirable markets. In this regard, management believes
there are a number of recently organized banks in and around the Chicago area in
need of capital or managerial resources to continue their growth that could
provide opportunities for Wintrust. These banks may be attracted to Wintrust's
commitment to local operational autonomy and may desire to provide their
investors the liquidity that could be offered by Wintrust's publicly traded
stock.
. Augmenting the loan portfolio with specialized asset niches which allow
the banks to more fully utilize their lending capacity. In order to expand
Wintrust's opportunities to invest in specialized earning asset niches, we may
pursue acquisitions or development of additional specialty lending businesses
engaged in asset generation suitable for bank investment and/or secondary market
sales. Management intends to continue to explore various commercial and consumer
finance activities and to seek attractive potential acquisition candidates.
. Growth of trust and investment services provided to small and mid-size
businesses and affluent individuals. With the formation of Wintrust Asset
Management, we plan to market trust and investment services more aggressively to
customers in all the banks' communities in an effort to expand our market share
and increase our fee income. Management believes Wintrust Asset Management can
successfully compete for trust business by targeting newly affluent customers
and customers whose trust or investment needs command the personalized attention
offered by our service-oriented banks. We may also seek opportunities to expand
our trust business through selective acquisitions.
4
<PAGE>
Our principal executive offices are located at 727 North Bank Lane, Lake
Forest, Illinois 60045-1951, and our telephone number is (847) 615-4096.
Wintrust Capital Trust II
The trust is a newly formed financing subsidiary of Wintrust. Upon issuance
of the preferred securities offered by this prospectus, the purchasers in this
offering will own all of the issued and outstanding preferred securities of the
trust. In exchange for our capital contribution to the trust, we will own all of
the common securities of the trust. The trust exists exclusively for the
following purposes:
. issuing the preferred securities to the public for cash;
. issuing the common securities to us;
. investing the proceeds from the sale of the preferred and common
securities in an equivalent amount of % junior subordinated debentures
due June 30, 2030, to be issued by us; and
. engaging in activities that are incidental to those listed above.
The trust's address is 727 North Bank Lane, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-
1951, and its telephone number is (847) 615-4096.
The Offering
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
The issuer........................... Wintrust Capital Trust II
Securities being offered............. 1,800,000 preferred securities, which
represent preferred undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of
the trust. Those assets will consist
solely of the debentures and payments
received on the debentures.
The trust will sell the preferred
securities to the public for cash.
The trust will use that cash to buy
the debentures from us.
Offering price....................... $10 per preferred security.
When distributions will be paid to
you................................ If you purchase the preferred
securities, you are entitled to receive
cumulative cash distributions at
a % annual rate. Distributions
will accumulate from the date the trust
issues the preferred securities and are
to be paid quarterly on March 31, June
30, September 30 and December 31 of each
year, beginning September 30, 2000. As
long as the preferred securities are
represented by a global security, the
record date for distributions on the
preferred securities will be the
business day prior to the distribution
date. We may defer the payment of cash
distributions, as described below.
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
When the preferred securities must
be redeemed........................ The debentures will mature and the
preferred securities must be redeemed
on June 30, 2030. We have the
option, however, to shorten the
maturity date to a date not earlier
than June 30, 2005. We will not
shorten the maturity date unless we
have received the prior approval of
the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, if required.
Redemption of the preferred
securities before June 30, 2030
is possible........................ The trust must redeem the preferred
securities when the debentures are
paid at maturity or upon any earlier
redemption of the debentures. We may
redeem all or part of the debentures
at any time on or after June 30,
2005. In addition, we may redeem, at
any time, all of the debentures if:
. the interest we pay on the
debentures is no longer deductible
by us for federal tax purposes; or
the trust becomes subject to
federal income tax; or the trust
becomes or will become subject to
certain other taxes or governmental
charges;
. there is a change in existing laws
or regulations that requires the
trust to register as an investment
company; or
. there is a change in the capital
adequacy guidelines of the Federal
Reserve that results in the
preferred securities not being
counted as Tier 1 capital.
We may also redeem debentures at any
time, and from time to time, in an
amount equal to the liquidation amount
of any preferred securities we
repurchase, plus a proportionate amount
of common securities, but only in
exchange for a like amount of the
preferred securities and common
securities then owned by us.
Redemption of the debentures prior to
maturity will be subject to the prior
approval of the Federal Reserve, if
approval is then required. If your
preferred securities are redeemed by the
trust, you will receive the liquidation
amount of $10 per preferred security,
plus any accrued and unpaid
distributions to the date of redemption.
We have the option to extend the
interest payment period............ The trust will rely solely on payments
made by us under the debentures to pay
distributions on the preferred
securities. As long as we are not in
default under the indenture relating to
the debentures, we may, at one or more
times, defer interest payments on the
debentures for up to 20 consecutive
quarters, but not beyond June 30, 2030.
If we defer interest payments on the
debentures:
. the trust will also defer
distributions on the preferred
securities;
. the distributions you are entitled
to will accumulate; and
. these accumulated distributions will
earn interest at an annual rate of
%, compounded quarterly, until
paid.
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
At the end of any deferral period, we
will pay to the trust all accrued and
unpaid interest under the debentures.
The trust will then pay all accumulated
and unpaid distributions to you.
You will still be taxed if
distributions on the preferred
securities are deferred............ If a deferral of payment occurs, you
will still be required to recognize
the deferred amounts as income for
United States federal income tax
purposes in advance of receiving
these amounts, even if you are a cash
basis taxpayer.
Our guarantee of payment............. We guarantee the trust will use its
assets to pay the distributions on the
preferred securities and the liquidation
amount upon liquidation of the trust.
However, the guarantee does not apply
when the trust does not have sufficient
funds to make the payments. If we do not
make payments on the debentures, the
trust will not have sufficient funds to
make payments on the preferred
securities. In this event, your remedy
is to institute a legal proceeding
directly against us for enforcement of
payments under the debentures.
We may distribute the debentures
directly to you.................... We may, at any time, dissolve the
trust and distribute the debentures to
you, subject to the prior approval of
the Federal Reserve, if required. If we
distribute the debentures, we will use
our reasonable efforts to list them on a
national securities exchange or
comparable automated quotation system.
How the securities will rank in right
of payment......................... Our obligations under the preferred
securities, debentures and guarantee are
unsecured and will rank as follows with
regard to right of payment:
. the preferred securities will rank
equally with the common securities
of the trust. The trust will pay
distributions on the preferred
securities and the common securities
pro rata. However, if we default
with respect to the debentures, then
no distributions on the common
securities of the trust or our
common stock will be paid until all
accumulated and unpaid distributions
on the preferred securities have
been paid;
. our obligations under the debentures
and the guarantee are unsecured and
generally will rank: (1) junior in
priority to our existing and future
senior and subordinated,
indebtedness, and (2) pari passu,
which means equal in priority, to
our subordinated debentures
associated with the $31.1 million of
trust preferred securities that an
affiliate trust of ours currently
has outstanding; and
. because we are a holding company,
the junior subordinated debentures
and the guarantee will effectively
be
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
subordinated to all depositors'
claims, as well as existing and
future liabilities of our
subsidiaries.
Voting rights of the preferred
securities......................... Except in limited circumstances,
holders of the preferred securities will
have no voting rights.
Nasdaq National Market symbol........ WTFCO
You will not receive certificates.... The preferred securities will be
represented by a global security that
will be deposited with and registered in
the name of The Depository Trust
Company, New York, New York, or its
nominee. This means that you will not
receive a certificate for the preferred
securities, and your beneficial
ownership interests will be recorded
through the DTC book-entry system.
How the proceeds of this offering
will be used...................... The trust will invest all of the
proceeds from the sale of the preferred
securities in the debentures. We
estimate that the net proceeds to us
from the sale of the debentures to the
trust, after deducting underwriting
expenses and commissions, will be
approximately $17.0 million. We expect
to use approximately $15.0 million of
the net proceeds from the sale of the
debentures to repay all of the
indebtedness currently outstanding under
our revolving credit line. The remaining
net proceeds will be used to make
additional capital contributions to our
existing banks and operating
subsidiaries to support future growth
and for general corporate purposes.
</TABLE>
Before purchasing the preferred securities being offered, you should
carefully consider the "Risk Factors" beginning on page 11.
8
<PAGE>
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data presented below for, and as of the
end of, each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 1999, are
derived from our historical financial statements. Our consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 1999 have been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, independent auditors, and our consolidated financial statements for
the four years ended December 31, 1998 have been audited by KPMG LLP,
independent auditors. The summary data presented below for the three-month
periods ended March 31, 2000 and 1999, are derived from unaudited financial
statements. In our opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of results as of or for the three-
month periods indicated have been included. This information should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and the
notes thereto incorporated by reference into this prospectus from our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 and our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. Results for
past periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for
any future period, and results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2000,
are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire
year ending December 31, 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
March 31, Years Ended December 31,
------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statements of Income Data:
Total interest income................... $ 32,309 $ 24,278 $ 109,331 $ 87,979 $ 65,111 $ 39,037 $ 25,472
Total interest expense.................. 18,441 13,462 61,597 51,215 38,339 24,155 15,772
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
Net interest income................... 13,868 10,816 47,734 36,764 26,772 14,882 9,700
Provision for possible loan losses...... 1,141 784 3,713 4,297 3,404 1,935 1,430
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
Net interest income after provision
for possible loan losses............. 12,727 10,032 44,021 32,467 23,368 12,947 8,270
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
Non-interest income:
Gain on sale of premium finance
receivables............................ 1,241 -- 1,033 -- -- 3,078 4,421
Fees on mortgage loans sold............. 483 1,298 3,206 5,569 2,341 1,393 850
Trust fees.............................. 472 225 1,171 788 626 522 399
Service charges on deposit accounts..... 469 334 1,562 1,065 724 468 196
Administrative services revenues........ 1,013 -- 996 -- -- -- --
Securities gains, net................... 3 -- 5 -- 111 18 --
Other................................... 597 451 1,835 653 1,142 2,053 2,678
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
Total non-interest income............. 4,278 2,308 9,808 8,075 4,944 7,532 8,544
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits/(1)/..... 6,335 5,079 20,808 18,944 14,204 11,551 8,011
Equipment expense....................... 1,149 628 3,199 2,221 1,713 1,313 763
Occupancy expense, net.................. 1,010 676 2,991 2,435 1,896 1,649 951
Data processing......................... 680 482 2,169 1,676 1,337 1,014 624
Advertising and marketing............... 249 369 1,402 1,612 1,309 1,102 682
Professional fees....................... 295 310 1,203 1,654 1,343 906 615
Nonrecurring merger related expenses.... -- -- -- -- -- 891 --
Other non-interest expenses/(1)/........ 2,391 1,992 7,906 7,291 5,452 4,336 4,183
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
Total non-interest expense/(1)/....... 12,109 9,536 39,678 35,833 27,254 22,762 15,829
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before income taxes....... 4,896 2,804 14,151 4,709 1,058 (2,283) 985
Income tax expense (benefit)............ 1,774 970 4,724 (1,536) (3,788) (1,310) (512)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)/(1)/................ $ 3,122 $ 1,834 $ 9,427 $ 6,245 $ 4,846 $ (973) $ 1,497
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ======== ========
Common Share Data:
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic/(1)/............................ $ 0.35 $ 0.22 $ 1.14 $ 0.77 $ 0.62 $ (0.16) $ 0.27
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ======== ========
Diluted/(1)/.......................... $ 0.35 $ 0.22 $ 1.10 $ 0.74 $ 0.60 $ (0.16) $ 0.24
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ======== ========
Cash dividends per common share/(2)/.... $ 0.05 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ======== ========
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
March 31, Years Ended December 31,
------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Selected Consolidated Financial
Condition Data (at end of period):
Total assets............................ $1,771,891 $1,419,436 $1,679,382 $1,348,048 $1,053,400 $706,037 $470,890
Total deposits.......................... 1,533,661 1,252,799 1,463,622 1,229,154 917,701 618,029 405,658
Total loans............................. 1,307,796 1,071,016 1,278,249 992,062 712,631 492,548 258,231
Long-term debt and notes payable........ 45,100 33,050 39,400 31,050 20,402 22,057 10,758
Total shareholders' equity.............. 94,835 77,224 92,947 75,205 68,790 42,620 40,487
Selected Financial Ratios and Other
Data:
Performance Ratios:
Net interest margin/(3)(4)(5)/........ 3.65% 3.58% 3.54% 3.43% 3.41% 2.91% 2.96%
Net interest spread/(3)(5)(6)/........ 3.31 3.22 3.23 3.00 2.92 2.40 2.41
Non-interest income to average
assets/(3)/.......................... 1.01 0.69 0.66 0.69 0.58 1.34 2.36
Non-interest expense to average
assets/(1)(3)(7)/.................... 2.85 2.86 2.65 3.04 3.18 4.05 4.37
Net overhead ratio/(1)(3)(8)/......... 1.84 2.17 2.00 2.36 2.60 2.71 2.01
Return on average assets/(1)(3)(7)/... 0.73 0.55 0.63 0.53 0.56 (0.17) 0.40
Return on average equity/(1)(3)(7)/... 13.32 9.75 11.58 8.68 7.88 (2.33) 4.66
Average loan-to-average deposit ratio. 88.4 84.8 86.6 80.1 80.1 69.8 61.3
Average interest-earning assets to.... 107.0 108.0 107.0 108.9 109.9 110.7 111.4
average interest-bearing liabilities
Asset Quality Ratios:
Non-performing loans to total loans... 0.56% 0.44% 0.54% 0.55% 0.59% 0.36% 0.74%
Allowance for possible loan losses to:
Total loans......................... 0.72 0.70 0.69 0.71 0.72 0.74 1.07
Non-performing loans................ 128.50 158.94 126.10 129.66 121.64 204.15 143.91
Net charge-offs to average loans/(3)/. 0.17 0.12 0.19 0.28 0.31 0.31 0.20
Non-performing assets to total assets. 0.41 0.37 0.41 0.45 0.40 0.25 0.41
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges:
Including deposit interest............ 1.27x 1.21x 1.23x 1.09x 1.03x (a) 1.06x
Excluding deposit interest............ 3.66x 4.07x 3.54x 3.19x 2.10x (a) 1.60x
Dividend payout ratio/(2)/.............. 7.1% -- -- -- -- -- --
Other Data at end of period:
Number of banking facilities.......... 25 22 24 21 17 14 11
</TABLE>
- --------------------
(a) Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges in the year ended December
31, 1996, by $2.3 million.
(1) In 1998 Wintrust recorded a nonrecurring $1.0 million pretax charge related
to severance amounts payable to our former chairman and chief executive
officer under the terms of his employment contract and related legal
expenses.
(2) Reflects Wintrust's first semi-annual dividend payment.
(3) Certain financial ratios for interim periods have been annualized.
(4) Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(5) Calculated on a tax-equivalent basis.
(6) Yield on average interest-earning assets less rate on average interest-
bearing liabilities.
(7) For the year ended December 31, 1996, Wintrust recorded nonrecurring merger-
related expenses of $891,000.
(8) Non-interest expense less non-interest income divided by average total
assets.
10
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
An investment in the preferred securities involves a number of risks. We
urge you to read all of the information contained in this prospectus. In
addition, we urge you to consider carefully the following factors in evaluating
an investment in the trust before you purchase the preferred securities offered
by this prospectus.
Because the trust will rely on the payments it receives on the debentures
to fund all payments on the preferred securities, and because the trust may
distribute the debentures in exchange for the preferred securities, purchasers
of the preferred securities are making an investment decision that relates to
the debentures being issued by Wintrust as well as the preferred securities.
Purchasers should carefully review the information in this prospectus about the
preferred securities, the debentures and the guarantee.
Risks Related to an Investment in Wintrust Financial Corporation
De novo operations and branch openings impact our profitability.
Wintrust's historical results have been impacted by our strategy of de novo
bank formations and branch openings through which we have built an
infrastructure that management believes can support additional internal growth
in our banks' respective markets. To expand into additional communities in and
around Chicago, Wintrust may undertake additional de novo bank formations or
branch openings. Based on Wintrust's experience, management believes that it
generally takes from 13 to 24 months for new banking facilities to first achieve
operational profitability, due to the impact of organizational and overhead
expenses, the start-up phase of generating deposits and the time lag typically
involved in redeploying deposits into attractively priced loans and other higher
yielding earning assets. Crystal Lake Bank, which opened in December 1997, and
Wintrust Asset Management, which we formed on September 30, 1998, are not yet
operating profitably. We are planning to start our seventh de novo bank during
2000.
The level of reported net income, return on average equity and return on
average assets for Wintrust will in the near term continue to be impacted by
start-up costs associated with our de novo bank and branching operations and the
start-up of Wintrust Asset Management. To the extent Wintrust undertakes
additional branching and de novo bank and business formations, we are likely to
continue to experience the effects of higher operating expenses relative to
operating income from the new operations.
We may not be able to successfully implement our acquisition strategy.
Although Wintrust has historically grown through de novo bank formations
and the establishment of new branch offices, our strategic plan also includes
potential acquisitions of other financial institutions in attractive markets and
potential acquisitions of specialty lending or commercial or consumer finance
businesses that offer unique earning asset niches. Growth through acquisition
may offer Wintrust the opportunity to increase market share in existing and new
markets without incurring the full earnings impact of start-up operations.
However, there can be no assurance that potential acquisitions will be available
on terms acceptable or favorable to us or that we will be able to obtain the
required regulatory approvals for any proposed acquisitions. There also can be
no assurance that we will be able to successfully integrate, operate and manage
any business that we acquire so as to maintain or increase profitability.
During October 1999, Wintrust completed a part cash, part stock acquisition
of 10-year old, Milwaukee-based Tricom, Inc., a financial and administrative
service bureau to the temporary staffing
11
<PAGE>
industry. While we entered into employment agreements ranging from one to three
years with four senior officers of Tricom and expect the acquisition to be
accretive to earnings per share during the first full year of operations,
Wintrust management has no direct experience managing or financing this type of
business, and we could encounter unanticipated difficulties that could adversely
affect profitability.
We rely heavily on our management team, and the unexpected loss of key managers
may adversely affect our operations.
Our success to date has been influenced strongly by our ability to attract
and to retain senior management experienced in banking and financial services.
Our ability to retain executive officers and the current management teams of
each of our banks, First Insurance Funding, Tricom and Wintrust Asset Management
will continue to be important to successful implementation of our strategies. It
is also critical, as we grow, to be able to attract and retain qualified
additional senior and middle management. We do not currently maintain key-man
life insurance policies. The unexpected loss of services of any key management
personnel, or the inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel in the
future, could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results.
We have entered into an employment agreement with Edward J. Wehmer, our
chief executive officer, as well as with other executive management and key
officers of our subsidiaries. The agreements provide for, among other things,
certain non-competition agreements, severance arrangements and benefits.
Our allowance for loan losses may prove to be insufficient to absorb potential
losses in our loan portfolio.
Wintrust's allowance for possible loan losses is established in
consultation with management of our operating subsidiaries and is maintained at
a level considered adequate by management to absorb loan losses that are
inherent in the portfolio. The amount of future loan losses is susceptible to
changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in
interest rates, that may be beyond our control, and such losses may exceed
current estimates. Rapidly growing and de novo bank loan portfolios are, by
their nature, unseasoned. As a result, estimating loan loss allowances for our
banks is more difficult, and therefore the banks may be more susceptible to
changes in estimates, and to losses exceeding estimates, than banks with more
seasoned loan portfolios. Although management believes that the allowance for
possible loan losses is adequate to absorb losses on any existing loans that may
become uncollectible, there can be no assurance that the allowance for possible
loan losses will prove sufficient to cover actual loan losses in the future. At
March 31, 2000, our allowance for possible loan losses as a percentage of total
loans was 0.72% and as a percentage of total non-performing loans was 128.50%.
A significant portion of Wintrust's assets are comprised of insurance
premium finance receivables that Wintrust generates through First Insurance
Funding. These loans, intended to enhance the average yield of earning assets of
the banks, may involve a different, and possibly higher, level of risk of
delinquency or collection than generally associated with loan portfolios of more
traditional community banks.
We may be adversely affected by interest rate changes.
Our earnings are derived from the operations of our subsidiaries, and we
are principally dependent on net interest income, calculated as the difference
between interest earned on loans and investments and the interest expense paid
on deposits and other borrowings. Like other banks and financial institutions,
Wintrust's interest income and interest expense are affected by general economic
conditions and by the policies of regulatory authorities, including the monetary
policies of the Federal
12
<PAGE>
Reserve. Changes in the economic environment may influence the growth rate of
loans and deposits, the quality of the loan portfolio and loan and deposit
pricing. While management has taken measures intended to manage the risks of
operating in a changing interest rate environment, there can be no assurance
that such measures will be effective in avoiding undue interest rate risk. If
market interest rates should move contrary to our "gap" position on interest
earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the "gap" will work against us
and our net interest income may be negatively affected. Measured as of March 31,
2000, our short-term gap position was relatively neutral in that the level of
our interest-sensitive assets that reprice within one year approximately matched
the level of our liabilities that reprice within the same period when adjusted
for the effect of interest rate cap contracts that we have entered into.
Measured as of the same date, we were slightly asset sensitive for the one- to
five-year time frame. While this would suggest that we would generally benefit
from rising interest rates, there can be no assurance that a dramatic change in
the interest rate environment will not adversely affect our results.
Our future success is dependent on our ability to compete effectively in the
highly competitive banking industry.
The financial services business is highly competitive, and Wintrust
encounters strong direct competition for deposits, loans and other financial
services in all of its market areas. Wintrust's principal competitors include
other commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations, mutual
funds, money market funds, finance companies, trust companies, insurers, leasing
companies, credit unions, mortgage companies, private issuers of debt
obligations and suppliers of other investment alternatives, such as securities
firms. Many of Wintrust's non-bank competitors are not subject to the same
degree of regulation as that imposed on bank holding companies, federally
insured banks and national or Illinois chartered banks. As a result, such non-
bank competitors have advantages over Wintrust in providing certain services. In
addition, in recent years, several major multi-bank holding companies have
entered or expanded in the Chicago metropolitan market. Generally, these
financial institutions are significantly larger than Wintrust and have greater
access to capital and other resources. In addition, our ability to compete
effectively in the marketplace is also dependent on our ability to adapt
successfully to technological changes within the banking and financial services
industries.
Our business may be adversely affected by the highly regulated environment in
which we operate.
Wintrust, our banks and our trust company subsidiary are subject to
extensive federal and state legislation, regulation and supervision. Recently
enacted, proposed and future legislation and regulations have had, will continue
to have or may have significant impact on the financial services industry. Some
of the legislative and regulatory changes may benefit Wintrust, the banks and
Wintrust Asset Management; other changes, however, could increase our costs of
doing business and, as a result, provide an advantage to our competitors.
Risks Related to an Investment in the Preferred Securities
If we do not make interest payments under the debentures, the trust will be
unable to pay distributions and liquidation amounts. The guarantee will not
apply because the guarantee covers payments only if the trust has funds
available.
The trust will depend solely on our payments on the debentures to pay
amounts due to you on the preferred securities. If we default on our obligation
to pay the principal or interest on the debentures, the trust will not have
sufficient funds to pay distributions or the liquidation amount on the preferred
securities. In that case, you will not be able to rely on the guarantee for
payment of these amounts because the guarantee only applies if the trust has
sufficient funds to make distributions on or to pay the
13
<PAGE>
liquidation amount of the preferred securities. Instead, you or the property
trustee will have to institute a direct action against us to enforce the
property trustee's rights under the indenture relating to the debentures.
To the extent we must rely on dividends from our subsidiaries to make interest
payments on the debentures to the trust, our available cash flow may be
restricted.
We are a holding company and substantially all of our assets are held by
our subsidiaries. Our ability to make payments on the debentures when due will
depend primarily on available cash resources at the bank holding company and
dividends from our subsidiaries. Dividend payments or extensions of credit from
our banking subsidiaries are subject to regulatory limitations, generally based
on capital levels and current and retained earnings, imposed by the various
regulatory agencies with authority over such subsidiaries. The ability of each
banking subsidiary to pay dividends is also subject to its profitability,
financial condition, capital expenditures and other cash flow requirements. To
date, only one of our banking subsidiaries has paid cash dividends to Wintrust,
although as of March 31, 2000, based on applicable regulatory limitations, our
banking subsidiaries (other than Crystal Lake Bank) had the capacity to pay a
total of approximately $16.5 million as dividends to Wintrust, subject to our
need to maintain adequate capital ratios at each bank. We cannot assure you that
our subsidiaries will be able to pay dividends in the future.
The debentures and the guarantee rank lower than most of our other indebtedness
and our holding company structure effectively subordinates any claims against us
to those of our subsidiaries' creditors.
Our obligations under the debentures and the guarantee are unsecured and
will rank junior in priority of payment to our existing and future senior and
subordinated indebtedness, which totaled $82.8 million outstanding principal
amount at March 31, 2000, and will rank pari passu with our subordinated
debentures associated with the $31.1 million of trust preferred securities a
trust affiliate of ours currently has outstanding. The issuance of the
debentures and the preferred securities does not limit our ability or the
ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, guarantees or
other liabilities.
Because we are a holding company, the creditors of our subsidiaries,
including depositors, also will have priority over you in any distribution of
our subsidiaries' assets in liquidation, reorganization or otherwise.
Accordingly, the debentures and the guarantee will be effectively subordinated
to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, and you should look
only to our assets for payments on the preferred securities and the debentures.
We have the option to defer interest payments on the debentures for substantial
periods.
We may, at one or more times, defer interest payments on the debentures for
up to 20 consecutive quarters. If we defer interest payments on the debentures,
the trust will defer distributions on the preferred securities during any
deferral period. During a deferral period, you will be required to recognize as
income for federal income tax purposes the amount approximately equal to the
interest that accrues on your proportionate share of the debentures held by the
trust in the tax year in which that interest accrues, even though you will not
receive these amounts until a later date.
You will also not receive the cash related to any accrued and unpaid
interest from the trust if you sell the preferred securities before the end of
any deferral period. During a deferral period, accrued but unpaid distributions
will increase your tax basis in the preferred securities. If you sell the
preferred securities during a deferral period, your increased tax basis will
decrease the amount of any capital gain
14
<PAGE>
or increase the amount of any capital loss that you may have otherwise realized
on the sale. A capital loss, except in certain limited circumstances, cannot be
applied to offset ordinary income. As a result, deferral of distributions could
result in ordinary income, and a related tax liability for the holder, and a
capital loss that may only be used to offset a capital gain.
We do not currently intend to exercise our right to defer interest payments
on the debentures. However, if we exercise our right in the future, the market
price of the preferred securities would likely be adversely affected. The
preferred securities may trade at a price that does not fully reflect the value
of accrued but unpaid interest on the debentures. If you sell the preferred
securities during a deferral period, you may not receive the same return on
investment as someone who continues to hold the preferred securities. Due to our
right to defer interest payments, the market price of the preferred securities
may be more volatile than the market prices of other securities without the
deferral feature.
We have made only limited covenants in the indenture and the trust agreement.
The indenture governing the debentures and the trust agreement governing
the trust do not require us to maintain any financial ratios or specified levels
of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow or liquidity, and therefore do not
protect holders of the debentures or the preferred securities in the event we
experience significant adverse changes in our financial condition or results of
operations. In addition, neither the indenture nor the trust agreement limits
our ability or the ability of any subsidiary to incur additional indebtedness.
Therefore, you should not consider the provisions of these governing instruments
as a significant factor in evaluating whether we will be able to comply with our
obligations under the debentures or the guarantee.
We may redeem the debentures before June 30, 2030.
Under the following circumstances, we may redeem the debentures before
their stated maturity:
. We may redeem the debentures, in whole or in part, at any time on or
after June 30, 2005.
. We may redeem the debentures in whole, but not in part, within 180
days after certain occurrences at any time during the life of the
trust. These occurrences may include adverse tax, investment company
or bank regulatory developments. See "Description of the Debentures --
Redemption" beginning on page 39.
You should assume that we will exercise our redemption option if we are
able to obtain capital at a lower cost than we must pay on the debentures or if
it is otherwise in our interest to redeem the debentures. If the debentures are
redeemed, the trust must redeem preferred securities having an aggregate
liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of debentures
redeemed, and you may be required to reinvest your principal at a time when you
may not be able to earn a return that is as high as you were earning on the
preferred securities.
We can distribute the debentures to you, which may have adverse tax consequences
for you and which may adversely affect the market price of the preferred
securities.
The trust may be dissolved at any time before maturity of the debentures on
June 30, 2030. As a result, and subject to the terms of the trust agreement, the
trustees may distribute the debentures to you.
We cannot predict the market prices for the debentures that may be
distributed in exchange for preferred securities upon liquidation of the trust.
The preferred securities, or the debentures that you may receive if the trust is
liquidated, may trade at a discount to the price that you paid to purchase the
15
<PAGE>
preferred securities. Because you may receive debentures, your investment
decision with regard to the preferred securities will also be an investment
decision with regard to the debentures. You should carefully review all of the
information contained in this prospectus regarding the debentures.
Under current interpretations of United States federal income tax laws
supporting classification of the trust as a grantor trust for tax purposes, a
distribution of the debentures to you upon the dissolution of the trust would
not be a taxable event to you. Nevertheless, if the trust is classified for
United States income tax purposes as an association taxable as a corporation at
the time it is dissolved, the distribution of the debentures would be a taxable
event to you. In addition, if there is a change in law, a distribution of
debentures upon the dissolution of the trust could be a taxable event to you.
There is no current public market for the preferred securities and their market
price may be subject to significant fluctuations.
There is currently no public market for the preferred securities. Although
we have applied to have the preferred securities included on the Nasdaq National
Market, there is no guarantee that an active or liquid trading market will
develop for the preferred securities or that the quotation of the preferred
securities will continue on the Nasdaq National Market. If an active trading
market does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the preferred
securities will be adversely affected. Even if an active public market does
develop, there is no guarantee that the market price for the preferred
securities will equal or exceed the price you pay for the preferred securities.
Future trading prices of the preferred securities may be subject to
significant fluctuations in response to prevailing interest rates, our future
operating results and financial condition, the market for similar securities and
general economic and market conditions. The initial public offering price of the
preferred securities has been set at the liquidation amount of the preferred
securities and may be greater than the market price following the offering.
The market price for the preferred securities, or the debentures that you
may receive in a distribution, is also likely to decline during any period that
we are deferring interest payments on the debentures.
You must rely on the property trustee to enforce your rights if there is an
event of default under the indenture.
You may not be able to directly enforce your rights against us if an event
of default under the indenture occurs. If an event of default under the
indenture occurs and is continuing, this event will also be an event of default
under the trust agreement. In that case, you must rely on the enforcement by the
property trustee of its rights as holder of the debentures against us. The
holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the preferred securities will
have the right to direct the property trustee to enforce its rights. If the
property trustee does not enforce its rights following an event of default and a
request by the record holders to do so, any record holder may, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, take action directly against us to enforce the
property trustee's rights. If an event of default occurs under the trust
agreement that is attributable to our failure to pay interest or principal on
the debentures, or if we default under the guarantee, you may proceed directly
against us. You will not be able to exercise directly any other remedies
available to the holders of the debentures unless the property trustee fails to
do so.
16
<PAGE>
As a holder of preferred securities you have limited voting rights.
Holders of preferred securities have limited voting rights. Your voting
rights pertain primarily to amendments to the trust agreement. In general, only
we can replace or remove any of the trustees. However, if an event of default
under the trust agreement occurs and is continuing, the holders of at least a
majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the preferred securities may replace
the property trustee and the Delaware trustee.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this
prospectus constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934. Wintrust intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the
safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for
purposes of invoking these safe harbor provisions. You can identify these
statements from our use of the words "estimate," "project," "believe," "intend,"
"anticipate," "expect," "target" and similar expressions. These forward-looking
statements may include, among other things:
. statements relating to projected growth; anticipated improvements in
earnings, earnings per share, and other financial performance
measures; and management's long term performance goals;
. statements relating to the anticipated effects on results of
operations or financial condition from expected developments or
events;
. statements relating to Wintrust's business and growth strategies,
including potential acquisitions; and
. any other statements which are not historical facts.
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results,
performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from our
expectations of future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements. In addition, our past results of operations
do not necessarily indicate our future results. We discuss these and other
uncertainties in the "Risk Factors" section of this prospectus.
17
<PAGE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
The trust will invest all of the proceeds from the sale of the preferred
securities in the debentures. We anticipate that the net proceeds from the sale
of the debentures will be approximately $17.0 million after deduction of
offering expenses estimated to be $250,000 and underwriting commissions.
We expect to use approximately $15.0 million of the net proceeds to repay
all of the indebtedness currently outstanding under our revolving credit line
with an unaffiliated bank. The credit facility provides for maximum borrowings
of $40.0 million. Interest is payable on outstanding principal balances, at a
floating rate equal to, at our option, either the lender's prime rate or LIBOR
plus 1.25%, repricing quarterly. The borrowings outstanding under the line of
credit as of May 15, 2000, mature on or before August 30, 2000, and bear
interest at a weighted average annual rate of 7.35%. The revolving line of
credit is secured by a pledge of the stock of each of the banks, other than the
stock of Crystal Lake Bank. After we repay the current borrowings, we plan to
keep the credit line available for future borrowings.
We will use the remaining net proceeds of the offering to provide capital
to fund continued growth at our existing banks and other operating subsidiaries
and for general corporate purposes.
In the future, we may use the amounts remaining available under the line of
credit to support continued growth of our existing subsidiaries, to capitalize
the de novo bank we plan to form in 2000, to repurchase shares of our common
stock and to finance further expansion and potential acquisitions of banks,
finance companies and fee-based businesses. While we are currently evaluating
several possible acquisition candidates, there are no transactions currently
pending and we have not negotiated the terms of any specific acquisition.
18
<PAGE>
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our total deposits, indebtedness and
capitalization at March 31, 2000, on a historical basis and as adjusted for the
offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option) and
the application of the estimated net proceeds from the corresponding sale of the
debentures as if such sale had been consummated on March 31, 2000. This data
should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and
notes thereto incorporated by reference into this prospectus from our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 and from our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. See
"Documents Incorporated by Reference."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, 2000
------------------------
Actual As Adjusted
---------- ------------
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Indebtedness:
Short-term borrowings (including securities sold under agreement to
repurchase and federal funds purchased)............................................. $ 68,721 $ 68,721
Notes payable under revolving credit line with commercial bank/(1)/................... 14,050 --
-------- --------
Total indebtedness............................................................... 82,771 68,721
-------- --------
Long-term debt--trust preferred securities............................................ 31,050 49,050
Shareholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, no par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, of which
100,000 shares are designated Junior Serial Preferred Stock A; no shares
issued and outstanding.............................................................. -- --
Common stock, no par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 8,837,843 shares
issued and 8,752,643 outstanding.................................................... 8,838 8,838
Surplus............................................................................... 83,487 83,487
Common stock warrants to acquire 155,433 shares/(2)/.................................. 100 100
Treasury stock, 82,500 shares at cost................................................. (1,306) (1,306)
Retained earnings..................................................................... 6,235 6,235
Accumulated other comprehensive loss.................................................. (2,519) (2,519)
Total shareholders' equity....................................................... 94,835 94,835
-------- --------
Total capitalization........................................................... $208,656 $212,606
======== ========
Capital Ratios/(3)/:
Leverage ratio/(4)/................................................................... 6.9% 7.0%
Tier 1 capital ratio/(5)/............................................................. 7.5 7.6
Total risk based capital ratio/(5)/................................................... 8.1 9.3
</TABLE>
____________________
(1) The notes payable under the revolving credit facility will be repaid in
their entirety with proceeds from the sale of the debentures to the trust.
(2) The warrants are exercisable at prices ranging from $14.85 to $15.00 per
share and expire between December 2002 and November 2005.
(3) The capital ratios, as adjusted, are computed including the estimated net
proceeds from the sale of the preferred securities, in a manner consistent
with Federal Reserve regulations.
(4) The leverage ratio is core capital divided by average quarterly assets,
after deducting intangible assets and net deferred tax assets in excess of
regulatory maximum limits.
(5) The preferred securities have been structured to qualify as Tier 1 capital.
However, in calculating the amount of Tier 1 qualifying capital, the
preferred securities, together with any outstanding cumulative preferred
stock of Wintrust that may be outstanding in the future, can only be
included up to the amount constituting 25% of total Tier 1 capital. As
adjusted for this offering, Wintrust's Tier 1 capital as of March 31, 2000,
would have been approximately $118.4 million, of which $1.4 million would
have been attributable to the preferred securities offered by this
prospectus.
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<PAGE>
ACCOUNTING AND REGULATORY TREATMENT
The trust will be treated, for financial reporting purposes, as our
subsidiary and, accordingly, the accounts of the trust will be included in our
consolidated financial statements. The preferred securities will be presented as
a separate line item in our consolidated balance sheet under the caption "Long-
term debt--trust preferred securities," or other similar caption. In addition,
appropriate disclosures about the preferred securities, the guarantee and the
debentures will be included in the notes to our consolidated financial
statements. For financial reporting purposes, we will record distributions
payable on the preferred securities in our consolidated statements of income.
Our future reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 will
include a footnote to the audited consolidated financial statements stating
that:
. the trust is wholly-owned;
. the sole assets of the trust are the debentures, specifying the
debentures' outstanding principal amount, interest rate and maturity
date; and
. our obligations described in this prospectus, in the aggregate,
constitute a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee on a
subordinated basis by us of the obligations of the trust under the
preferred securities.
We have not included separate financial statements of the trust in this
prospectus. We do not consider that separate financial statements would be
material to holders of preferred securities because we will own all of the
trust's voting securities, the trust has no independent operations and we
guarantee the payments on the preferred securities to the extent described in
this prospectus.
20
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The trust is a statutory business trust formed pursuant to the Delaware
Business Trust Act under a trust agreement executed by us, as sponsor for the
trust, and the trustees, and a certificate of trust filed with the Delaware
Secretary of State. The trust agreement will be amended and restated in its
entirety in the form filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part, as of the date the preferred securities are initially
issued. The trust agreement will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939.
The holders of the preferred securities issued pursuant to the offering
described in this prospectus will own all of the issued and outstanding
preferred securities of the trust which have certain prior rights over the other
securities of the trust. We will not initially own any of the preferred
securities. We will acquire common securities in an amount equal to at least 3%
of the total capital of the trust and will initially own, directly or
indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding common securities. The common
securities, together with the preferred securities, are called the trust
securities.
The trust exists exclusively for the purposes of:
. issuing the preferred securities to the public for cash;
. issuing its common securities to us in exchange for our capitalization
of the trust;
. investing the proceeds from the sale of the trust securities in an
equivalent amount of debentures; and
. engaging in other activities that are incidental to those listed
above.
The rights of the holders of the trust securities are as set forth in the
trust agreement, the Delaware Business Trust Act and the Trust Indenture Act.
The trust agreement does not permit the trust to borrow money or make any
investment other than in the debentures. Other than with respect to the trust
securities, Wintrust has agreed to pay for all debts and obligations and all
costs and expenses of the trust, including the fees and expenses of the trustees
and any income taxes, duties and other governmental charges, and all costs and
expenses related to these charges, to which the trust may become subject, except
for United States withholding taxes that are properly withheld.
The number of trustees of the trust will initially be five. Three of the
trustees will be persons who are employees or officers of or who are affiliated
with Wintrust. They are the administrative trustees. The fourth trustee will be
an entity that maintains its principal place of business in the State of
Delaware. It is the Delaware trustee. Initially, Wilmington Trust Company, a
Delaware banking corporation, will act as Delaware trustee. The fifth trustee,
called the property trustee, will also initially be Wilmington Trust Company.
The property trustee is the institutional trustee under the trust agreement and
acts as the indenture trustee called for under the applicable provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act. Also for purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture
Act, Wilmington Trust Company will act as guarantee trustee and indenture
trustee under the guarantee agreement and the indenture. See "Description of the
Debentures" and "Description of the Guarantee." We, as holder of all of the
common securities, will have the right to appoint or remove any trustee unless
an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing, in which
case only the holders of the preferred securities may remove the Delaware
trustee or the property trustee. The trust has a term of approximately 31 years
but may terminate earlier as provided in the trust agreement.
21
<PAGE>
The property trustee will hold the debentures for the benefit of the
holders of the trust securities and will have the power to exercise all rights,
powers and privileges under the indenture as the holder of the debentures. In
addition, the property trustee will maintain exclusive control of a segregated
noninterest-bearing "payment account" established with Wilmington Trust Company
to hold all payments made on the debentures for the benefit of the holders of
the trust securities. The property trustee will make payments of distributions
and payments on liquidation, redemption and otherwise to the holders of the
trust securities out of funds from the payment account. The guarantee trustee
will hold the guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the preferred
securities. We will pay all fees and expenses related to the trust and the
offering of the preferred securities, including the fees and expenses of the
trustees.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES
The preferred securities will be issued pursuant to the trust agreement.
For more information about the trust agreement, see "Description of the Trust"
beginning on page 21. Wilmington Trust Company will act as property trustee for
the preferred securities under the trust agreement for purposes of complying
with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of the preferred
securities will include those stated in the trust agreement and those made part
of the trust agreement by the Trust Indenture Act.
General
The trust agreement authorizes the administrative trustees, on behalf of
the trust, to issue the trust securities, which are comprised of the preferred
securities to be sold to the public and the common securities. We will own all
of the common securities issued by the trust. The trust is not permitted to
issue any securities other than the trust securities or incur any other
indebtedness.
The preferred securities will represent preferred undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the trust, and the holders of the preferred
securities will be entitled to a preference over the common securities upon an
event of default with respect to distributions and amounts payable on redemption
or liquidation. The preferred securities will rank equally, and payments on the
preferred securities will be made proportionally, with the common securities,
except as described under "-- Subordination of Common Securities of the Trust"
below.
The property trustee will hold legal title to the debentures in trust for
the benefit of the holders of the trust securities. We will guarantee the
payment of distributions out of money held by the trust, and payments upon
redemption of the preferred securities or liquidation of the trust, to the
extent described under "Description of the Guarantee." The guarantee agreement
does not cover the payment of any distribution or the liquidation amount when
the trust does not have sufficient funds available to make these payments.
Distributions
Source of Distributions. The funds of the trust available for distribution
to holders of the preferred securities will be limited to payments made under
the debentures, which the trust will purchase with the proceeds from the sale of
the trust securities. Distributions will be paid through the property trustee,
which will hold the amounts received from our interest payments on the
debentures in the payment account for the benefit of the holders of the trust
securities. If we do not make interest payments on the debentures, the property
trustee will not have funds available to pay distributions on the preferred
securities.
22
<PAGE>
Payment of Distributions. Distributions on the preferred securities will be
payable at the annual rate of _____ % of the $10 stated liquidation amount,
payable quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each
year, to the holders of the preferred securities on the relevant record dates.
So long as the preferred securities are represented by a global security, as
described below, the record date will be the business day immediately preceding
the relevant distribution date. The first distribution date for the preferred
securities will be September 30, 2000.
Distributions will accumulate from the date of issuance, will be cumulative
and will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If
the distribution date is not a business day, then payment of the distributions
will be made on the next day that is a business day, without any additional
interest or other payment for the delay. However, if the next business day is in
the next calendar year, payment of the distribution will be made on the business
day immediately preceding the scheduled distribution date. When we use the term
"business day" we mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, a day on which
banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law,
regulation or executive order to remain closed or a day on which the corporate
trust office of the property trustee or the indenture trustee is closed for
business.
Extension Period. As long as no event of default under the indenture has
occurred and is continuing, we have the right to defer the payment of interest
on the debentures at any time for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive
quarters. We refer to this period of deferral as an "extension period." No
extension period may extend beyond June 30, 2030 or end on a date other than an
interest payment date, which dates are the same as the distribution dates. If we
defer the payment of interest, quarterly distributions on the preferred
securities will also be deferred during any such extension period. Any deferred
distributions under the preferred securities will accumulate additional amounts
at the annual rate of ______ %, compounded quarterly from the relevant
distribution date. The term "distributions" as used in this prospectus includes
those accumulated amounts.
During an extension period, we may not:
. declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase,
acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of our
capital stock (other than stock dividends, non-cash dividends in
connection with the implementation of a shareholder rights plan,
purchases of common stock in connection with employee benefit plans or
in connection with the reclassification of any class of our capital
stock into another class of capital stock) or allow any of our
subsidiaries to do the same with respect to their capital stock (other
than the payment of dividends or distributions to us);
. make any payment of principal, interest or premium on or repay,
repurchase or redeem any debt securities that rank equally with
(including the debentures issued to our other affiliated Delaware
trust), or junior in interest to, the debentures or allow any of our
subsidiaries to do the same;
. make any guarantee payments with respect to any other guarantee by us
of any other debt securities of any of our subsidiaries if the
guarantee ranks equally with or junior to the debentures (other than
payments under the guarantee); or
. redeem, purchase or acquire less than all of the debentures or any of
the preferred securities.
After the termination of any extension period and the payment of all amounts
due, we may elect to begin a new extension period, subject to the above
requirements.
23
<PAGE>
We do not currently intend to exercise our right to defer distributions on
the preferred securities by deferring the payment of interest on the debentures.
Redemption or Exchange
General. Subject to the prior approval of the Federal Reserve, if required,
we will have the right to redeem the debentures:
. in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, on or after June
30, 2005; or
. at any time, in whole, within 180 days following the occurrence of a
Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment Event,
which terms we define below; or
. at any time, to the extent of any preferred securities we repurchase
plus a proportionate amount of the common securities we hold.
Mandatory Redemption. Upon our repayment or redemption, in whole or in
part, of any debentures, whether on June 30, 2030 or earlier, the property
trustee will apply the proceeds to redeem the same amount of the trust
securities, upon not less than 30 days' nor more than 60 days' notice, at the
redemption price. The redemption price will equal 100% of the aggregate
liquidation amount of the trust securities plus accumulated but unpaid
distributions to the date of redemption. If less than all of the debentures are
to be repaid or redeemed on a date of redemption, then the proceeds from such
repayment or redemption will be allocated to redemption of preferred securities
and common securities proportionately.
Distribution of Debentures in Exchange for Preferred Securities. Upon prior
approval of the Federal Reserve, if required, we will have the right at any time
to dissolve, wind-up or terminate the trust and, after satisfaction of the
liabilities of creditors of the trust as provided by applicable law, including,
without limitation, amounts due and owing the trustees of the trust, cause the
debentures to be distributed directly to the holders of trust securities in
liquidation of the trust. See "-- Liquidation Distribution Upon Termination."
After the liquidation date fixed for any distribution of debentures in
exchange for preferred securities:
. those trust securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding;
. certificates representing debentures in a principal amount equal to
the liquidation amount of those preferred securities will be issued in
exchange for the preferred securities certificates;
. we will use our reasonable efforts to list the debentures on the
Nasdaq National Market or a national exchange;
. any certificates representing trust securities that are not
surrendered for exchange will be deemed to represent debentures with a
principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of those preferred
securities, accruing interest at the rate provided for in the
debentures from the last distribution date on the preferred
securities;
. all rights of the trust securityholders other than the right to
receive debentures upon surrender of a certificate representing trust
securities will terminate.
We cannot assure you that the market prices for the preferred securities or
the debentures that may be distributed if a dissolution and liquidation of the
trust were to occur would be favorable. The preferred securities that an
investor may purchase, or the debentures that an investor may receive on
24
<PAGE>
dissolution and liquidation of the trust, may trade at a discount to the price
that the investor paid to purchase the preferred securities.
Redemption upon a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment
Event. If a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment Event
occurs, we will have the right to redeem the debentures in whole, but not in
part, and thereby cause a mandatory redemption of the trust securities in whole
at the redemption price. If one of these events occurs and we do not elect to
redeem the debentures, or to dissolve the trust and cause the debentures to be
distributed to holders of the trust securities, then the preferred securities
will remain outstanding and additional interest may be payable on the
debentures. See "Description of the Debentures -- Redemption or Exchange."
"Tax Event" means the receipt by the trust and us of an opinion of counsel
experienced in such matters stating that there is more than an insubstantial
risk that:
. interest payable by us on the debentures is not, or within 90 days of
the date of the opinion will not be, deductible by us, in whole or in
part, for federal income tax purposes;
. the trust is, or will be within 90 days after the date of the opinion,
subject to federal income tax with respect to income received or
accrued on the debentures; or
. the trust is, or will be within 90 days after the date of opinion,
subject to more than an immaterial amount of other taxes, duties,
assessments or other governmental charges, as a result of any
amendment to any tax laws or regulations.
"Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the trust and us of an
opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that the trust is
or will be considered an "investment company" that is required to be registered
under the Investment Company Act, as a result of a change in law or regulation
or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation.
"Capital Treatment Event" means the receipt by the trust and us of an
opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that there is more
than an insubstantial risk of impairment of our ability to treat the preferred
securities as Tier 1 capital for purposes of the current capital adequacy
guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as a result of any amendment to any laws or
any regulations.
For all of the events described above, we or the trust must request and
receive an opinion with regard to the event within a reasonable period of time
after we become aware of the possible occurrence of an event of this kind.
Redemption of Debentures in Exchange for Preferred Securities We
Repurchase. Upon prior approval of the Federal Reserve, if required, we will
also have the right at any time, and from time to time, to redeem debentures in
exchange for any preferred securities we may have repurchased in the market. If
we elect to surrender any preferred securities beneficially owned by us in
exchange for redemption of a like amount of debentures, we will also surrender a
proportionate amount of common securities in exchange for debentures. Preferred
securities owned by other holders will not be called for redemption at any time
when we elect to exchange trust securities we own to redeem debentures.
The common securities we surrender will be in the same proportion to the
preferred securities we surrender as are the common securities then remaining
outstanding to the preferred securities then remaining outstanding. In exchange
for the trust securities surrendered by us, the trustee will cause to be
distributed to us debentures with a principal amount equal to the liquidation
amount of the trust securities, plus any accumulated but unpaid distributions,
if any, then held by the trustee allocable to those trust securities. After the
date of redemption involving an exchange by us, the trust securities we
surrender and the debentures distributed to us in exchange will no longer be
deemed outstanding.
Redemption Procedures
Preferred securities will be redeemed at the redemption price with the
applicable proceeds from our contemporaneous redemption of the debentures.
Redemptions of the preferred securities will be made, and the redemption price
will be payable, on each redemption date only to the extent that the trust has
funds available for the payment of the redemption price.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the date of redemption to each holder of trust securities to be
redeemed at its registered address. Unless we default in payment of the
redemption price on the debentures, interest will cease to accumulate on the
debentures called for redemption on and after the date of redemption.
25
<PAGE>
If the trust gives notice of redemption of its trust securities, then the
property trustee, to the extent funds are available, will irrevocably deposit
with the depositary for the trust securities funds sufficient to pay the
aggregate redemption price and will give the depositary for the trust securities
irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the
holders of the trust securities. See "Book-Entry Issuance." If the preferred
securities are no longer in book-entry only form, the property trustee, to the
extent funds are available, will deposit with the designated paying agent for
such preferred securities funds sufficient to pay the aggregate redemption price
and will give the paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
redemption price to the holders upon surrender of their certificates evidencing
the preferred securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, distributions payable
on or prior to the date of redemption for any trust securities called for
redemption will be payable to the holders of the trust securities on the
relevant record dates for the related distribution dates.
If notice of redemption has been given and we have deposited funds as
required, then on the date of the deposit all rights of the holders of the trust
securities called for redemption will cease, except the right to receive the
redemption price, but without interest on such redemption price after the date
of redemption. The trust securities will also cease to be outstanding on the
date of the deposit. If any date fixed for redemption of trust securities is not
a business day, then payment of the redemption price payable on that date will
be made on the next day that is a business day without any additional interest
or other payment in respect of the delay. However, if the next business day is
in the next succeeding calendar year, payment of the interest will be made on
the immediately preceding business day.
If payment of the redemption price in respect of trust securities called
for redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid by the trust, or
by us pursuant to the guarantee, distributions on the trust securities will
continue to accumulate at the applicable rate from the date of redemption
originally established by the trust for the trust securities to the date the
redemption price is actually paid. In this case, the actual payment date will be
considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the
redemption price. See "Description of the Guarantee."
Payment of the redemption price on the preferred securities and any
distribution of debentures to holders of preferred securities will be made to
the applicable recordholders as they appear on the register for the preferred
securities on the relevant record date. As long as the preferred securities are
represented by a global security, the record date will be the business day
immediately preceding the date of redemption or liquidation date, as applicable.
If less than all of the trust securities are to be redeemed, then the
aggregate liquidation amount of the trust securities to be redeemed will be
allocated proportionately to those trust securities based upon the relative
liquidation amounts. The particular preferred securities to be redeemed will be
selected by the property trustee from the outstanding preferred securities not
previously called for redemption by a method the property trustee deems fair and
appropriate. This method may provide for the redemption of portions equal to $10
or an integral multiple of $10 of the liquidation amount of the preferred
securities. The property trustee will promptly notify the registrar for the
preferred securities in writing of the preferred securities selected for
redemption and, in the case of any preferred securities selected for partial
redemption, the liquidation amount to be redeemed.
Subject to applicable law, and if we are not exercising our right to defer
interest payments on the debentures, we may, at any time, purchase outstanding
preferred securities.
26
<PAGE>
Subordination of Common Securities
Payment of distributions on, and the redemption price of, the preferred
securities and common securities will be made based on the liquidation amount of
these securities. However, if an event of default under the indenture has
occurred and is continuing, no distributions on or redemption of the common
securities may be made unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and
unpaid distributions on all of the outstanding preferred securities for all
distribution periods terminating on or before that time, or in the case of
payment of the redemption price, payment of the full amount of the redemption
price on all of the outstanding preferred securities then called for redemption,
has been made or provided for. All funds available to the property trustee will
first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all distributions on, or the
redemption price of, the preferred securities then due and payable.
In the case of the occurrence and continuance of any event of default under
the trust agreement resulting from an event of default under the indenture, we,
as holder of the common securities, will be deemed to have waived any right to
act with respect to that event of default under the trust agreement until the
effect of the event of default has been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated.
Until the event of default under the trust agreement has been so cured, waived
or otherwise eliminated, the property trustee will act solely on behalf of the
holders of the preferred securities and not on our behalf, and only the holders
of the preferred securities will have the right to direct the property trustee
to act on their behalf.
Liquidation Distribution Upon Termination
We will have the right at any time to dissolve, wind-up or terminate the
trust and cause the debentures to be distributed to the holders of the preferred
securities. This right is subject, however, to us receiving approval of the
Federal Reserve, if required.
In addition, the trust will automatically terminate upon expiration of its
term and will terminate earlier on the first to occur of:
. our bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation;
. the distribution of a like amount of the debentures to the holders of
trust securities, if we have given written direction to the property
trustee to terminate the trust;
. redemption of all of the preferred securities as described on page 24
under "-- Redemption or Exchange -- Mandatory Redemption"; or
. the entry of a court order for the dissolution of the trust.
With the exception of a redemption as described on page 24 under "--
Redemption or Exchange -- Mandatory Redemption," if an early termination of the
trust occurs, the trust will be liquidated by the administrative trustees as
expeditiously as they determine to be possible. After satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the trust as provided by applicable law, the
trustees will distribute to the holders of trust securities debentures:
. in an aggregate stated principal amount equal to the aggregate stated
liquidation amount of the trust securities;
. with an interest rate identical to the distribution rate on the trust
securities; and
27
<PAGE>
. with accrued and unpaid interest equal to accumulated and unpaid
distributions on the trust securities.
However, if the property trustee determines that the distribution is not
practical, then the holders of trust securities will be entitled to receive,
instead of debentures, a proportionate amount of the liquidation distribution.
The liquidation distribution will be the amount equal to the aggregate of the
liquidation amount plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date of
payment. If the liquidation distribution can be paid only in part because the
trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full the aggregate liquidation
distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the trust on the trust
securities will be paid on a proportional basis, based on liquidation amounts,
to us, as the holder of the common securities, and to the holders of the
preferred securities. However, if an event of default under the indenture has
occurred and is continuing, the preferred securities will have a priority over
the common securities. See "-- Subordination of Common Securities."
Under current United States federal income tax law and interpretations and
assuming that the trust is treated as a grantor trust, as is expected, a
distribution of the debentures should not be a taxable event to holders of the
preferred securities. Should there be a change in law, a change in legal
interpretation, a Tax Event or another circumstance, however, the distribution
could be a taxable event to holders of the preferred securities. See "Federal
Income Tax Consequences -- Receipt of Debentures or Cash Upon Liquidation of the
Trust." If we do not elect to redeem the debentures prior to maturity or to
liquidate the trust and distribute the debentures to holders of the preferred
securities, the preferred securities will remain outstanding until the repayment
of the debentures.
If we elect to dissolve the trust and thus cause the debentures to be
distributed to holders of the preferred securities in liquidation of the trust,
we will continue to have the right to shorten the maturity of the debentures.
See "Description of the Debentures -- General."
Liquidation Value
The amount of the liquidation distribution payable on the preferred
securities in the event of any liquidation of the trust is $10 per preferred
security plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date of payment, which
may be in the form of a distribution of debentures having a liquidation value
and accrued interest of an equal amount. See "-- Liquidation Distribution Upon
Termination."
Events of Default; Notice
Any one of the following events constitutes an event of default under the
trust agreement with respect to the preferred securities:
. the occurrence of an event of default under the indenture (see
"Description of the Debentures -- Debenture Events of Default");
. a default by the trust in the payment of any distribution when it
becomes due and payable, and continuation of the default for a period
of 30 days;
. a default by the trust in the payment of any redemption price of any
of the trust securities when it becomes due and payable;
. a default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of
any covenant or warranty of the trustees in the trust agreement, other
than those defaults covered in the previous two points, and
continuation of the default or breach for a period of 60 days after
there has been
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given, by registered or certified mail, to the trustee(s) by the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation amount of the
outstanding preferred securities, a written notice specifying the
default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that the
notice is a "Notice of Default" under the trust agreement; or
. the occurrence of events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to
the property trustee and our failure to appoint a successor property
trustee within 60 days.
Within five business days after the occurrence of any event of default
actually known to the property trustee, the property trustee will transmit
notice of the event of default to the holders of the preferred securities, the
administrative trustees and to us, unless the event of default has been cured or
waived. Wintrust and the administrative trustees are required to file annually
with the property trustee a certificate as to whether or not they are in
compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to them under the
trust agreement.
If an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing,
the preferred securities will have preference over the common securities upon
termination of the trust. See "-- Subordination of Common Securities" and
"-- Liquidation Distribution Upon Termination." The existence of an event of
default under the trust agreement does not entitle the holders of preferred
securities to accelerate the maturity thereof, unless the event of default is
caused by the occurrence of an event of default under the indenture and both
the indenture trustee and holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
debentures fail to accelerate the maturity thereof.
Removal of the Trustees
Unless an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is
continuing, we may remove any trustee at any time. If an event of default under
the indenture has occurred and is continuing, only the holders of a majority in
liquidation amount of the outstanding preferred securities may remove the
property trustee or the Delaware trustee. The holders of the preferred
securities have no right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the
administrative trustees. These rights are vested exclusively with us as the
holder of the common securities. No resignation or removal of a trustee and no
appointment of a successor trustee will be effective until the successor trustee
accepts the appointment in accordance with the trust agreement.
Co-Trustees and Separate Property Trustee
Unless an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is
continuing, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust
Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of the trust property may
at the time be located, we will have the power to appoint at any time or times,
and upon written request of the property trustee will appoint, one or more
persons or entities either (1) to act as a co-trustee, jointly with the property
trustee, of all or any part of the trust property, or (2) to act as separate
trustee of any trust property. In either case these trustees will have the
powers that may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and will have
vested in them any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or
desirable, subject to the provisions of the trust agreement. In case an event of
default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing, the property trustee
alone will have power to make the appointment.
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Merger or Consolidation of Trustees
Generally, any person or successor to any of the trustees may be a
successor trustee to any of the trustees, including a successor resulting from a
merger or consolidation. However, any successor trustee must meet all of the
qualifications and eligibility standards to act as a trustee.
Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the Trust
The trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other person, except as
described below. The trust may, at our request, with the consent of the
administrative trustees and without the consent of the holders of the preferred
securities, the property trustee or the Delaware trustee, undertake a
transaction listed above if the following conditions are met:
. the successor entity either (a) expressly assumes all of the
obligations of the trust with respect to the preferred securities, or
(b) substitutes for the preferred securities other securities having
substantially the same terms as the preferred securities (referred to
as "successor securities") so long as the successor securities rank
the same in priority as the preferred securities with respect to
distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise;
. we appoint a trustee of the successor entity possessing substantially
the same powers and duties as the property trustee in its capacity as
the holder of the debentures;
. the successor securities are listed or traded or will be listed or
traded on any national securities exchange or other organization on
which the preferred securities are then listed, if any;
. the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance,
transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences
and privileges of the holders of the preferred securities (including
any successor securities) in any material respect;
. the successor entity has a purpose substantially identical to that of
the trust;
. prior to the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease, we have received an opinion from
independent counsel that (a) any transaction of this kind does not
adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders
of the preferred securities (including any successor securities) in
any material respect, and (b) following the transaction, neither the
trust nor the successor entity will be required to register as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act; and
. we own all of the common securities of the successor entity and
guarantee the obligations of the successor entity under the successor
securities at least to the extent provided by the guarantee, the
debentures, the trust agreement and the expense agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the trust may not, except with the consent of
every holder of the preferred securities, enter into any transaction of this
kind if the transaction would cause the trust or the successor entity not to be
classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
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Voting Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement
Except as described below and under "Description of the Guarantee --
Amendments and Assignment" and as otherwise required by the Trust Indenture Act
and the trust agreement, the holders of the preferred securities will have no
voting rights.
The trust agreement may be amended from time to time by us and the
trustees, without the consent of the holders of the preferred securities, in the
following circumstances:
. with respect to acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee;
. to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in the
trust agreement that may be inconsistent with any other provision, or
to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under the trust agreement, as long as the amendment is not
inconsistent with the other provisions of the trust agreement and does
not have a material adverse effect on the interests of any holder of
trust securities; or
. to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of the trust agreement
if necessary to ensure that the trust will be classified for federal
income tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any trust
securities are outstanding or to ensure that the trust will not be
required to register as an "investment company" under the Investment
Company Act.
With the consent of the holders of a majority of the aggregate liquidation
amount of the outstanding trust securities, we and the trustees may amend the
trust agreement if the trustees receive an opinion of counsel to the effect that
the amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the trustees in accordance
with the amendment will not affect the trust's status as a grantor trust for
federal income tax purposes or the trust's exemption from status as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act. However, without the
consent of each holder of trust securities, the trust agreement may not be
amended to (a) change the amount or timing of any distribution on the trust
securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any distribution required
to be made in respect of the trust securities as of a specified date, or (b)
restrict the right of a holder of trust securities to institute suit for the
enforcement of the payment on or after that date.
As long as the property trustee holds any debentures, the trustees will
not, without obtaining the prior approval of the holders of a majority in
aggregate liquidation amount of all outstanding preferred securities:
. direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the indenture trustee, or executing any trust or
power conferred on the property trustee with respect to the
debentures;
. waive any past default that is waivable under the indenture;
. exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the
principal of all the debentures will be due and payable; or
. consent to any amendment or termination of the indenture or the
debentures, where the property trustee's consent is required. However,
where a consent under the indenture requires the consent of each
holder of the affected debentures, no consent will be given by the
property trustee without the prior consent of each holder of the
preferred securities.
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The trustees may not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a
vote of the holders of the preferred securities except by subsequent vote of the
holders of the preferred securities. The property trustee will notify each
holder of preferred securities of any notice of default with respect to the
debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of the holders of
the preferred securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the
trustees must obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in these matters to the
effect that the trust will not be classified as an association taxable as a
corporation for federal income tax purposes on account of the action.
Any required approval of holders of trust securities may be given at a
meeting or by written consent. The property trustee will cause a notice of any
meeting at which holders of the trust securities are entitled to vote, or of any
matter upon which action by written consent of the holders is to be taken, to be
given to each holder of record of trust securities.
No vote or consent of the holders of preferred securities will be required
for the trust to redeem and cancel its preferred securities in accordance with
the trust agreement.
Notwithstanding the fact that holders of preferred securities are entitled
to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the
preferred securities that are owned by Wintrust, the trustees or any affiliate
of Wintrust or any trustee, will, for purposes of the vote or consent, be
treated as if they were not outstanding.
Global Preferred Securities
The preferred securities will be represented by one or more global
preferred securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, New
York, New York ("DTC"), or its nominee. A global preferred security is a
security representing interests of more than one beneficial holder. Ownership of
beneficial interests in the global preferred securities will be reflected in DTC
participant account records through DTC's book-entry transfer and registration
system. Participants are brokers, dealers, or others having accounts with DTC.
Indirect beneficial interests of other persons investing in the preferred
securities will be shown on, and transfers will be effected only through,
records maintained by DTC participants. Except as described below, preferred
securities in definitive form will not be issued in exchange for the global
preferred securities. See "Book-Entry Issuance."
No global preferred security may be exchanged for preferred securities
registered in the names of persons other than DTC or its nominee unless:
. DTC notifies the indenture trustee that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as a depositary for the global preferred security and we are
unable to locate a qualified successor depositary;
. we execute and deliver to the indenture trustee a written order
stating that we elect to terminate the book-entry system through DTC;
or
. there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default under
the indenture.
Any global preferred security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding
sentence shall be exchangeable for definitive certificates registered in the
names as DTC shall direct. It is expected that the instructions will be based
upon directions received by DTC with respect to ownership of beneficial
interests in the global preferred security. If preferred securities are issued
in definitive form, the preferred securities will be in denominations of $10 and
integral multiples of $10 and may be transferred or exchanged at the offices
described below.
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Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual
preferred securities represented thereby, a global preferred security may not be
transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC, by a nominee of DTC to
DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any nominee to a successor depositary
or any nominee of the successor.
Payments on global preferred securities will be made to DTC, as the
depositary for the global preferred securities. If the preferred securities are
issued in definitive form, distributions will be payable by check mailed to the
address of record of the persons entitled to the distribution, and the transfer
of the preferred securities will be registrable, and preferred securities will
be exchangeable for preferred securities of other denominations of a like
aggregate liquidation amount, at the corporate office of the property trustee,
or at the offices of any paying agent or transfer agent appointed by the
administrative trustees. In addition, if the preferred securities are issued in
definitive form, the record dates for payment of distributions will be the 15th
day of the month in which the relevant distribution date occurs. For a
description of the terms of DTC arrangements relating to payments, transfers,
voting rights, redemptions and other notices and other matters, see "Book-Entry
Issuance."
Upon the issuance of one or more global preferred securities, and the
deposit of the global preferred security with or on behalf of DTC or its
nominee, DTC or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and
transfer system, the respective aggregate liquidation amounts of the individual
preferred securities represented by the global preferred security to the
designated accounts of persons that participate in the DTC system. These
participant accounts will be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents
selling the preferred securities. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global
preferred security will be limited to persons or entities having an account with
DTC or who may hold interests through participants. With respect to interests of
any person or entity that is a DTC participant, ownership of beneficial
interests in a global preferred security will be shown on, and the transfer of
that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its
nominee. With respect to persons or entities who hold interests in a global
preferred security through a participant, the interest and any transfer of the
interest will be shown only on the participant's records. The laws of some
states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of
securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer
beneficial interests in a global preferred security.
So long as DTC or another depositary, or its nominee, is the registered
owner of the global preferred security, the depositary or the nominee, as the
case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the preferred
securities represented by the global preferred security for all purposes under
the trust agreement. Except as described in this prospectus, owners of
beneficial interests in a global preferred security will not be entitled to have
any of the individual preferred securities represented by the global preferred
security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive
physical delivery of any the preferred securities in definitive form and will
not be considered the owners or holders of the preferred securities under the
trust agreement.
None of us, the property trustee, any paying agent or the securities
registrar for the preferred securities will have any responsibility or liability
for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of
beneficial ownership interests of the global preferred security representing the
preferred securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records
relating to the beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of the
liquidation amount or distributions in respect of a global preferred security,
immediately will credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interest in the aggregate
liquidation amount of the global preferred security as shown on the records of
DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of
beneficial interests in the global preferred security held
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through the participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers
in bearer form or registered in "street name." The payments will be the
responsibility of the participants. See "Book-Entry Issuance."
Payment and Paying Agency
Payments in respect of the preferred securities shall be made to DTC, which
shall credit the relevant accounts of participants on the applicable
distribution dates, or, if any of the preferred securities are not held by DTC,
the payments shall be made by check mailed to the address of the holder as
listed on the register of holders of the preferred securities. The paying agent
for the preferred securities will initially be the property trustee and any co-
paying agent chosen by the property trustee and acceptable to us and the
administrative trustees. The paying agent for the preferred securities may
resign as paying agent upon 30 days' written notice to the administrative
trustees, the property trustee and us. If the property trustee no longer is the
paying agent for the preferred securities, the administrative trustees will
appoint a successor to act as paying agent. The successor must be a bank or
trust company acceptable to us and the property trustee.
Registrar and Transfer Agent
The property trustee will act as the registrar and the transfer agent for
the preferred securities. Registration of transfers of preferred securities will
be effected without charge by or on behalf of the trust, but upon payment of any
tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any
transfer or exchange. The trust and its registrar and transfer agent will not be
required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of preferred
securities after they have been called for redemption.
Information Concerning the Property Trustee
The property trustee undertakes to perform only the duties set forth in the
trust agreement. After the occurrence of an event of default that is continuing,
the property trustee must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a
prudent person exercises or uses in the conduct of its own affairs. The property
trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the
trust agreement at the request of any holder of preferred securities unless it
is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that
might be incurred. If no event of default under the trust agreement has occurred
and is continuing and the property trustee is required to decide between
alternative causes of action, construe ambiguous or inconsistent provisions in
the trust agreement or is unsure of the application of any provision of the
trust agreement, and the matter is not one on which holders of preferred
securities are entitled to vote upon, then the property trustee will take the
action directed in writing by us. If the property trustee is not so directed,
then it will take the action it deems advisable and in the best interests of the
holders of the trust securities and will have no liability except for its own
bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.
Miscellaneous
The administrative trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the
affairs of and to operate the trust in such a way that:
. the trust will not be deemed to be an "investment company" required to
be registered under Investment Company Act;
. the trust will not be classified as an association taxable as a
corporation for federal income tax purposes; and
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. the debentures will be treated as indebtedness of Wintrust for federal
income tax purposes.
In this regard, we and the administrative trustees are authorized to take any
action not inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust or the
trust agreement, that we and the administrative trustees determine to be
necessary or desirable for these purposes.
Holders of the preferred securities have no preemptive or similar rights.
The trust agreement and the trust securities will be governed by Delaware law.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBENTURES
Concurrently with the issuance of the preferred securities, the trust will
invest the proceeds from the sale of the trust securities in the debentures
issued by us. The debentures will be issued as unsecured debt under the
indenture between us and Wilmington Trust Company, as indenture trustee. The
indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.
The following discussion is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the indenture and to the Trust Indenture Act. We urge prospective
investors to read the form of the indenture, which is filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
General
The debentures will be limited in aggregate principal amount to $18,556,710
or $20,618,560 if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full.
This amount represents the sum of the aggregate stated liquidation amounts of
the trust securities. The debentures will bear interest at the annual rate of %
of the principal amount. The interest will be payable quarterly on March 31,
June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, beginning September 30,
2000, to the person in whose name each debenture is registered at the close of
business on the 15/th/ day of the last month of the calendar quarter. It is
anticipated that, until the liquidation, if any, of the trust, the debentures
will be held in the name of the property trustee in trust for the benefit of the
holders of the trust securities.
The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis
of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any date on which interest is
payable on the debentures is not a business day, then payment of interest will
be made on the next day that is a business day without any additional interest
or other payment in respect of the delay. However, if the next business day is
in the next calendar year, payment of interest will be made on the immediately
preceding business day. Accrued interest that is not paid on the applicable
interest payment date will bear additional interest on the amount due at the
annual rate of _____ %, compounded quarterly.
The debentures will mature on June 30, 2030, the stated maturity date. We
may shorten this date once at any time to any date not earlier than June 30,
2005, subject to the prior approval of the Federal Reserve, if required.
We will give notice to the indenture trustee and the holders of the
debentures, no more than 180 days and no less than 30 days prior to the
effectiveness of any change in the stated maturity date. We will not have the
right to redeem the debentures from the trust until after June 30, 2005, except
if (a) a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment Event,
which terms are defined on page 25, has occurred, or (b) we repurchase preferred
securities in the market, in which case we can elect to redeem debentures
specifically in exchange for a like amount of preferred securities owned by us
plus a proportionate amount of common securities.
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The debentures will be unsecured and will rank junior to all of our senior
and subordinated debt, including indebtedness we may incur in the future.
Because we are a holding company, our right to participate in any distribution
of assets of any of our subsidiaries, upon any subsidiary's liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise, and thus the ability of holders of the debentures
to benefit indirectly from any distribution by a subsidiary, is subject to the
prior claim of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that we may be
recognized as a creditor of the subsidiary. The debentures will, therefore, be
effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our
subsidiaries, and holders of debentures should look only to our assets for
payment. The indenture does not limit our ability to incur or issue secured or
unsecured senior and junior debt. See "-- Subordination."
The indenture does not contain provisions that afford holders of the
debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction or other
similar transaction involving us, nor does it require us to maintain or achieve
any financial performance levels or to obtain or maintain any credit rating on
the debentures.
Option to Extend Interest Payment Period
As long as no event of default under the indenture has occurred and is
continuing, we have the right under the indenture to defer the payment of
interest on the debentures at any time for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive
quarters. However, no extension period may extend beyond the stated maturity of
the debentures or end on a date other than a date interest is normally due. At
the end of an extension period, we must pay all interest then accrued and
unpaid, together with interest thereon at the annual rate of %, compounded
quarterly. During an extension period, interest will continue to accrue and
holders of debentures, or the holders of preferred securities if they are then
outstanding, will be required to accrue and recognize as income for federal
income tax purposes the accrued but unpaid interest amounts in the year in which
such amounts accrued. See "Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Interest Payment
Period and Original Issue Discount."
During an extension period, we may not:
. declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase,
acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of our
capital stock (other than the reclassification of any class of capital
stock into another class of capital stock) or allow any of our
subsidiaries to do the same with respect to their capital stock (other
than payment of dividends or distributions to us);
. make or allow any of our subsidiaries to make any payment of
principal, interest or premium on, or repay, repurchase or redeem any
debt securities issued by us that rank equally with or junior to the
debentures;
. make or allow any of our subsidiaries to make any guarantee payments
with respect to any other guarantee by us of any other debt securities
of any of our subsidiaries if the guarantee ranks equally with or
junior to the debentures (other than payments under the guarantee); or
. redeem, purchase or acquire less than all of the debentures or any of
the preferred securities.
Prior to the termination of any extension period, so long as no event of
default under the indenture is continuing, we may further defer the payment of
interest subject to the above stated requirements. Upon the termination of any
extension period and the payment of all amounts then due, we may elect to begin
a new extension period at any time. We do not currently intend to exercise our
right to defer payments of interest on the debentures.
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We must give the property trustee, the administrative trustees and the
indenture trustee notice of our election of an extension period at least two
business days prior to the earlier of (a) the next date on which distributions
on the trust securities would have been payable except for the election to begin
an extension period, or (b) the date we are required to give notice of the
record date, or the date the distributions are payable, to the Nasdaq National
Market, or other applicable self-regulatory organization, or to holders of the
preferred securities, but in any event at least one business day prior to the
record date.
Other than as described above, there is no limitation on the number of
times that we may elect to begin an extension period.
Additional Sums to be Paid as a Result of Additional Taxes
If the trust is required to pay any additional taxes, duties, assessments
or other governmental charges as a result of the occurrence of a Tax Event, we
will pay as additional interest on the debentures any amounts which may be
required so that the net amounts received and retained by the trust after paying
any additional taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges will not
be less than the amounts the trust would have received had the additional taxes,
duties, assessments or other governmental charges not been imposed.
Redemption
Subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve, if required, we may
redeem the debentures prior to maturity:
. on or after June 30, 2005, in whole at any time or in part from time
to time; or
. in whole at any time within 180 days following the occurrence of a Tax
Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment Event; or
. at any time, to the extent of any preferred securities we repurchase
plus a proportionate amount of the common securities we hold.
In each case we will pay a redemption price equal to the accrued and unpaid
interest on the debentures so redeemed to the date fixed for redemption, plus
100% of the principal amount of the redeemed debentures.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each holder of debentures to be redeemed
at its registered address. Redemption of less than all outstanding debentures
must be effected proportionately, by lot or in any other manner deemed to be
fair and appropriate by the indenture trustee. Unless we default in payment of
the redemption price for the debentures, on and after the redemption date
interest will no longer accrue on the debentures or the portions of the
debentures called for redemption.
The debentures will not be subject to any sinking fund.
Distribution Upon Liquidation
As described under "Description of the Preferred Securities -- Liquidation
Distribution Upon Termination," under certain circumstances and with the Federal
Reserve's approval, the debentures may be distributed to the holders of the
preferred securities in liquidation of the trust after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the trust. If this occurs, we will use our
reasonable efforts to list the debentures on the Nasdaq National Market or other
stock exchange or national quotation system on which the preferred securities
are then listed, if any. There can be no assurance as to the market price of any
debentures that may be distributed to the holders of preferred securities.
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Restrictions on Payments
We are restricted from making certain payments (as described below) if we
have chosen to defer payment of interest on the debentures, if an event of
default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, or if we are in
default with respect to our obligations under the guarantee.
If any of these events occur, we will not:
. declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase,
acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of our
capital stock (other than stock dividends, non-cash dividends in
connection with the implementation of a shareholder rights plan,
purchases of common stock in connection with employee benefit plans or
in connection with the reclassification of any class of our capital
stock into another class of capital stock) or allow any of our
subsidiaries to do the same with respect to their capital stock (other
than payment of dividends or distributions to us);
. make or allow any of our subsidiaries to make any payment of
principal, interest or premium on, or repay or repurchase or redeem
any of our debt securities that rank equally with or junior to the
debentures;
. make or allow any of our subsidiaries to make any guarantee payments
with respect to any guarantee by us of the debt securities of any of
our subsidiaries if the guarantee ranks equally with or junior to the
debentures (other than payments under the guarantee); or
. redeem, purchase or acquire less than all of the debentures or any of
the preferred securities.
Subordination
The debentures are subordinated and junior in right of payment to all of
our senior and subordinated debt, as defined below. Upon any payment or
distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding
up or reorganization of Wintrust, whether voluntary or involuntary in
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings in connection with any
insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, the holders of our senior and subordinated
debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of principal and interest
before the holders of debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any
payment in respect of the debentures.
If the maturity of any debentures is accelerated, the holders of all of our
senior and subordinated debt outstanding at the time of the acceleration will
also be entitled to first receive payment in full of all amounts due to them,
including any amounts due upon acceleration, before the holders of the
debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any principal or interest
payments on the debentures.
No payments of principal or interest on the debentures may be made if there
has occurred and is continuing a default in any payment with respect to any of
our senior or subordinated debt or an event of default with respect to any of
our senior or subordinated debt resulting in the acceleration of the maturity of
the senior or subordinated debt, or if any judicial proceeding is pending with
respect to any default.
The term "debt" means, with respect to any person, whether recourse is to
all or a portion of the assets of the person and whether or not contingent:
. every obligation of the person for money borrowed;
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. every obligation of the person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes
or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in
connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses;
. every reimbursement obligation of the person with respect to letters
of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for the
account of the person;
. every obligation of the person issued or assumed as the deferred
purchase price of property or services, excluding trade accounts
payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business;
. every capital lease obligation of the person; and
. every obligation of the type referred to in the first five points of
another person and all dividends of another person the payment of
which, in either case, the first person has guaranteed or is
responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor or
otherwise.
The term "senior debt" means the principal of, and premium and interest,
including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy
or for reorganization relating to us, on, debt, whether incurred on or prior to
the date of the indenture or incurred after the date. However, senior debt will
not be deemed to include:
. any debt where it is provided in the instrument creating the debt that
the obligations are not superior in right of payment to the debentures
or to other debt which is equal with, or subordinated to, the
debentures including our 9.00% Subordinated Debentures due 2028,
issued to Wintrust Capital Trust I;
. any of our debt that when incurred and without regard to any election
under the federal bankruptcy laws, was without recourse to us;
. any debt of ours to any of our subsidiaries;
. any debt to any of our employees;
. any debt that by its terms is subordinated to trade accounts payable
or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business to
the extent that payments made to the holders of the debt by the
holders of the debentures as a result of the subordination provisions
of the indenture would be greater than they otherwise would have been
as a result of any obligation of the holders to pay amounts over to
the obligees on the trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities
arising in the ordinary course of business as a result of
subordination provisions to which the debt is subject; and
. debt which constitutes subordinated debt.
The term "subordinated debt" means the principal of, and premium and
interest, including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in
bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to us, on, debt. Subordinated debt
includes debt incurred on or prior to the date of the indenture or thereafter
incurred, which is by its terms expressly provided to be junior and subordinate
to other debt of ours, other than the debentures. However, subordinated debt
will not be deemed to include:
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. any of our debt which when incurred and without regard to any election
under the federal bankruptcy laws was without recourse to us;
. any debt of ours to any of our subsidiaries;
. any debt to any of our employees;
. any debt which by its terms is subordinated to trade accounts payable
or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business to
the extent that payments made to the holders of the debt by the
holders of the debentures as a result of the subordination provisions
of the indenture would be greater than they otherwise would have been
as a result of any obligation of the holders to pay amounts over to
the obligees on the trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities
arising in the ordinary course of business as a result of
subordination provisions to which the debt is subject;
. debt which constitutes senior debt; and
. any debt of ours under debt securities (and guarantees in respect of
these debt securities) initially issued to any trust, or a trustee of
a trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with us that is,
directly or indirectly, our financing subsidiary in connection with
the issuance by that entity of preferred securities or other
securities which are intended to qualify for "Tier 1" capital
treatment, such as the approximately $31.1 million of 9% Subordinated
Debentures due September 30, 2028 that we issued to Wintrust Capital
Trust I in 1998.
We expect from time to time to incur additional indebtedness, and there is
no limitation under the indenture on the amount we may incur. We had
consolidated senior and subordinated debt of $82.8 million outstanding principal
amount at March 31, 2000. Although a portion of these amounts is expected to be
repaid with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the debentures, we expect
to incur additional senior or subordinated debt in the future.
Payment and Paying Agents
Generally, payment of principal of and interest on the debentures will be
made at the office of the indenture trustee in Wilmington, Delaware. However, we
have the option to make payment of any interest by (a) check mailed to the
address of the person entitled to payment at the address listed in the register
of holders of the debentures, or (b) wire transfer to an account maintained by
the person entitled thereto as specified in the register of holders of the
debentures, provided that proper transfer instructions have been received by the
applicable record date. Payment of any interest on debentures will be made to
the person in whose name the debenture is registered at the close of business on
the regular record date for the interest payment, except in the case of
defaulted interest.
Any moneys deposited with the indenture trustee or any paying agent for the
debentures, or then held by us in trust, for the payment of the principal of or
interest on the debentures and remaining unclaimed for two years after the
principal or interest has become due and payable, will be repaid to us on June
30 of each year. If we hold any of this money in trust, then it will be
discharged from the trust to us and the holder of the debenture will thereafter
look, as a general unsecured creditor, only to us for payment.
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Registrar and Transfer Agent
The indenture trustee will act as the registrar and the transfer agent for
the debentures. Debentures may be presented for registration of transfer, with
the form of transfer endorsed thereon, or a satisfactory written instrument of
transfer, duly executed, at the office of the registrar. Provided that we
maintain a transfer agent in Wilmington, Delaware, we may rescind the
designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the location through
which any transfer agent acts. We may at any time designate additional transfer
agents with respect to the debentures.
If we redeem any of the debentures, neither we nor the indenture trustee
will be required to (a) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any
debentures during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before
the day of the mailing of and ending at the close of business on the day of the
mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (b) transfer or exchange any
debentures so selected for redemption, except, in the case of any debentures
being redeemed in part, any portion not to be redeemed.
Modification of Indenture
We and the indenture trustee may, from time to time without the consent of
the holders of the debentures, amend, waive our rights under or supplement the
indenture for purposes which do not materially adversely affect the rights of
the holders of the debentures. Other changes may be made by us and the indenture
trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debentures. However, without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding debenture affected by the proposed modification, no modification
may:
. extend the maturity date of the debentures; or
. reduce the principal amount or the rate or extend the time of payment of
interest; or
. reduce the percentage of principal amount of debentures required to amend
the indenture.
As long as any of the preferred securities remain outstanding, no modification
of the indenture may be made that requires the consent of the holders of the
debentures, no termination of the indenture may occur, and no waiver of any
event of default under the indenture may be effective, without the prior consent
of the holders of a majority of the aggregate liquidation amount of the
preferred securities.
Debenture Events of Default
The indenture provides that any one or more of the following events with
respect to the debentures that has occurred and is continuing constitutes an
event of default under the indenture:
. our failure to pay any interest on the debentures for 30 days after the
due date, except where we have properly deferred the interest payment;
. our failure to pay any principal on the debentures when due whether at
maturity, upon redemption or otherwise;
. our failure to observe or perform in any material respect any other
covenants or agreements contained in the indenture for 90 days after
written notice to us from the indenture trustee or the holders of at
least 25% in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the debentures; or
. our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or dissolution of the trust.
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The holders of a majority of the aggregate 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 indenture trustee. The indenture
trustee, or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate outstanding principal
amount of the debentures, may declare the principal due and payable immediately
upon an event of default under the indenture. The holders of a majority of the
outstanding principal amount of the debentures may rescind and annul the
declaration and waive the default if the default has been cured and a sum
sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due
otherwise than by acceleration, has been deposited with the indenture trustee.
The holders may not annul the declaration and waive a default if the default is
the non-payment of the principal of the debentures which has become due solely
by the acceleration. Should the holders of the debentures fail to annul the
declaration and waive the default, the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
liquidation amount of the preferred securities will have this right.
If an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing,
the property trustee will have the right to declare the principal of and the
interest on the debentures, and any other amounts payable under the indenture,
to be immediately due and payable and to enforce its other rights as a creditor
with respect to the debentures.
We are required to file annually with the indenture trustee a certificate
as to whether or not we are in compliance with all of the conditions and
covenants applicable to us under the indenture.
Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of the Preferred Securities
If an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing
and the event is attributable to the failure by us to pay interest on or
principal of the debentures on the date on which the payment is due and payable,
then a holder of preferred securities may institute a direct action against us
to compel us to make the payment. We may not amend the indenture to remove the
foregoing right to bring a direct action without the prior written consent of
all of the holders of the preferred securities. If the right to bring a direct
action is removed, the trust may become subject to the reporting obligations
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The holders of the preferred securities will not be able to exercise
directly any remedies, other than those set forth in the preceding paragraph,
available to the holders of the debentures unless there has been an event of
default under the trust agreement. See "Description of the Preferred Securities
- --Events of Default; Notice."
Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets and Other Transactions
We may not consolidate with or merge into any other entity or convey or
transfer our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any entity,
and no entity may be consolidated with or merged into us or sell, convey,
transfer or otherwise dispose of its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to us, unless:
. if we consolidate with or merge into another person or convey or transfer
our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, the
successor person is organized under the laws of the United States or any
state or the District of Columbia, and the successor person expressly
assumes by supplemental indenture our obligations on the debentures;
. immediately after the transaction, no event of default under the
indenture, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both,
would become an event of default under the indenture, has occurred and is
continuing; and
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. other conditions as prescribed in the indenture are met.
Satisfaction and Discharge
The indenture will cease to be of further effect and we will be deemed to
have satisfied and discharged our obligations under the indenture when all
debentures not previously delivered to the indenture trustee for cancellation:
. have become due and payable;
. will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or
are to be called for redemption within one year, and we deposit or cause
to be deposited with the indenture trustee funds, in trust, for the
purpose and in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire
indebtedness on the debentures not previously delivered to the indenture
trustee for cancellation, for the principal and interest due to the date
of the deposit or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case
may be.
We may still be required to provide officers' certificates, opinions of
counsel and pay fees and expenses due after these events occur.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debentures will be governed by and construed in
accordance with Illinois law.
Information Concerning the Indenture Trustee
The indenture trustee is subject to all the duties and responsibilities
specified with respect to an indenture trustee under the Trust Indenture Act.
Subject to these provisions, the indenture trustee is under no obligation to
exercise any of the powers vested in it by the indenture at the request of any
holder of debentures, unless offered reasonable security or indemnity by the
holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred. The
indenture trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise
incur personal financial liability in the performance of its duties if the
indenture trustee reasonably believes that repayment or adequate indemnity is
not reasonably assured to it.
Miscellaneous
We have agreed, pursuant to the indenture, for so long as preferred
securities remain outstanding:
. to maintain directly or indirectly 100% ownership of the common
securities of the trust, except that certain successors that are
permitted pursuant to the indenture may succeed to our ownership of the
common securities;
. not to voluntarily terminate, wind up or liquidate the trust without
prior approval of the Federal Reserve, if required;
. to use our reasonable efforts to cause the trust (a) to remain a business
trust (and to avoid involuntary termination, winding up or liquidation),
except in connection with a distribution of debentures, the redemption of
all of the trust securities of the trust or mergers, consolidations or
amalgamations, each as permitted by the trust agreement; and (b) to
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otherwise continue not to be treated as an association taxable as a
corporation or partnership for federal income tax purposes; and
. to use our reasonable efforts to cause each holder of trust securities to
be treated as owning an individual beneficial interest in the debentures.
BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE
General
DTC will act as securities depositary for the preferred securities and may
act as securities depositary for all of the debentures in the event of the
distribution of the debentures to the holders of preferred securities. Except as
described below, the preferred securities will be issued only as registered
securities in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC's nominee). One or more global
preferred securities will be issued for the preferred securities and will be
deposited with DTC.
DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under New York banking
law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York banking law, a
member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC
holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates
the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers
and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry
changes in participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical
movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities
brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain
other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by
the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also
available to indirect participants, such as securities brokers and dealers,
banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain custodial relationships
with direct participants, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to
DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of preferred securities within the DTC system must be made by or
through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the preferred
securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of
each preferred security ("beneficial owner") is in turn to be recorded on the
direct and indirect participants' records. Beneficial owners will not receive
written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but beneficial owners are
expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions,
as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect
participants through which the beneficial owners purchased preferred securities.
Transfers of ownership interests in the preferred securities are to be
accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of
beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing
their ownership interest in preferred securities, except if use of the book-
entry-only system for the preferred securities is discontinued.
DTC will have no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the preferred
securities; DTC's records reflect only the identity of the direct participants
to whose accounts the preferred securities are credited, which may or may not be
the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping
account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that we believe to be accurate, but we and the
trust assume no responsibility for the
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accuracy thereof. Neither we nor the trust have any responsibility for the
performance by DTC or its participants of their respective obligations as
described in this prospectus or under the rules and procedures governing their
respective operations.
Notices and Voting
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct
participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct and
indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements
among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in
effect from time to time.
Redemption notices will be sent to Cede & Co. as the registered holder of
the preferred securities. If less than all of the preferred securities are being
redeemed, the amount to be redeemed will be determined in accordance with the
trust agreement.
Although voting with respect to the preferred securities is limited to the
holders of record of the preferred securities, in those instances in which a
vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with
respect to preferred securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an
omnibus proxy to the property trustee as soon as possible after the record date.
The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those
direct participants to whose accounts the preferred securities are credited on
the record date.
Distribution of Funds
The property trustee will make distribution payments on the preferred
securities to DTC. DTC's practice is to credit direct participants' accounts on
the relevant payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on
DTC's records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments
on the payment date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the
responsibility of the participant and not of DTC, the property trustee, the
trust or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in
effect from time to time. Payment of distributions to DTC is the responsibility
of the property trustee, disbursement of the payments to direct participants is
the responsibility of DTC, and disbursements of the payments to the beneficial
owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.
Successor Depositaries and Termination of Book-Entry System
DTC may discontinue providing its services with respect to any of the
preferred securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the property
trustee or us. If no successor securities depositary is obtained, definitive
certificates representing the preferred securities are required to be printed
and delivered. We also have the option to discontinue use of the system of book-
entry transfers through DTC (or a successor depositary). After an event of
default under the indenture, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of
preferred securities may determine to discontinue the system of book-entry
transfers through DTC. In these events, definitive certificates for the
preferred securities will be printed and delivered.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEE
The preferred securities guarantee agreement will be executed and delivered
by us concurrently with the issuance of the preferred securities for the benefit
of the holders of the preferred securities. The guarantee agreement will be
qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. Wilmington Trust
Company, the guarantee trustee, will act as trustee for purposes of complying
with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, and will also hold the guarantee
for the benefit of the holders of the preferred securities. Prospective
investors are urged to read the form of the guarantee agreement, which has been
filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms
a part.
General
We agree to pay in full on a subordinated basis, to the extent described in
the guarantee agreement, the guarantee payments (as defined below) to the
holders of the preferred securities, as and when due, regardless of any defense,
right of set-off or counterclaim that the trust may have or assert other than
the defense of payment.
The following payments with respect to the preferred securities are called
the "guarantee payments" and, to the extent not paid or made by the trust and to
the extent that the trust has funds available for those distributions, will be
subject to the guarantee:
. any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to be paid on the
preferred securities;
. with respect to any preferred securities called for redemption, the
redemption price; and
. upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or termination
of the trust (other than in connection with the distribution of
debentures to the holders of preferred securities in exchange for
preferred securities), the lesser of:
(a) the amount of the liquidation distribution; and
(b) the amount of assets of the trust remaining available for
distribution to holders of preferred securities in liquidation of
the trust.
We may satisfy our obligations to make a guarantee payment by making a direct
payment of the required amounts to the holders of the preferred securities or by
causing the trust to pay the amounts to the holders.
The guarantee agreement is a guarantee, on a subordinated basis, of the
guarantee payments, but the guarantee only applies to the extent the trust has
funds available for those distributions. If we do not make interest payments on
the debentures purchased by the trust, the trust will not have funds available
to make the distributions and will not pay distributions on the preferred
securities.
Status of the Guarantee
The guarantee constitutes our unsecured obligation that ranks subordinate
and junior in right of payment to all of our senior and subordinated debt in the
same manner as the debentures and senior to our capital stock. We expect to
incur additional indebtedness in the future, although we have no specific plans
in this regard presently, and neither the indenture nor the trust agreement
limits the amounts of the obligations that we may incur.
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The guarantee constitutes a guarantee of payment and not of collection. If
we fail to make guarantee payments when required, holders of preferred
securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce their
rights under the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against
any other person or entity.
The guarantee will not be discharged except by payment of the guarantee
payments in full to the extent not paid by the trust or upon distribution of the
debentures to the holders of the preferred securities. Because we are a bank
holding company, our right to participate in any distribution of assets of any
subsidiary upon the subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is
subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the
extent we may be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Our obligations
under the guarantee, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to all existing
and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to
our assets for payments under the guarantee.
Amendments and Assignment
Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely affect
the rights of holders of the preferred securities, in which case no vote will be
required, the guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the
holders of a majority of the aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding
preferred securities. See "Description of the Preferred Securities -- Voting
Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement."
Events of Default; Remedies
An event of default under the guarantee agreement will occur upon our
failure to make any required guarantee payments or to perform any other
obligations under the guarantee. The holders of a majority in aggregate
liquidation amount of the preferred securities will 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 the guarantee and may direct the exercise of
any power conferred upon the guarantee trustee under the guarantee agreement.
Any holder of preferred securities may institute and prosecute a legal
proceeding directly against us to enforce its rights under the guarantee without
first instituting a legal proceeding against the trust, the guarantee trustee or
any other person or entity.
We are required to provide to the guarantee trustee annually a certificate
as to whether or not we are in compliance with all of the conditions and
covenants applicable to us under the guarantee agreement.
Termination of the Guarantee
The guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and effect upon:
. full payment of the redemption price of the preferred securities;
. full payment of the amounts payable upon liquidation of the trust; or
. distribution of the debentures to the holders of the preferred
securities.
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If at any time any holder of the preferred securities must restore payment of
any sums paid under the preferred securities or the guarantee, the guarantee
will continue to be effective or will be reinstated with respect to such
amounts.
Information Concerning the Guarantee Trustee
The guarantee trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of
our default in performance of the guarantee, undertakes to perform only those
duties as are specifically set forth in the guarantee. When an event of default
has occurred and is continuing, the guarantee trustee must exercise the same
degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the
conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to those provisions, the guarantee
trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the
guarantee at the request of any holder of any preferred securities unless it is
offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that
might be incurred thereby.
Expense Agreement
We will, pursuant to the Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities entered
into by us and the trust under the trust agreement, irrevocably and
unconditionally guarantee to each person or entity to whom the trust becomes
indebted or liable, the full payment of any costs, expenses or liabilities of
the trust, other than obligations of the trust to pay to the holders of the
preferred securities or other similar interests in the trust of the amounts due
to the holders pursuant to the terms of the preferred securities or other
similar interests, as the case may be. Third party creditors of the trust may
proceed directly against us under the expense agreement, regardless of whether
they had notice of the expense agreement.
Governing Law
The guarantee will be governed by Illinois law.
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE PREFERRED SECURITIES, THE
DEBENTURES AND THE GUARANTEE
Full and Unconditional Guarantee
We irrevocably guarantee, as and to the extent described in this
prospectus, payments of distributions and other amounts due on the preferred
securities, to the extent the trust has funds available for the payment of these
amounts. We and the trust believe that, taken together, our obligations under
the debentures, the indenture, the trust agreement, the expense agreement and
the guarantee agreement provide, in the aggregate, a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee, on a subordinated basis, of payment of distributions
and other amounts due on the preferred securities. No single document standing
alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents
constitutes a guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these documents
that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee
of the obligations of the trust under the preferred securities.
If and to the extent that we do not make payments on the debentures, the
trust will not pay distributions or other amounts due on the preferred
securities. The guarantee does not cover payment of distributions when the trust
does not have sufficient funds to pay the distributions. In this event, the
remedy of a holder of preferred securities is to institute a legal proceeding
directly against us for enforcement of payment of the distributions to the
holder. Our obligations under the guarantee are subordinated and junior in right
of payment to all of our other indebtedness.
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Sufficiency of Payments
As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on the
debentures, these payments will be sufficient to cover distributions and other
payments due on the preferred securities, primarily because:
. the aggregate principal amount of the debentures will be equal to the
sum of the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the trust securities;
. the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on the debentures
will match the distribution rate and distribution and other payment
dates for the preferred securities;
. we will pay for any and all costs, expenses and liabilities of the
trust, except the obligations of the trust to pay to holders of the
preferred securities the amounts due to the holders pursuant to the
terms of the preferred securities; and
. the trust will not engage in any activity that is not consistent with
the limited purposes of the trust.
Enforcement Rights of Holders of Preferred Securities
A holder of any preferred security may institute a legal proceeding
directly against us to enforce its rights under the guarantee without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the guarantee trustee, the trust or any
other person. A default or event of default under any of our senior or
subordinated debt would not constitute a default or event of default under the
trust agreement. In the event, however, of payment defaults under, or
acceleration of, our senior or subordinated debt, the subordination provisions
of the indenture provide that no payments may be made in respect of the
debentures until the obligations have been paid in full or any payment default
has been cured or waived. Failure to make required payments on the debentures
would constitute an event of default under the trust agreement.
Limited Purpose of the Trust
The preferred securities evidence preferred undivided beneficial interests
in the assets of the trust. The trust exists for the exclusive purposes of
issuing the trust securities, investing the proceeds thereof in debentures and
engaging in only those other activities necessary, advisable or incidental
thereto. A principal difference between the rights of a holder of a preferred
security and the rights of a holder of a debenture is that a holder of a
debenture is entitled to receive from us the principal amount of and interest
accrued on debentures held, while a holder of preferred securities is entitled
to receive distributions from the trust (or from us under the guarantee) if and
to the extent the trust has funds available for the payment of the
distributions.
Rights Upon Termination
Upon any voluntary or involuntary termination, winding-up or liquidation of
the trust involving the liquidation of the debentures, the holders of the
preferred securities will be entitled to receive, out of assets held by the
trust, the liquidation distribution in cash. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities -- Liquidation Distribution Upon Termination."
Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy, the property
trustee, as holder of the debentures, would be a subordinated creditor of ours.
Therefore, the property trustee would be subordinated in right of payment to all
of our senior and subordinated debt, but is entitled to receive
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payment in full of principal and interest before any of our shareholders receive
payments or distributions. Since we are the guarantor under the guarantee and
have agreed to pay for all costs, expenses and liabilities of the trust other
than the obligations of the trust to pay to holders of the preferred securities
the amounts due to the holders pursuant to the terms of the preferred
securities, the positions of a holder of the preferred securities and a holder
of the debentures relative to our other creditors and to our stockholders in the
event of liquidation or bankruptcy are expected to be substantially the same.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
General
The following summary of the material federal income tax considerations
that may be relevant to the purchasers of preferred securities, insofar as the
discussion relates to matters of law and legal conclusions, represents the
opinion of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, counsel to Wintrust and the trust.
The conclusions expressed herein are based upon current provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, regulations thereunder and current
administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change
at any time, with possible retroactive effect. Subsequent changes may cause tax
consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below.
Furthermore, the authorities on which the following summary is based are subject
to various interpretations, and it is therefore possible that the federal income
tax treatment of the purchase, ownership and disposition of preferred securities
may differ from the treatment described below.
No attempt has been made in the following discussion to comment on all
federal income tax matters affecting purchasers of preferred securities.
Moreover, the discussion generally focuses on holders of preferred securities
who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and trust and
estates whose federal taxable income is taxed in the same manner as individual
citizens or residents of the United States, and who acquire preferred securities
on their original issue at their offering price and hold preferred securities as
capital assets. The discussion has only limited application to dealers in
securities, corporations, partnerships, or nonresident aliens and does not
address all the tax consequences that may be relevant to holders who may be
subject to special tax treatment, such as, for example, banks, thrifts, real
estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, insurance companies,
dealers in securities or currencies, tax-exempt investors or persons that will
hold the preferred securities as a position in a "straddle," as part of a
"synthetic security" or "hedge," as part of a "conversion transaction" or other
integrated investment, or as other than a capital asset. The following summary
also does not address the tax consequences to persons that have a functional
currency other than the U.S. dollar or the tax consequences to shareholders,
partners or beneficiaries of a holder of preferred securities. Further, it does
not include any description of any alternative minimum tax consequences or the
tax laws of any state or local government or of any foreign government that may
be applicable to the preferred securities. Accordingly, each prospective
investor should consult, and should rely exclusively on, the investor's own tax
advisors in analyzing the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of
the purchase, ownership or disposition of preferred securities.
Classification of the Debentures
Based on advice of counsel, we intend to take the position that the
debentures will be classified for federal income tax purposes as indebtedness of
Wintrust under current law, and, by acceptance of a preferred security, each
holder covenants to treat the debentures as indebtedness and the preferred
securities as evidence of an indirect beneficial ownership interest in the
debentures. No assurance can be given, however, that this position will not be
challenged by the Internal Revenue Service or, if
50
<PAGE>
challenged, that it will not be successful. The remainder of this discussion
assumes that the debentures will be classified for federal income tax purposes
as indebtedness of Wintrust.
Classification of the Trust
With respect to the preferred securities, Vedder, Price, Kaufman &
Kammholz, counsel for Wintrust and the trust, has rendered its opinion generally
to the effect that, under then current law and assuming full compliance with the
terms of the trust agreement and indenture, the trust will be classified for
federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable
as a corporation. Accordingly, for federal income tax purposes, each holder of
preferred securities generally will be treated as owning an undivided beneficial
interest in the debentures, and each holder will be required to include in its
gross income any interest with respect to the debentures at the time such
interest is accrued or is received, in accordance with the holder's method of
accounting. If the debentures were determined to be subject to the original
issue discount ("OID") rules, each holder would instead be required to include
in its gross income any OID accrued with respect to its allocable share of the
debentures whether or not cash was actually distributed to the holder.
Interest Payment Period and Original Issue Discount
Beneficial owners (including cash basis taxpayers) of debt instruments
issued with OID must generally include such OID in income as it accrues on a
constant yield method even if there is not a corresponding receipt of cash
attributable to such income. A debt instrument such as the debentures will
generally be treated as issued with OID if the stated interest on the instrument
does not constitute "qualified stated interest." Qualified stated interest is
generally any one of a series of stated interest payments on an instrument that
are unconditionally payable at least annually at a single fixed rate. In
determining whether stated interest on an instrument is unconditionally payable
and thus constitutes qualified stated interest, remote contingencies as to the
timely payment of stated interest are ignored. In the case of the debentures, we
have concluded that the likelihood of exercising our option to defer payments of
interest is remote. This is in part because we have commenced paying dividends
on our common stock and intend to continue to do so, and we would be unable to
continue paying these dividends, which could adversely affect the market for our
common stock, if we deferred our payments under the debentures.
If the option to defer any payment of interest was determined not to be
"remote" or if Wintrust actually exercises its option to defer the payment of
interest, the debentures would be treated as issued with OID at the time of
issuance or at the time of such exercise, as the case may be, and all stated
interest would thereafter be treated as OID as long as the debentures remained
outstanding. In such event, all of a holder's taxable interest income in respect
of the debentures would constitute OID that would have to be included in income
on a constant yield method before the receipt of the cash attributable to such
income, regardless of such holder's method of tax accounting, and actual
distributions of stated interest would not be reported as taxable income.
Consequently, a holder of preferred securities would be required to include such
OID in gross income even though Wintrust would not make any actual cash payments
during an extension period.
The above information is based on promulgated Treasury Regulations, which
have not been interpreted by any court decisions or addressed in any ruling or
other pronouncements of the IRS, and it is possible that the IRS could take a
position contrary to the conclusions herein.
Because income on the preferred securities will constitute interest,
corporate holders of preferred securities will not be entitled to a dividends-
received deduction with respect to any income recognized with respect to the
preferred securities.
51
<PAGE>
Market Discount and Acquisition Premium
Holders of preferred securities other than a holder who purchased the
preferred securities upon original issuance may be considered to have acquired
their undivided interests in the debentures with "market discount" or
"acquisition premium" as these phrases are defined for federal income tax
purposes. Such holders are advised to consult their tax advisors as to the
income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the
preferred securities.
Receipt of Debentures or Cash Upon Liquidation of the Trust
Under the circumstances described under "Description of the Preferred
Securities -- Redemption or Exchange" and "-- Liquidation Distribution Upon
Termination," the debentures may be distributed to holders of preferred
securities upon a liquidation of the trust. Under current federal income tax
law, such a distribution would be treated as a nontaxable event to the holder
and would result in the holder having an aggregate tax basis in the debentures
received in the liquidation equal to the holder's aggregate tax basis in the
preferred securities immediately before the distribution. A holder's holding
period in debentures received in liquidation of the trust would include the
period for which the holder held the preferred securities.
If, however, a Tax Event occurs which results in the trust being treated as
an association taxable as a corporation, the distribution would likely
constitute a taxable event to holders of the preferred securities. Under certain
circumstances described herein, the debentures may be redeemed for cash and the
proceeds of the redemption distributed to holders in redemption of their
preferred securities. Under current law, such a redemption should, to the extent
that it constitutes a complete redemption, constitute a taxable disposition of
the redeemed preferred securities, and, for federal income tax purposes, a
holder should therefore recognize gain or loss as if the holder sold the
preferred securities for cash.
Disposition of Preferred Securities
A holder that sells preferred securities will recognize gain or loss equal
to the difference between the amount realized on the sale of the preferred
securities and the holder's adjusted tax basis in the preferred securities. A
holder's adjusted tax basis in the preferred securities generally will be its
initial purchase price increased by OID, if any, previously includible in the
holder's gross income to the date of disposition and decreased by payments, if
any, received on the preferred securities in respect of OID to the date of
disposition. A gain or loss of this kind will generally be a capital gain or
loss and will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the preferred securities
have been held for more than one year at the time of sale.
The preferred securities may trade at a price that does not accurately
reflect the value of accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the underlying
debentures. A holder that disposes of its preferred securities between record
dates for payments of distributions thereon will be required to include accrued
but unpaid interest on the debentures through the date of disposition in income
as ordinary income, and to add the amount to its adjusted tax basis in its
proportionate share of the underlying debentures deemed disposed of. Any OID
included in income will increase a holder's adjusted tax basis as discussed
above. To the extent the selling price is less than the holder's adjusted tax
basis a holder will recognize a capital loss. Subject to certain limited
exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary income for
federal income tax purposes.
52
<PAGE>
Effect of Possible Changes in Tax Laws
Congress and the Clinton Administration have considered certain proposed
tax law changes in the past that would, among other things, generally deny
corporate issuers a deduction for interest in respect of certain debt
obligations if the debt obligations have a maximum term in excess of 15 years
and are not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's applicable consolidated
balance sheet. Other proposed tax law changes would have denied interest
deductions if the term was in excess of 20 years. Although these proposed tax
law changes have not been enacted into law, there can be no assurance that tax
law changes will not be reintroduced into future legislation which, if enacted
after the date hereof, may adversely affect the federal income tax deductibility
of interest payable on the debentures. Accordingly, there can be no assurance
that a Tax Event will not occur. A Tax Event would permit us, upon approval of
the Federal Reserve if then required to cause a redemption of the preferred
securities before, as well as after, June 30, 2005. See "Description of the
Debentures -- Redemption" and "Description of the Preferred Securities --
Redemption or Exchange -- Redemption upon a Tax Event, Investment Company Event
or Capital Treatment Event."
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Interest paid, or, if applicable, OID accrued, on the preferred securities
held of record by individual citizens or residents of the United States, or
certain trusts, estates and partnerships, will be reported to the Internal
Revenue Service on Forms 1099-INT, or, where applicable, Forms 1099-OID, which
forms should be mailed to the holders by January 31 following each calendar
year. Payments made on, and proceeds from the sale of, the preferred securities
may be subject to a "backup" withholding tax (currently at 31%) unless the
holder complies with certain identification and other requirements. Any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against
the holder's federal income tax liability, provided the required information is
provided to the Internal Revenue Service.
The federal income tax discussion set forth above is included for general
information only and may not be applicable depending upon the particular
situation of a holder of preferred securities. Holders of preferred securities
should consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them
of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the preferred securities,
including the tax consequences under state, local, foreign and other tax laws
and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Employee benefit plans that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, generally
may purchase preferred securities, subject to the investing fiduciary's
determination that the investment in preferred securities satisfies ERISA's
fiduciary standards and other requirements applicable to investments by the
plan.
In any case, we and/or any of our affiliates may be considered a "party in
interest" (within the meaning of ERISA) or a "disqualified person" (within the
meaning of Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code) with respect to certain
plans. These plans generally include plans maintained or sponsored by, or
contributed to by, any such persons with respect to which we or any of our
affiliates are a fiduciary or plans for which we or any of our affiliates
provide services. The acquisition and ownership of preferred securities by a
plan (or by an individual retirement arrangement or other plans described in
Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code) with respect to which we or any
of our affiliates are considered a party in interest or a disqualified person
may constitute or result in a prohibited transaction
53
<PAGE>
under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, unless the preferred
securities are acquired pursuant to and in accordance with an applicable
exemption.
As a result, plans with respect to which we or any of our affiliates or any
of its affiliates is a party in interest or a disqualified person should not
acquire preferred securities unless the preferred securities are acquired
pursuant to and in accordance with an applicable exemption. Any other plans or
other entities whose assets include plan assets subject to ERISA or Section 4975
of the Internal Revenue Code proposing to acquire preferred securities should
consult with their own counsel.
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement among
Wintrust, the trust and the underwriters named below, for whom Stifel, Nicolaus
& Company, Incorporated and Howe Barnes Investments, Inc. are acting as
representatives (the "Representatives"), the underwriters have severally agreed
to purchase from the trust, and the trust has agreed to sell to them, an
aggregate of 1,800,000 preferred securities in the amounts set forth below
opposite their respective names.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Underwriters Preferred Securities
- ------------ --------------------
<S> <C>
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated.....
Howe Barnes Investments, Inc. ...............
---------
Total..................................... 1,800,000
=========
</TABLE>
In the underwriting agreement, the obligations of the underwriters are
subject to approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to various
other conditions. Under the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement,
the underwriters are committed to accept and pay for all of the preferred
securities, if any are taken.
The underwriters propose to offer the preferred securities directly to the
public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this
prospectus, and to certain securities dealers (who may include the underwriters)
at this price, less a concession not in excess of $ ________ per preferred
security. The underwriters may allow, and the selected dealers may reallow, a
concession not in excess of $ per preferred security to certain brokers and
dealers. After the preferred securities are released for sale to the public, the
offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be changed by the
underwriters.
The trust has granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable within 30
days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 200,000 additional
preferred securities at the same price per preferred security to be paid by the
underwriters for the other preferred securities being offered. If the
underwriters purchase any of the additional preferred securities under this
option, each underwriter will be committed to purchase the additional shares in
approximately the same proportion allocated to them in the table above. The
underwriters may exercise the option only for the purpose of covering over-
allotments, if any, made in connection with the distribution of the preferred
securities being offered.
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<PAGE>
If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional preferred
securities, the trust will issue and sell to us additional common securities and
we will issue and sell to the trust junior subordinated debentures in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the total aggregate liquidation amount of
the additional preferred securities being purchased under the option and the
additional common securities sold to Wintrust.
The table below shows the price and proceeds on a per security and
aggregate basis. The proceeds to be received by the trust as shown in the table
below do not reflect estimated expenses of $250,000 payable by Wintrust.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per Preferred
Security Total
------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Public Offering Price................... $10.00 $18,000,000
Proceeds to Wintrust Capital Trust II... $10.00 $18,000,000
</TABLE>
In view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the preferred
securities will be used by the trust to purchase the junior subordinated
debentures from Wintrust, Wintrust has agreed to pay the underwriters $ ______
per preferred security, or a total of $ _______ , as compensation for arranging
the investment in the junior subordinated debentures. Should the underwriters
exercise the over-allotment option, an aggregate of $ _______ will be paid to
the underwriters for arranging the investment in the junior subordinated
debentures.
The offering of the preferred securities is made for delivery when,
as and if accepted by the underwriters and subject to prior sale and to
withdrawal, cancellation or modification of the offering without notice. The
underwriters reserve the right to reject any order for the purchase of the
preferred securities.
Wintrust and the trust have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters
against several liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933.
Application has been made to have the preferred securities approved for
quotation on the Nasdaq National Market. The Representatives have advised the
trust that they presently intend to make a market in the preferred securities
after the commencement of trading on Nasdaq, but no assurances can be made as to
the liquidity of the preferred securities or that an active and liquid market
will develop or, if developed, that the market will continue. The offering price
and distribution rate have been determined by negotiations among representatives
of Wintrust and the underwriters, and the offering price of the preferred
securities may not be indicative of the market price following the offering. The
Representatives will have no obligation to make a market in the preferred
securities, however, and may cease market-making activities, if commenced, at
any time.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may engage in
transactions that are intended to stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
price of the preferred securities during and after the offering, such as the
following:
. the underwriters may over-allot or otherwise create a short position
in the preferred securities for their own account by selling more
preferred securities than have been sold to them;
. the underwriters may elect to cover any short position by purchasing
preferred securities in the open market or by exercising the over-
allotment option;
55
<PAGE>
. the underwriters may stabilize or maintain the price of the preferred
securities by bidding;
. the underwriters may engage in passive market making transactions; and
. the underwriters may impose penalty bids, under which selling
concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers
participating in this offering are reclaimed if preferred securities
previously distributed in the offering are repurchased in connection
with stabilization transactions or otherwise.
The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market
price at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market.
The imposition of a penalty bid may also affect the price of the preferred
securities to the extent that it discourages resales. No representation is made
as to the magnitude or effect of any such stabilization or other transactions.
Such transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq National Market or otherwise
and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Because the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. may view the
preferred securities as interests in a direct participation program, the offer
and sale of the preferred securities is being made in compliance with the
provisions of Rule 2810 under the NASD Conduct Rules.
LEGAL MATTERS
Legal matters, including matters relating to federal income tax
considerations, for Wintrust and the trust will be passed upon by Vedder, Price,
Kaufman & Kammholz, Chicago, Illinois, counsel to Wintrust and the trust.
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Bryan Cave
LLP, St. Louis, Missouri. Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz and Bryan Cave LLP
will rely on the opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. as to matters of
Delaware law.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION
This prospectus is a part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by
Wintrust and the trust with the SEC under the Securities Act, with respect to
the preferred securities, the debentures and the guarantee. This prospectus does
not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement, certain
parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
SEC. For further information with respect to Wintrust and the securities offered
by this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement, including
the exhibits to the registration statement and documents incorporated by
reference. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the provisions of
such documents are necessarily summaries of such documents and each such
statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the
applicable document filed with the SEC.
We file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the
SEC. Our filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's web
site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also inspect and copy these materials at the
public reference facilities of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024,
Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 75 Park Place, Room 1400, New York, New York 10007.
Copies of such material can be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information.
The trust is not currently subject to the information reporting
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and although the trust will
become subject to such requirements upon the
56
<PAGE>
effectiveness of the registration statement, it is not expected that the trust
will be required to file separate reports under the Securities Exchange Act.
Each holder of the trust securities will receive a copy of our annual
report at the same time as we furnish the annual report to the holders of our
common stock.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Wintrust as of and for the year
ended December 31, 1999, that are incorporated by reference in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, have been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report incorporated by
reference in our Annual Report. These consolidated financial statements are
incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance upon the report given
on the authority of Ernst & Young LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Wintrust as of December 31, 1998
and for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, that are incorporated by
reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1999, have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants,
as stated in their report. That report is incorporated by reference into this
prospectus in reliance upon the report given on the authority of KPMG LLP as
experts in accounting and auditing.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
We "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the information in
documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important
information to you through those documents. The information incorporated by
reference is an important part of this prospectus. Some information contained in
this prospectus updates the information incorporated by reference and some
information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update
this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:
(a) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1999, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2000;
(b) our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
2000, filed with the SEC on May 15, 2000;
(c) Our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2000, filed with
the SEC on February 11, 2000; and
(d) Our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 27, 2000, filed with
the SEC on February 11, 2000.
We also incorporate by reference any filings we make with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after
the initial filing of the registration statement that contains this prospectus
and before the time that all of the securities offered in this prospectus are
sold.
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<PAGE>
You may request, and we will provide, a copy of these filings at no cost by
contacting us at the following address and phone number:
Wintrust Financial Corporation
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1951
Attn: David A. Dykstra
(847) 615-4096
58
<PAGE>
===================================================
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Summary.......................................... 1
Selected Consolidated Financial Data............. 9
Risk Factors.................................... 11
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements.................................... 17
Use of Proceeds................................. 18
Capitalization.................................. 19
Accounting and Regulatory Treatment............. 20
Description of the Trust........................ 21
Description of the Preferred Securities......... 22
Description of the Debentures................... 35
Book-Entry Issuance............................. 44
Description of the Guarantee.................... 46
Relationship among the Preferred Securities,
the Debentures and the Guarantee.............. 48
Federal Income Tax Consequences................. 50
ERISA Considerations............................ 53
Underwriting.................................... 54
Legal Matters................................... 56
Where You Can Find Information.................. 56
Experts......................................... 57
Documents Incorporated by Reference............. 57
</TABLE>
. You should only rely on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. We have not, and our underwriters have not,
authorized any person to provide you with different information. If anyone
provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely
on it.
. We are not, and our underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is
accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only.
. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of
an offer to buy, any securities other than the securities to which it
relates.
================================================================================
================================================================================
1,800,000 Preferred Securities
WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II
% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities
(Liquidation Amount $10 per
Preferred Security)
Fully, irrevocably and unconditionally
guaranteed on a subordinated basis, as
described in this prospectus, by
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
____________________
$18,000,000
% Junior Subordinated Debentures
of
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
_______________
Prospectus
, 2000
_______________
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company
Incorporated
Howe Barnes Investments, Inc.
================================================================================
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the various expenses payable in connection
with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions. All of such expenses will be paid by
Wintrust. All amounts shown are estimates, except the SEC registration fee and
the NASD and the Nasdaq National Market filing fees:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SEC registration fee.......................... $ 5,280
NASD filing fee............................... 2,500
Nasdaq National Market filing fee............. 34,750
Trustees' fees................................ 17,500
Printing and mailing expenses................. 40,000
Fees and expenses of counsel.................. 100,000
Accounting and related expenses............... 40,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses.................... 3,500
Miscellaneous................................. 6,470
--------
Total.................................... $250,000
========
</TABLE>
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of Wintrust
pursuant to the following provisions, or otherwise, we 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 accordance with the Illinois Business Corporation Act (being Chapter
805, Act 5 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes), Articles Eight and Nine of the
Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation provide as follows:
ARTICLE EIGHT: No director of the corporation shall be liable to the
corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director except for liability (a) for any breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders, (b) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct of a knowing
violation of law, (c) under Section 8.65 of the BCA, as the same exists or
hereafter may be amended, or (d) for any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit.
ARTICLE NINE, Paragraph 1: The corporation shall indemnify, to the full
extent that it shall have power under applicable law to do so and in a manner
permitted by such law, any person made or 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 or she
is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or who 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 liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred or paid by
such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The corporation
may indemnify, to the full extent that it shall have power under applicable law
to do so and in a manner permitted by such law, any person made or threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil,
II-1
<PAGE>
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she
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 liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred or paid by such
person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The words
"liabilities" and "expenses" shall include, without limitation: liabilities,
losses, damages, judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement,
expenses, attorneys' fees and costs. Expenses incurred in defending a civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative or other action, suit or proceeding may
be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action,
suit or proceeding in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.75 of the BCA.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person
indemnified may be entitled under any statute, by-law, agreement, vote of
shareholders, or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his
official capacity and as to action in any other capacity while holding such
office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such director,
officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such person.
Paragraph 2: The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf
of any person referred to in the preceding paragraph against any liability
asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or
arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would
have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the
provisions of this Article or otherwise.
Paragraph 3: For purposes of this Article, references to "the corporation"
shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent
corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would
have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or
agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent
of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such
constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand
in the same position under the provisions of this Article with respect to the
resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such
constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
Paragraph 4: The provisions of this Article shall be deemed to be a
contract between the corporation and each director or officer who serves in any
such capacity at any time while this Article and the relevant provisions of the
BCA, or other applicable law, if any, are in effect, and any repeal or
modification of any such law or of this Article shall not affect any rights or
obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore
existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought or
threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts.
Paragraph 5: For purposes of this Article, references to "other
enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall
include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee
benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request of the corporation"
shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director,
officer, employee or agent with respect to any employee benefit plan, its
participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a
manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants
and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a
manner not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.
The Illinois Business Corporation Act provides for indemnification of
officers, directors, employees and agents as follows:
II-2
<PAGE>
5/8.75 INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS;
INSURANCE. (a) A corporation may indemnify 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 he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or who 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 such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she 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 or her 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 or she reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or,
with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, that the person had
reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(b) A corporation may 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 such 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 such person in connection with the
defense or settlement of such action or suit, if such person acted in good faith
and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the
best interests of the corporation, provided that no indemnification shall be
made with respect to any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person, has
been adjudged to have been liable to the corporation, unless, and only to the
extent that 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 as the court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a
corporation has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of
any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b), or in
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by
such person in connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) (unless ordered by a
court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case,
upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or
agent is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) or (b). Such determination
shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding,
or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum
of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written
opinion, or (3) by the shareholders.
(e) Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or
proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of
such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf
of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it shall
ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the
corporation as authorized in this Section.
II-3
<PAGE>
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted
under the other subsections of this Section shall not be deemed exclusive of any
other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses
may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of shareholders or
disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
(g) A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation,
or who 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 any liability asserted against such person
and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her
status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify
such person against such liability under the provisions of this Section.
(h) If a corporation indemnifies or advances expenses to a director or
officer under subsection (b) of this section, the corporation shall report the
indemnification or advance in writing to the shareholders with or before the
notice of the next shareholders meeting.
(i) For purposes of this Section, references to "the corporation" shall
include, in addition to the surviving corporation, any merging corporation
(including any corporation having merged with a merging corporation) absorbed in
a merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had the
power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or
agents, so that any person who was a director, officer, employee or agent of
such merging corporation, or was serving at the request of such merging
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same
position under the provisions of this Section with respect to the surviving
corporation as such person would have with respect to such merging corporation
if its separate existence had continued.
(j) For purposes of this Section, reference to "other enterprises" shall
include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise
taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and
references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall include any
service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by such director, officer, employee, or
agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or
beneficiaries. A person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she
reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and
beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a
manner "not opposed to the best interest of the corporation" as referred to in
this Section.
(k) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted
under this Section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified,
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or
agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators
of that person. (Last amended by P.A. 91-464, L. '99, eff. 1-1-00.)
Wintrust has purchased $20 million of insurance policies which insure
Wintrust's directors and officers against liability which they may incur as a
result of actions taken in such capacities. In addition, Wintrust maintains
fiduciary liability coverage up to a $2 million limit and trust errors and
omissions coverage up to a limit of $15 million.
The Amended and Restated Trust Agreement will provide for indemnification
of the Delaware Trustee and each of the administrative trustees by Wintrust
against any loss, damage, claims, liability, penalty or expense of any kind
incurred by the trustees in connection with the performance of their duties or
powers under the agreement in a manner reasonably believed by the trustee to be
within the scope of
II-4
<PAGE>
its authority under the agreement, except that none of these trustees will be so
indemnified for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such trustee's
gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. Similarly, the agreement
provides for indemnification of the Property Trustee except that the Property
Trustee is not indemnified from liability for its own negligent action,
negligent failure to act or willful misconduct. Under the agreement, Wintrust
agrees to advance those expenses incurred by any trustee in defending any such
claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding.
II-5
<PAGE>
Item 16. Exhibits.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number Description
- ------- -----------
<C> <S>
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement for Preferred Securities.
4.1 Form of Indenture.
4.2 Form of Junior Subordinated Debenture (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit
4.1).
4.3 Certificate of Trust.
4.4 Trust Agreement.
4.5 Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement.
4.6 Form of Preferred Securities Certificate (included as Exhibit D to
Exhibit 4.5).
4.7 Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement.
4.8 Form of Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities (included as Exhibit C
to Exhibit 4.5).
5.1 Opinion of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz.
5.2 Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
8.1 Opinion of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz as to certain tax matters.
12.1 Calculation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.2 Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.3 Consent of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz (included in opinions filed
as Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).
23.4 Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. (included in opinion filed as
Exhibit 5.2).
24.1 Powers of Attorney (included as part of signature pages).
25.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended, of Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee under the Indenture.
25.2 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended, of Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee under the Trust
Agreement.
25.3 Form T- 1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended, of Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee under the Guarantee
Agreement.
</TABLE>
II-6
<PAGE>
Item 17. Undertakings.
(b) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
the Company's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of
an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof.
(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of
the Registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, 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 that Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
by the Registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or
controlling person of the Registrants in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, each
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
(i) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, 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 Registrant pursuant to
Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall
be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it
was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, 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.
II-7
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Wintrust
Capital Trust II certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements of filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Lake Forest, State of Illinois, on May 19, 2000.
WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II
By: WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
as Depositor
By: /s/ Edward J. Wehmer
-------------------------------------
Edward J. Wehmer
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Wintrust
Financial Corporation certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements of filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Lake Forest, State of Illinois, on May 19, 2000.
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Edward J. Wehmer
-------------------------------------
Edward J. Wehmer
President and Chief Executive Officer
S-1
<PAGE>
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Edward J. Wehmer and David A. Dykstra and each of
them (with full power to each of them to act alone), his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments)
to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Title Date
---- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Edward J. Wehmer President and Chief Executive May 19, 2000
- ------------------------------- Officer and Director
Edward J. Wehmer
/s/ David A. Dykstra Executive Vice President and May 19, 2000
- ------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer
David A. Dykstra (Principal Financial Officer)
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ John S. Lillard Chairman and Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
John S. Lillard
/s/ Joseph Alaimo Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Joseph Alaimo
Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Peter Crist
/s/ Bruce K. Crowther Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Bruce K. Crowther
/s/ Maurice F. Dunne, Jr. Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Maurice F. Dunne, Jr.
/s/ William C. Graft Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
William C. Graft
Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Kathleen R. Horne
/s/ John Leopold Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
John Leopold
/s/ James E. Mahoney Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
James E. Mahoney
/s/ James B. McCarthy Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
James B. McCarthy
</TABLE>
S-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Title Date
---- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Marguerite Savard McKenna Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Marguerite Savard McKenna
/s/ Albin F. Moschner Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Albin F. Moschner
/s/ Thomas J. Neis Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Thomas J. Neis
/s/ Hollis W. Rademacher Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Hollis W. Rademacher
Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
J. Christopher Reyes
/s/ Peter Rusin Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Peter Rusin
/s/ John N. Schaper Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
John N. Schaper
/s/ John J. Schornack Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
John J. Schornack
/s/ Ingrid S. Stafford Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Ingrid S. Stafford
/s/ Jane R. Stein Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Jane R. Stein
/s/ Katharine V. Sylvester Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Katharine V. Sylvester
/s/ Lemuel H. Tate, Jr. Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Lemuel H. Tate, Jr.
/s/ Larry Wright Director May 19, 2000
- -------------------------------
Larry Wright
</TABLE>
S-3
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
-------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number Description
- ------ -----------
<C> <S>
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement for Preferred Securities.
4.1 Form of Indenture.
4.2 Form of Junior Subordinated Debenture (included as Exhibit A to
Exhibit 4.1).
4.3 Certificate of Trust.
4.4 Trust Agreement.
4.5 Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement.
4.6 Form of Preferred Securities Certificate (included as Exhibit D to
Exhibit 4.5).
4.7 Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement.
4.8 Form of Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities (included as
Exhibit C to Exhibit 4.5).
5.1 Opinion of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz.
5.2 Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
8.1 Opinion of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz as to certain tax
matters.
12.1 Calculation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.2 Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.3 Consent of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz (included in opinions
filed as Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).
23.4 Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. (included in opinion filed
as Exhibit 5.2).
24.1 Powers of Attorney (included as part of signature pages).
25.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee under the
Indenture.
25.2 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee under the
Trust Agreement.
25.3 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee under the
Guarantee Agreement.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Exhibit 1.1
1,800,000 Preferred Securities
Wintrust Capital Trust II
__________% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities
(Liquidation Amount of $10 per Preferred Security)
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
----------------------
June ___, 2000
STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
501 North Broadway, 9th Floor
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
HOWE BARNES INVESTMENTS, INC.
135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1500
Chicago, Illinois 60603-4398
As Representatives of the Several Underwriters
named in Schedule I hereto
Dear Sirs:
Wintrust Financial Corporation, an Illinois corporation (the
"Company") and its financing subsidiary, Wintrust Capital Trust II, a Delaware
business trust (the "Trust," and hereinafter together with the Company, the
"Offerors"), propose that the Trust issue and sell to the several underwriters
listed on Schedule I hereto (the "Underwriters"), pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, 1,800,000 of the Trust's ______% Cumulative Trust Preferred
Securities, with a liquidation amount of $10.00 per preferred security (the
"Preferred Securities"), to be issued under the Trust Agreement (as hereinafter
defined), the terms of which are more fully described in the Prospectus (as
hereinafter defined). The aforementioned 1,800,000 Preferred Securities to be
sold to the Underwriters are herein called the "Firm Preferred Securities".
Solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments in the sale of the Firm
Preferred Securities, the Offerors further propose that the Trust issue and sell
to the Underwriters, at their option, up to an additional 200,000 Preferred
Securities (the "Option Preferred Securities") upon exercise of the over-
allotment option granted in Section 1 hereof. The Firm Preferred Securities and
any Option Preferred Securities are herein collectively referred to as the
"Designated Preferred Securities". Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated and
Howe Barnes Investments, Inc. are acting jointly as representatives of the
Underwriters and in such capacity are sometimes herein referred to as the
"Representatives."
The Offerors hereby confirm as follows their agreement with each of
the Underwriters in connection with the proposed purchase of the Designated
Preferred Securities.
<PAGE>
1. Sale, Purchase and Delivery of Designated Preferred Securities;
Description of Designated Preferred Securities.
(a) On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements
herein contained, and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the
Offerors hereby agree that the Trust shall issue and sell to each of the
Underwriters and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to
purchase from the Trust, at a purchase price of $10.00 per share (the "Purchase
Price"), the respective number of Firm Preferred Securities set forth opposite
the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto. Because the proceeds from
the sale of the Firm Preferred Securities will be used to purchase from the
Company its Debentures (as hereinafter defined and as described in the
Prospectus), the Company shall pay to each Underwriter a commission of $______
per Firm Preferred Security purchased (the "Firm Preferred Securities
Commission"). The Representatives may by notice to the Company amend Schedule I
to add, eliminate or substitute names set forth therein (other than to eliminate
the name of the Representatives) and to amend the number of firm Preferred
Securities to be purchased by any firm or corporation listed thereon, provided
that the total number of Firm Preferred Securities listed on Schedule I shall
equal 1,800,000.
In addition, on the basis of the representations, warranties and
agreements herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set
forth, the Trust hereby grants to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly,
an option to purchase all or any portion of the 200,000 Option Preferred
Securities, and upon the exercise of such option in accordance with this Section
1, the Offerors hereby agree that the Trust shall issue and sell to the
Underwriters, severally and not jointly, all or any portion of the Option
Preferred Securities at the same Purchase Price per share paid for the Firm
Preferred Securities. If any Option Preferred Securities are to be purchased,
each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Trust
that proportion (subject to adjustment as the Representatives may determine to
avoid fractional shares) of the number of Option Preferred Securities to be
purchased that the number of Firm Preferred Securities set forth opposite the
name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto (or such number increased as set
forth in Section 9 hereof) bears to 1,800,000. Because the proceeds from the
sale of the Option Preferred Securities will be used to purchase from the
Company its Debentures, the Company shall pay to the Underwriters a commission
of $______ per Option Preferred Security for each Option Preferred Security
purchased (the "Option Preferred Securities Commission"). The option hereby
granted (the "Option") shall expire 30 days after the date upon which the
Registration Statement (as hereinafter defined) becomes effective and may be
exercised only for the purpose of covering over-allotments which may be made in
connection with the offering and distribution of the Firm Preferred Securities.
The Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time (but not more than
once) by you giving notice (confirmed in writing) to the Trust setting forth the
number of Option Preferred Securities as to which the Underwriters are
exercising the Option and the time, date and place for payment and delivery of
certificates for such Option Preferred Securities. Such time and date of
payment and delivery for the Option Preferred Securities (the "Option Closing
Date") shall be determined by you, but shall not be earlier than two nor later
than five full business days after the exercise of such Option, nor in any event
prior to the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined). The Option Closing Date may
be the same as the Closing Date.
2
<PAGE>
Payment of the Purchase Price and the Firm Preferred Securities
Commission and delivery of certificates for the Firm Preferred Securities shall
be made at the offices of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, 501 North
Broadway, 9th Floor, St. Louis, Missouri 63102, or such other place as shall be
agreed to by you and the Offerors, at 10:00 a.m., St. Louis time, on
____________, 2000, or at such other time not more than five full business days
thereafter as the Offerors and you shall determine (the "Closing Date"). If the
Underwriters exercise the option to purchase any or all of the Option Preferred
Securities, payment of the Purchase Price and Option Preferred Securities
Commission and delivery of certificates for such Option Preferred Securities
shall be made on the Option Closing Date at the Underwriters' offices, or at
such other place as the Offerors and you shall determine. Such payments shall
be made to an account designated by the Trust by wire transfer or certified or
bank cashier's check, in same day funds, in the amount of the Purchase Price
therefor, against delivery by or on behalf of the Trust to you for the
respective accounts of the several Underwriters of certificates for the
Designated Preferred Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters.
The Agreement contained herein with respect to the timing of the
Closing Date and Option Closing Date is intended to, and does, constitute an
express agreement, as described in Rule 15c6-1(c) and (d) promulgated under the
1934 Act (as defined herein), for a settlement date other than four business
days after the date of the contract.
Certificates for Designated Preferred Securities to be purchased by
the Underwriters shall be delivered by the Offerors in fully registered form in
such authorized denominations and registered in such names as you shall request
in writing not later than 12:00 noon, St. Louis time, two business days prior to
the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date. Certificates for
Designated Preferred Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters shall be
made available by the Offerors to you for inspection, checking and packaging at
such office as you may designate in writing not later than 1:00 p.m., St. Louis
time, on the last business day prior to the Closing Date and, if applicable, on
the last business day prior to the Option Closing Date.
Time shall be of the essence, and delivery of the certificates for the
Designated Preferred Securities at the time and place specified pursuant to this
Agreement is a further condition of the obligations of each Underwriter
hereunder.
(b) The Offerors propose that the Trust issue the Designated Preferred
Securities pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement among Wilmington
Trust Company, as Property Trustee and Delaware Trustee, the Administrative
Trustees named therein, (collectively, the "Trustees"), and the Company, in
substantially the form heretofore delivered to the Underwriters, said Agreement
being hereinafter referred to as the "Trust Agreement". In connection with the
issuance of the Designated Preferred Securities, the Company proposes (i) to
issue its ___% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2030 (the "Debentures")
pursuant to an Indenture, to be dated as of June __, 2000, between the Company
and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee (the "Indenture") and (ii) to guarantee
certain payments on the Designated Preferred Securities pursuant to a Guarantee
Agreement between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as guarantee trustee
(the "Guarantee"), to the extent described therein.
2. Representations and Warranties.
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(a) The Offerors jointly and severally represent and warrant to, and
agree with, each of the Underwriters that:
(i) The reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") and the rules and regulations thereunder
(the "1934 Act Regulations") at the time they were filed with the
Commission, complied as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations and did not
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not
misleading.
(ii) The Offerors have prepared and filed with the Commission a
registration statement on Form S-3 (File Numbers 333-________ and 333-
_______-01) for the registration of the Designated Preferred Securities,
the Guarantee and $20,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Debentures
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), including
the related prospectus subject to completion, and one or more amendments to
such registration statement may have been so filed, in each case in
conformity in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act,
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "1933 Act
Regulations") and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust
Indenture Act") and the rules and regulations thereunder. Copies of such
registration statement, including any amendments thereto and any documents
incorporated by reference therein, each Preliminary Prospectus (as defined
herein) contained therein and the exhibits, financial statements and
schedules to such registration statement, as finally amended and revised,
have heretofore been delivered by the Offerors to the Representatives.
After the execution of this Agreement, the Offerors will file with the
Commission (A) if such registration statement, as it may have been amended,
has been declared by the Commission to be effective under the 1933 Act, a
prospectus in the form most recently included in an amendment to such
registration statement (or, if no such amendment shall have been filed, in
such registration statement), with such changes or insertions as are
required by Rule 430A of the 1933 Act Regulations ("Rule 430A") or
permitted by Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations ("Rule 424(b)") and as
have been provided to and not objected to by the Representatives prior to
(or as are agreed to by the Representatives subsequent to) the execution of
this Agreement, or (B) if such registration statement, as it may have been
amended, has not been declared by the Commission to be effective under the
1933 Act, an amendment to such registration statement, including a form of
final prospectus, necessary to permit such registration statement to become
effective, a copy of which amendment has been furnished to and not objected
to by the Representatives prior to (or is agreed to by the Representatives
subsequent to) the execution of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement,
the term "Registration Statement" means such registration statement, as
amended at the time when it was or is declared effective under the 1933
Act, including (1) all financial schedules and exhibits thereto, (2) all
documents (or portions thereof) incorporated by reference therein filed
under the 1934 Act, and (3) any information omitted therefrom pursuant to
Rule 430A and included in the Prospectus (as hereinafter defined); the term
"Preliminary Prospectus" means each prospectus subject to completion filed
with such registration statement or any amendment thereto including all
documents
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(or portions thereof) incorporated by reference therein under the 1934 Act
(including the prospectus subject to completion, if any, included in the
Registration Statement and each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(a)
under the 1933 Act); and the term "Prospectus" means the prospectus first
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or, if no
prospectus is required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4), the
prospectus included in the Registration Statement, in each case including
the financial schedules and all documents (or portions thereof)
incorporated by reference therein under the 1934 Act. The date on which the
Registration Statement becomes effective is hereinafter referred to as the
"Effective Date."
(iii) The documents incorporated by reference in the Preliminary
Prospectus or Prospectus or from which information is so incorporated by
reference, when they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as
the case may be, complied in all material respects with the requirements of
the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations, and when read together and with
the other information in the Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the
case may be, at the time the Registration Statement became or becomes
effective and at the Closing Date and any Option Closing Date, did not or
will not, as the case may be, contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
(iv) No order preventing or suspending the use of any Prospectus
(or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus) has been issued by the Commission, nor has the Commission, to
the knowledge of the Offerors, threatened to issue such an order or
instituted proceedings for that purpose. Each Preliminary Prospectus, at
the time of filing thereof, (A) complied in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and (B) did not
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and
warranty does not apply to statements or omissions made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Offerors by
any of the Underwriters expressly for inclusion in the Prospectus beneath
the heading "Underwriting" and the last sentence on the cover page of the
Prospectus (such information referred to herein as the "Underwriters'
Information").
(v) At the Effective Date and at all times subsequent thereto, up
to and including the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Option Closing
Date, the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto
(A) complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements
of the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations and the Trust Indenture Act (and
the rules and regulations thereunder) and (B) did not and will not contain
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
not misleading. At the Effective Date and at all times when the Prospectus
is required to be delivered in connection with offers and sales of
Designated Preferred Securities, including, without limitation, the Closing
Date and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date, the Prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, (A) complied and will comply in all material
respects with
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the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and the Trust
Indenture Act (and the rules and regulations thereunder) and (B) did not
contain and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and
warranty does not apply to Underwriters' Information.
(vi) (A) The Company is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Illinois, with full corporate
and other power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and
conduct its business as described in and contemplated by the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence,
the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) and as currently being conducted
and is duly registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHC Act").
(B) The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing
as a statutory business trust in good standing under the Delaware Business
Trust Act with the power and authority (trust and other) to own its
property and conduct its business as described in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus, to issue and sell its common securities (the
"Common Securities") to the Company pursuant to the Trust Agreement, to
issue and sell the Designated Preferred Securities, to enter into and
perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions herein contemplated; the Trust has no subsidiaries and is duly
qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction
in which the conduct of its business or the ownership of its property
requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so
qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect
on the Trust; the Trust has conducted and will conduct no business other
than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and described in the
Prospectus; the Trust is not a party to or bound by any agreement or
instrument other than this Agreement, the Trust Agreement and the
agreements and instruments contemplated by the Trust Agreement and
described in the Prospectus; the Trust has no liabilities or obligations
other than those arising out of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Trust Agreement and described in the Prospectus; the
Trust is not a party to or subject to any action, suit or proceeding of any
nature; the Trust is not, and at the Closing Date or any Option Closing
Date will not be, to the knowledge of the Offerors, classified as an
association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax
purposes; and the Trust is, and as of the Closing Date or any Option
Closing Date will be, treated as a consolidated subsidiary of the Company
pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles.
(vii) The Company has ten (10) subsidiaries, of which nine (9)
have ongoing operations. They are listed on Exhibit A attached hereto and
incorporated herein (the "Subsidiaries"). The Company does not own or
control, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of any class of equity
security of any corporation, association or other entity other than the
Subsidiaries. Lake Forest Bank and Trust Company, Hinsdale Bank and Trust
Company, North Shore Community Bank and Trust Company, Libertyville Bank
and Trust Company, Barrington Bank and Trust Company, N.A. and Crystal Lake
Bank and Trust Company, N.A. are collectively referred to as the "Banks".
Each Subsidiary is
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an Illinois state bank, bank holding company, corporation or national
banking association duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing with all applicable Regulators (as defined below) and under the
laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation. Each such Subsidiary
has full corporate and other power and authority to own, lease and operate
its properties and to conduct its business as described in and contemplated
by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is
not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) and as currently
being conducted. The deposit accounts of each Bank are insured by the Bank
Insurance Fund administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(the "FDIC") up to the maximum amount provided by law; and no proceedings
for the modification, termination or revocation of any such insurance are
pending or, to the knowledge of the Offerors, threatened.
(viii) The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is duly qualified
to transact business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in
each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases property or conducts its
business so as to require such qualification and in which the failure to so
qualify would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse
effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business,
prospects or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Subsidiaries (A) have been duly authorized and are validly
issued, (B) are fully paid and nonassessable except to the extent such
shares may be deemed assessable under 12 U.S.C. Section 55 or 12 U.S.C.
Section 1831o or under applicable state banking law, and (C) except as
disclosed in the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the
most recent Preliminary Prospectus), are directly owned by the Company free
and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance,
restriction upon voting or transfer, preemptive rights, claim or equity.
(ix) The capital stock of the Company and the equity securities
of the Trust conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus
(or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus). The outstanding shares of capital stock and equity securities
of each Offeror have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully
paid and nonassessable, and no such shares were issued in violation of the
preemptive or similar rights of any security holder of an Offeror; no
person has any preemptive or similar right to purchase any shares of
capital stock or equity securities of the Offerors. Except as disclosed in
the Prospectus, (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus) there are no outstanding rights, options or
warrants to acquire any securities of the Offerors or the Subsidiaries, and
there are no outstanding securities convertible into or exchangeable for
any securities of the Offerors or the Subsidiaries and no restrictions upon
the voting or transfer of any capital stock of the Company or equity
securities of the Trust pursuant to the Company's corporate charter or
bylaws, the Trust Agreement or any agreement or other instrument to which
an Offeror is a party or by which an Offeror is bound.
(x) (A) The Trust has all requisite power and authority to issue,
sell and deliver the Designated Preferred Securities in accordance with and
upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Trust
Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the
Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
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<PAGE>
Preliminary Prospectus). All corporate and trust action required to be
taken by the Offerors for the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of
the Designated Preferred Securities in accordance with such terms and
conditions has been validly and sufficiently taken. The Designated
Preferred Securities, when delivered in accordance with this Agreement,
will be duly and validly issued and outstanding, will be fully paid and
nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust,
will be entitled to the benefits of the Trust Agreement, will not be issued
in violation of or subject to any preemptive or similar rights, and will
conform to the description thereof in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus) and the Trust Agreement. None of the Designated
Preferred Securities, immediately prior to delivery, will be subject to any
security interest, lien, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, restriction upon
voting or transfer, preemptive rights, claim, equity or other defect.
(B) The Debentures have been duly and validly authorized,
and, when duly and validly executed, authenticated and issued as provided
in the Indenture and delivered to the Trust pursuant to the Trust
Agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the
Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and will conform to the
description thereof contained in the Prospectus.
(C) The Guarantee has been duly and validly authorized, and,
when duly and validly executed and delivered to the guarantee trustee for
the benefit of the Trust, will constitute a valid and legally binding
obligation of the Company and will conform to the description thereof
contained in the Prospectus.
(D) The Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities between the
Company and the Trust (the "Expense Agreement") has been duly and validly
authorized, and, when duly and validly executed and delivered by the
Company, will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the
Company and will conform to the description thereof contained in the
Prospectus.
(xi) The Offerors and the Subsidiaries have complied in all
material respects with all federal, state and local statutes, regulations,
ordinances and rules applicable to the ownership and operation of their
properties or the conduct of their businesses as described in and
contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the
Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) and
as currently being conducted.
(xii) The Offerors and the Subsidiaries have all material
permits, easements, consents, licenses, franchises and other governmental
and regulatory authorizations from all appropriate federal, state, local or
other public authorities ("Permits") as are necessary to own and lease
their properties and conduct their businesses in the manner described in
and contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if
the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus)
and as currently being conducted in all material respects. All such
Permits are in full force and effect and each of the Offerors and the
Subsidiaries are in all material respects complying therewith, and no event
has occurred that allows, or after notice or
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<PAGE>
lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or will result
in any other material impairment of the rights of the holder of any such
Permit, subject in each case to such qualification as may be adequately
disclosed in the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the
most recent Preliminary Prospectus). Such Permits contain no restrictions
that would materially impair the ability of the Company or the Subsidiaries
to conduct their businesses in the manner consistent with their past
practices. Neither the Offerors nor any of the Subsidiaries has received
notice or otherwise has knowledge of any proceeding or action relating to
the revocation or modification of any such Permit.
(xiii) Neither of the Offerors nor any of the Subsidiaries is in
breach or violation of its corporate charter, by-laws or other governing
documents (including without limitation, the Trust Agreement) in any
material respect. Neither of the Offerors nor any of the Subsidiaries is,
and to the knowledge of the Offerors no other party is, in violation,
breach or default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) in the
performance or observance of any term, covenant, agreement, obligation,
representation, warranty or condition contained in (A) any contract,
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease,
franchise, license, Permit or any other agreement or instrument to which it
is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound, which
breach, violation or default could have material adverse consequences to
the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, and to the
knowledge of the Offerors, no other party has asserted that the Offerors or
any of the Subsidiaries is in such violation, breach or default (provided
that the foregoing shall not apply to defaults by borrowers from the
Banks), or (B) except as disclosed in the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus
is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus), any order,
decree, judgment, rule or regulation of any court, arbitrator, government,
or governmental agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, having
jurisdiction over the Offerors or the Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties the breach, violation or default of which could have
a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise,
earnings, affairs, business, prospects, or results of operations of the
Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
(xiv) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
the Trust Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if
the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus)
do not and will not conflict with, result in the creation or imposition of
any material lien, claim, charge, encumbrance or restriction upon any
property or assets of the Offerors or the Subsidiaries or the Designated
Preferred Securities pursuant to, constitute a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under, with or without notice or lapse of time or
both, any of the terms, provisions or conditions of the charter or by-laws
of the Company or the Subsidiaries, the Trust Agreement, the Guarantee, the
Indenture, any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit
agreement, note, lease, franchise, license, Permit or any other agreement
or instrument to which the Offerors or the Subsidiaries is a party or by
which any of them or any of their respective properties may be bound or any
order, decree, judgment, rule or regulation of any court, arbitrator,
government, or governmental agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign,
having jurisdiction over the Offerors or the Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties which conflict, creation, imposition,
9
<PAGE>
breach, violation or default would have either singly or in the aggregate a
material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, earnings,
affairs, business, prospects or results of operations of the Offerors and
the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. No authorization, approval,
consent or order of or filing, registration or qualification with, any
person (including, without limitation, any court, governmental body or
authority) is required in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Indenture, the Guarantee, the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except such as have been
obtained under the 1933 Act, the Trust Indenture Act and from the Nasdaq
National Market relating to the listing of the Designated Preferred
Securities, and such as may be required under state securities laws or
Interpretations or Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD") in connection with the purchase and distribution of the
Designated Preferred Securities by the Underwriters.
(xv) The Offerors have all requisite power and authority to enter
into this Agreement, and this Agreement has been duly and validly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Offerors and constitutes the
legal, valid and binding agreement of the Offerors, enforceable against the
Offerors in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof
may be limited by general principles of equity and by bankruptcy or other
laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and except as any
indemnification or contribution provisions thereof may be limited under
applicable securities laws. Each of the Indenture, the Trust Agreement,
the Guarantee and the Expense Agreement has been duly authorized by the
Company, and, when executed and delivered by the Company on the Closing
Date, each of said agreements will constitute a valid and legally binding
obligation of the Company and will be enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited
by general principles of equity and by bankruptcy or other laws relating to
or affecting creditors' rights generally and except as any indemnification
or contribution provisions thereof may be limited under applicable
securities laws. Each of the Indenture, the Trust Agreement and the
Guarantee has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and will
conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.
(xvi) The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable
title in fee simple to all real property and good title to all personal
property owned by them and material to their business, in each case free
and clear of all security interests, liens, mortgages, pledges,
encumbrances, restrictions, claims, equities and other defects except such
as are referred to in the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) or such as do not
materially affect the value of such property in the aggregate and do not
materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such
property; and all of the leases under which the Company or the Subsidiaries
hold real or personal property are valid, existing and enforceable leases
and in full force and effect with such exceptions as are not material and
do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of
such real or personal property, and neither the Company nor any of the
Subsidiaries is in default in any material respect of any of the terms or
provisions of any leases.
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(xvii) Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified certain of the
consolidated financial statements of the Company and the Subsidiaries,
including the notes thereto, included by incorporation by reference or
otherwise in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, are independent
public accountants with respect to Company, as required by the 1933 Act and
the 1933 Act Regulations.
(xviii) KPMG LLP, who have certified certain of the consolidated
financial statements of the Company and the Subsidiaries including the
notes thereto, included by incorporation by reference or otherwise in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, at all relevant times were
independent public accountants with respect to the Company and the
Subsidiaries, as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.
(xix) The consolidated financial statements including the notes
thereto, included by incorporation by reference or otherwise in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) with respect to the
Company and the Subsidiaries comply in all material respects with the 1933
Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and present fairly the consolidated
financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the dates
indicated and the consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes
in shareholders' equity of the Company and the Subsidiaries for the periods
specified and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis. The selected
consolidated financial data concerning the Offerors and the Subsidiaries
included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or such
Preliminary Prospectus) comply in all material respects with the 1933 Act
and the 1933 Act Regulations, present fairly the information set forth
therein, and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the
consolidated financial statements of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or such Preliminary
Prospectus). The other financial, statistical and numerical information
included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or such
Preliminary Prospectus) complies in all material respects with the 1933 Act
and the 1933 Act Regulations, presents fairly the information shown
therein, and to the extent applicable have been compiled on a basis
consistent with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and
the Subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
(or such Preliminary Prospectus).
(xx) Since the respective dates as of which information is given
in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is
not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus), except as
otherwise stated therein:
(A) neither of the Offerors nor any of the Subsidiaries has
sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire,
explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by
insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
order or decree which is material to the condition (financial or
otherwise), earnings, business, prospects or results of operations of
the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;
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<PAGE>
(B) there has not been any material adverse change in, or
any development which is reasonably likely to have a material adverse
effect on, the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business,
prospects or results of operations of the Offerors and the
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, whether or not arising in the
ordinary course of business;
(C) neither of the Offerors nor any of the Subsidiaries has
incurred any liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or
entered into any material transactions, other than in the ordinary
course of business which is material to the condition (financial or
otherwise), earnings, business, prospects or results of operations of
the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;
(D) neither of the Offerors have declared or paid any
dividend and neither of the Offerors nor any of the Subsidiaries has
become delinquent in the payment of principal or interest on any
outstanding borrowings; and
(E) there has not been any change in the capital stock,
equity securities, long-term debt, obligations under capital leases
or, other than in the ordinary course of business, short-term
borrowings of the Offerors or the Subsidiaries.
(xxi) Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus), no charge, investigation, action, suit or
proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of the Offerors, threatened,
against or affecting the Offerors or the Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties before or by any court or any regulatory,
administrative or governmental official, commission, board, agency or other
authority or body, or any arbitrator, wherein an unfavorable decision,
ruling or finding could have a material adverse effect on the consummation
of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein or the condition
(financial or otherwise), earnings, affairs, business, prospects or results
of operations of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
or which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus (or such Preliminary Prospectus) and is not so disclosed.
(xxii) There are no contracts or other documents required to be
filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the 1933 Act or the 1933
Act Regulations or the Trust Indenture Act (or any rules or regulations
thereunder) which have not been filed as exhibits or incorporated by
reference to the Registration Statement, or that are required to be
summarized in the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence,
the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) that are not so summarized.
(xxiii) Neither of the Offerors has taken, directly or
indirectly, any action causing or resulting in or which has constituted or
which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in stabilization or
manipulation of any security of the Offerors in connection with the sale or
resale of the Designated Preferred Securities in violation of the
Commission's rules and regulations, including, but not limited to,
Regulation M, nor
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is either Offeror aware of any such action having been taken or to be taken
by any affiliate of the Offerors.
(xxiv) The Offerors and the Subsidiaries own, or possess
adequate rights to use, all patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks,
trade names and other rights necessary to conduct the businesses now
conducted by them in all material respects or as described in the
Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus) and neither the Offerors nor the Subsidiaries have
received any notice of infringement or conflict with asserted rights of
others with respect to any patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks,
trade names or other rights which, individually or in the aggregate, if the
subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a
material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise),
earnings, affairs, business, prospects or results of operations of the
Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, and the Offerors do
not know of any basis for any such infringement or conflict.
(xxv) Except as adequately disclosed in the Prospectus (or, if
the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus), no labor dispute involving the Company or the Subsidiaries
exists or, to the knowledge of the Offerors, is imminent which might be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or
otherwise), earnings, affairs, business, prospects or results of operations
of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or which is
required to be disclosed in the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus). Neither the Company
nor any of the Subsidiaries have received notice of any existing or
threatened labor dispute by the employees of any of its principal
suppliers, customers or contractors which might be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise),
earnings, affairs, business, prospects or results of operations of the
Company and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
(xxvi) The Offerors and the Subsidiaries have timely and properly
prepared and filed all necessary federal, state, local and foreign tax
returns which are required to be filed and have paid all taxes shown as due
thereon and have paid all other taxes and assessments to the extent that
the same shall have become due, except such as are being contested in good
faith or where the failure to so timely and properly prepare and file would
not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or
otherwise), earnings, affairs, business, prospects or results of operations
of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The Offerors
have no knowledge of any tax deficiency which has been or might be assessed
against the Offerors or the Subsidiaries which, if the subject of an
unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a material adverse
effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, affairs,
business, prospects or results of operations of the Offerors and the
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
(xxvii) Each of the material contracts, agreements and
instruments described or referred to in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus) and each contract, agreement and instrument filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement is in full force
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and effect and is the legal, valid and binding agreement of the Offerors or
the Subsidiaries, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the
enforcement thereof may be limited by general principles of equity and by
bankruptcy or other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus (or such Preliminary
Prospectus), to the knowledge of the Offerors, no other party to any such
agreement is (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) in breach or
default in any material respect thereunder.
(xxviii) No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or
among the Offerors or the Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors,
officers, trustees, shareholders, customers or suppliers of the Offerors or
the Subsidiaries, on the other hand, which is required to be described in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not
in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) which is not
adequately described therein.
(xxix) No person has the right to request or require the Offerors
or the Subsidiaries to register any securities for offering and sale under
the 1933 Act by reason of the filing of the Registration Statement with the
Commission or the issuance and sale of the Designated Preferred Securities
except as adequately disclosed in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus).
(xxx) The Designated Preferred Securities have been approved for
listing on the Nasdaq National Market subject to official notice of
issuance.
(xxxi) Except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus
(or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus), there are no contractual encumbrances or restrictions or
material legal restrictions required to be described therein, on the
ability of the Subsidiaries (A) to pay dividends or make any other
distributions on its capital stock or to pay any indebtedness owed to the
Offerors, (B) to make any loans or advances to, or investments in, the
Offerors or (C) to transfer any of its property or assets to the Offerors.
(xxxii) Neither of the Offerors nor any Subsidiary is an
"investment company", a company "controlled" by an "investment company" or
an "investment adviser" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act") or the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act").
(xxxiii) The Offerors have not distributed and will not
distribute prior to the Closing Date any prospectus in connection with the
Offering, other than a Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, the
Registration Statement and the other materials permitted by the 1933 Act
and the 1933 Act Regulations and reviewed by the Representatives.
(xxxiv) The activities of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries are
permitted under applicable federal and state banking laws and regulations.
First Insurance Funding
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Corp. is validly licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial
Institutions and in all other jurisdictions in which the conduct of its
business requires license or qualification. The Company has all necessary
approvals, including the approval of the Office of the Comptroller of
Currency (the "OCC"), the Illinois Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate
(the "Commissioner") and the Federal Reserve Board, as applicable, to own
the capital stock of the Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of the
Subsidiaries is a party or subject to any agreement or memorandum with, or
directive or other order issued by, the Federal Reserve Board, the OCC, the
Commissioner, the FDIC or other regulatory authority having jurisdiction
over it (each, a "Regulator," and collectively, the "Regulators"), which
imposes any restrictions or requirements not generally applicable to
entities of the same type as the Company and the Subsidiaries. Neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to any directive from any Regulator
to make any material change in the method of conducting their respective
businesses, and no such directive is pending or threatened by such
Regulators.
(xxxv) Each of the Banks and Wintrust Asset Management Company,
N.A. have properly administered, in all material respects, all accounts for
which any of them acts as a fiduciary, including but not limited to
accounts for which any of them serves as a trustee, agent, custodian,
personal representative, guardian, conservator or investment advisor, in
accordance with the terms of the governing documents and applicable state
and federal law and regulation and common law. Neither any Bank, Wintrust
Asset Management Company, N.A. nor any of their respective directors,
officers or employees has committed any material breach of trust with
respect to any such fiduciary account, and the accountings for each such
fiduciary account are true and correct in all material respects and
accurately reflect the assets of such fiduciary account in all material
respects.
(xxxvi) The conditions for use of Form S-3, as set forth in the
General Instructions thereto, have been satisfied.
(xxxvii) The Offerors and the Subsidiaries are in compliance
with all provisions of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes, relating to doing
business with the Government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate
located in Cuba.
(xxxviii) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any
liability under any "pension plan," as defined in the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
(xxxix) Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries maintains a
system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable
assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with
management's general or specific authorizations, (B) transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and to
maintain asset accountability, and (C) access to assets is permitted only
in accordance with management's general or specific authorization.
3. Offering by the Underwriters. After the Registration Statement becomes
effective
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or, if the Registration Statement is already effective, after this Agreement
becomes effective, the Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Preferred
Securities for sale to the public upon the terms and conditions set forth in the
Prospectus. The Underwriters may from time to time thereafter reduce the public
offering price and change the other selling terms, provided the proceeds to the
Trust shall not be reduced as a result of such reduction or change. Because the
NASD is expected to view the Preferred Securities as interests in a direct
participation program, the offering of the Preferred Securities is being made in
compliance with the applicable provisions of Rule 2810 of the NASD's Conduct
Rules.
The Underwriters may reserve and sell such of the Designated Preferred
Securities purchased by the Underwriters as the Underwriters may elect to
dealers chosen by it (the "Selected Dealers") at the public offering price set
forth in the Prospectus less the applicable Selected Dealers' concessions set
forth therein, for re-offering by Selected Dealers to the public at the public
offering price. The Underwriters may allow, and Selected Dealers may re-allow,
a concession set forth in the Prospectus to certain other brokers and dealers.
4. Certain Covenants of the Offerors. The Offerors jointly and severally
covenant with the Underwriters as follows:
(a) The Offerors shall use their best efforts to cause the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, if not effective at the time
of execution of this Agreement, to become effective as promptly as possible. If
the Registration Statement has become or becomes effective pursuant to Rule 430A
and information has been omitted therefrom in reliance on Rule 430A, then, the
Offerors will prepare and file in accordance with Rule 430A and Rule 424(b)
copies of the Prospectus or, if required by Rule 430A, a post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus) containing
all information so omitted and will provide evidence satisfactory to the
Representatives of such timely filing.
(b) The Offerors shall notify you immediately, and confirm such notice
in writing:
(i) when the Registration Statement, or any post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement, has become effective, or when the
Prospectus or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus
has been filed;
(ii) of the receipt of any comments or requests from the
Commission relating to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus;
(iii) of any request of the Commission to amend or supplement
the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or
for additional information; and
(iv) of the issuance by the Commission or any state or other
regulatory body of any stop order or other order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, preventing or suspending the
use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or suspending the
qualification of any of the Designated Preferred Securities for offering or
sale in any jurisdiction or the institution or threat of institution of any
proceedings for any of such purposes. The Offerors shall use their best
efforts to prevent
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the issuance of any such stop order or of any other such order and if any
such order is issued, to cause such order to be withdrawn or lifted as soon
as possible.
(c) The Offerors shall furnish to the Underwriters, from time to time
without charge, as soon as available, as many copies as the Underwriters may
reasonably request of (i) the registration statement as originally filed and of
all amendments thereto, in executed form, including exhibits, whether filed
before or after the Registration Statement becomes effective, (ii) all exhibits
and documents incorporated therein or filed therewith, (iii) all consents and
certificates of experts in executed form, (iv) each Preliminary Prospectus and
all amendments and supplements thereto, and (v) the Prospectus, and all
amendments and supplements thereto.
(d) During the time when a prospectus is required to be delivered
under the 1933 Act, the Offerors shall comply to the best of their ability with
the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act
Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Designated
Preferred Securities as contemplated herein and in the Trust Agreement and the
Prospectus. The Offerors shall not file any amendment to the registration
statement as originally filed or to the Registration Statement and shall not
file any amendment thereto or make any amendment or supplement to any
Preliminary Prospectus or to the Prospectus of which you shall not previously
have been advised in writing and provided a copy a reasonable time prior to the
proposed filings thereof or to which you or counsel for the Underwriters shall
object. If it is necessary, in the Company's reasonable opinion or in the
reasonable opinion of the Company's counsel to amend or supplement the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus in connection with the distribution of
the Designated Preferred Securities, the Offerors shall forthwith amend or
supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, by
preparing and filing with the Commission (provided the Underwriters or counsel
for the Underwriters does not reasonably object), and furnishing to you, such
number of copies as you may reasonably request of an amendment or amendments of,
or a supplement or supplements to, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
as the case may be (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to you and
counsel for the Underwriters). If any event shall occur as a result of which it
is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to correct an untrue
statement of a material fact or to include a material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, or if for any reason it is necessary at any time to amend or
supplement the Prospectus to comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
Regulations, the Offerors shall, subject to the second sentence of this
subsection (d), forthwith amend or supplement the Prospectus by preparing and
filing with the Commission, and furnishing to you, such number of copies as you
may reasonably request of an amendment or amendments of, or a supplement or
supplements to, the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to you and
counsel for the Underwriters) so that, as so amended or supplemented, the
Prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(e) The Offerors shall cooperate with you and counsel for the
Underwriters in order to qualify the Designated Preferred Securities for
offering and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as
you may reasonably request and shall continue such qualifications in effect so
long as may be advisable for distribution of the Designated Preferred
Securities; provided, however, that the Offerors shall not be required to
qualify to do business as
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a foreign corporation or file a general consent to service of process in any
jurisdiction in connection with the foregoing. The Offerors shall file such
statements and reports as may be required by the laws of each jurisdiction in
which the Designated Preferred Securities have been qualified as above. The
Offerors will notify you immediately of, and confirm in writing, the suspension
of qualification of the Designated Preferred Securities or threat thereof in any
jurisdiction.
(f) The Offerors shall make generally available to their security
holders in the manner contemplated by Rule 158 of the 1933 Act Regulations and
furnish to you as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 16 months
after the Effective Date, a consolidated earnings statement of the Offerors
conforming with the requirements of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and Rule 158.
(g) The Offerors shall use the proceeds from the sale of the
Designated Preferred Securities to be sold by the Trust hereunder in the manner
specified in the Prospectus under the caption "Use of Proceeds."
(h) For five years from the Effective Date, the Offerors shall furnish
to the Representatives copies of all reports and communications (financial or
otherwise) furnished by the Offerors to the holders of the Designated Preferred
Securities as a class, copies of all reports and financial statements filed with
or furnished to the Commission (other than portions for which confidential
treatment has been obtained from the Commission) or with any national securities
exchange, the Nasdaq National Market or other self-regulatory organization, and
such other documents, reports and information concerning the business and
financial conditions of the Offerors as the Representatives may reasonably
request, other than such documents, reports and information for which the
Offerors has the legal obligation not to reveal to the Representatives.
(i) For a period of 30 days from the Effective Date, the Offerors
shall not, directly or indirectly, offer for sale, sell or agree to sell or
otherwise dispose of any Designated Preferred Securities other than pursuant to
this Agreement, any other beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust or any
securities of the Trust or the Company that are substantially similar to the
Designated Preferred Securities or the Debentures, including any guarantee of
such beneficial interests or substantially similar securities, or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive any
such beneficial interest or substantially similar securities, without the prior
written consent of the Representatives.
(j) The Offerors shall use their best efforts to cause the Designated
Preferred Securities to become listed on the Nasdaq National Market or in lieu
thereof the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, and
to remain so listed for at least five years from the Effective Date or for such
shorter period as may be specified in a written consent of the Representatives,
provided this shall not prevent the Company from redeeming the Designated
Preferred Securities pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement. If the
Designated Preferred Securities are exchanged for Debentures, the Company will
use its best efforts to have the Debentures promptly listed on the Nasdaq
National Market or the New York Stock Exchange or other organization on which
the Designated Preferred Securities are then listed, and to have the Debentures
promptly registered under the Exchange Act.
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(k) Subsequent to the date of this Agreement and through the date
which is the later of (i) the day following the date on which the Underwriters'
option to purchase the Option Preferred Securities shall expire or (ii) the day
following the Option Closing Date with respect to any Option Preferred
Securities that the Underwriters shall elect to purchase, except as described in
or contemplated by the Prospectus, neither the Offerors nor any of the
Subsidiaries shall take any action (or refrain from taking any action) which
will result in the Offerors or the Subsidiaries incurring any material liability
or obligation, direct or contingent, or enter into any material transaction,
except in the ordinary course of business, and there will not be any material
change in the financial position, capital stock, or any material increase in
long-term debt, obligations under capital leases or short-term borrowings of the
Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
(l) The Offerors shall not, for a period of 180 days after the date
hereof, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, purchase,
redeem or call for redemption, or prepay or give notice of prepayment (or
announce any redemption or call for redemption, or any repayment or notice of
prepayment) of the Offerors' securities.
(m) The Offerors shall not take, directly or indirectly, any action
designed to result in or which has constituted or which might reasonably be
expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any
security of the Offerors in connection with the sale or resale of the Designated
Preferred Securities in violation of the Commission's rules and regulations,
including, but not limited to, Regulation M, and the Offerors are not aware of
any such action taken or to be taken by any affiliate of the Offerors.
(n) Prior to the Closing Date (and, if applicable, the Option Closing
Date), the Offerors will not issue any press release or other communication
directly or indirectly or hold any press conference with respect to the
Offerors, the Subsidiaries or the offering of the Designated Preferred
Securities (the "Offering") without your prior written consent.
(o) The Offerors shall inform the Florida Department of Banking and
Finance at any time prior to the consummation of the distribution of the
Securities by the Underwriters if either of the Offerors or any of the
Subsidiaries commences engaging in business with the government of Cuba or with
a person or affiliate located in Cuba, with such information to be provided
within 90 days after the commencement thereof or after a change occurs with
respect to previously reported information.
5. Payment of Expenses. Whether or not this Agreement is terminated or
the sale of the Designated Preferred Securities to the Underwriters is
consummated, the Company covenants and agrees that it will pay or cause to be
paid (directly or by reimbursement) all costs and expenses incident to the
performance of the obligations of the Offerors under this Agreement, including:
(a) the preparation, printing, filing, delivery and shipping of the
initial registration statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectuses, the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
thereto, and the printing, delivery and shipping of this Agreement and any other
underwriting documents (including, without limitation, selected dealers
agreements), the certificates for the Designated Preferred Securities and the
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Preliminary and Final Blue Sky Memoranda and any legal investment surveys and
any supplements thereto;
(b) all fees, expenses and disbursements of the Offerors' counsel and
accountants;
(c) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
qualification of the Designated Preferred Securities, Debentures and the
Guarantee under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as you may
request, including all filing fees and fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Underwriters in connection therewith, including, without limitation, in
connection with the preparation of the Preliminary and Final Blue Sky Memoranda
and any legal investment surveys and any supplements thereto;
(d) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with filings made
with the NASD;
(e) any applicable fees and other expenses incurred in connection with
the listing of the Designated Preferred Securities and, if applicable, the
Guarantee and the Debentures on the Nasdaq National Market;
(f) the cost of furnishing to you copies of the initial registration
statements, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus and all amendments or supplements thereto;
(g) the costs and charges of any transfer agent or registrar and the
fees and disbursements of counsel for any transfer agent or registrar;
(h) all costs and expenses (including stock transfer taxes) incurred
in connection with the printing, issuance and delivery of the Designated
Preferred Securities to the Underwriters;
(i) all expenses incident to the preparation, execution and delivery
of the Trust Agreement, the Indenture and the Guarantee; and
(j) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the
obligations of the Company hereunder and under the Trust Agreement that are not
otherwise specifically provided for in this Section 5.
If the sale of Designated Preferred Securities contemplated by this
Agreement is not completed due to the termination pursuant to the terms hereof
(other than pursuant to Section 9 hereof), the Company will pay you your
accountable out-of-pocket expenses in connection herewith or in contemplation of
the performance of your obligations hereunder, including without limitation
travel expenses, fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel or other out-of-
pocket expenses incurred by you in connection with any discussion of the
Offering or the contents of the Registration Statement, any investigation of the
Offerors and the Subsidiaries, or any preparation for the marketing, purchase,
sale or delivery of the Designated Preferred Securities, in each case following
presentation of reasonably detailed invoices therefor.
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If the sale of Designated Preferred Securities contemplated by this
Agreement is completed, the Company shall not be responsible for payment of fees
or disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters other than in accordance with
paragraph (c) above, or for the reimbursement of any expenses of the
Underwriters.
6. Conditions of the Underwriters' Obligations. The obligations of the
Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Firm Preferred Securities and,
following exercise of the option granted by the Offerors in Section 1 of this
Agreement, the Option Preferred Securities, are subject, in your sole
discretion, to the accuracy of and compliance with the representations and
warranties and agreements of the Offerors herein as of the date hereof and as of
the Closing Date (or in the case of the Option Preferred Securities, if any, as
of the Option Closing Date), to the accuracy of the written statements of the
Offerors made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the
Offerors of their covenants and obligations hereunder and to the following
additional conditions:
(a) If the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto filed prior
to the Closing Date has not been declared effective prior to the time of
execution hereof, the Registration Statement shall become effective not later
than 10:00 a.m., St. Louis time, on the first business day following the time of
execution of this Agreement, or at such later time and date as you may agree to
in writing. If required, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto
shall have been timely filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A under
the 1933 Act and Section 4(a) hereof. No stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement
thereto shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or any applicable state
securities laws and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted
or shall be pending, or, to the knowledge of the Offerors or the
Representatives, shall be contemplated by the Commission or any state authority.
Any request on the part of the Commission or any state authority for additional
information (to be included in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or
otherwise) shall have been disclosed to you and complied with to your
satisfaction and to the satisfaction of counsel for the Underwriters.
(b) No Underwriter shall have advised the Company at or before the
Closing Date (and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date) that the Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of a fact which,
in your opinion, is material or omits to state a fact which, in your opinion, is
material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make statements
therein (in the case of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.
(c) All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the
authorization, form and validity of this Agreement, the Trust Agreement, and the
Designated Preferred Securities, and the authorization and form of the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, other than financial statements and other
financial data, and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby or by the Trust Agreement shall be satisfactory
in all material respects to counsel for the Underwriters, and the Offerors and
the Subsidiaries shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and
information relating thereto that they may reasonably request to enable them to
pass upon such matters.
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(d) Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, counsel for the Offerors, shall
have furnished to you their signed opinion, dated the Closing Date or the Option
Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel
for the Underwriters, to the effect that:
(i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Illinois, and
is duly registered as a bank holding company under the BHC Act. Each of
the Subsidiaries is duly incorporated or organized, as applicable, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization, as the case may be. Each of the Company and
the Subsidiaries has full power and authority to own or lease its
properties and to conduct its business as such business is described in the
Prospectus and is currently conducted in all material respects. To the
best of such counsel's knowledge, all outstanding shares of capital stock
of the Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued and are
fully paid and nonassessable except to the extent such shares may be deemed
assessable under 12 U.S.C. Section 1831o and, to the best of such counsel's
knowledge, except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there are no outstanding
rights, options or warrants to purchase any such shares or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for any such shares;
(ii) The capital stock, Debentures and Guarantee of the Company
and the equity securities of the Trust conform to the description thereof
contained in the Prospectus in all material respects. The capital stock of
the Company authorized and issued as of March 31, 2000 is as set forth
under the caption "Capitalization" in the Prospectus, has been duly
authorized and validly issued, and is fully paid and nonassessable. Except
as described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or if the
Prospectus is not yet in existence, the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus), there are no outstanding rights, options or warrants to
purchase, no other outstanding securities convertible into or exchangeable
for, and no commitments, plans or arrangements to issue, any shares of
capital stock of the Company or equity securities of the Trust, except as
described in the Prospectus;
(iii) The issuance, sale and delivery of the Designated
Preferred Securities and Debentures in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and the Indenture have been duly authorized by
all necessary actions of the Offerors. All of the Designated Preferred
Securities have been duly and validly authorized and, when delivered in
accordance with this Agreement will be duly and validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable, and will conform to the description thereof in the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Trust Agreement. The
Designated Preferred Securities have been approved for quotation on the
Nasdaq National Market subject to official notice of issuance. There are
no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, and other
than as disclosed in the Prospectus no restrictions upon the voting or
transfer of, any shares of capital stock or equity securities of the
Offerors or the Subsidiaries pursuant to the corporate charter, by-laws or
other governing documents (including without limitation, the Trust
Agreement) of the Offerors or the Subsidiaries, or, to the best of such
counsel's knowledge, any agreement or other instrument to which
22
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either Offeror or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which either
Offeror or any of the Subsidiaries may be bound;
(iv) The Offerors have all requisite corporate and trust power to
enter into and perform their obligations under this Agreement, and this
Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Offerors and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of
the Offerors enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the
enforcement hereof or thereof may be limited by general principles of
equity and by bankruptcy or other laws relating to or affecting creditors'
rights generally, and except as the indemnification and contribution
provisions hereof may be limited under applicable laws and certain remedies
may not be available in the case of a non-material breach;
(v) Each of the Indenture, the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee
has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and is a valid and
legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with
its terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
receivership, moratorium and other laws affecting the rights and remedies
of creditors generally and of general principles of equity;
(vi) The Debentures have been duly authorized, executed,
authenticated and delivered by the Company, are entitled to the benefits of
the Indenture and are legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to
the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership,
moratorium and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors
generally and of general principles of equity;
(vii) The Expense Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by the Company, and is a valid and legally binding obligation
of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the
effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium
and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and
of general principles of equity;
(viii) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, neither of the
Offerors nor any of the Subsidiaries is in breach or violation of, or
default under, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, its
corporate charter, by-laws or governing document (including without
limitation, the Trust Agreement). The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, and the Trust Agreement do not and will not conflict with,
result in the creation or imposition of any material lien, claim, charge,
encumbrance or restriction upon any property or assets of the Offerors or
the Subsidiaries or the Designated Preferred Securities pursuant to, or
constitute a material breach or violation of, or constitute a material
default under, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, any of the
terms, provisions or conditions of the charter, by-laws or governing
document (including without limitation, the Trust Agreement) of the
Offerors or the Subsidiaries, or to the best of such counsel's knowledge,
any material contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit
agreement, note, lease, franchise, license or any other agreement or
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instrument to which either Offeror or the Subsidiaries is a party or by
which any of them or any of their respective properties may be bound or any
order, decree, judgment, franchise, license, Permit, rule or regulation of
any court, arbitrator, government, or governmental agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, known to such counsel having
jurisdiction over the Offerors or the Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties which, in each case, is material to the Offerors and
the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. No authorization, approval,
consent or order of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any
person (including, without limitation, any court, governmental body or
authority) is required under Illinois law in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the purchase
and distribution of the Designated Preferred Securities by the
Underwriters;
(ix) Holders of securities of the Offerors either do not have any
right that, if exercised, would require the Offerors to cause such
securities to be included in the Registration Statement or have waived such
right. Neither the Offerors nor any of the Subsidiaries is a party to any
agreement or other instrument which grants rights for or relating to the
registration of any securities of the Offerors;
(x) Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, (i) no action, suit or
proceeding at law or in equity is pending or threatened in writing to which
the Offerors or the Subsidiaries is or may be a party, and (ii) no action,
suit or proceeding is pending or threatened in writing against or affecting
the Offerors or the Subsidiaries or any of their properties, before or by
any court or governmental official, commission, board or other
administrative agency, authority or body, or any arbitrator, wherein an
unfavorable decision, ruling or finding could reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on the consummation of this Agreement or the
issuance and sale of the Designated Preferred Securities as contemplated
herein or the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, affairs,
business, or results of operations of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on
a consolidated basis or which is required to be disclosed in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus and is not so disclosed;
(xi) No authorization, approval, consent or order of or filing,
registration or qualification with, any person (including, without
limitation, any court, governmental body or authority) is required in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Trust
Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except such as
have been obtained under the 1933 Act, and the Trust Indenture Act, and
except such as may be required under state securities laws or
Interpretations or Rules of the NASD in connection with the purchase and
distribution of the Designated Preferred Securities by the Underwriters;
(xii) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any
amendments or supplements thereto and any documents incorporated therein by
reference (other than the financial statements or other financial data
included therein or omitted therefrom and Underwriters' Information, as to
which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
Regulations as of their respective dates of effectiveness;
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(xiii) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, there are no
contracts, agreements, leases or other documents of a character required to
be disclosed in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or to be filed as
exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not so disclosed or filed;
(xiv) The statements under the captions "Accounting and
Regulatory Treatment," "Description of the Trust," "Description of the
Preferred Securities," "Description of the Debentures," "Book-Entry
Issuance," "Description of the Guarantee," "Relationship Among the
Preferred Securities, the Debentures and the Guarantee," "Certain Federal
Income Tax Consequences," and "ERISA Considerations" in the Prospectus,
insofar as such statements constitute a summary of legal and regulatory
matters, documents or instruments referred to therein are accurate
descriptions of the matters summarized therein in all material respects and
fairly present the information called for with respect to such legal
matters, documents and instruments, other than financial and statistical
data as to which said counsel shall not be required to express any opinion
or belief;
(xv) Such counsel has been advised by the staff of the Commission
that the Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act;
any required filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) has been made
within the time period required by Rule 424(b); to the best of such
counsel's knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for a stop order
are pending or threatened by the Commission;
(xvi) Except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus,
to the best of such counsel's knowledge, there are no contractual
encumbrances or restrictions, or material legal restrictions required to be
described therein on the ability of the Subsidiaries (A) to pay dividends
or make any other distributions on its capital stock or to pay indebtedness
owed to the Offerors, (B) to make any loans or advances to, or investments
in, the Offerors or (C) to transfer any of its property or assets to the
Offerors; and
(xvii) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, (A) the business
and operations of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries comply in all material
respects with all statutes, ordinances, laws, rules and regulations
applicable thereto and which are material to the Offerors and the
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, except in those instances where non-
compliance would not materially impair the ability of the Offerors and the
Subsidiaries to conduct their business; and (B) the Offerors and the
Subsidiaries possess and are operating in all material respects in
compliance with the terms, provisions and conditions of all Permits that
are required to conduct their businesses as described in the Prospectus and
that are material to the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis, except in those instances where the loss thereof or non-compliance
therewith would not have a material adverse effect on the condition
(financial or otherwise), earnings, affairs, business, prospects or results
of operations of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;
to the best of such counsel's knowledge, all such Permits are valid and in
full force and effect, and, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, no
action, suit or proceeding is pending or threatened which may lead to the
revocation, termination,
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suspension or non-renewal of any such Permit, except in those instances
where the loss thereof or non-compliance therewith would not materially
impair the ability of the Offerors or the Subsidiaries to conduct their
businesses.
In giving the above opinion, such counsel may state that, insofar as
such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied upon certificates of
officers of the Offerors including, without limitation, certificates as to the
identity of any and all material contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of
trust, loans or credit agreements, notes, leases, franchises, licenses or other
agreements or instruments, and all material permits, easements, consents,
licenses, franchises and government regulatory authorizations, for purposes of
paragraphs (viii), (xiii) and (xvii) hereof and certificates of public
officials. In giving such opinion, such counsel may rely as to matters of
Delaware law upon the opinion of Richards, Layton and Finger described herein.
Such counsel shall also confirm that, in connection with the
preparation of the Registration Statement and Prospectus, such counsel has
participated in conferences with officers and Representatives of the Offerors
and with their independent public accountants and with you and your counsel, at
which conferences such counsel made inquiries of such officers, Representatives
and accountants and discussed in detail the contents of the Registration
Statement and Prospectus and the documents incorporated therein by reference
(without taking further action to verify independently the statements made in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and without assuming
responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such statements, except to
the extent expressly provided above) and such counsel has no reason to believe
(A) that the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto (except for the
financial statements and related schedules and statistical data included therein
or omitted therefrom or Underwriters' Information, as to which such counsel need
express no opinion), at the time the Registration Statement or any such
amendment became effective, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading or (B) that the Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto or the documents incorporated therein by reference (except
for the financial statements and related schedules and statistical data included
therein or omitted therefrom or Underwriters' Information, as to which such
counsel need express no opinion), at the time the Registration Statement became
effective (or, if the term "Prospectus" refers to the prospectus first filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations, at the time the Prospectus
was issued), at the time any such amended or supplemented Prospectus was issued,
at the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date, contained or
contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, or (C) that there is any amendment to the Registration Statement
required to be filed that has not already been filed.
(e) Richards, Layton and Finger, special Delaware counsel to the
Offerors, shall have furnished to you their signed opinion, dated as of Closing
Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance
satisfactory to such counsel, to the effect that:
(i) The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in
good standing as a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act
and, under the Trust
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Agreement and the Delaware Business Trust Act, has the trust power and
authority to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus.
(ii) The Trust Agreement is a legal, valid and binding agreement
of the Company, as sponsor, and the Trustees, and is enforceable against
the Company, as sponsor, and the Trustees, in accordance with its terms.
(iii) Under the Trust Agreement and the Delaware Business Trust
Act, the execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by the Trust,
and the performance by the Trust of its obligations thereunder, have been
authorized by all requisite trust action on the part of the Trust.
(iv) The Designated Preferred Securities have been duly
authorized by the Trust Agreement, and when issued and sold in accordance
with the Trust Agreement, the Designated Preferred Securities will be,
subject to the qualifications set forth in paragraph (v) below, fully paid
and nonassessable beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust and
entitled to the benefits of the Trust Agreement. The form of certificates
to evidence the Designated Preferred Securities has been approved by the
Trust and is in due and proper form and complies with all applicable
requirements of the Delaware Business Trust Act.
(v) Holders of Designated Preferred Securities, as beneficial
owners of the Trust, will be entitled to the same limitation of personal
liability extended to shareholders of private, for-profit corporations
organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Such
opinion may note that the holders of Designated Preferred Securities may be
obligated to make payments as set forth in the Trust Agreement.
(vi) Under the Delaware Business Trust Act and the Trust
Agreement, the issuance of the Designated Preferred Securities is not
subject to preemptive rights.
(vii) The issuance and sale by the Trust of the Designated
Preferred Securities and the Common Securities, the execution, delivery and
performance by the Trust of this Agreement, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not violate (a) the Trust
Agreement, or (b) any applicable Delaware law, rule or regulation.
Such opinion may state that it is limited to the laws of the State of
Delaware and that the opinion expressed in paragraph (ii) above is subject to
the effect upon the Trust Agreement of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
receivership, reorganization, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance and other
similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors
generally, (ii) principles of equity, including applicable law relating to
fiduciary duties (regardless of whether considered and applied in a proceeding
in equity or at law), and (iii) the effect of applicable public policy on the
enforceability of provisions relating to indemnification or contribution.
(f) Bryan Cave LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, shall have furnished
you their signed opinion, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as
the case may be, with
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respect to the sufficiency of all corporate procedures and other legal matters
relating to this Agreement, the validity of the Designated Preferred Securities,
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and such other related matters as you
may reasonably request and there shall have been furnished to such counsel such
documents and other information as they may request to enable them to pass on
such matters. In giving such opinion, Bryan Cave LLP may rely as to matters of
fact upon statements and certifications of officers of the Offerors and of other
appropriate persons and may rely as to matters of law, other than law of the
United States and the State of Missouri, and upon the opinions of Vedder, Price,
Kaufman & Kammholz and Richards, Layton and Finger described herein.
(g) On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date (and, if
applicable, any Option Closing Date), the Representatives shall have received
from Ernst & Young LLP a letter, dated the date of this Agreement and the
Closing Date (and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date), respectively, in
form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, confirming that they are
independent public accountants with respect to Company (which shall be inclusive
of the Subsidiaries for purposes of this Section 6(g)), within the meaning of
the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations, and stating in effect that:
(i) In their opinion, the consolidated financial statements of
the Company audited by them and included in the Registration Statement
comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.
(ii) On the basis of the procedures specified by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants as described in SAS No. 71,
"Interim Financial Information," inquiries of officials of the Company
responsible for financial and accounting matters, and such other inquiries
and procedures as may be specified in such letter, which procedures do not
constitute an audit in accordance with U.S. generally accepted auditing
standards, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe
that, if applicable, the unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement do not
comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements of the 1933 Act and 1933 Act Regulations or are not in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
basis substantially consistent, except as noted in the Registration
Statement, with the basis for the audited consolidated financial statements
of the Company included in the Registration Statement.
(iii) On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an
audit in accordance with U.S. generally accepted auditing standards,
consisting of a reading of the unaudited interim financial statements and
other information referred to below, a reading of the latest available
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company,
inspection of the minute books of the Company since the date of the latest
audited financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement, inquiries of officials of the
Company responsible for financial and accounting matters and such other
inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter, nothing came
to their attention that caused them to believe that:
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(A) as of a specified date not more than five days prior to
the date of such letter, there have been any changes in the
consolidated capital stock of the Company, any increase in the
consolidated debt of the Company, any decreases in consolidated total
assets or shareholders equity of the Company, or any changes,
decreases or increases in other items specified by the
Representatives, in each case as compared with amounts shown in the
latest unaudited interim consolidated statement of financial condition
of the Company included in the Registration Statement except in each
case for changes, increases or decreases which the Registration
Statement specifically discloses, have occurred or may occur or which
are described in such letter; and
(B) for the period from the date of the latest unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements of the Company included in
the Registration Statement to the specified date referred to in Clause
(iii)(A), there were any decreases in the consolidated interest
income, net interest income, or net income of the Company or in the
per share amount of net income of the Company, or any changes,
decreases or increases in any other items specified by the
Representatives, in each case as compared with the comparable period
of the preceding year and with any other period of corresponding
length specified by the Representatives, except in each case for
increases or decreases which the Registration Statement discloses have
occurred or may occur, or which are described in such letter.
(iv) In addition to the audit referred to in their report
included in the Registration Statement and the limited procedures,
inspection of minute books, inquiries and other procedures referred to in
paragraphs (ii) and (iii) above, they have carried out certain specified
procedures, not constituting an audit in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted auditing standards, with respect to certain amounts, percentages
and financial information specified by the Representatives which are
derived from the general accounting records and consolidated financial
statements of the Company which appear in the Registration Statement, and
have compared such amounts, percentages and financial information with the
accounting records and the material derived from such records and
consolidated financial statements of the Company have found them to be in
agreement.
In the event that the letters to be delivered referred to above set
forth any such changes, decreases or increases as specified in Clauses (iii)(A)
or (iii)(B) above, or any exceptions from such agreement specified in Clause
(iv) above, it shall be a further condition to the obligations of the
Underwriters that the Representatives shall have determined, after discussions
with officers of the Company responsible for financial and accounting matters,
that such changes, decreases, increases or exceptions as are set forth in such
letters do not (x) reflect a material adverse change in the items specified in
Clause (iii)(A) above as compared with the amounts shown in the latest unaudited
consolidated statement of financial condition of the Company included in the
Registration Statement, (y) reflect a material adverse change in the items
specified in Clause (iii)(B) above as compared with the corresponding periods of
the prior year or other period specified by the Representatives, or (z) reflect
a material change in items specified in Clause (iv) above from the amounts shown
in the Preliminary Prospectus distributed
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by the Underwriters in connection with the offering contemplated hereby or from
the amounts shown in the Prospectus.
(h) On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date (and, if
applicable, any Option Closing Date), the Representatives shall have received
from KPMG LLP a letter, dated the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date
(and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date), respectively, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Representatives, confirming that at all relevant
times they were independent public accountants with respect to Company (which
shall be inclusive of those then Subsidiaries for purposes of this Section
6(h)), within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations, and
stating in effect that in their opinion, the consolidated financial statements
of the Company audited by them and included in the Registration Statement comply
as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.
(i) At the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date,
you shall have received certificates of the chief executive officer and the
chief financial and accounting officer of the Company, which certificates shall
be deemed to be made on behalf of the Company dated as of the Closing Date and,
if applicable, the Option Closing Date, evidencing satisfaction of the
conditions of Section 6(a) and stating that (i) the representations and
warranties of the Company set forth in Section 2(a) hereof are accurate as of
the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date, and that the
Offerors have complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on their
part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to such Closing Date; (ii) since
the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been any material adverse change in
the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, affairs, business, prospects
or results of operations of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis; (iii) since such dates there has not been any material transaction
entered into by the Offerors or the Subsidiaries other than transactions in the
ordinary course of business; and (iv) they have carefully examined the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and nothing
has come to their attention that would lead them to believe that either the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto
as of their respective effective or issue dates, contained, and the Prospectus
as amended or supplemented at such Closing Date (and, if applicable, the Option
Closing Date), contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading; and (v) covering such other matters as you may
reasonably request. The officers' certificate of the Company shall further
state that no stop order affecting the Registration Statement is in effect or,
to their knowledge, threatened.
(j) At the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date,
you shall have received a certificate of an authorized representative of the
Trust to the effect that to the best of his or her knowledge based upon a
reasonable investigation, the representations and warranties of the Trust in
this Agreement are true and correct as though made on and as of the Closing Date
(and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date); the Trust has complied with all
the agreements and satisfied all the conditions required by this Agreement to be
performed or satisfied by the Trust on or prior to the Closing Date and since
the most recent date as of which information is given in the Prospectus, except
as contemplated by the Prospectus, the Trust has not incurred any material
liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any
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material transactions not in the ordinary course of business and there has not
been any material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of
the Trust.
(k) On the Closing Date, you shall have received duly executed
counterparts of the Trust Agreement, the Guarantee, the Indenture and the
Expense Agreement.
(l) The NASD, upon review of the terms of the public offering of the
Designated Preferred Securities, shall not have objected to the Underwriters'
participation in such offering.
(m) Prior to the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Option Closing
Date, the Offerors shall have furnished to you and counsel for the Underwriters
all such other documents, certificates and opinions as they have reasonably
requested.
All opinions, certificates, letters and other documents shall be in
compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are reasonably satisfactory
in form and substance to you. The Offerors shall furnish you with conformed
copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and other documents as you shall
reasonably request.
If any of the conditions referred to in this Section 6 shall not have
been fulfilled when and as required by this Agreement, this Agreement and all of
the Underwriters' obligations hereunder may be terminated by you on notice to
the Company at, or at any time before, the Closing Date or the Option Closing
Date, as applicable. Any such termination shall be without liability of the
Underwriters to the Offerors.
7. Indemnification and Contribution.
--------------------------------
(a) The Offerors agree to jointly and severally indemnify and hold
harmless each Underwriter, each of its directors, officers and agents, and each
person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act,
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including
reasonable costs of investigation and attorney fees and expenses), joint or
several, arising out of or based: (i) upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact made by the Company or the Trust contained
in Section 2(a) of this Agreement (or any certificate delivered by the Company
or the Trust pursuant to Sections 6(i), 6(j) or 6(m) hereof) or the registration
statement as originally filed or the Registration Statement, any Preliminary
Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto; (ii)
upon any blue sky application or other document executed by the Company or the
Trust specifically for that purpose or based upon written information furnished
by the Company or the Trust filed in any state or other jurisdiction in order to
qualify any of the Designated Preferred Securities under the securities laws
thereof (any such application, document or information being hereinafter
referred to as a "Blue Sky Application"); (iii) upon any omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact in the registration statement as originally
filed or the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky
Application required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and expenses (including reasonable costs of investigation and
attorney fees), joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue
statement or alleged
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untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus or
the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or arising out of or
based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or
(iv) the enforcement of this indemnification provision or the contribution
provisions of Section 7(d); and shall reimburse each such indemnified party for
any legal or other expenses as incurred, but in no event less frequently than 30
days after each invoice is submitted, incurred by them in connection with
investigating or defending against or appearing as a third-party witness in
connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action,
notwithstanding the possibility that payments for such expenses might later be
held to be improper, in which case such payments shall be promptly refunded;
provided, however, that the Offerors shall not be liable in any such case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that any such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and expenses arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
omission or allegation thereof that has been made therein or omitted therefrom
in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriters' Information; provided,
that the indemnification contained in this paragraph with respect to any
Preliminary Prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or of
any person controlling any Underwriter) to the extent any such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses directly results from the fact that such
Underwriter sold Designated Preferred Securities to a person to whom there was
not sent or given, at or prior to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy
of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if any amendments or supplements
thereto shall have been furnished to you in sufficient time to distribute same
with or prior to the written confirmation of the sale involved), if required by
law, and if such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense would not have arisen
but for the failure to give or send such person such document. The foregoing
indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability the Company or the Trust may
otherwise have to any such indemnified party.
(b) Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless each Offeror, each of its directors, each of its officers who
signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls an
Offeror within the meaning of the 1933 Act, to the same extent as required by
the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with
respect to the Underwriters' Information or in a Blue Sky Application. The
foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability which any
Underwriter may otherwise have to any such indemnified party.
(c) If any action or claim shall be brought or asserted against any
indemnified party or any person controlling an indemnified party in respect of
which indemnity may be sought from the indemnifying party, such indemnified
party or controlling person shall promptly notify the indemnifying party in
writing, and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense thereof, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and
the payment of all expenses; provided, however, that the failure so to notify
the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have
to an indemnified party otherwise than under such paragraph, and further, shall
only relieve it from liability under such paragraph to the extent prejudiced
thereby. Any indemnified party or any such controlling person shall have the
right to employ separate counsel in any such action and to participate in the
defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the
expense of such indemnified party or such controlling person unless (i) the
employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the indemnifying party in
writing, (ii) the indemnifying party has
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failed to assume the defense or to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any
impleaded parties) include both such indemnified party or such controlling
person and the indemnifying party and such indemnified party or such controlling
person shall have been advised by such counsel that there may be one or more
legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those
available to the indemnifying party (in which case, if such indemnified party or
controlling person notifies the indemnifying party in writing that it elects to
employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, the
indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action
on behalf of such indemnified party or such controlling person) it being
understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with
any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in
the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or
circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate
firm of attorneys at any time and for all such indemnified party and controlling
persons, which firm shall be designated in writing by the indemnified party
(and, if such indemnified parties are Underwriters, by you, as Representatives).
Each indemnified party and each controlling person, as a condition of such
indemnity, shall use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the indemnifying party
in the defense of any such action or claim. The indemnifying party shall not be
liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written
consent, but if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action,
the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified
party and any such controlling person from and against any loss, claim, damage,
liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment.
An indemnifying party shall not, without the prior written consent of
each indemnified party, settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any
judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in
respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder (whether or not such
indemnified party or any person who controls such indemnified party within the
meaning of the 1933 Act is a party to such claim, action, suit or proceeding),
unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes a release of each such
indemnified party reasonably satisfactory to each such indemnified party and
each such controlling person from all liability arising out of such claim,
action, suit or proceeding or unless the indemnifying party shall confirm in a
written agreement with each indemnified party, that notwithstanding any federal,
state or common law, such settlement, compromise or consent shall not alter the
right of any indemnified party or controlling person to indemnification or
contribution as provided in this Agreement.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is
unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) hereof in respect of any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party, in
lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid
or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect the relative benefits received by the Offerors on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Designated Preferred
Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not
permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative
fault of the Offerors on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in
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such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the
Offerors on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be
in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the
Designated Preferred Securities (before deducting expenses) received by the
Offerors bear to the total underwriting discounts, commissions and compensation
received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the
cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Offerors on the one hand
and of the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Offerors or by the Underwriters and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Offerors and the Underwriters
agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this
paragraph (d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of
allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred
to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the
losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to in the first
sentence of this paragraph (d) shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no
Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount
by which the total price at which the Designated Preferred Securities
underwritten by such Underwriter and distributed to the public were offered to
the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise
been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
For purposes of this paragraph (d), each person who controls an
Underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who controls an Offeror within
the meaning of the 1933 Act, each officer and trustee of an Offeror who shall
have signed the Registration Statement and each director of an Offeror shall
have the same rights to contribution as the Offerors subject in each case to the
preceding sentence. The obligations of the Offerors under this paragraph (d)
shall be in addition to any liability which the Offerors may otherwise have and
the obligations of the Underwriters under this paragraph (d) shall be in
addition to any liability that the Underwriters may otherwise have.
(e) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this
Section 7 and the representations and warranties of the Offerors set forth in
this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless
of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any person
controlling an Underwriter or by or on behalf of the Offerors, or such
directors, trustees or officers (or any person controlling an Offeror, (ii)
acceptance of any Designated Preferred Securities and payment therefor hereunder
and (iii) any termination of this Agreement. A successor of any Underwriter or
of an Offeror, such directors, trustees or officers (or of any person
controlling an Underwriter or an Offeror) shall be entitled to the benefits of
the indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in this
Section 7.
34
<PAGE>
(f) The Company agrees to indemnify the Trust against any and all
losses, claims, damages or liabilities that may become due from the Trust under
this Section 7.
8. Termination. You shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at
any time at or prior to the Closing Date or, with respect to the Underwriters'
obligation to purchase the Option Preferred Securities, at any time at or prior
to the Option Closing Date, without liability on the part of the Underwriters to
the Offerors, if:
(a) Either Offeror shall have failed, refused, or been unable to
perform any agreement on its part to be performed under this Agreement, or any
of the conditions referred to in Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled, when
and as required by this Agreement;
(b) The Offerors or any of the Subsidiaries shall have sustained any
material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or
other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute
or court or governmental action, order or decree which in the judgment of the
Representatives materially impairs the investment quality of the Designated
Preferred Securities;
(c) There has been since the respective dates as of which information
is given in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, any materially adverse
change in, or any development which is reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect on, the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, affairs,
business, prospects or results of operations of the Offerors and the
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, whether or not arising in the ordinary
course of business;
(d) There has occurred any outbreak of hostilities or other calamity
or crisis or material change in general economic, political or financial
conditions, or internal conditions, the effect of which on the financial markets
of the United States is such as to make it, in your reasonable judgment,
impracticable to market the Designated Preferred Securities or enforce contracts
for the sale of the Designated Preferred Securities;
(e) Trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange, the American
Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market shall have been suspended, or
minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges
for prices for securities shall have been required, by any of said exchanges or
market system or by the Commission or any other governmental authority;
(f) A banking moratorium shall have been declared by either federal or
Illinois authorities; or
(g) Any action shall have been taken by any government in respect of
its monetary affairs which, your reasonable judgment, has a material adverse
effect on the United States securities markets.
If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to this Section 8, the
Offerors shall not then be under any liability to the Underwriters except as
provided in Sections 5 and 7 hereof.
35
<PAGE>
9. Default of Underwriters. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall
default in its or their obligations to purchase Designated Preferred Securities
hereunder, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally, in proportion to
their respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the Designated Preferred
Securities which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed
to purchase; provided, however, that the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be
under no obligation to purchase such Designated Preferred Securities if the
aggregate number of Designated Preferred Securities to be purchased by such non-
defaulting Underwriters shall exceed 110% of the aggregate underwriting
commitments set forth in Schedule I hereto, and provided further, that no non-
defaulting Underwriter shall be obligated to purchase Designated Preferred
Securities to the extent that the number of such Designated Preferred Securities
is more than 110% of such Underwriter's underwriting commitment set forth in
Schedule I hereto.
In the event that the non-defaulting Underwriters are not obligated
under the above paragraph to purchase the Designated Preferred Securities which
the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase, the
Representatives may in their discretion arrange for one or more of the
Underwriters or for another party or parties to purchase such Designated
Preferred Securities on the terms contained herein. If within one business day
after such default the Representatives do not arrange for the purchase of such
Designated Preferred Securities, then the Company shall be entitled to a further
period of one business day within which to procure another party or parties
satisfactory to the Representatives to purchase such Designated Preferred
Securities on such terms.
In the event that the Representatives or the Company do not arrange
for the purchase of any Designated Preferred Securities to which a default
relates as provided above, this Agreement shall be terminated.
If the remaining Underwriters or substituted underwriters are required
hereby or agree to take up all or a part of the Designated Preferred Securities
of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters as provided in this Section 9, (i)
you shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date for a period of not more
than five full business days, in order to effect any changes that, in the
opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or the Company, may thereby be made
necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any other
documents or agreements, and the Company agrees promptly to file any amendments
to the Registration Statement or supplements to the Prospectus which, in its
opinion, may thereby be made necessary and (ii) the respective numbers of
Designated Preferred Securities to be purchased by the remaining Underwriters or
substituted underwriters shall be taken as the basis of their underwriting
obligation for all purposes of this Agreement. Nothing herein contained shall
relieve any defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have for damages
occasioned by its default hereunder. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant
to this Section 9 shall be without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter or the Company, except for expenses to be paid or reimbursed
pursuant to Section 5 and except for the provisions of Section 7.
10. Effective Date of Agreement. If the Registration Statement is not
effective at the time of execution of this Agreement, this Agreement shall
become effective on the Effective Date at the time the Commission declares the
Registration Statement effective. The Company shall immediately notify the
Underwriters when the Registration Statement becomes effective.
36
<PAGE>
If the Registration Statement is effective at the time of execution of
this Agreement, this Agreement shall become effective at the earlier of 11:00
a.m. St. Louis time, on the first full business day following the day on which
this Agreement is executed, or at such earlier time as the Representatives shall
release the Designated Preferred Securities for initial public offering. The
Representatives shall notify the Offerors immediately after they have taken any
action which causes this Agreement to become effective.
Until such time as this Agreement shall have become effective, it may
be terminated by the Offerors, by notifying you or by you, as Representatives of
the several Underwriters, by notifying either Offeror, except that the
provisions of Sections 5 and 7 shall at all times be effective.
11. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery. The
representations, warranties, indemnities, agreements and other statements of the
Offerors and their officers and trustees set forth in or made pursuant to this
Agreement and the agreements of the Underwriters contained in Section 7 hereof
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of the Offerors or controlling persons of
either Offeror, or by or on behalf of the Underwriters or controlling persons of
the Underwriters or any termination or cancellation of this Agreement and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Designated Preferred Securities.
12. Notices. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices
and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given if delivered by hand, mailed by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, or transmitted by any standard form of
telecommunication and confirmed. Notices to either Offeror shall be sent to 727
North Bank Lane, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1951, Attention: David A. Dykstra
(with a copy to Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, 2000 North LaSalle Street,
Suite 2600, Chicago, Illinois 60601, Attention: Jennifer R. Evans, Esq.; and
notices to the Underwriters shall be sent to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company,
Incorporated, 501 North Broadway, 9th Floor, St. Louis, Missouri 63102,
Attention: Rick E. Maples and to Howe Barnes Investments, Inc., 135 South
LaSalle Street, Suite 1500, Chicago, Illinois 60603-4398, Attention: Daniel E.
Coughlin, (with a copy to Bryan Cave LLP, 211 North Broadway, Suite 3600, St.
Louis, Missouri 63102, Attention: Harold R. Burroughs, Esq.). In all dealings
with the Company under this Agreement, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
and Howe Barnes Investments, Inc. shall act jointly as representatives of and on
behalf of the several Underwriters, and the Company shall be entitled to act and
rely upon any statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of the
Underwriters, made or given jointly by Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
and Howe Barnes Investments, Inc. on behalf of the Underwriters, as if the same
shall have been made or given in writing by the Underwriters. No statement,
request, notice, agreement or action issued or taken in connection with the
Offering by either Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated or Howe Barnes
Investments, Inc., acting alone, without the express written agreement of the
other party, shall be valid and binding against the other or the several
Underwriters.
13. Parties. The Agreement herein set forth is made solely for the
benefit of the Underwriters and the Offerors and, to the extent expressed,
directors, trustees and officers of the Offerors, any person controlling the
Offerors or the Underwriters, and their respective successors and assigns. No
other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this
37
<PAGE>
Agreement. The term "successors and assigns" shall not include any purchaser,
in his status as such purchaser, from the Underwriters of the Designated
Preferred Securities.
14. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Missouri, without giving effect to the choice of law or conflicts of
law principles thereof.
15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, and when a counterpart has been executed by each party hereto all
such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
If the foregoing is in accordance with the your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to us a counterpart hereof, whereupon this
shall become a binding agreement between the Company, the Trust and you in
accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours,
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
as of June ____, 2000
STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
For itself and as Representative of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto.
38
<PAGE>
HOWE BARNES INVESTMENTS, INC.
By:
--------------------------
Name:
Title:
For itself and as Representative of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto.
39
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I
----------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Underwriter Number of Preferred Securities
----------- ------------------------------
<S> <C>
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated [ ]
Howe Barnes Investments, Inc. [ ]
[Other Underwriters] [ ]
---------------
Total 1,800,000
===============
</TABLE>
40
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES
Lake Forest Bank and Trust Company
Hinsdale Bank and Trust Company
North Shore Community Bank and Trust Company
Libertyville Bank and Trust Company
Barrington Bank and Trust Company, N.A.
Crystal Lake Bank and Trust Company, N.A.
First Insurance Funding Corp.
Wintrust Asset Management Company, N.A.
Tricom, Inc.
<PAGE>
Exhibit 4.1
================================================================================
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE
INDENTURE
% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES DUE 2030
----
Dated as of June , 2000
--
================================================================================
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS ............................................................... 2
Section 1.1 Definitions of Terms........................................ 2
ARTICLE II
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, CONDITIONS
REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF THE DEBENTURES................................10
Section 2.1 Designation and Principal Amount............................10
Section 2.2 Maturity....................................................10
Section 2.3 Form and Payment............................................11
Section 2.4 [Intentionally Left Blank]..................................11
Section 2.5 Interest....................................................11
Section 2.6 Execution and Authentications...............................12
Section 2.7 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.......................13
Section 2.8 Temporary Debentures........................................14
Section 2.9 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures.............14
Section 2.10 Cancellation................................................15
Section 2.11 Benefit of Indenture........................................15
Section 2.12 Authenticating Agent........................................15
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF DEBENTURES...................................................16
Section 3.1 Redemption..................................................16
Section 3.2 Special Event Redemption....................................16
Section 3.3 Optional Redemption by Company..............................17
Section 3.4 Notice of Redemption........................................17
Section 3.5 Payment Upon Redemption.....................................18
Section 3.6 No Sinking Fund.............................................19
ARTICLE IV
EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD.......................................20
Section 4.1 Extension of Interest Payment Period........................20
Section 4.2 Notice of Extension.........................................20
Section 4.3 Limitation on Transactions..................................21
ARTICLE V
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY........................................21
Section 5.1 Payment of Principal and Interest...........................21
Section 5.2 Maintenance of Agency.......................................22
Section 5.3 Paying Agents...............................................22
Section 5.4 Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee............23
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Section 5.5 Compliance with Consolidation Provisions.............................23
Section 5.6 Limitation on Transactions...........................................23
Section 5.7 Covenants as to the Trust............................................24
Section 5.8 Covenants as to Purchases............................................24
Section 5.9 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws..............................24
ARTICLE VI
DEBENTUREHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE......................................................25
Section 6.1 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of
Debentureholders.....................................................25
Section 6.2 Preservation of Information Communications with Debentureholders. ...25
Section 6.3 Reports by the Company...............................................25
Section 6.4 Reports by the Trustee...............................................26
ARTICLE VII
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND DEBENTUREHOLDERS
ON EVENT OF DEFAULT.................................................................26
Section 7.1 Events of Default....................................................27
Section 7.2 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee......28
Section 7.3 Application of Moneys Collected......................................29
Section 7.4 Limitation on Suits..................................................30
Section 7.5 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission not Waiver.........31
Section 7.6 Control by Debentureholders..........................................31
Section 7.7 Undertaking to Pay Costs.............................................32
Section 7.8 Direct Action; Right of Set-Off......................................32
ARTICLE VIII
FORM OF DEBENTURE AND ORIGINAL ISSUE................................................32
Section 8.1 Form of Debenture....................................................32
Section 8.2 Original Issue of Debentures.........................................32
ARTICLE IX
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE..............................................................33
Section 9.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee...................33
Section 9.2 Notice of Defaults...................................................34
Section 9.3 Certain Rights of Trustee............................................34
Section 9.4 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, etc............................36
Section 9.5 May Hold Debentures..................................................36
Section 9.6 Moneys Held in Trust.................................................36
Section 9.7 Compensation and Reimbursement.......................................36
Section 9.8 Reliance on Officers' Certificate....................................37
Section 9.9 Disqualification: Conflicting Interests.............................37
Section 9.10 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility..............................37
Section 9.11 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor....................37
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Section 9.12 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor............................ 39
Section 9.13 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business....... 39
Section 9.14 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company............. 40
ARTICLE X
CONCERNING THE DEBENTUREHOLDERS................................................... 40
Section 10.1 Evidence of Action by Holders..................................... 40
Section 10.2 Proof of Execution by Debentureholders............................ 40
Section 10.3 Who May be Deemed Owners.......................................... 41
Section 10.4 Certain Debentures Owned by Company Disregarded................... 41
Section 10.5 Actions Binding on Future Debentureholders........................ 41
ARTICLE XI
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES........................................................... 42
Section 11.1 Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Debentureholders... 42
Section 11.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Debentureholders.......... 43
Section 11.3 Effect of Supplemental Indentures................................. 43
Section 11.4 Debentures Affected by Supplemental Indentures.................... 44
Section 11.5 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.............................. 44
ARTICLE XII
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION............................................................. 44
Section 12.1 Company May Consolidate, etc...................................... 44
Section 12.2 Successor Corporation Substituted................................. 45
Section 12.3 Evidence of Consolidation, etc. to Trustee........................ 45
ARTICLE XIII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE........................................................ 46
Section 13.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture........................... 46
Section 13.2 Discharge of Obligations.......................................... 46
Section 13.3 Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust.............................. 47
Section 13.4 Payment of Monies Held by Paying Agents........................... 47
Section 13.5 Repayment to Company.............................................. 47
ARTICLE XIV
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS................... 47
Section 14.1 No Recourse....................................................... 47
ARTICLE XV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.......................................................... 48
Section 15.1 Effect on Successors and Assigns.................................. 48
Section 15.2 Actions by Successor.............................................. 48
Section 15.3 Surrender of Company Powers....................................... 48
Section 15.4 Notices........................................................... 48
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Section 15.5 Governing Law..................................................... 49
Section 15.6 Treatment of Debentures as Debt................................... 49
Section 15.7 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.............................. 49
Section 15.8 Payments on Business Days......................................... 49
Section 15.9 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act................................. 50
Section 15.10 Counterparts...................................................... 50
Section 15.11 Separability...................................................... 50
Section 15.12 Assignment........................................................ 50
Section 15.13 Acknowledgment of Rights.......................................... 50
ARTICLE XVI
SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES....................................................... 51
Section 16.1 Agreement to Subordinate.......................................... 51
Section 16.2 Default on Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt or Additional
Senior Obligations................................................ 51
Section 16.3 Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.............................. 51
Section 16.4 Subrogation....................................................... 53
Section 16.5 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination............................... 54
Section 16.6 Notice by the Company............................................. 54
Section 16.7 Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness............. 54
Section 16.8 Subordination may not be Impaired................................. 55
</TABLE>
v
<PAGE>
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION OF
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION OF
OF 1939, AS AMENDED INDENTURE
- ------------------- ---------
<S> <C>
310(a)......................................................................9.10
310(b).......................................................................9.9
......................................................................9.11
310(c)............................................................Not Applicable
311(a)......................................................................9.14
311(b)......................................................................9.14
311(c)............................................................Not Applicable
312(a).......................................................................6.1
..........................................................................6.2(a)
312(b)....................................................................6.2(c)
312(c)....................................................................6.2(c)
313(a)....................................................................6.4(a)
313(b)....................................................................6.4(b)
313(c)....................................................................6.4(a)
....................................................................6.4(b)
313(d)....................................................................6.4(c)
314(a)....................................................................6.3(a)
314(b)............................................................Not Applicable
314(c)......................................................................15.7
314(d)............................................................Not Applicable
314(e)......................................................................15.7
314(f)............................................................Not Applicable
315(a)....................................................................9.1(a)
.......................................................................9.3
315(b).......................................................................9.2
315(c)....................................................................9.1(a)
315(d)....................................................................9.1(b)
315(e).......................................................................7.7
316(a).......................................................................1.1
.......................................................................7.6
316(b)....................................................................7.4(b)
316(c)...................................................................10.1(b)
317(a).......................................................................7.2
317(b).......................................................................5.3
318(a)......................................................................15.9
</TABLE>
Note: This reconciliation and tie sheet shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
be a part of the Indenture
6
<PAGE>
INDENTURE
INDENTURE, dated as of June __, 2000, between WINTRUST FINANCIAL
CORPORATION, an Illinois corporation (the "Company") and WILMINGTON TRUST
COMPANY, a Delaware banking corporation duly organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware as trustee (the "Trustee");
RECITALS
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized
the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of
securities to be known as its ____% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2030
(hereinafter referred to as the "Debentures"), the form and substance of such
Debentures and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as
provided in this Indenture;
WHEREAS, Wintrust Capital Trust II, a Delaware statutory business trust
(the "Trust"), has offered to the public up to $20,000,000 aggregate liquidation
amount of its Preferred Securities (as defined herein) and proposes to invest
the proceeds from such offering, together with the proceeds of the issuance and
sale by the Trust to the Company of up to $618,560 aggregate liquidation amount
of its Common Securities (as defined herein), in up to $20,618,560 aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures;
WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver
this Indenture;
WHEREAS, all requirements necessary to make this Indenture a valid
instrument in accordance with its terms, and to make the Debentures, when
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the
valid obligations of the Company, have been performed, and the execution and
delivery of this Indenture have been duly authorized in all respects;
WHEREAS, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Debentures are
to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the
execution of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of
the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the
Debentures by the holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as
follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Debentures:
<PAGE>
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions of Terms.
The terms defined in this Section 1.1 (except as in this Indenture
otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all
purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have
the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1 and shall include the
plural as well as the singular. All other terms used in this Indenture that are
defined in the Trust Indenture Act, or that are by reference in the Trust
Indenture Act defined in the Securities Act (except as herein otherwise
expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities
Act as in force at the date of the execution of this instrument. All accounting
terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to
such terms in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
"Accelerated Maturity Date" means if the Company elects to accelerate the
Maturity Date in accordance with Section 2.2(c), the date selected by the
Company which is prior to the Scheduled Maturity Date, but is after June 30,
2005.
"Additional Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(c).
"Additional Senior Obligations" means all indebtedness of the Company
whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter
incurred, for claims in respect of derivative products such as interest and
foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts and similar arrangements;
provided, however, that Additional Senior Obligations does not include claims in
respect of Senior Debt or Subordinated Debt or obligations which, by their
terms, are expressly stated to be not superior in right of payment to the
Debentures or to rank pari passu in right of payment with the Debentures,
including the Company's 9.00% Subordinated Debentures due 2028 issued to
Wintrust Capital Trust I. For purposes of this definition, "claim" shall have
the meaning assigned thereto in Section 101(4) of the United States Bankruptcy
Code of 1978, as amended.
"Administrative Trustees" shall have the meaning set forth in the Trust
Agreement.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified Person, (a) any Person
directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding with power to vote 10% or
more of the outstanding voting securities or other ownership interests of the
specified Person; (b) any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting
securities or other ownership interests are directly or indirectly owned,
controlled or held with power to vote by the specified Person; (c) any Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with
the specified Person; (d) a partnership in which the specified Person is a
general partner; (e) any officer or director of the specified Person; and (f) if
the specified Person is an individual, any entity of which the specified Person
is an officer, director or general partner.
2
<PAGE>
"Authenticating Agent" means an authenticating agent with respect to the
Debentures appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.12.
"Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state
law for the relief of debtors.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
duly authorized committee of such Board or any other duly designated officers of
the Company.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board
of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification.
"Business Day" means, with respect to the Debentures, any day other than a
Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which federal or state banking institutions in
the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, are authorized or required by
law, executive order or regulation to close, or a day on which the Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee or the Property Trustee is closed for business.
"Capital Treatment Event" means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of
an Opinion of Counsel, rendered by a law firm having a recognized national bank
regulatory practice, 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
thereof or therein, or as a result of any official or administrative
pronouncement or action 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 issuance of the Preferred
Securities under the Trust Agreement, there is more than an insubstantial risk
of impairment of the Company's ability to treat the Preferred Securities (or any
substantial portion thereof) as Tier 1 capital (or the then equivalent thereof),
for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then
in effect and applicable to the Company; provided, however, that the Trust or
the Company shall have requested and received such an Opinion of Counsel with
regard to such matters within a reasonable period of time after the Trust or the
Company shall have become aware of the possible occurrence of any such event.
"Certificate" means a certificate signed by the principal executive
officer, the principal financial officer, the principal accounting officer, the
treasurer or any vice president of the Company. The Certificate need not comply
with the provisions of Section 15.7.
"Change in 1940 Act Law" shall have the meaning set forth in the definition
of "Investment Company Event."
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Common Securities" means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of
the Trust which rank pari passu with the Preferred Securities; provided,
however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rights of holders
of Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions
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and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the
rights of holders of Preferred Securities.
"Company" means Wintrust Financial Corporation, a corporation duly
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Illinois, and, subject to
the provisions of Article XII, shall also include its successors and assigns.
"Compounded Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which, at any
particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered,
which office at the date hereof is located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North
Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust
Administration.
"Coupon Rate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
"Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, or similar
official under any Bankruptcy Law.
"Debentures" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
"Debentureholder," "holder of Debentures," "registered holder," or other
similar term, means the Person or Persons in whose name or names a particular
Debenture shall be registered on the books of the Company or the Trustee kept
for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
"Debenture Register" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(b).
"Debenture Registrar" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(b).
"Debt" means with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or a
portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, (i) every
obligation of such Person for money borrowed; (ii) every obligation of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments,
including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property,
assets or businesses; (iii) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with
respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued
for the account of such Person; (iv) every obligation of such Person issued or
assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding
trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business); (v) every capital lease obligation of such Person; and (vi) and every
obligation of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of another Person
and all dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case, such
Person has guaranteed or is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as
obligor or otherwise.
"Default" means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of
time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
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"Deferred Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
"Direct Action" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8.
"Dissolution Event" means that as a result of the occurrence and
continuation of a Special Event, the Trust is to be dissolved in accordance with
the Trust Agreement and the Debentures held by the Property Trustee are to be
distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities issued by the Trust pro rata
in accordance with the Trust Agreement.
"Event of Default" means, with respect to the Debentures, any event
specified in Section 7.1, which has continued for the period of time, if any,
and after the giving of the notice, if any, therein designated.
"Exchange Act," means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as
in effect at the date of execution of this Indenture.
"Extended Interest Payment Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.1.
"Federal Reserve" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.
"Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" means such accounting principles
as are generally accepted at the time of any computation required hereunder.
"Governmental Obligations" means securities that are (i) direct obligations
of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and
credit is pledged; or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by
and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the
payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit
obligation by the United States of America that, in either case, are not
callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also
include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of
the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such Governmental
Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such
Governmental Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of
such depositary receipt; provided, however, that (except as required by law)
such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable
to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the
custodian in respect of the Governmental Obligation or the specific payment of
principal of or interest on the Governmental Obligation evidenced by such
depositary receipt.
"Herein," "hereof," and "hereunder," and other words of similar import,
refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or
other subdivision.
"Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from
time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental
hereto entered into in accordance with the terms hereof.
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"Interest Payment Date," when used with respect to any installment of
interest on the Debentures, means the date specified in the Debenture or in an
indenture supplemental hereto with respect to the Debentures as the fixed date
on which an installment of interest with respect to the Debentures is due and
payable.
"Investment Company Act," means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, as in effect at the date of execution of this Indenture.
"Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Trust and the Company
of an Opinion of Counsel, rendered by a law firm having a recognized national
tax and securities law practice, to the effect that, as a result of the
occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a 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"), the Trust is or
shall 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 under the
Trust Agreement; provided, however, that the Trust or the Company shall have
requested and received such an Opinion of Counsel with regard to such matters
within a reasonable period of time after the Trust or the Company shall have
become aware of the possible occurrence of any such event.
"Maturity Date" means the date on which the Debentures mature and on which
the principal shall be due and payable together with all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon including Compounded Interest and Additional Interest, if any.
"Ministerial Action" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the President or an
Executive Vice President and by the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer or
an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company
that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such
certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 15.7, if and to
the extent required by the provisions thereof.
"Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion in writing of independent, outside
legal counsel for the Company that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance
with the terms hereof. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided
for in Section 15.7, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.
"Outstanding," when used in reference to the Debentures, means, subject to
the provisions of Section 10.4, as of any particular time, all Debentures
theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture,
except (a) Debentures theretofore canceled by the Trustee or any paying agent,
or delivered to the Trustee or any paying agent for cancellation or that have
previously been canceled; (b) Debentures or portions thereof for the payment or
redemption of which moneys or Governmental Obligations in the necessary amount
shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent
(other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by
the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided,
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however, that if such Debentures or portions of such Debentures are to be
redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have
been given as in Article III provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee
shall have been made for giving such notice; and (c) Debentures in lieu of or in
substitution for which other Debentures shall have been authenticated and
delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.7; provided, however, that in
determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Debentures have
given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Debentures held by the
Company or any Affiliate of the Company shall not be included; provided,
further, that the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any request,
notice, consent or waiver unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have
actual knowledge that the holder of such Debenture is the Company or an
Affiliate thereof.
"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.
"Predecessor Debenture" means every previous Debenture evidencing all or a
portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Debenture; and,
for the purposes of this definition, any Debenture authenticated and delivered
under Section 2.9 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture shall be
deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture.
"Preferred Securities" means the _____% Trust Preferred Securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust which
rank pari passu with Common Securities issued by the Trust; provided, however,
that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rights of holders of Common
Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of Preferred
Securities.
"Preferred Securities Guarantee" means any guarantee that the Company may
enter into with the Trustee or other Persons that operates directly or
indirectly for the benefit of holders of Preferred Securities.
"Property Trustee" has the meaning set forth in the Trust Agreement.
"Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
"Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Trustee means any
officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee with direct
responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, including any vice
president, any assistant vice president, any assistant secretary or any other
officer or assistant officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions
similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such
officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred
because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
"Scheduled Maturity Date" means June 30, 2030.
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"Securities Act," means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as in
effect at the date of execution of this instrument.
"Senior Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if
any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in
bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not such
claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), on Debt,
whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter
incurred, unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant
to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are not
superior in right of payment to the Debentures or to other Debt which is pari
passu with (including without limitation the Company's 9.00% Subordinated
Debentures due 2028, issued to Wintrust Capital Trust I), or subordinated to,
the Debentures, provided, however, that Senior Debt shall not be deemed to
include (i) any Debt of the Company which when incurred and without respect to
any election under section 1111(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978,
as amended, was without recourse to the Company; (ii) any Debt of the Company
owed to any of its subsidiaries; (iii) Debt owed to any employee of the Company;
(iv) Debt which by its terms is subordinated to trade accounts payable or
accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business to the extent
that payments made to the holders of such Debt by the holders of the Debentures
as a result of the subordination provisions of this Indenture would be greater
than they otherwise would have been as a result of any obligation of such
holders to pay amounts over to the obligees on such trade accounts payable or
accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business as a result of
subordination provisions to which such Debt is subject; and (v) Debt which
constitutes Subordinated Debt.
"Senior Indebtedness" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.1.
"Special Event" means a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital
Treatment Event.
"Subordinated Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any
petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or
not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), on
Debt, whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter
incurred, which is by its terms expressly provided to be junior and subordinate
to Senior Debt of the Company (other than the Debentures); provided, however,
that Subordinated Debt will not be deemed to include (i) any Debt of the Company
which when incurred and without respect to any election under section 1111(b) of
the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, was without recourse to
the Company, (ii) any Debt of the Company owed to any of its subsidiaries, (iii)
any Debt owed to any employee of the Company, (iv) any Debt which by its terms
is subordinated to trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the
ordinary course of business to the extent that payments made to the holders of
such Debt by the holders of the Subordinated Debentures as a result of the
subordination provisions of the Indenture would be greater than they otherwise
would have been as a result of any obligation of such holders to pay amounts
over to the obligees on such trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities
arising in the ordinary course of business as a result of subordination
provisions to which such Debt is subject, (v) Debt which constitutes Senior Debt
and (vi) any Debt of the Company under debt securities (and guarantees in
respect of these debt securities) initially
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issued to any trust, or a trustee of a trust, partnership or other entity
affiliated with the Company that is, directly or indirectly, a financing vehicle
of the Company in connection with the issuance by that entity of preferred
securities or other securities which are intended to qualify for Tier 1 capital
treatment.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at
least a majority of whose outstanding Voting Stock shall at the time be owned,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or
by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries; (ii) any general
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or similar entity,
at least a majority of whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall
at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or
by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries; and (iii) any limited
partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general
partner.
"Tax Event" means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an Opinion of
Counsel, rendered by a law firm having a recognized national tax and securities
practice, 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 issuance of the Preferred
Securities under the Trust Agreement, there is more than an insubstantial risk
that (i) the Trust is, or shall be within 90 days after the date of such Opinion
of Counsel, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income
received or accrued on the Debentures; (ii) interest payable by the Company on
the Debentures is not, or within 90 days after the date of such Opinion of
Counsel, shall not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for
United States federal income tax purposes; or (iii) the Trust is, or shall be
within 90 days after the date of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to more than a
de minimis amount of other taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental
charges; provided, however, that the Trust or the Company shall have requested
and received such an Opinion of Counsel with regard to such matters within a
reasonable period of time after the Trust or the Company shall have become aware
of the possible occurrence of any of the events described in clauses (i) through
(iii) above.
"Trust" means Wintrust Capital Trust II, a Delaware statutory business
trust.
"Trust Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated
June __, 2000, of the Trust.
"Trustee" means Wilmington Trust Company and, subject to the provisions of
Article IX, shall also include its successors and assigns, and, if at any time
there is more than one Person acting in such capacity hereunder, "Trustee" shall
mean each such Person.
"Trust Indenture Act," means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
subject to the provisions of Sections 11.1, 11.2, and 12.1, as in effect at the
date of execution of this instrument.
"Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and Preferred Securities,
collectively.
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"Voting Stock," as applied to stock of any Person, means shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated)
in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of
the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the
occurrence of a contingency.
ARTICLE II
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, CONDITIONS
REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF THE DEBENTURES
Section 2.1 Designation and Principal Amount.
There is hereby authorized Debentures designated the "____% Junior
Subordinated Debentures due 2030," limited in aggregate principal amount to
$20,618,560, which amount shall be as set forth in any written order of the
Company for the authentication and delivery of Debentures pursuant to Section
2.6.
Section 2.2 Maturity.
(a) The Maturity Date shall be either:
(i) the Scheduled Maturity Date; or
(ii) if the Company elects to accelerate the Maturity Date to be a
date prior to the Scheduled Maturity Date in accordance with Section 2.2(c), the
Accelerated Maturity Date.
(b) the Company may at any time before the day which is 90 days before the
Scheduled Maturity Date and after June 30, 2005 elect to shorten the Maturity
Date only once to the Accelerated Maturity Date provided that the Company has
received the prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then required under
applicable capital guidelines, policies or regulations of the Federal Reserve.
(c) if the Company elects to accelerate the Maturity Date in accordance
with Section 2.2(b), the Company shall give notice to the Trustee and the Trust
(unless the Trust is not the holder of the Debentures, in which case the Trustee
will give notice to the holders of the Debentures) of the acceleration of the
Maturity Date and the Accelerated Maturity Date at least 30 days and no more
than 180 days before the Accelerated Maturity Date; provided, however that
nothing provided in this Section 2.2 shall limit the Company's rights, as
provided in Article III hereof, to redeem all or a portion of the Debentures at
such time or times on or after June 30, 2005, as the Company may so determine,
or at any time upon the occurrence of a Special Event.
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Section 2.3 Form and Payment.
The Debentures shall be issued in fully registered certificated form
without interest coupons. Principal and interest on the Debentures issued in
certificated form shall be payable, the transfer of such Debentures shall be
registrable and such Debentures shall be exchangeable for Debentures bearing
identical terms and provisions at the office or agency of the Trustee; provided,
however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by
check mailed to the holder at such address as shall appear in the Debenture
Register or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the holder as specified
in the Debenture Register, provided that the holder provides proper transfer
instructions by the regular record date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long
as the holder of any Debentures is the Property Trustee, the payment of
principal of and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional
Interest, if any) on such Debentures held by the Property Trustee shall be made
at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Property Trustee.
Section 2.4 [Intentionally Left Blank].
Section 2.5 Interest.
(a) Each Debenture shall bear interest at the rate of ____% per annum (the
"Coupon Rate") from the original date of issuance until the principal thereof
becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and (to the extent that
payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue
installment of interest at the Coupon Rate, compounded quarterly, payable
(subject to the provisions of Article IV) quarterly in arrears on March 31, June
30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment
Date"), commencing on September 30, 2000 to the Person in whose name such
Debenture or any Predecessor Debenture is registered, at the close of business
on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be the
fifteenth day of the last month of the calendar quarter.
(b) The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable
for any period shorter than a full quarterly period for which interest is
computed, shall be computed on the basis of the number of days elapsed in a 360-
day year of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which interest
is payable on the Debentures is not a Business Day, then payment of interest
payable on such date shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a
Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar
year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day (and
without any reduction of interest or any other payment in respect of any such
acceleration), in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the
date such payment was originally payable.
(c) If, at any time while the Property Trustee is the holder of any
Debentures, the Trust or the Property Trustee is required to pay any taxes,
duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (other than
withholding taxes) imposed by the United States, or any other taxing authority,
then, in any case, the Company shall pay as additional interest ("Additional
Interest") on the Debentures held by the Property Trustee, such additional
amounts as shall be required so that the net amounts received and retained by
the Trust and the Property Trustee after paying such taxes,
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duties, assessments or other governmental charges shall be equal to the amounts
the Trust and the Property Trustee would have received had no such taxes,
duties, assessments or other government charges been imposed.
Section 2.6 Execution and Authentications.
(a) The Debentures shall be signed on behalf of the Company by its
President or one of its Executive Vice Presidents or Chief Financial Officer or
Treasurer, under its corporate seal attested by its Secretary or one of its
Assistant Secretaries. Signatures may be in the form of a manual or facsimile
signature. The Company may use the facsimile signature of any Person who shall
have been a President or Executive Vice President thereof, or of any Person who
shall have been a Secretary or Assistant Secretary thereof, notwithstanding the
fact that at the time the Debentures shall be authenticated and delivered or
disposed of such Person shall have ceased to be the President or a Vice
President, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company (and any
such signature shall be binding on the Company). The seal of the Company may be
in the form of a facsimile of such seal and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted
or otherwise reproduced on the Debentures. The Debentures may contain such
notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or
usage. Each Debenture shall be dated the date of its authentication by the
Trustee.
(b) A Debenture shall not be valid until authenticated manually by an
authorized signatory of the Trustee, or by an Authenticating Agent. Such
signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Debenture so authenticated has
been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled
to the benefits of this Indenture.
(c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of
this Indenture, the Company may deliver Debentures executed by the Company to
the Trustee for authentication, together with a written order of the Company for
the authentication and delivery of such Debentures signed by its President or
any Executive Vice President and its Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer or
any Assistant Treasurer, and the Trustee in accordance with such written order
shall authenticate and deliver such Debentures.
(d) In authenticating such Debentures and accepting the additional
responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debentures, the
Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 9.1) shall be
fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the form and
terms thereof have been established in conformity with the provisions of this
Indenture.
(e) The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Debentures if
the issue of such Debentures pursuant to this Indenture shall affect the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under the Debentures and this
Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the
Trustee.
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Section 2.7 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Debentures may be exchanged upon presentation thereof at the office or
agency of the Company designated for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, or at the office of the Debenture Registrar, for other
Debentures and for a like aggregate principal amount in denominations of
integral multiples of $10, upon payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
other governmental charge in relation thereto, all as provided in this Section
2.7. In respect of any Debentures so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall
execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver
in exchange therefor the Debenture or Debentures that the Debentureholder making
the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously
outstanding.
(b) The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, at its office or agency
designated for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York,
or at the office of the Debenture Registrar or such other location designated by
the Company a register or registers (herein referred to as the "Debenture
Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Debenture
Registrar (as defined below) may prescribe, the Company shall register the
Debentures and the transfers of Debentures as in this Article II provided and
which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. The
registrar for the purpose of registering Debentures and transfer of Debentures
as herein provided shall initially be the Trustee and thereafter as may be
appointed by the Company as authorized by Board Resolution (the "Debenture
Registrar"). Upon surrender for transfer of any Debenture at the office or
agency of the Company designated for such purpose, the Company shall execute,
the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in the
name of the transferee or transferees a new Debenture or Debentures for a like
aggregate principal amount. All Debentures presented or surrendered for exchange
or registration of transfer, as provided in this Section 2.7, shall be
accompanied (if so required by the Company or the Debenture Registrar) by a
written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the
Company or the Debenture Registrar, duly executed by the registered holder or by
such holder's duly authorized attorney in writing.
(c) No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of
transfer of Debentures, or issue of new Debentures in case of partial
redemption, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, other than exchanges
pursuant to Section 2.8, Section 3.5(b) and Section 11.4 not involving any
transfer.
(d) The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, exchange or register
the transfer of any Debentures during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of less
than all the Outstanding Debentures and ending at the close of business on the
day of such mailing; nor (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any
Debentures or portions thereof called for redemption.
(e) Debentures may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance
with the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture. Any transfer or
purported transfer of any Debenture not made in accordance with this Indenture
shall be null and void.
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Section 2.8 Temporary Debentures.
Pending the preparation of definitive Debentures, the Company may execute,
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Debentures (printed,
lithographed, or typewritten). Such temporary Debentures shall be substantially
in the form of the definitive Debentures in lieu of which they are issued, but
with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for
temporary Debentures, all as may be determined by the Company. Every temporary
Debenture shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee
upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like
effect, as the definitive Debentures. Without unnecessary delay the Company
shall execute and shall furnish definitive Debentures and thereupon any or all
temporary Debentures may be surrendered in exchange therefor (without charge to
the holders), at the office or agency of the Company designated for the purpose
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and the Trustee shall
authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange for such
temporary Debentures an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive
Debentures, unless the Company advises the Trustee to the effect that definitive
Debentures need not be executed and furnished until further notice from the
Company. Until so exchanged, the temporary Debentures shall be entitled to the
same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debentures authenticated and
delivered hereunder.
Section 2.9 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures.
(a) In case any temporary or definitive Debenture shall become mutilated
or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company (subject to the next succeeding
sentence) shall execute, and upon the Company's request the Trustee (subject as
aforesaid) shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debenture bearing a number not
contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated
Debenture, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Debenture so destroyed,
lost, stolen or mutilated. In every case the applicant for a substituted
Debenture shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or
indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in
every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to
the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction,
loss or theft of the applicant's Debenture and of the ownership thereof. The
Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Debenture and deliver the same
upon the written request or authorization of the President or any Executive Vice
President and the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer or any Assistant
Treasurer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debenture, the
Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
In case any Debenture that has matured or is about to mature shall become
mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a
substitute Debenture, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without
surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debenture) if the applicant
for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or
indemnity as they may require to save them harmless, and, in case of
destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the
Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership
thereof.
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(b) Every replacement Debenture issued pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 2.9 shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company
whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debenture shall be found
at any time, or be enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the
benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other
Debentures duly issued hereunder. All Debentures shall be held and owned upon
the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect
to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Debentures, and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any and all other rights
or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to
the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable
instruments or other securities without their surrender.
Section 2.10 Cancellation.
All Debentures surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange
or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying
agent, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or, if surrendered to the
Trustee, shall be canceled by it, and no Debentures shall be issued in lieu
thereof except as expressly required or permitted by any of the provisions of
this Indenture. On request of the Company at the time of such surrender, the
Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Debentures held by the Trustee. In
the absence of such request the Trustee may dispose of canceled Debentures in
accordance with its standard procedures and deliver a certificate of disposition
to the Company. If the Company shall otherwise acquire any of the Debentures,
however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of
the indebtedness represented by such Debentures unless and until the same are
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.11 Benefit of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debentures, express or implied, shall
give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and
the holders of the Debentures (and, with respect to the provisions of Article
XVI, the holders of Senior Indebtedness) any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or
provision herein contained; all such covenants, conditions and provisions being
for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and of the holders of the Debentures
(and, with respect to the provisions of Article XVI, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness).
Section 2.12 Authenticating Agent.
(a) So long as any of the Debentures remain Outstanding there may be an
Authenticating Agent for any or all such Debentures, which Authenticating Agent
the Trustee shall have the right to appoint. Said Authenticating Agent shall be
authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Debentures issued
upon exchange, transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Debentures 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. All references in this Indenture to the authentication of Debentures
by the Trustee shall be deemed to include authentication by an Authenticating
Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the
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Company and shall be a corporation that has a combined capital and surplus, as
most recently reported or determined by it, sufficient under the laws of any
jurisdiction under which it is organized or in which it is doing business to
conduct a trust business, and that is otherwise authorized under such laws to
conduct such business and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or
state authorities. If at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with these provisions, it shall resign immediately.
(b) Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written
notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any
time (and upon request by the Company shall) terminate the agency of any
Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such
Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon resignation, termination or
cessation of eligibility of any Authenticating Agent, the Trustee may appoint an
eligible successor Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Company. Any successor
Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become
vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder as if
originally named as an Authenticating Agent pursuant hereto.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF DEBENTURES
Section 3.1 Redemption.
Subject to the Company having received prior approval of the Federal
Reserve, if then required under the applicable capital guidelines, policies or
regulations of the Federal Reserve, the Company may redeem the Debentures issued
hereunder on and after the dates set forth in and in accordance with the terms
of this Article III.
Section 3.2 Special Event Redemption.
Subject to the Company having received the prior approval of the Federal
Reserve, if then required under the applicable capital guidelines, policies or
regulations of the Federal Reserve, if a Special Event has occurred and is
continuing, then, notwithstanding Section 3.3(a) but subject to Section 3.3(b),
the Company shall have the right upon not less than 30 days' nor more than 60
days' notice to the holders of the Debentures to redeem the Debentures, in whole
but not in part, for cash within 180 days following the occurrence of such
Special Event (the "180-Day Period") at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount to be redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to
the date of such redemption (the "Redemption Price"), provided that if at the
time there is available to the Company the opportunity to eliminate, within the
180-Day Period, a Tax Event by taking some ministerial action (a "Ministerial
Action"), such as filing a form or making an election, or pursuing some other
similar reasonable measure which has no adverse effect on the Company, the Trust
or the holders of the Trust Securities issued by the Trust, the Company shall
pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of redemption, and, provided further,
that the Company shall have no right to redeem the Debentures pursuant to this
Section 3.2 while it is pursuing any Ministerial Action pursuant to its
obligations hereunder, and, provided further, that, if it is
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determined that the taking of a Ministerial Action would not eliminate the Tax
Event within the 180 Day Period, the Company's right to redeem the Debentures
pursuant to this Section 3.2 shall be restored and it shall have no further
obligations to pursue the Ministerial Action. The Redemption Price shall be paid
prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the date of such redemption or such
earlier time as the Company determines, provided that the Company shall deposit
with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the Redemption Price by 10:00 a.m.,
New York time, on the date such Redemption Price is to be paid.
Section 3.3 Optional Redemption by Company.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3(c), except as otherwise may
be specified in this Indenture, the Company shall have the right to redeem the
Debentures, in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after June 30, 2005,
at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed plus
any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of such redemption. Any
redemption pursuant to this Section 3.3(a) shall be made upon not less than 30
days' nor more than 60 days' notice to the holder of the Debentures, at the
Redemption Price. If the Debentures are only partially redeemed pursuant to this
Section 3.3(a), the Debentures shall be redeemed pro rata or by lot or in such
other manner as the Trustee shall deem appropriate and fair in its discretion.
The Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the
date of such redemption or at such earlier time as the Company determines
provided that the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to
pay the Redemption Price by 10:00 a.m., New York time, on the date such
Redemption Price is to be paid.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3(c), the Company shall have
the right to redeem Debentures at any time and from time to time in a principal
amount equal to the Liquidation Amount (as defined in the Trust Agreement) of
any Preferred Securities purchased and beneficially owned by the Company, plus
an additional principal amount of Debentures equal to the Liquidation Amount (as
defined in the Trust Agreement) of that number of Common Securities that bears
the same proportion to the total number of Common Securities then outstanding as
the number of Preferred Securities to be redeemed bears to the total number of
Preferred Securities then outstanding. Such Debentures shall be redeemed
pursuant to this Section 3.3(b) only in exchange for and upon surrender by the
Company to the Property Trustee of the Preferred Securities and a proportionate
amount of Common Securities, whereupon the Property Trustee shall cancel the
Preferred Securities and Common Securities so surrendered and a Like Amount (as
defined in the Trust Agreement) of Debentures shall be extinguished by the
Trustee and shall no longer be deemed Outstanding.
(c) If a partial redemption of the Debentures would result in the
delisting of the Preferred Securities issued by the Trust from The Nasdaq
National Market/sm/ or any national securities exchange or other organization on
which the Preferred Securities are then listed or quoted, the Company shall not
be permitted to effect such partial redemption and may only redeem the
Debentures in whole.
Section 3.4 Notice of Redemption.
(a) Except in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 3.3(b), in case
the Company shall desire to exercise such right to redeem all or, as the case
may be, a portion of the Debentures in accordance with the right reserved so to
do, the Company shall, or shall cause the Trustee to upon receipt of 45 days'
written notice from the Company (which notice shall, in the event of a partial
redemption, include a representation to the effect that such partial redemption
will not result in the delisting of the Preferred Securities as described in
Section 3.3(c) above), give notice of such redemption to holders of the
Debentures to be redeemed by mailing, first class postage prepaid, a notice of
such redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before the date
fixed for redemption to such holders at their last addresses as they shall
appear upon the Debenture Register unless a shorter period is specified in the
Debentures to be redeemed. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein
provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not
the registered holder receives the notice. In any case, failure duly to give
such notice to the holder of any Debenture designated for redemption in whole or
in part, or any defect in the notice, shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the redemption of any other Debentures. In the case of any
redemption of Debentures prior to the
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expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such
Debentures or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee
with an Officers' Certificate evidencing compliance with any such restriction.
Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption and
the Redemption Price and shall state that payment of the Redemption Price shall
be made at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York or at the Corporate Trust Office, upon presentation and
surrender of such Debentures, that interest accrued to the date fixed for
redemption shall be paid as specified in said notice and that from and after
said date interest shall cease to accrue. If less than all the Debentures are to
be redeemed, the notice to the holders of the Debentures shall specify the
particular Debentures to be redeemed. If the Debentures are to be redeemed in
part only, the notice shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to
be redeemed and shall state that on and after the redemption date, upon
surrender of such Debenture, a new Debenture or Debentures in principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion thereof shall be issued.
(b) Except in the case of redemption pursuant to Section 3.3(b), if less
than all the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company shall give the Trustee
at least 45 days' notice in advance of the date fixed for redemption as to the
aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be redeemed, and thereupon the
Trustee shall select, pro rata or by lot or in such other manner as it shall
deem appropriate and fair in its discretion, the portion or portions (equal to
$10 or any integral multiple thereof) of the Debentures to be redeemed and shall
thereafter promptly notify the Company in writing of the numbers of the
Debentures to be redeemed, in whole or in part. The Company may, if and whenever
it shall so elect pursuant to the terms hereof, by delivery of instructions
signed on its behalf by its Chairman, its President or any Vice President,
instruct the Trustee or any paying agent to call all or any part of the
Debentures for redemption and to give notice of redemption in the manner set
forth in this Section 3.4, such notice to be in the name of the Company or its
own name as the Trustee or such paying agent may deem advisable. In any case in
which notice of redemption is to be given by the Trustee or any such paying
agent, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to, or permit to
remain with, the Trustee or such paying agent, as the case may be, such
Debenture Register, transfer books or other records, or suitable copies or
extracts therefrom, sufficient to enable the Trustee or such paying agent to
give any notice by mail that may be required under the provisions of this
Section 3.4.
Section 3.5 Payment Upon Redemption.
(a) If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as
above provided, the Debentures or portions of Debentures to be redeemed
specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the
place stated in such notice at the applicable Redemption Price, and interest on
such Debentures or portions of Debentures shall cease to accrue on and after the
date fixed for redemption, unless the Company shall default in the payment of
such Redemption Price with respect to any such Debenture or portion thereof. On
presentation and surrender of such Debentures on or after the date fixed for
redemption at the place of payment specified in the notice, said Debentures
shall be paid and redeemed at the Redemption Price (but if the date fixed for
redemption is an Interest Payment Date, the interest installment payable on such
date shall be payable to the registered holder at the close of business on the
applicable record date pursuant to Section 3.3).
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(b) Upon presentation of any Debenture that is to be redeemed in part
only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and the
office or agency where the Debenture is presented shall deliver to the holder
thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Debenture of authorized
denomination in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the
Debenture so presented.
Section 3.6 No Sinking Fund.
The Debentures are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
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ARTICLE IV
EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
Section 4.1 Extension of Interest Payment Period.
The Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during
the term of the Debentures so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment
period of such Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters
(the "Extended Interest Payment Period"), during which Extended Interest Payment
Period no interest shall be due and payable; provided that no Extended Interest
Payment Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date or end on a date other than
an Interest Payment Date. To the extent permitted by applicable law, interest,
the payment of which has been deferred because of the extension of the interest
payment period pursuant to this Section 4.1, shall bear interest thereon at the
Coupon Rate compounded quarterly for each quarter of the Extended Interest
Payment Period ("Compounded Interest"). At the end of the Extended Interest
Payment Period, the Company shall calculate (and deliver such calculation to the
Trustee) and pay all interest accrued and unpaid on the Debentures, including
any Additional Interest and Compounded Interest (together, "Deferred Interest")
that shall be payable to the holders of the Debentures in whose names the
Debentures are registered in the Debenture Register on the first record date
after the end of the Extended Interest Payment Period. Before the termination of
any Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company may further extend such period
so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, provided that
such period together with all such further extensions thereof shall not exceed
20 consecutive quarters, or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures or
end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date. Upon the termination of any
Extended Interest Payment Period and upon the payment of all Deferred Interest
then due, the Company may commence a new Extended Interest Payment Period,
subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest shall be due and payable
during an Extended Interest Payment Period, except at the end thereof, but the
Company may prepay at any time all or any portion of the interest accrued during
an Extended Interest Payment Period.
Section 4.2 Notice of Extension.
(a) If the Property Trustee is the only registered holder of the
Debentures at the time the Company selects an Extended Interest Payment Period,
the Company shall give written notice to the Administrative Trustees, the
Property Trustee and the Trustee of its selection of such Extended Interest
Payment Period two Business Days before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding
date on which Distributions on the Trust Securities issued by the Trust are
payable; or (ii) the date the Trust is required to give notice of the record
date, or the date such Distributions are payable, to The Nasdaq National
Market/sm/ or other applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of the
Preferred Securities issued by the Trust, but in any event at least one Business
Day before such record date.
(b) If the Property Trustee is not the only holder of the Debentures at
the time the Company selects an Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company
shall give the holders of the
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Debentures and the Trustee written notice of its selection of such Extended
Interest Payment Period at least two Business Days before the earlier of (i) the
next succeeding Interest Payment Date; or (ii) the date the Company is required
to give notice of the record or payment date of such interest payment to The
Nasdaq National Market/sm/ or other applicable self-regulatory organization or
to holders of the Debentures.
(c) The quarter in which any notice is given pursuant to paragraphs (a) or
(b) of this Section 4.2 shall be counted as one of the 20 quarters permitted in
the maximum Extended Interest Payment Period permitted under Section 4.1.
Section 4.3 Limitation on Transactions.
If (i) the Company shall exercise its right to defer payment of interest as
provided in Section 4.1, or (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing any
Event of Default, then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on,
make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (A)
dividends or distributions in common stock of the Company, or any declaration of
a non-cash dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholder
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, (B) purchases of
common stock of the Company related to the rights under any of the Company's
benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees, or (C) as a result of a
reclassification of its capital stock for another class of its capital stock);
(b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if
any, or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company
which rank pari passu with (including without limitation the Company's 9.00%
Subordinated Debentures due 2028 issued to Wintrust Capital Trust I) or junior
to the Debentures or make any guarantee payment with respect to any guarantee by
the Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company if such
guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior to the Debentures; provided, however,
that notwithstanding the foregoing the Company may make payments pursuant to its
obligations under the Preferred Securities Guarantee; and (c) the Company shall
not redeem, purchase or acquire less than all of the outstanding Debentures or
any of the Preferred Securities.
ARTICLE V
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
Section 5.1 Payment of Principal and Interest.
The Company shall duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal
of and interest on the Debentures at the time and place and in the manner
provided herein. Each such payment of the principal of and interest on the
Debentures shall relate only to the Debentures, shall not be combined with any
other payment of the principal of or interest on any other obligation of the
Company, and shall be clearly and unmistakably identified as pertaining to the
Debentures.
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Section 5.2 Maintenance of Agency.
So long as any of the Debentures remain Outstanding, the Company shall
maintain, or shall cause to be maintained, an office or agency in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, and at such other location or locations as may
be designated as provided in this Section 5.2, where (i) Debentures may be
presented for payment; (ii) Debentures may be presented as hereinabove
authorized for registration of transfer and exchange; and (iii) notices and
demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debentures and this Indenture
may be given or served, such designation to continue with respect to such office
or agency until the Company shall, by written notice signed by its President or
an Executive Vice President and delivered to the Trustee, designate some other
office or agency for such purposes or any of them. 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, notices and
demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and
the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such
presentations, notices and demands. In addition to any such office or agency,
the Company may from time to time designate one or more offices or agencies
outside of the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where the Debentures
may be presented for registration or transfer and for exchange in the manner
provided herein, and the Company may from time to time rescind such designation
as the Company may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however, that no such
designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its
obligation to maintain any such office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, for the purposes above mentioned. The Company shall give
the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof.
Section 5.3 Paying Agents.
(a) The Company shall be the initial paying agent. If the Company shall
appoint one or more paying agents for the Debentures, other than the Trustee,
the Company shall cause each such paying agent to execute and deliver to the
Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject
to the provisions of this Section 5.3:
(i) that it shall hold all sums held by it as such agent for the
payment of the principal of or interest on the Debentures (whether such sums
have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor of such Debentures)
in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto;
(ii) that it shall give the Trustee notice of any failure by the
Company (or by any other obligor of such Debentures) to make any payment of the
principal of or interest on the Debentures when the same shall be due and
payable;
(iii) that it shall, at any time during the continuance of any
failure referred to in the preceding paragraph (a)(ii) above, upon the written
request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust
by such paying agent; and
(iv) that it shall perform all other duties of paying agent as set
forth in this Indenture.
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(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent with respect to the
Debentures, it shall on or before each due date of the principal of or interest
on such Debentures, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of
the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest
so becoming due on Debentures until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or
otherwise disposed of as herein provided and shall promptly notify the Trustee
of such action, or any failure (by it or any other obligor on such Debentures)
to take such action. Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents
for the Debentures, it shall, prior to each due date of the principal of or
interest on any Debentures, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to
pay the principal or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for
the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal or interest, and (unless
such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee
of this action or failure so to act.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.3 to the contrary, (i) the
agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 5.3 is subject to
the provisions of Section 13.3 and 13.4; and (ii) 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 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 and conditions 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 money.
Section 5.4 Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee.
The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of
Trustee, shall appoint, in the manner provided in Section 9.11, a Trustee, so
that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
Section 5.5 Compliance with Consolidation Provisions.
The Company shall not, while any of the Debentures remain outstanding,
consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or
substantially all of its property to any other company unless the provisions of
Article XII hereof are complied with.
Section 5.6 Limitation on Transactions.
If Debentures are issued to the Trust or a Trustee of the Trust in
connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust and (i) there
shall have occurred any event that would constitute an Event of Default; (ii)
the Company shall be in default with respect to any of its obligations under the
Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to the Trust; or (iii) the Company shall
have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on such
Debentures by extending the interest payment period as provided in this
Indenture and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then
(a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions
with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with
respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (A) dividends or distributions
in common stock of the Company, or any declaration
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of a non-cash dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholder
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, (B) purchases of
common stock of the Company related to the rights under any of the Company's
benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees, or (C) as a result of a
reclassification of its capital stock); and (b) the Company shall not make any
payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, or repay, repurchase or
redeem any debt securities issued by the Company which rank pari passu with
(including without limitation the Company's 9.00% Subordinated Debentures due
2028 issued to Wintrust Capital Trust I) or junior to the Debentures 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 pari passu
with or junior in interest to the Debentures; provided, however, that the
Company may make payments pursuant to its obligations under the Preferred
Securities Guarantee; and (c) the Company shall not redeem, purchase or acquire
less than all of the outstanding Debentures or any of the Preferred Securities.
Section 5.7 Covenants as to the Trust.
For so long as such Trust Securities of the Trust remain outstanding, the
Company shall (i) maintain 100% direct or indirect ownership of the Common
Securities of the Trust; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the
Company under this Indenture may succeed to the Company's ownership of the
Common Securities; (ii) not voluntarily terminate, wind up or liquidate the
Trust, except upon prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then so required
under applicable capital guidelines, policies or regulations of the Federal
Reserve and use its reasonable efforts to cause the Trust (a) to remain a
business trust (and to avoid involuntary termination, winding up or
liquidation), except in connection with a distribution of Debentures, the
redemption of all of the Trust Securities of the Trust or certain mergers,
consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Trust Agreement; and
(b) to otherwise continue not to be treated as an association taxable as a
corporation or partnership for United States federal income tax purposes;
(iii) use its reasonable efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be
treated as owning an individual beneficial interest in the Debentures; and (iv)
the Company, and any successor to the Company, shall use reasonable efforts to
maintain the eligibility of the Preferred Securities for quotation or listing on
any national securities exchange or other organization on which the Preferred
Securities are then quoted or listed (including, if applicable, the Nasdaq
National Market) and shall use reasonable efforts to keep the Preferred
Securities so quoted or listed for so long as the Preferred Securities remain
outstanding. In connection with the distribution of the Debentures to the
holders of the Preferred Securities issued by the Trust upon a Dissolution
Event, the Company shall use its best efforts to list such Debentures on The
Nasdaq National Market/sm/ or on such other exchange as the Preferred Securities
are then listed.
Section 5.8 Covenants as to Purchases.
Except upon the exercise by the Company of its right to redeem the
Debentures pursuant to Section 3.2 upon the occurrence and continuation of a
Special Event, prior to June 30, 2005, the Company shall not purchase any
Debentures, in whole or in part, from the Trust.
Section 5.9 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company shall 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 performances of this Indenture, and the Company (to
the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or
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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.
ARTICLE VI
DEBENTUREHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Debentureholders.
The Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (a) on a
quarterly basis on each regular record date (as described in Section 2.5) a
list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and
addresses of the holders of the Debentures as of such regular record date,
provided that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to furnish
such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the
most recent list furnished to the Trustee by the Company (in the event the
Company fails to provide such list on a quarterly basis, the Trustee shall be
entitled to rely on the most recent list provided by the Company); and (b) at
such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after the
receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content
as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that, in either case, no such list need be furnished if the
Trustee shall be the Debenture Registrar.
Section 6.2 Preservation of Information Communications with Debentureholders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of
Debentures contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in
Section 6.1 and as to the names and addresses of holders of Debentures received
by the Trustee in its capacity as registrar for the Debentures (if acting in
such capacity).
(b) The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 6.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(c) Debentureholders may communicate as provided in Section 312(b) of the
Trust Indenture Act with other Debentureholders with respect to their rights
under this Indenture or under the Debentures.
Section 6.3 Reports by the Company.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee, within 15
days after the Company is required to file 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
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Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the
Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file
information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to
file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the rules and
regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the
supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports that may be
required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act 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.
(b) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee and the
Commission, in accordance with the 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 provided
for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and
regulations.
(c) The Company covenants and agrees to transmit by mail, first class
postage prepaid, or reputable overnight delivery service that provides for
evidence of receipt, to the Debentureholders, as their names and addresses
appear upon the Debenture Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with
the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required
to be filed by the Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section
6.3 as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by
the Commission.
Section 6.4 Reports by the Trustee.
(a) On or before July 31 in each year in which any of the Debentures are
Outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to
the Debentureholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture
Register, a brief report dated as of the preceding June 30, if and to the extent
required under Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(b) The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust
Indenture Act.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
Debentureholders, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each stock
exchange upon which any Debentures are listed (if so listed) and also with the
Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when any Debentures become
listed on any stock exchange.
ARTICLE VII
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND DEBENTUREHOLDERS
ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
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Section 7.1 Events of Default.
(a) Whenever used herein with respect to the Debentures, "Event of
Default" means any one or more of the following events that has occurred and is
continuing:
(i) the Company defaults in the payment of any installment of
interest upon any of the Debentures, as and when the same shall become due and
payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; provided,
however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Company in
accordance with the terms of this Indenture shall not constitute a default in
the payment of interest for this purpose;
(ii) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal on the
Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at
maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise;
(iii) the Company fails to observe or perform any other of its
covenants or agreements with respect to the Debentures for a period of 90 days
after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be
remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder, shall
have been given to the Company by the Trustee, by registered or certified mail,
or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal
amount of the Debentures at the time Outstanding;
(iv) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy
Law (i) commences a voluntary case; (ii) consents to the entry of an order for
relief against it in an involuntary case; (iii) consents to the appointment of a
Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or (iv) makes a
general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
(v) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order under any
Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary
case; (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of
its property; or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or
decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or
(vi) the Trust shall have voluntarily or involuntarily dissolved,
wound-up its business or otherwise terminated its existence except in connection
with (i) the distribution of Debentures to holders of Trust Securities in
liquidation of their interests in the Trust; (ii) the redemption of all of the
outstanding Trust Securities of the Trust; or (iii) certain mergers,
consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Trust Agreement.
(b) In each and every such case referred to in paragraph (i) through (vi)
of this Section 7.1(a), unless the principal of all the Debentures shall have
already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less
than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then Outstanding
hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by
such Debentureholders) may declare the principal of all the Debentures to be due
and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and
shall be immediately due and payable, notwithstanding anything contained in this
Indenture or in the Debentures.
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(c) At any time after the principal of the Debentures shall have been so
declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of
the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then
Outstanding hereunder, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may
rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if: (i) the Company has
paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest upon all the Debentures and the principal of any and
all Debentures that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with
interest upon such principal, and, to the extent that such payment is
enforceable under applicable law, upon overdue installments of interest, at the
rate per annum expressed in the Debentures to the date of such payment or
deposit) and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 9.7; and (ii) any
and all Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of
principal on Debentures that shall not have become due by their terms, shall
have been remedied or waived as provided in Section 7.6. No such rescission and
annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or impair any
right consequent thereon.
(d) In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right with
respect to Debentures under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been
discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any
other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in
every such case the Company and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to
their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers
of the Company and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceedings had
been taken.
Section 7.2 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
(a) The Company covenants that (1) in case it shall default in the payment
of any installment of interest on any of the Debentures, and such default shall
have continued for a period of 30 days; or (2) in case it shall default in the
payment of the principal of any of the Debentures when the same shall have
become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Debentures or upon
redemption or upon declaration or otherwise, then, upon demand of the Trustee,
the Company shall pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the
Debentures, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all
such Debentures for principal or interest, or both, as the case may be, with
interest upon the overdue principal and (to the extent that payment of such
interest is enforceable under applicable law and, if the Debentures are held by
the Trust or a trustee of the Trust, without duplication of any other amounts
paid by the Trust or trustee in respect thereof) upon overdue installments of
interest at the rate per annum expressed in the Debentures; and, in addition
thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and
expenses of collection, and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 9.7.
(b) If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts set forth in Section
7.2(a) forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee
of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or
proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and
unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final
decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or
other obligor upon the Debentures and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to
be payable in the manner
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provided by law out of the property of the Company or other obligor upon the
Debentures, wherever situated.
(c) In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy,
reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, composition or judicial proceedings
affecting the Company, the Trust, or the creditors or property of either, the
Trustee shall have power to intervene in such proceedings and take any action
therein that may be permitted by the court and shall (except as may be otherwise
provided by law) be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other papers and
documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee and of the holders of the Debentures allowed for the entire amount due
and payable by the Company under this Indenture at the date of institution of
such proceedings and for any additional amount that may become due and payable
by the Company after such date, and to collect and receive any moneys or other
property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to distribute the same
after the deduction of the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 9.7; and
any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby
authorized by each of the holders of the Debentures to make such payments to the
Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such
payments directly to such Debentureholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due
it under Section 9.7.
(d) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or
under any of the terms established with respect to the Debentures, may be
enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of such Debentures, or the
production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any
such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own
name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after
provision for payment to the Trustee of any amounts due under Section 9.7, be
for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Debentures. In case of an Event of
Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and
enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial
proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any
of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise,
whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in
this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture,
or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this
Indenture or by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any
Debentureholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Debentures or the rights of any holder thereof or to
authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Debentureholder in
any such proceeding.
Section 7.3 Application of Moneys Collected.
Any moneys or other assets collected by the Trustee pursuant to this
Article VII with respect to the Debentures shall be applied in the following
order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the
distribution of such moneys or other assets on account of principal or interest,
upon presentation of the Debentures, and notation thereon the payment, if only
partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses of collection and of all
amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 9.7;
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SECOND: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company if and to
the extent required by Article XVI; and
THIRD: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the
Debentures for principal and interest, 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 amounts due and payable on such
Debentures for principal and interest, respectively.
Section 7.4 Limitation on Suits.
(a) Except as set forth in this Indenture, no holder of any Debenture
shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture
to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or
with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee,
or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (i) such holder previously shall have
given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the
continuance thereof with respect to the Debentures specifying such Event of
Default, as hereinbefore provided; (ii) the holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then Outstanding shall have made
written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in
its own name as trustee hereunder; (iii) such holder or holders shall have
offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the
costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby; (iv) the
Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of
indemnity, shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding;
and (v) during such 60 day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount
of the Debentures do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the
request.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary or any other
provisions of this Indenture, the right of any holder of the Debentures to
receive payment of the principal of and interest on the Debentures, as therein
provided, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debenture (or
in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), or to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates or redemption
date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and
by accepting a Debenture hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and
covenanted by the taker and holder of every Debenture with every other such
taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Debentures
shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any
provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the
holders of any other of such Debentures, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority
over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this
Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and
common benefit of all holders of Debentures. For the protection and enforcement
of the provisions of this Section 7.4, each and every Debentureholder and the
Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in
equity.
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Section 7.5 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission not Waiver.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.9(b), all powers and
remedies given by this Article VII to the Trustee or to the Debentureholders
shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of
any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the
Debentures, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or
observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or
otherwise established with respect to such Debentures.
(b) No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the
Debentures to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default
occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or
shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or on acquiescence
therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, every power and remedy
given by this Article VII or by law to the Trustee or the Debentureholders may
be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by
the Trustee or by the Debentureholders.
Section 7.6 Control by Debentureholders.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
at the time Outstanding, determined in accordance with Section 10.4, 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; provided, however, that such direction shall not be in conflict
with any rule of law or with this Indenture. Subject to the provisions of
Section 9.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such
direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or
Officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve
the Trustee in personal liability. The holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures at the time Outstanding affected thereby,
determined in accordance with Section 10.4, may on behalf of the holders of all
of the Debentures waive any past default in the performance of any of the
covenants contained herein and its consequences, except (i) a default in the
payment of the principal of, or interest on, any of the Debentures as and when
the same shall become due by the terms of such Debentures otherwise than by
acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all
matured installments of interest and principal has been deposited with the
Trustee (in accordance with Section 7.1(c)); (ii) a default in the covenants
contained in Section 5.7; or (iii) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof
which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each
Outstanding Debenture affected; provided, however, that if the Debentures are
held by the Trust or a trustee of the Trust, such waiver or modification to such
waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in liquidation
preference of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver
or modification to such waiver; provided further, that if the consent of the
holder of each Outstanding Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be
effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have
consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby
shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company,
the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored to their former
positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to
any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
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Section 7.7 Undertaking to Pay Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Debentures by
such holder's acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court
may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or
remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action
taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit
of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its
discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
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 7.7 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the
Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Debentureholder, or group of
Debentureholders holding more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debentures, or to any suit instituted by any Debentureholder for the
enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on the Debentures, on
or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debenture or established
pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 7.8 Direct Action; Right of Set-Off
In the event that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and
such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest on or
principal of the Debentures on an Interest Payment Date or Maturity Date, as
applicable, then a holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the Company for enforcement of payment to such
holder of the principal of or interest on such Debentures having a principal
amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities of
such holders (a "Direct Action"). In connection with such Direct Action, the
Company will have a right of set-off under this Indenture to the extent of any
payment actually made by the Company to such holder of the Preferred Securities
with respect to such Direct Action.
ARTICLE VII
FORM OF DEBENTURE AND ORIGINAL ISSUE
Section 8.1 Form of Debenture.
The Debenture and the Trustee's Certificate of Authentication to be
endorsed thereon are to be substantially in the forms contained as Exhibit A to
this Indenture, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 8.2 Original Issue of Debentures.
Debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $18,556,710 may, upon
execution of this Indenture, be executed by the Company and delivered to the
Trustee for authentication. If the Underwriters exercise their Option and there
is an Option Closing Date (as such terms are defined in the Underwriting
Agreement, dated June __, 2000, by and among the Company, the Trust, Stifel,
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Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated and Howe Barnes Investments, Inc., as
Representatives of the several Underwriters named therein then, on such Option
Closing Date, Debentures in the additional aggregate principal amount of up to
$2,061,850 may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for
authentication. The Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said
Debentures to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by its President,
or any Executive Vice President and its Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer
or an Assistant Treasurer, without any further action by the Company.
ARTICLE IX
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 9.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee.
(a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after
the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to
perform with respect to the Debentures such duties and only such duties as are
specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default has
occurred that has not been cured or waived, the Trustee shall exercise such of
the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of
care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under
the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(b) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the
Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure
to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the
curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:
(1) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall with respect
to the Debentures be determined solely by the express provisions of this
Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to the
Debentures except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are
specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or
obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the
Trustee may with respect to the Debentures conclusively rely, as to the
truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed
therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and
conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any
such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically
required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty
to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the
requirements of this Indenture;
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(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any 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 in ascertaining the
pertinent facts;
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the
direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Debentures at the time Outstanding 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 with respect
to the Debentures; and
(iv) none of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require
the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal
financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise
of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that
the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under
the terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not
reasonably assured to it.
Section 9.2 Notice of Defaults.
Within 90 days after actual knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the
Trustee of the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the
Debentures, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all holders of the Debentures,
as their names and addresses appear in the Debenture Register, notice of such
default, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however,
that, except in the case default in the payment of the principal or interest
(including any Additional Interest) on any Debenture, 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 the directors and/or Responsible
Officers of the Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such
notice is in the interests of the holders of such Debentures; and provided,
further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section
7.1(a)(3), no such notice to holders of Debentures need be sent until at least
30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purposes of this Section 9.2, 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 the Debentures.
Section 9.3 Certain Rights of Trustee.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.1:
(a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other paper
or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by
the proper party or parties;
(b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned
herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or an instrument
signed in the name of the Company by its President or any Vice President and by
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer
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or an Assistant Treasurer thereof (unless other evidence in respect thereof is
specifically prescribed herein);
(c) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of a default or an
Event of Default, other than an Event of Default specified in Section 7.1(a)(i);
or (ii), unless and until it receives written notification of such Event of
Default from the Company or by holders of at least 25% of the aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures at the time Outstanding;
(d) 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 or suffered or omitted hereunder in
good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights
or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of
any of the Debentureholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture,
unless such Debentureholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be
incurred therein or thereby; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve
the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (that
has not been cured or waived) to exercise with respect to the Debentures such of
the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree
of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use
under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs;
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be
taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(g) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security, or
other papers or documents, unless requested in writing so to do by the holders
of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debentures
(determined as provided in Section 10.4); provided, however, that if the payment
within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities
likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the
opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security
afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require
reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition
to so proceeding. The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid
by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon
demand; and
(h) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder.
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Section 9.4 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, etc.
(a) The Recitals contained herein and in the Debentures shall be taken as
the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the
correctness of the same.
(b) The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency
of this Indenture or of the Debentures.
(c) The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the
Company of any of the Debentures or of the proceeds of such Debentures, or for
the use or application of any moneys paid over by the Trustee in accordance with
any provision of this Indenture, or for the use or application of any moneys
received by any paying agent other than the Trustee.
Section 9.5 May Hold Debentures.
The Trustee or any paying agent or registrar for the Debentures, in its
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debentures
with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or
Debenture Registrar.
Section 9.6 Moneys Held in Trust.
Subject to the provisions of Section 13.5, all moneys received by the
Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for
the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other
funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder except such as it
may agree with the Company to pay thereon.
Section 9.7 Compensation and Reimbursement.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee, and the
Trustee shall be entitled to, such reasonable compensation (which shall not be
limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an
express trust), as the Company and the Trustee may from time to time agree in
writing, for all services rendered by it in the execution of the trusts hereby
created and in the exercise and performance of any of the powers and duties
hereunder of the Trustee, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
the Company shall pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all
reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee
in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the
reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of
all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement
or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith. The Company also
covenants to indemnify the Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and
employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense
incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee and arising
out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust,
including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of
liability in the premises.
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(b) The obligations of the Company under this Section 9.7 to compensate
and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses,
disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder.
Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the
Debentures upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such,
except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular
Debentures.
Section 9.8 Reliance on Officers' Certificate.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.1, whenever in the administration
of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or
desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or
omitting to take any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in
respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively
proved and established by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee and
such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the
Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or
omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith
thereof.
Section 9.9 Disqualification: Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the
meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee and the
Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of
the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.10 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Debentures issued
hereunder which shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business
under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof
or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person permitted to
act as trustee by the Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise
corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000, and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state,
territorial, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of
this Section 9.10, 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. The Company may not, nor may any Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with
the Company, serve as Trustee. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.10, the Trustee
shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section
9.11.
Section 9.11 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) The Trustee or any successor hereafter appointed, may at any time
resign by giving written notice thereof to the Company and by transmitting
notice of resignation by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the
Debentureholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture
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Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly
appoint a successor trustee with respect to Debentures by written instrument, in
duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which
instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the
successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have
accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of
resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to
Debentures, or any Debentureholder who has been a bona fide holder of a
Debenture or Debentures for at least six months may, subject to the provisions
of Sections 9.9 and 9.10, on behalf of himself and all others similarly
situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee.
Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and
prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
(b) In case at any time any one of the following shall occur
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section
9.9 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Debentureholder who
has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least six
months; or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of Section 9.10 and shall fail to resign after written request
therefor by the Company or by any such Debentureholder; or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be
adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or commence a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding,
or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or consented
to, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its
property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or
liquidation, then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee with
respect to all Debentures and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument,
in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which
instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the
successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Sections 9.9 and 9.10,
unless the Trustee's duty to resign is stayed as provided herein, any
Debentureholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for
at least six months may, on behalf of that holder and all others similarly
situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the
Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon
after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the
Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee by so
notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee with
the consent of the Company.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a
successor trustee with respect to the Debentures pursuant to any of the
provisions of this Section 9.11 shall become effective upon acceptance of
appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 9.12.
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(e) Any successor trustee appointed pursuant to this Section 9.11 may be
appointed with respect to the Debentures, and at any time there shall be only
one Trustee with respect to the Debentures.
Section 9.12 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with
respect to the Debentures, every successor trustee so appointed shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to 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 of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the
Company or the successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of
its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
trustee all the rights, powers, and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall
duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee all property and
money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
(b) Upon request of any 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 (a) of this Section 9.12.
(c) No successor trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time
of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article IX.
(d) Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in
this Section 9.12, the Company shall transmit notice of the succession of such
trustee hereunder by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Debentureholders,
as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture Register. If the Company
fails to transmit such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by
the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be
transmitted at the expense of the Company.
Section 9.13 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be
the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be
qualified under the provisions of Section 9.9 and eligible under the provisions
of Section 9.10, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act
on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding. In case any Debentures 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 Debentures so authenticated with the same effect as if such
successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Debentures.
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Section 9.14 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.
The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act,
excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to
Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent included therein.
ARTICLE X
CONCERNING THE DEBENTUREHOLDERS
Section 10.1 Evidence of Action by Holders.
(a) Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a
majority or specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving
of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact
that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such majority or
specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or
any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such holders of
Debentures in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing.
(b) If the Company shall solicit from the Debentureholders any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the
Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers' Certificate, fix in
advance a record date for the determination of Debentureholders entitled to give
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date
is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only
the Debentureholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall
be deemed to be Debentureholders for the purposes of determining whether
Debentureholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Debentures have
authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the
Outstanding Debentures shall be computed as of the record date; provided,
however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such
Debentureholders on the record date 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.
Section 10.2 Proof of Execution by Debentureholders.
Subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, proof of the execution of any
instrument by a Debentureholder (such proof shall not require notarization) or
such Debentureholder's agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of
any of the Debentures shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:
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(a) The fact and date of the execution by any such Person of any
instrument may be proved in any reasonable manner acceptable to the Trustee.
(b) The ownership of Debentures shall be proved by the Debenture Register
of such Debentures or by a certificate of the Debenture Registrar thereof.
(c) The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred
to in this Section 10.2 as it shall deem necessary.
Section 10.3 Who May be Deemed Owners.
Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture,
the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent, any Authenticating Agent and any
Debenture Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Debenture
shall be registered upon the books of the Company as the absolute owner of such
Debenture (whether or not such Debenture shall be overdue and notwithstanding
any notice of ownership or writing thereon made by anyone other than the
Debenture Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of
the principal of and interest on such Debenture (subject to Section 2.3) and for
all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent
nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Debenture Registrar shall be affected by
any notice to the contrary.
Section 10.4 Certain Debentures Owned by Company Disregarded.
In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal
amount of Debentures have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under
this Indenture, the Debentures that are owned by the Company or any other
obligor on the Debentures or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or
controlled by or under common control with the Company or any other obligor on
the Debentures shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the
purpose of any such determination, except (i) that for the purpose of
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such
direction, consent or waiver, only Debentures that the Trustee actually knows
are so owned shall be so disregarded; and (ii) for purposes of this Section
10.4, the Trust shall be deemed not to be controlled by the Company. The
Debentures so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as
Outstanding for the purposes of this Section 10.4, if the pledgee shall
establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with
respect to such Debentures and that the pledgee is not a Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with the Company or any such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to
such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall
be full protection to the Trustee.
Section 10.5 Actions Binding on Future Debentureholders.
At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as
provided in Section 10.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the
majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures specified
in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Debenture that
is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debentures the holders of which
have
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consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee, and
upon proof of holding as provided in Section 10.2, revoke such action so far as
concerns such Debenture. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder
of any Debenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all
future holders and owners of such Debenture, and of any Debenture issued in
exchange therefor, on registration of transfer thereof or in place thereof,
irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such
Debenture. Any action taken by the holders of the majority or percentage in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures specified in this Indenture in
connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the
Trustee and the holders of all the Debentures.
ARTICLE XI
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 11.1 Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Debentureholders.
In addition to any supplemental indenture otherwise authorized by this
Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time
enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform
to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect), without the
consent of the Debentureholders, for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect, or inconsistency herein, or in the
Debentures;
(b) to comply with Article X;
(c) to provide for uncertificated Debentures in addition to or in place of
certificated Debentures;
(d) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders
of all or any of the Debentures or to surrender any right or power herein
conferred upon the Company;
(e) 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 Debentures, only as herein set forth;
(f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
Debentureholder in any material respect;
(g) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and
conditions of the Debentures, to establish the form of any certifications
required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or of the
Debentures, or to add to the rights of the holders of the Debentures;
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(h) to qualify or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act; or
(i) to evidence a consolidation or merger involving the Company as
permitted under Section 12.1.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of
any such supplemental indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements
and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be
obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 11.1 may
be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of
any of the Debentures at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the
provisions of Section 11.2.
Section 11.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Debentureholders.
With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 10.1) of the holders of
not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the
time Outstanding, the Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the
Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or
indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) for the purpose of adding any provisions
to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this
Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner not
covered by Section 11.1 the rights of the holders of the Debentures under this
Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without
the consent of the holders of each Debenture then Outstanding and affected
thereby, (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Debentures, reduce the principal
amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest
thereon, without the consent of the holder of each Debenture so affected; or
(ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures, the holders of which are
required to consent to any such supplemental indenture; provided further, that
if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of the Trust, such
supplemental indenture shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in
liquidation preference of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to
such supplemental indenture; provided further, that if the consent of the holder
of each Outstanding Debenture is required, such supplemental indenture shall not
be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have
consented to such supplemental indenture. It shall not be necessary for the
consent of the Debentureholders affected thereby under this Section 11.2 to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 11.3 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions
of this Article XI, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and
amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of
rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee,
the Company and the holders of Debentures shall thereafter be determined,
exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications
and
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amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture
shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture
for any and all purposes.
Section 11.4 Debentures Affected by Supplemental Indentures.
Debentures affected by a supplemental indenture, authenticated and
delivered after the execution of such supplemental indenture pursuant to the
provisions of this Article XI, may bear a notation in form approved by the
Company, provided such form meets the requirements of any exchange or automated
quotation system upon which the Debentures may be listed or quoted, as to any
matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so
determine, new Debentures so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board
of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in
any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, authenticated by
the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Debentures then Outstanding.
Section 11.5 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
(a) Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by its Board Resolutions
authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the
filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Debentureholders required
to consent thereto as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the
execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture
affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or
otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be
obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture. The Trustee, subject to the
provisions of Sections 9.1, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive
evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article XI is
authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article XI and
that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article XI to
join in the execution thereof.
(b) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 11.5, the
Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, setting
forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the
Debentureholders as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture
Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein,
shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such
supplemental indenture.
ARTICLE XII
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
Section 12.1 Company May Consolidate, etc.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Debentures shall
prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other
corporation or corporations (whether or not affiliated with the Company, as the
case may be), or successive consolidations or mergers in
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which the Company, as the case may be, or its successor or successors shall be a
party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other
disposition of the property of the Company, as the case may be, or its successor
or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other
corporation (whether or not affiliated with the Company, as the case may be, or
its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same;
provided, however, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, (i) upon any
such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, the
due and punctual payment, in the case of the Company, of the principal of and
interest on all of the Debentures, according to their tenor and the due and
punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this
Indenture to be kept or performed by the Company as the case may be, shall be
expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect) satisfactory in form
to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by
such consolidation, or into which the Company, as the case may be, shall have
been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property; (ii) in
case the Company consolidates with or merges into another Person or conveys or
transfers its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person,
the successor Person is organized under the laws of the United States or any
state or the District of Columbia; and (iii) immediately after giving effect
thereto, an Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time
or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be
continuing.
Section 12.2 Successor Corporation Substituted.
(a) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer
or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor corporation, by
supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory
in form to the Trustee, of, in the case of the Company, the due and punctual
payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Debentures Outstanding
and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of
this Indenture to be performed by the Company, as the case may be, such
successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with
the same effect as if it had been named as the Company herein, and thereupon the
predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under
this Indenture and the Debentures.
(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer
or other disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance)
may be made in the Debentures thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
(c) Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Debentures shall
prevent the Company from merging into itself or acquiring by purchase or
otherwise all or any part of the property of any other Person (whether or not
affiliated with the Company).
Section 12.3 Evidence of Consolidation, etc. to Trustee.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, may receive an
Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger,
sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any such assumption, comply
with the provisions of this Article XII.
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ARTICLE XII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 13.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
If at any time: (a) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation all Debentures theretofore authenticated (other than any Debentures
that shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that shall have been replaced
or paid as provided in Section 2.9) and all Debentures for whose payment money
or Governmental Obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or
segregated and held in trust by the Company (and thereupon repaid to the Company
or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 13.5); or (b) all such
Debentures not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have
become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within
one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the
Company shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds
the entire amount in moneys or Governmental Obligations sufficient or a
combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm
of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Debentures
not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal
and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for
redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be
paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; then this Indenture shall
thereupon cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections
2.3, 2.7, 2.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 9.7 and 9.10, that shall survive until the date of
maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and Sections 9.7 and 13.5, that
shall survive to such date and thereafter, and the Trustee, on demand of the
Company and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture.
Section 13.2 Discharge of Obligations.
If at any time all Debentures not heretofore delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation or that have not become due and payable as described in Section
13.1 shall have been paid by the Company by depositing irrevocably with the
Trustee as trust funds moneys or an amount of Governmental Obligations
sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized certified public accounting
firm to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Debentures not theretofore
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and interest due
or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the
case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other
sums payable hereunder by the Company, then after the date such moneys or
Governmental Obligations, as the case may be, are deposited with the Trustee,
the obligations of the Company under this Indenture shall cease to be of further
effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.3, 2.7, 2.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 9.6,
9.7 and 13.5 hereof that shall survive until such Debentures shall mature and be
paid. Thereafter, Sections 9.7 and 13.5 shall survive.
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Section 13.3 Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust.
All monies or Governmental Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant
to Sections 13.1 or 13.2 shall be held in trust and shall be available for
payment as due, either directly or through any paying agent (including the
Company acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the Debentures for
the payment or redemption of which such moneys or Governmental Obligations have
been deposited with the Trustee.
Section 13.4 Payment of Monies Held by Paying Agents.
In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all
moneys or Governmental Obligations then held by any paying agent under the
provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be paid to the
Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further
liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations.
Section 13.5 Repayment to Company.
Any monies or Governmental Obligations deposited with any paying agent or
the Trustee, or then held by the Company in trust, for payment of principal of
or interest on the Debentures that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the
holders of such Debentures for at least two years after the date upon which the
principal of or interest on such Debentures shall have respectively become due
and payable, shall be repaid to the Company, as the case may be, on June 30 of
each year or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust;
and thereupon the paying agent and the Trustee shall be released from all
further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations, and
the holder of any of the Debentures entitled to receive such payment shall
thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for the
payment thereof.
ARTICLE XIV
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS
AND DIRECTORS
Section 14.1 No Recourse.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this
Indenture, or of the Debentures, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in
respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or
director, past, present or future as such, of the Company or of any predecessor
or successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any such
predecessor or successor corporation, 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, stockholders, officers or directors as such, of the Company or of
any predecessor or successor corporation, 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 of
the Debentures 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, stockholder, officer or director as such, because of
the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under
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or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this
Indenture or in any of the Debentures 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 Debentures.
ARTICLE XV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 15.1 Effect on Successors and Assigns.
All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture
contained by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its respective successors
and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 15.2 Actions by Successor.
Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or
required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the
Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the
corresponding board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the
time be the lawful sole successor of the Company.
Section 15.3 Surrender of Company Powers.
The Company by instrument in writing executed by appropriate authority of
its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the
powers reserved to the Company, and thereupon such power so surrendered shall
terminate both as to the Company, as the case may be, and as to any successor
corporation.
Section 15.4 Notices.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein any notice or demand that by
any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served
by the Trustee or by the holders of Debentures to or on the Company may be given
or served by being deposited first class postage prepaid in a post-office
letterbox addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company
with the Trustee), as follows: Wintrust Financial Corporation, 727 North Bank
Lane, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045, Attention: Chief Financial Officer. Any
notice, election, request or demand by the Company or any Debentureholder to or
upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for
all purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee.
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Section 15.5 Governing Law.
This Indenture and each Debenture shall be deemed to be a contract made
under the internal laws of the State of Illinois and for all purposes shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of said State.
Section 15.6 Treatment of Debentures as Debt.
It is intended that the Debentures shall be treated as indebtedness and not
as equity for federal income tax purposes. The provisions of this Indenture
shall be interpreted to further this intention.
Section 15.7 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
(a) Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take
any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall
furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions
precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have
been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such
counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in
the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such
documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating
to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion
need be furnished.
(b) Each certificate or opinion of the Company provided for in this
Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the
Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such
Person, he has made such examination or investigation as, in the opinion of such
Person, is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether
or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as
to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has
been complied with; provided, however, that each such certificate shall comply
with the provisions of Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 15.8 Payments on Business Days.
In any case where the date of maturity of interest or principal of any
Debenture or the date of redemption of any Debenture shall not be a Business
Day, then payment of interest or principal may be made on the next succeeding
Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of
maturity or redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such
nominal date.
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Section 15.9 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture 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 15.10 Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one
and the same instrument.
Section 15.11 Separability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in
the Debentures shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of the Debentures,
but this Indenture and the Debentures shall be construed as if such invalid or
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
Section 15.12 Assignment.
The Company shall have the right at all times to assign any of its
respective rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect
wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such
assignment, the Company shall remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to
the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the
parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may
not otherwise be assigned by the parties thereto.
Section 15.13 Acknowledgment of Rights.
The Company acknowledges that, with respect to any Debentures held by the
Trust or a trustee of the Trust, if the Property Trustee fails to enforce its
rights under this Indenture as the holder of the Debentures held as the assets
of the Trust, any holder of Preferred Securities may institute legal proceedings
directly against the Company to enforce such Property Trustee's rights under
this Indenture without first instituting any legal proceedings against such
Property Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is
attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest or principal on the
Debentures on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in
the case of redemption, on the redemption date), the Company acknowledges that a
holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding for
enforcement of payment to such holder of the principal of or interest on the
Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount
of the Preferred Securities of such holder on or after the respective due date
specified in the Debentures.
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ARTICLE XVI
SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES
Section 16.1 Agreement to Subordinate.
The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Debentures issued
hereunder by such holder's acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees,
that all Debentures shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article
XVI; and each holder of a Debenture, whether upon original issue or upon
transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such
provisions. The payment by the Company of the principal of and interest on all
Debentures issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter
set forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior Obligations
(collectively, "Senior Indebtedness") to the extent provided herein, whether
outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred. No provision
of this Article XVI shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of
Default hereunder.
Section 16.2 Default on Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt or Additional Senior
Obligations.
In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company in
the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any
Senior Indebtedness of the Company, or in the event that the maturity of any
Senior Indebtedness of the Company 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 payments) of or interest on the Debentures.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received
by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding sentence 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 Senior Indebtedness or their
respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture
pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their
respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee)
notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then
due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such
notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.
Section 16.3 Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.
(a) Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the
Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to
creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of
the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness
of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in
money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company on
account of the principal or interest on the Debentures; and upon any such
dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the
Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, to which the holders of the Debentures
or
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the Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the
provisions of this Article XVI, 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 of the Debentures or by the Trustee
under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of
Senior Indebtedness of the Company (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the
respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by
the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or
trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such
Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may
appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in
money or money's worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any
payment or distribution is made to the holders of Debentures or to the Trustee.
(b) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash,
property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the
Trustee before all Senior Indebtedness of the Company 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, and their respective interests may appear, as calculated
by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, as the case may be, 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.
(c) For purposes of this Article XVI, 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 XVI with respect
to the Debentures to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as
the case may be, that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such
Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from
any such reorganization or readjustment; and (ii) the rights of the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered
by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with,
or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property
as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the
terms and conditions provided for in Article XII shall not be deemed a
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this
Section 16.3 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation,
merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article
XII. Nothing in Section 16.2 or in this Section 16.3 shall apply to claims of,
or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 9.7.
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Section 16.4 Subrogation.
(a) Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, the rights of the holders of the Debentures 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, as the case may
be, applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of and interest
on the Debentures 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 of the
Debentures or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this
Article XVI, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XVI
to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by holders of
the Debentures or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors
other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the
Debentures, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of such
Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XVI
are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of
the holders of the Debentures, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness on the other hand.
(b) Nothing contained in this Article XVI or elsewhere in this Indenture
or in the Debentures is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its
creditors (other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company), and
the holders of the Debentures, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute
and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Debentures the principal of and
interest on the Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable in
accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative
rights of the holders of the Debentures and creditors of the Company, as the
case may be, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as
the case may be, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the
holder of any Debenture from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by
applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any,
under this Article XVI 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.
(c) Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to
in this Article XVI, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article IX, and
the holders of the Debentures 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 Debentures, for the purposes of ascertaining
the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness 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 XVI.
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Section 16.5 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.
Each holder of Debentures 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 XVI and appoints the Trustee such holder's attorney-in-fact for any and
all such purposes.
Section 16.6 Notice by the Company.
(a) 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 Debentures
pursuant to the provisions of this Article XVI. Notwithstanding the provisions
of this Article XVI or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall
not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit
the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the
Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XVI, 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 or from any
trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the
Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, 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 or interest on any Debenture), then, anything herein
contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and
authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which
they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that
may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date.
(b) The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, 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 of the Company
(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 XVI, 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 XVI, and, if such
evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person
pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such
payment.
Section 16.7 Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness.
(a) The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the
rights set forth in this Article XVI in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at
any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior
Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any
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of its rights as such holder. The Trustee's right to compensation and
reimbursement of expenses as set forth in Section 9.7 shall not be subject to
the subordination provisions of the Article XVI.
(b) With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the
Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and
obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XVI, and no implied
covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be
deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and,
subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, the Trustee shall not be liable to any
holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to holders of
Debentures, 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 XVI or
otherwise.
Section 16.8 Subordination may not be Impaired.
(a) No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness of
the Company 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.
(b) Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph,
the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company may, at any time and from time
to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the holders of the
Debentures, without incurring responsibility to the holders of the Debentures
and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article
XVI or the obligations hereunder of the holders of the Debentures to the holders
of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the
manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or
alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner
such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement
under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange,
release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise
securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner
for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain
from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
AS TRUSTEE
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------
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STATE OF ILLINOIS )
) ss:
COUNTY OF COOK )
On the __th day of ____, 2000, before me personally came __________________
to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is the
______________________ of Company, one of the corporations described in and
which executed the above instrument; that he knows the corporate seal of said
corporation; that the seal affixed to the said instrument is such corporation
seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.
-----------------------------------
Notary Public,
---------------------
[seal] My Commission expires:
-------------
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EXHIBIT A
(FORM OF FACE OF DEBENTURE)
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
____% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE
DUE JUNE 30, 2030
No. ___ $___________
CUSIP No. ___________
Wintrust Financial Corporation, an Illinois corporation (the "Company,"
which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to, _______________ or
registered assigns, the principal sum of _________________________
($___________) on June 30, 2030 (the "Stated Maturity"), and to pay interest on
said principal sum from June __, 2000, or from the most recent interest payment
date (each such date, an "Interest Payment Date") to which interest has been
paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to deferral as set forth herein)
in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year
commencing September 30, 2000, at the rate of ____% per annum until the
principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on any overdue principal
and (without duplication and to the extent that payment of such interest is
enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest at the
same rate per annum compounded quarterly. The amount of interest payable on any
Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months. The amount of interest for any partial period shall be computed
on the basis of the number of days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this
Debenture is not a business day, then payment of interest payable on such date
shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (and without any
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such
business day is in the next succeeding calendar year, payment of such interest
will be made on the immediately preceding business day, in each case, with the
same force and effect as if made on such date. The interest installment so
payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date
shall, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the person in whose name this
Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Debentures, as defined in said Indenture)
is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such
interest installment, which shall be the close of business on the business day
next preceding such Interest Payment Date unless otherwise provided in the
Indenture. Any such interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided
for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holders on such
regular record date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture
(or one or more Predecessor Debentures) is registered at the close of business
on a special record date to be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such
defaulted interest, notice thereof shall be fixed by the Trustee for the payment
of such defaulted interest, notice thereof shall be given to the registered
holders of the Debentures not less than 10 days prior to such special record
A-1
<PAGE>
date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent
with the requirements of any securities exchange or quotation system on or in
which the Debentures may be listed or quoted, and upon such notice as may be
required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. The
principal of and the interest on this Debenture shall be payable at the office
or agency of the Trustee maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of
the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest
may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to the registered
holder at such address as shall appear in the Debenture Register.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this Debenture is the
Property Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest on this Debenture
shall be made at such place and to such account as may be designated by the
Trustee.
The Stated Maturity may be shortened at any time by the Company to any date
not earlier than June 30, 2005, subject to the Company having received prior
approval of the Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital
guidelines, policies or regulations of the Federal Reserve.
The indebtedness evidenced by this Debenture is, to the extent provided in
the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Debenture is issued subject to the
provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each holder of this Debenture,
by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions; (b)
authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her behalf to take such action as
may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination
so provided; and (c) appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any
and all such purposes. Each holder hereof, by his or her acceptance hereof,
hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of the subordination provisions
contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder of Senior Indebtedness,
whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives reliance by each such
holder upon said provisions.
This Debenture shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the
Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of
the Trustee.
The provisions of this Debenture are continued on the reverse side hereof
and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as
though fully set forth at this place.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be executed.
Dated June __, 2000.
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
-----------------------------
Title:
----------------------------
Attest:
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------
A-3
<PAGE>
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Debentures described in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: __________, 2000
Wilmington Trust Company, -----------------------------------------
as Trustee or Authentication Agent
By By
------------------------------- --------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
A-4
<PAGE>
[FORM OF REVERSE OF DEBENTURE]
____% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE DUE 2030
(CONTINUED)
This Debenture is one of the subordinated debentures of the Company (herein
sometimes referred to as the "Debentures"), all issued or to be issued under and
pursuant to an Indenture dated as of June __, 2000 (the "Indenture") duly
executed and delivered between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as
Trustee (the "Trustee"), to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a
description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and
immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the
Debentures. The Debentures are limited in aggregate principal amount as
specified in the Indenture.
Because of the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event (as defined
in the Indenture), in certain circumstances, this Debenture may become due and
payable at the principal amount together with any interest accrued thereon (the
"Redemption Price"). The Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon,
Eastern Standard Time, on the date of such redemption or at such earlier time as
the Company determines. The Company shall have the right as set forth in the
Indenture to redeem this Debenture at the option of the Company, without premium
or penalty, in whole or in part at any time on or after June 30, 2005 (an
"Optional Redemption"), or at any time in certain circumstances upon the
occurrence of a Special Event, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the
principal amount hereof plus any accrued but unpaid interest hereon, to the date
of such redemption. Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph shall be made upon
not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days notice, at the Redemption Price. The
Redemption Price shall be paid at the time and in the manner provided therefor
in the Indenture. If the Debentures are only partially redeemed by the Company
pursuant to an Optional Redemption, the Debentures shall be redeemed pro rata or
by lot or by any other method utilized by the Trustee as described in the
Indenture.
In the event of redemption of this Debenture in part only, a new Debenture
or Debentures for the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of
the holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
In case an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Debentures may be
declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee,
with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures at the time Outstanding (as defined in the
Indenture) to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the
rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such
supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of the Debentures
except as provided in the Indenture, or reduce the principal amount
A-5
<PAGE>
thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon,
without the consent of the holder of each Debenture so affected; or (ii) reduce
the aforesaid percentage of Debentures, the holders of which are required to
consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders
of each Debenture then Outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Debentures at the time Outstanding, on behalf of all of the
holders of the Debentures, to waive any past default in the performance of any
of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or established pursuant to the
Indenture, and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the
principal of or interest on any of the Debentures. Any such consent or waiver by
the registered holder of this Debenture (unless revoked as provided in the
Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future
holders and owners of this Debenture and of any Debenture issued in exchange
herefor or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or otherwise),
irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or waiver is made
upon this Debenture.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Debenture or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal and interest on this Debenture
at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed.
Provided certain conditions are met, the Company shall have the right at
any time during the term of the Debentures and from time to time to extend the
interest payment period of such Debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarters
(each, an "Extended Interest Payment Period"), at the end of which period the
Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid (together with interest
thereon at the rate specified for the Debentures to the extent that payment of
such interest is enforceable under applicable law). Before the termination of
any such Extended Interest Payment Period, so long as no Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, the Company may further extend such Extended
Interest Payment Period, provided that such Extended Interest Payment Period
together with all such further extensions thereof shall not exceed 20
consecutive quarters, extend beyond the Stated Maturity or end on a date other
than an Interest Payment Date. At the termination of any such Extended Interest
Payment Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and any
additional amounts then due and subject to the foregoing conditions, the Company
may commence a new Extended Interest Payment Period.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, this Debenture is transferable by the registered holder hereof on the
Debenture Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Debenture for
registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Trustee accompanied by a
written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company or the Trustee duly executed by the registered holder hereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Debentures of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount shall be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be
made for any such transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in relation
thereto.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Debenture,
the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and the Debenture Registrar may deem
and treat the registered holder
A-6
<PAGE>
hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Debenture shall be
overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing hereon made by
anyone other than the Debenture Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment
of or on account of the principal hereof and interest due hereon and for all
other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor
any Debenture Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or the
interest on this Debenture, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in
respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against any
incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future, as
such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance
hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof, expressly
waived and released.
The Debentures are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $10 and any integral multiple thereof.
All terms used in this Debenture that are defined in the Indenture shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
A-7
<PAGE>
Exhibit 4.3
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
OF
WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II
THIS CERTIFICATE OF TRUST OF WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II (the "Trust"), is
being duly executed and filed by Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking
corporation, Edward J. Wehmer, David A. Dykstra, and David J. Galvan, each an
individual, as trustees, to form a business trust under the Delaware Business
Trust Act (12 Del. C. Section 3801 et seq.) (the "Act").
1. NAME. The name of the business trust formed hereby is Wintrust Capital
Trust II.
2. DELAWARE TRUSTEE. The name and business address of the trustee of the
Trust in the State of Delaware is Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square
North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001,
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.
3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Certificate of Trust shall be effective on May 17,
2000.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate of Trust
in accordance with Section 3811(a)(1) of the Act.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as trustee
By: /s/ W. Chris Sponenberg
------------------------
Name: W. Chris Sponenberg
Title: Assistant Vice President
/s/ Edward J. Wehmer, as Trustee
-----------------------
Name: Edward J. Wehmer
/s/ David A. Dykstra, as Trustee
-----------------------
Name: David A. Dykstra
/s/ David J. Galvan, as Trustee
-----------------------
Name: David J. Galvan
<PAGE>
Exhibit 4.4
TRUST AGREEMENT
This TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of May 17, 2000 (this "Trust Agreement"),
among (i) Wintrust Financial Corporation, an Illinois corporation (the
"Depositor"), (ii) Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation, as
trustee, and (iii) Edward J. Wehmer, David A. Dykstra and David J. Galvan, each
an individual, as trustees (each of such trustees in (ii) and (iii) a "Trustee"
and collectively, the "Trustees"). The Depositor and the Trustees hereby agree
as follows:
1. The trust created hereby (the "Trust") shall be known as "Wintrust
Capital Trust II" in which name the Trustees, or the Depositor to the extent
provided herein, may engage in the transactions contemplated hereby, make and
execute contracts, and sue and be sued.
2. The Depositor hereby assigns, transfers, conveys and sets over to the
Trustees the sum of Ten Dollars ($10.00). The Trustees hereby acknowledge
receipt of such amount in trust from the Depositor, which amount shall
constitute the initial trust estate. The Trustees hereby declare that they will
hold the trust estate in trust for the Depositor. It is the intention of the
parties hereto that the Trust created hereby constitute a business trust under
Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. C. Section 3801, et seq.
(the "Business Trust Act"), and that this document constitute the governing
instrument of the Trust. The Trustees are hereby authorized and directed to
execute and file a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State in
accordance with the provisions of the Business Trust Act.
3. The Depositor and the Trustees will enter into an amended and restated
Trust Agreement, satisfactory to each such party and substantially in the form
included as an exhibit to the 1933 Act Registration Statement (as defined
below), to provide for the contemplated operation of the Trust created hereby
and the issuance of Preferred Securities and Common Securities to be referred to
therein. Prior to the execution and delivery of such amended and restated Trust
Agreement, the Trustees shall not have any duty or obligation hereunder or with
respect to the trust estate, except as otherwise required by applicable law or
as may be necessary to obtain prior to such execution and delivery any licenses,
consents or approvals required by applicable law or otherwise.
4. The Depositor and the Trustees hereby authorize and direct the
Depositor, as the sponsor of the Trust, (i) to file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and execute, in each case on behalf of
the Trust, (a) the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "1933 Act
Registration Statement") (including any pre-effective or post-effective
amendments to the 1933 Act Registration Statement), relating to the registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the Preferred Securities of the
Trust and possibly certain other securities and (b) a Registration Statement on
Form 8-A (the "1934 Act Registration Statement") (including all
<PAGE>
pre-effective and post-effective amendments thereto) relating to the
registration of the Preferred Securities of the Trust under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (ii) to file with the Nasdaq National Market
or a national stock exchange (each, an "Exchange") and execute on behalf of the
Trust one or more listing applications and all other applications, statements,
certificates, agreements and other instruments as shall be necessary or
desirable to cause the Preferred Securities to be listed on any of the
Exchanges; (iii) to file and execute on behalf of the Trust such applications,
reports, surety bonds, irrevocable consents, appointments of attorney for
service of process and other papers and documents as shall be necessary or
desirable to register the Preferred Securities under the securities or blue sky
laws of such jurisdictions as the Depositor, on behalf of the Trust, may deem
necessary or desirable and (iv) to execute on behalf of the Trust that certain
Underwriting Agreement relating to the Preferred Securities, among the Trust,
the Depositor and the Underwriters named therein, substantially in the form
included as an exhibit to the 1933 Act Registration Statement. In the event that
any filing referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above is required by the
rules and regulations of the Commission, an Exchange or state securities or blue
sky laws, to be executed on behalf of the Trust by one or more of the Trustees,
each of the Trustees, in its or his capacity as a Trustee of the Trust, is
hereby authorized and, to the extent so required, directed to join in any such
filing and to execute on behalf of the Trust any and all of the foregoing, it
being understood that Wilmington Trust Company in its capacity as a Trustee of
the Trust shall not be required to join in any such filing or execute on behalf
of the Trust any such document unless required by the rules and regulations of
the Commission, the Exchange or state securities or blue sky laws. In connection
with the filings referred to above, the Depositor and Edward J. Wehmer, David A.
Dykstra and David J. Galvan each as Trustees and not in their individual
capacities, hereby constitutes and appoints Edward J. Wehmer, David A. Dykstra
and David J. Galvan, and each of them, as their true and lawful attorneys-in-
fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for the
Depositor or such Trustee or in the Depositor's or such Trustees' name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to the 1933 Act Registration Statement and the 1934
Act Registration Statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, the Exchange and
administrators of the state securities or blue sky laws, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith,
as fully to all intents and purposes as the Depositor or such Trustee might or
could to in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents or any of them, or their respective substitute or substitutes,
shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
5. This Trust Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts.
6. The number of Trustees initially shall be four (4) and thereafter the
number of Trustees shall be such number as shall be fixed from time to time by a
written instrument signed by the Depositor which may increase or decrease the
number of Trustees; provided, however, that to the extent required by the
Business Trust Act, one Trustee shall either be a natural person who is a
resident of the State of Delaware or, if not a natural person, an entity which
has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets
the requirements of applicable Delaware
2
<PAGE>
law. Subject to the foregoing, the Depositor is entitled to appoint or remove
without cause any Trustee at any time. The Trustees may resign upon thirty (30)
days' prior notice to the Depositor.
7. This Trust Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Delaware (without regard to conflict of laws
principles).
8. The Trustees (the "Fiduciary Indemnified Persons") shall not be
liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust, the
Depositor, the Trustees or any holder of the Trust's securities (the Trust, the
Depositor and any holder of the Trust's securities being a "Covered Person") for
any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or
omitted by the Fiduciary Indemnified Persons in good faith on behalf of the
Trust and in a manner the Fiduciary Indemnified Persons reasonably believed to
be within the scope of authority conferred on the Fiduciary Indemnified Persons
by this Trust Agreement or by law, except that the Fiduciary Indemnified Persons
shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of the
Fiduciary Indemnified Person's gross negligence or bad faith with respect to
such acts or omissions.
The Fiduciary Indemnified Persons shall be fully protected in relying
in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Trust by any person as to matters the
Fiduciary Indemnified Persons reasonably believes are within such other person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from
which distributions to holders of Trust's securities might properly be paid.
9. The Depositor agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law,
(a) to indemnify and hold harmless each Fiduciary Indemnified Person,
or any of its officers, directors, shareholders, employees, representatives or
agents, from and against any loss, damage, liability, tax, penalty, expense or
claim of any kind or nature whatsoever incurred by the Fiduciary Indemnified
Persons by reason of the creation, operation or termination of the Trust in a
manner the Fiduciary Indemnified Persons reasonably believed to be within the
scope of authority conferred on the Fiduciary Indemnified Persons by this Trust
Agreement, except that no Fiduciary Indemnified Persons shall be entitled to be
indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred by the Fiduciary
Indemnified Persons by reason of gross negligence or willful misconduct with
respect to such acts or omissions; and
(b) to advance expenses (including legal fees) incurred by a Fiduciary
Indemnified Person in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding
shall, from time to time, prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand,
action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt by the Trust of an undertaking by or on
behalf of such Fiduciary Indemnified Persons to repay such amount if it shall be
determined that such Fiduciary Indemnified Person is not entitled to be
indemnified as authorized in the preceding subsection.
3
<PAGE>
10. The provisions of Section 9 shall survive the termination of this
Trust Agreement or the earlier resignation or removal of the Fiduciary
Indemnified Persons.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Trust Agreement to
be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION,
as Depositor
By: /s/ Edward J. Wehmer
-------------------------------------
Name: EDWARD J. WEHMER
Title: President and Chief Executive
Officer
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee
By: /s/ W. Chris Sponenberg
-------------------------------------
Name: W. Chris Sponenberg
Title: Assistant Vice President
/s/ Edward J. Wehmer , as Trustee
-------------------
Name: EDWARD J. WEHMER
/s/ David A. Dykstra , as Trustee
-------------------
Name: DAVID A. DYKSTRA
/s/ David J. Galvan , as Trustee
-------------------
Name: DAVID J. GALVAN
4
<PAGE>
================================================================================
WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II
AMENDED AND RESTATED
TRUST AGREEMENT
among
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION, as Depositor,
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Property Trustee,
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Delaware Trustee,
and
THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES NAMED HEREIN
Dated as of June __, 2000
================================================================================
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C> <C>
ARTICLE I
DEFINED TERMS.............................................................. 2
Section 101. Definitions.................................................. 2
ARTICLE II
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TRUST.................................................10
Section 201. Name.........................................................10
Section 202. Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place
of Business..................................................10
Section 203. Initial Contribution of Trust Property;
Organizational Expenses......................................11
Section 204. Issuance of the Preferred Securities.........................11
Section 205. Issuance of the Common Securities; Subscription
and Purchase of Debentures...................................11
Section 206. Declaration of Trust.........................................12
Section 207. Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions.............12
Section 208. Assets of Trust..............................................16
Section 209. Title to Trust Property......................................16
ARTICLE III
PAYMENT ACCOUNT............................................................16
Section 301. Payment Account..............................................16
ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTION..................................................17
Section 401. Distributions................................................17
Section 402. Redemption...................................................17
Section 403. Subordination of Common Securities...........................20
Section 404. Payment Procedures...........................................20
Section 405. Tax Returns and Reports......................................20
Section 406. Payment of Taxes, Duties, etc. of the Trust..................21
Section 407. Payments Under Indenture.....................................21
ARTICLE V
TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES..............................................21
Section 501. Initial Ownership............................................21
Section 502. The Trust Securities Certificates............................21
Section 503. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Trust
Securities Certificates......................................22
Section 503A. Global Preferred Security....................................22
Section 504. Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Preferred
Securities Certificates......................................23
Section 505. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Trust
Securities Certificates......................................25
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Section 506. Persons Deemed Securityholders................................25
Section 507. Access to List of Securityholders' Names and Addresses........25
Section 508. Maintenance of Office or Agency...............................26
Section 509. Appointment of Paying Agent...................................26
Section 510. Ownership of Common Securities by Depositor...................27
Section 511. Trust Securities Certificates.................................27
Section 512. Notices to Clearing Agency....................................27
Section 513. Rights of Securityholders.....................................27
ARTICLE VI
ACTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS; MEETINGS; VOTING..................................28
Section 601. Limitations on Voting Rights..................................28
Section 602. Notice of Meetings............................................29
Section 603. Meetings of Preferred Securityholders.........................29
Section 604. Voting Rights.................................................30
Section 605. Proxies, etc..................................................30
Section 606. Securityholder Action by Written Consent......................30
Section 607. Record Date for Voting and Other Purposes.....................30
Section 608. Acts of Securityholders.......................................31
Section 609. Inspection of Records.........................................32
ARTICLE VII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.............................................32
Section 701. Representations and Warranties of the Bank and the Property
Trustee.......................................................32
Section 702. Representations and Warranties of the Delaware Bank and the
Delaware Trustee..............................................33
Section 703. Representations and Warranties of Depositor...................34
ARTICLE VIII
TRUSTEES...................................................................34
Section 801. Certain Duties and Responsibilities...........................34
Section 802. Certain Notices...............................................36
Section 803. Certain Rights of Property Trustee............................36
Section 804. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities........38
Section 805. May Hold Securities...........................................39
Section 806. Compensation; Indemnity; Fees.................................39
Section 807. Corporate Property Trustee Required; Eligibility of Trustees..39
Section 808. Conflicting Interests.........................................40
Section 809. Co-Trustees and Separate Trustee..............................40
Section 810. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.............42
Section 811. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor........................43
Section 812. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business...44
Section 813. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Depositor or Trust..44
Section 814. Reports by Property Trustee...................................44
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Section 815. Reports to the Property Trustee..............................44
Section 816. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.............44
Section 817. Number of Trustees...........................................45
Section 818. Delegation of Power..........................................45
Section 819. Voting.......................................................45
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION, LIQUIDATION AND MERGER........................................46
Section 901. Termination Upon Expiration Date.............................46
Section 902. Early Termination............................................46
Section 903. Termination..................................................46
Section 904. Liquidation..................................................47
Section 905. Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements
of the Trust.................................................48
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS...................................................49
Section 1001. Limitation of Rights of Securityholders......................49
Section 1002. Amendment....................................................49
Section 1003. Separability.................................................51
Section 1004. Governing Law................................................51
Section 1005. Payments Due on Non-Business Day.............................51
Section 1006. Successors...................................................51
Section 1007. Headings.....................................................51
Section 1008. Reports, Notices and Demands.................................51
Section 1009. Agreement Not to Petition....................................52
Section 1010. Trust Indenture Act; Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.......52
Section 1011. Acceptance of Terms of Trust Agreement, Guarantee
and Indenture................................................53
</TABLE>
EXHIBITS
- --------
Exhibit A Certificate of Trust
Exhibit B Form of Common Securities Certificate
Exhibit C Form of Expense Agreement
Exhibit D Form of Preferred Securities Certificate
Exhibit E Form of Preferred Securities Certificate of Authentication
Exhibit F Certificate Depositary Agreement
iv
<PAGE>
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section of
Trust Indenture Act Section of
of 1939, as amended Amended and Restated Trust Agreement
- ------------------- ------------------------------------
<S> <C>
310(a)(1)....................................................................807
310(a)(2)....................................................................807
310(a)(3)....................................................................807
310(a)(4).............................................................207(a)(ii)
310(b).......................................................................808
311(a).......................................................................813
311(b).......................................................................813
312(a).......................................................................507
312(b).......................................................................507
312(c).......................................................................507
313(a)....................................................................814(a)
313(a)(4).................................................................814(b)
313(b)....................................................................814(b)
313(c)......................................................................1008
313(d)....................................................................814(c)
314(a).......................................................................815
314(b)............................................................Not Applicable
314(c)(1)....................................................................816
314(c)(2)....................................................................816
314(c)(3).........................................................Not Applicable
314(d)............................................................Not Applicable
314(e)..................................................................101,.816
315(a)............................................................801(a), 803(a)
315(b).................................................................802, 1008
315(c)....................................................................801(a)
315(d)..................................................................801,.803
316(a)(2).........................................................Not Applicable
316(b)............................................................Not Applicable
316(c).......................................................................607
317(a)(1).........................................................Not Applicable
317(a)(2).........................................................Not Applicable
317(b).......................................................................509
318(a)......................................................................1010
</TABLE>
Note: This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of this Agreement and
shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.
v
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of June __, 2000, among (i)
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION, an Illinois corporation (including any
successors or assigns, the "Depositor"), (ii) Wilmington Trust Company, a
Delaware banking corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Delaware, as property trustee (the "Property Trustee" and, in its
separate corporate capacity and not in its capacity as Property Trustee, the
"Bank"), (iii) WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, a Delaware banking corporation duly
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, as Delaware
trustee (the "Delaware Trustee," and, in its separate corporate capacity and not
in its capacity as Delaware Trustee, the "Delaware Bank") (iv) EDWARD J. WEHMER,
an individual, DAVID A. DYKSTRA, an individual, and DAVID J. GALVAN, an
individual, each of whose address is c/o Company (each an "Administrative
Trustee" and collectively the "Administrative Trustees") (the Property Trustee,
the Delaware Trustee and the Administrative Trustees referred to collectively as
the "Trustees"), and (v) the several Holders (as hereinafter defined).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Depositor, the Delaware Trustee, and Edward J. Wehmer, David
A. Dykstra and David J. Galvan, each as an Administrative Trustee, have
heretofore duly declared and established a business trust pursuant to the
Delaware Business Trust Act by the entering into of that certain Trust
Agreement, dated as of May 17, 2000 (the "Original Trust Agreement"), and by the
execution and filing by the Delaware Trustee, the Depositor and the
Administrative Trustees with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of
the Certificate of Trust, filed on May 17, 2000, the form of which is attached
as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Depositor, the Delaware Trustee, the Property Trustee and the
Administrative Trustees desire to amend and restate the Original Trust Agreement
in its entirety as set forth herein to provide for, among other things, (i) the
issuance of the Common Securities (as defined herein) by the Trust (as defined
herein) to the Depositor; (ii) the issuance and sale of the Preferred Securities
(as defined herein) by the Trust pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement (as
defined herein); (iii) the acquisition by the Trust from the Depositor of all of
the right, title and interest in the Debentures (as defined herein); and (iv)
the appointment of the Trustees;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth
herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each party, for the benefit of the
other parties and for the benefit of the Securityholders (as defined herein),
hereby amends and restates the Original Trust Agreement in its entirety and
agrees as follows:
<PAGE>
ARTICLE I
DEFINED TERMS
Section 101. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Trust Agreement, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article I have the meanings assigned to them
in this Article I and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein;
(c) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an "Article" or
a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Trust
Agreement; and
(d) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar
import refer to this Trust Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
Article, Section or other subdivision.
"Act" has the meaning specified in Section 608.
"Additional Amount" means, with respect to Trust Securities of a given
Liquidation Amount and/or a given period, the amount of Additional Interest
accrued on interest in arrears and paid by the Depositor on a Like Amount of
Debentures for such period.
"Additional Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of the
Indenture.
"Administrative Trustee" means each of Edward J. Wehmer, David A. Dykstra
and David J. Galvan, solely in his or her capacity as Administrative Trustee of
the Trust formed and continued hereunder and not in his or her individual
capacity, or such Administrative Trustee's successor in interest in such
capacity, or any successor trustee appointed as herein provided.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified Person, (a) any Person
directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding with power to vote 10% or
more of the outstanding voting securities or other ownership interests of the
specified Person; (b) any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting
securities or other ownership interests are directly or indirectly owned,
controlled or held with power to vote by the specified Person; (c) any Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with
the specified Person; (d) a partnership in which the specified Person is a
general partner; (e) any officer or director of the specified Person; and (f) if
the specified Person is an individual, any entity of which the specified Person
is an officer, director or general partner.
"Authenticating Agent" means an authenticating agent with respect to the
Preferred Securities appointed by the Property Trustee pursuant to Section 503.
2
<PAGE>
"Bank" has the meaning specified in the Preamble to this Trust Agreement.
"Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person:
(a) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the
premises adjudging such Person a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly
filed a petition seeking liquidation or reorganization of or in respect of such
Person under the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, or any other
similar applicable federal or state law, and the continuance of any such decree
or order unvacated and unstayed for a period of 90 days; or the commencement of
an involuntary case under the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended,
in respect of such Person, which shall continue undismissed for a period of 90
days or entry of an order for relief in such case; or the entry of a decree or
order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment on the
ground of insolvency or bankruptcy of a receiver, custodian, liquidator, trustee
or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of such Person or of its property, or
for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall
have remained in force unvacated and unstayed for a period of 90 days; or
(b) the institution by such Person of proceedings to be adjudicated a
voluntary bankrupt, or the consent by such Person to the filing of a bankruptcy
proceeding against it, or the filing by such Person of a petition or answer or
consent seeking liquidation or reorganization under the United States Bankruptcy
Code of 1978, as amended, or other similar applicable federal or state law, or
the consent by such Person to the filing of any such petition or to the
appointment on the ground of insolvency or bankruptcy of a receiver or custodian
or liquidator or trustee or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of such Person
or of its property, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors.
"Bankruptcy Laws" has the meaning specified in Section 1009.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
of the Depositor to have been duly adopted by the Depositor's Board of
Directors, or such committee of the Board of Directors or officers of the
Depositor to which authority to act on behalf of the Board of Directors has been
delegated, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification,
and delivered to the appropriate Trustee.
"Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday or Sunday, a day on which
banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law,
executive order or regulation to remain closed, or a day on which the Property
Trustee's Corporate Trust Office or the Corporate Trust Office of the Debenture
Trustee is closed for business.
"Certificate Depositary Agreement" means the agreement among Depositor,
Trust and DTC, as the initial Clearing Agency, dated as of the Closing Date,
substantially in the form attached as Exhibit F as the same may be amended and
supplemented from time to time.
"Certificate of Trust" means the certificate of trust filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware with respect to the Trust, as
amended or restated from time to time.
3
<PAGE>
"Change in 1940 Act Law" shall have the meaning set forth in the definition
of "Investment Company Event."
"Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "clearing agency"
pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. DTC
shall be the initial Clearing Agency.
"Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank or other
financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Clearing
Agency effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the
Clearing Agency.
"Closing Date" means the date of execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement.
"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 Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.
"Common Security" means an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of
the Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $10 and having the rights provided
therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive Distributions
and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.
"Common Securities Certificate" means a certificate evidencing ownership of
Common Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C.
"Company" means Wintrust Financial Corporation.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office at which, at any particular time,
the corporate trust business of the Property Trustee or the Debenture Trustee,
as the case may be, shall be principally administered, which office at the date
hereof, in each such case, is located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market
Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attn: Corporate Trust Administration.
"Debenture Event of Default" means an "Event of Default" as defined in
Section 7.1 of the Indenture.
"Debenture Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Debentures to be
redeemed under the Indenture, the date fixed for redemption under the Indenture.
"Debenture Tax Event" means a "Tax Event" as specified in Section 1.1 of
the Indenture.
4
<PAGE>
"Debenture Trustee" means Wilmington Trust Company, a state chartered trust
company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and any successor
thereto, as trustee under the Indenture.
"Debentures" means the $20,618,560 aggregate principal amount of the
Depositor's ____% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2030, issued pursuant to
the Indenture.
"Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates" means Preferred Securities
Certificates issued in certified, fully registered form as provided in Section
513.
"Delaware Bank" has the meaning specified in the Preamble to this Trust
Agreement.
"Delaware Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware
Code, 12 Delaware Code Sections 3801 et seq. as it may be amended from time to
time.
"Delaware Trustee" means the commercial bank or trust company identified as
the "Delaware Trustee" in the Preamble to this Trust Agreement solely in its
capacity as Delaware Trustee of the Trust formed and continued hereunder and not
in its individual capacity, or its successor in interest in such capacity, or
any successor trustee appointed as herein provided.
"Depositary" means DTC or any successor thereto.
"Depositor" has the meaning specified in the Preamble to this Trust
Agreement.
"Distribution Date" has the meaning specified in Section 401(a).
"Distributions" means amounts payable in respect of the Trust Securities as
provided in Section 401.
"DTC" means The Depository Trust Company.
"Event of Default" means any one of the following events (whatever the
reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or
involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body):
(a) the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default; or
(b) default by the Trust in the payment of any Distribution when it becomes
due and payable, and continuation of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(c) default by the Trust in the payment of any Redemption Price of any
Trust Security when it becomes due and payable; or
5
<PAGE>
(d) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any
covenant or warranty of the Trustees in this Trust Agreement (other than a
covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or the breach of
which is dealt with in clause (b) or (c), above) and continuation of such
default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by
registered or certified mail, to the defaulting Trustee or Trustees by the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding
Preferred Securities 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
(e) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Property
Trustee and the failure by the Depositor to appoint a successor Property Trustee
within 60 days thereof.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Expense Agreement" means the Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities
between the Depositor and the Trust, substantially in the form attached as
Exhibit C, as amended from time to time.
"Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 901.
"Extended Interest Payment Period" has the meaning specified in Section 4.1
of the Indenture.
"Global Preferred Securities Certificate" means a Preferred Securities
Certificate evidencing ownership of Global Preferred Securities.
"Global Preferred Security" means a Preferred Security, the ownership and
transfer of which shall be made through book entries by a Clearing Agency as
described herein.
"Guarantee" means the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement executed and
delivered by the Depositor and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee,
contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust Agreement, for
the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities, as amended from time to
time.
"Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of June __, 2000, between the
Depositor and the Debenture Trustee, as trustee, as amended or supplemented from
time to time.
"Investment Company Act," means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, as in effect at the date of execution of this instrument.
"Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Trust and the Depositor
of an Opinion of Counsel, rendered by a law firm having a recognized national
tax and securities law practice, to the effect that, as a result of the
occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a 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"), the Trust is or
shall be considered an
6
<PAGE>
"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 under this Trust Agreement,
provided, however, that the Depositor or the Trust shall have requested and
received such an Opinion of Counsel with regard to such matters within a
reasonable period of time after the Depositor or the Trust shall have become
aware of the possible occurrence of any such event.
"Lien" means any lien, pledge, charge, encumbrance, mortgage, deed of
trust, adverse ownership interest, hypothecation, assignment, security interest
or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement
of any kind or nature whatsoever.
"Like Amount" means (a) with respect to a redemption of Trust Securities,
Trust Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of Debentures to be contemporaneously redeemed in accordance
with the Indenture and the proceeds of which shall be used to pay the Redemption
Price of such Trust Securities; and (b) with respect to a distribution of
Debentures to Holders of Trust Securities in connection with a termination or
liquidation of the Trust, Debentures having a principal amount equal to the
Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities of the Holder to whom such Debentures
are distributed. Each Debenture distributed pursuant to clause (b) above shall
carry with it accrued interest in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid
interest then due on such Debentures.
"Liquidation Amount" means the stated amount of $10 per Trust Security.
"Liquidation Date" means the date on which Debentures are to be distributed
to Holders of Trust Securities in connection with a termination and liquidation
of the Trust pursuant to Section 904(a).
"Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning specified in Section 904(d).
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the President or an
Executive Vice President and by the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer or
the Secretary, of the Depositor, and delivered to the appropriate Trustee. One
of the officers signing an Officers' Certificate given pursuant to Section 816
shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the
Depositor. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with
a condition or covenant provided for in this Trust Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has
read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;
(c) a statement that each 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
7
<PAGE>
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion in writing of independent, outside
legal counsel for the Trust, the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or the
Depositor, who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Property Trustee.
"Original Trust Agreement" has the meaning specified in the Recitals to
this Trust Agreement.
"Outstanding", when used with respect to Preferred Securities, means, as of
the date of determination, all Preferred Securities theretofore executed and
delivered under this Trust Agreement, except:
(a) Preferred Securities theretofore canceled by the Property Trustee or
delivered to the Property Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Preferred Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the
necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Property Trustee or any
Paying Agent for the Holders of such Preferred Securities; provided that, if
such Preferred Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been
duly given pursuant to this Trust Agreement; and
(c) Preferred Securities which have been paid or in exchange for or in lieu
of which other Preferred Securities have been executed and delivered pursuant to
Sections 504, 505, 511 and 513; provided, however, that in determining whether
the Holders of the requisite Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding Preferred
Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent or waiver hereunder, Preferred Securities owned by the Depositor, any
Trustee or any Affiliate of the Depositor or any Trustee shall be disregarded
and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that (a) in determining whether any
Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Preferred Securities
that such Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded; and (b) the
foregoing shall not apply at any time when all of the outstanding Preferred
Securities are owned by the Depositor, one or more of the Trustees and/or any
such Affiliate. Preferred Securities so owned which have been pledged in good
faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the
satisfaction of the Administrative Trustees the pledgee's right so to act with
respect to such Preferred Securities and the pledgee is not the Depositor or any
other Obligor upon the Preferred Securities or a Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the
Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor.
"Paying Agent" means any paying agent or co-paying agent appointed pursuant
to Section 509 and shall initially be the Bank.
"Payment Account" means a segregated non-interest-bearing corporate trust
account maintained by the Property Trustee with the Bank in its trust department
for the benefit of the Securityholders in which all amounts paid in respect of
the Debentures shall be held and from which
8
<PAGE>
the Property Trustee shall make payments to the Securityholders in accordance
with Sections 401 and 402.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, limited liability company or corporation, unincorporated organization or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Preferred Security" means an undivided beneficial interest in the assets
of the Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $10 and having the rights provided
therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive Distributions
and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.
"Preferred Securities Certificate", means a certificate evidencing
ownership of Preferred Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit
D.
"Property Trustee" means the commercial bank or trust company identified as
the "Property Trustee," in the Preamble to this Trust Agreement solely in its
capacity as Property Trustee of the Trust heretofore formed and continued
hereunder and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in interest in
such capacity, or any successor property trustee appointed as herein provided.
"Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Trust Security to be redeemed,
the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Trust Agreement;
provided that each Debenture Redemption Date and the stated maturity of the
Debentures shall be a Redemption Date for a Like Amount of Trust Securities.
"Redemption Price" means, with respect to any Trust Security, the
Liquidation Amount of such Trust Security, plus accumulated and unpaid
Distributions to the Redemption Date allocated on a pro rata basis (based on
Liquidation Amounts) among the Trust Securities.
"Relevant Trustee" shall have the meaning specified in Section 810.
"Securities Register" and "Securities Registrar" have the respective
meanings specified in Section 504.
"Securityholder" or "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Trust Security
is or Trust Securities are registered in the Securities Register; any such
Person is a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Delaware Business Trust
Act.
"Trust" means the Delaware business trust created and continued hereby and
identified on the cover page to this Trust Agreement.
"Trust Agreement" means this Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, as the
same may be modified, amended or supplemented in accordance with the applicable
provisions hereof, including all exhibits hereto, including, for all purposes of
this Trust Agreement and any such modification, amendment or supplement, the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed
9
<PAGE>
to be a part of and govern this Trust Agreement and any such modification,
amendment or supplement, respectively.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as
in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided,
however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, is
amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by
any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
"Trust Property" means (a) the Debentures; (b) the rights of the Property
Trustee under the Guarantee; (c) any cash on deposit in, or owing to, the
Payment Account; and (d) all proceeds and rights in respect of the foregoing and
any other property and assets for the time being held or deemed to be held by
the Property Trustee pursuant to the trusts of this Trust Agreement.
"Trust Security" means any one of the Common Securities or the Preferred
Securities.
"Trust Securities Certificate" means any one of the Common Securities
Certificates or the Preferred Securities Certificates.
"Trustees" means, collectively, the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee
and the Administrative Trustees.
"Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of June
__, 2000, among the Trust, the Depositor and the Underwriters named therein.
ARTICLE II
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TRUST
Section 201. Name.
The Trust continued hereby shall be known as "Wintrust Capital Trust II,"
as such name may be modified from time to time by the Administrative Trustees
following written notice to the Holders of Trust Securities and the other
Trustees, in which name the Trustees may engage in the transactions contemplated
hereby, make and execute contracts and other instruments on behalf of the Trust
and sue and be sued.
Section 202. Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place of Business.
The address of the Delaware Trustee in the State of Delaware is c/o
Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attn: Corporate Trust Administration, or such
other address in the State of Delaware as the Delaware Trustee may designate by
written notice to the Securityholders and the Depositor. The principal executive
office of the Trust is c/o Wintrust Financial Corporation, 727 North Bank Lane,
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045.
10
<PAGE>
Section 203. Initial Contribution of Trust Property; Organizational
Expenses.
The Trustees acknowledge receipt in trust from the Depositor in connection
with the Original Trust Agreement of the sum of $10, which constituted the
initial Trust Property. The Depositor shall pay organizational expenses of the
Trust as they arise or shall, upon request of any Trustee, promptly reimburse
such Trustee for any such expenses paid by such Trustee. The Depositor shall
make no claim upon the Trust Property for the payment of such expenses.
Section 204. Issuance of the Preferred Securities.
On June __, 2000, the Depositor and an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of
the Trust and pursuant to the Original Trust Agreement, executed and delivered
the Underwriting Agreement. Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of
this Trust Agreement, an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall
execute in accordance with Section 502 and deliver in accordance with the
Underwriting Agreement, Preferred Securities Certificates, registered in the
name of Persons entitled thereto in an aggregate amount of 1,800,000 Preferred
Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of $18,000,000 against receipt
of the aggregate purchase price of such Preferred Securities of $18,000,000,
which amount such Administrative Trustee shall promptly deliver to the Property
Trustee. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option and there is
an Option Closing Date (as such term is defined in the Underwriting Agreement),
then an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall execute in
accordance with Section 502 and deliver in accordance with the Underwriting
Agreement, Preferred Securities Certificates, registered in the name of the
Persons entitled thereto in an aggregate amount of up to 200,000 Preferred
Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of up to $2,000,000 against
receipt of the aggregate purchase price of such Preferred Securities of up to
$2,000,000, which amount such Administrative Trustee shall promptly deliver to
the Property Trustee.
Section 205. Issuance of the Common Securities; Subscription and Purchase
of Debentures.
(a) Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement, an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall execute in
accordance with Section 502 and deliver to the Depositor, Common Securities
Certificates, registered in the name of the Depositor, in an aggregate amount of
Common Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of $556,710 against
payment by the Depositor of such amount. Contemporaneously therewith, an
Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall subscribe to and purchase
from the Depositor Debentures, registered in the name of the Property Trustee on
behalf of the Trust and having an aggregate principal amount equal to
$18,556,710, and, in satisfaction of the purchase price for such Debentures, the
Property Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall deliver to the Depositor the sum
of $18,556,710.
(b) If the underwriters exercise the Option and there is an Option Closing
Date, then an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall execute in
accordance with Section 502 and deliver to the Depositor, Common Securities
Certificates, registered in the name of the Depositor, in an additional
aggregate amount of Common Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount
11
<PAGE>
of up to $61,850 against payment by the Depositor of such amount.
Contemporaneously therewith, an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust,
shall subscribe to and purchase from the Depositor, additional Debentures,
registered in the name of the Trust and having an aggregate principal amount of
up to $2,061,850, and, in satisfaction of the purchase price of such Debentures,
the Property Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall deliver to the Depositor up
to $2,061,850, such aggregate amount to be equal to the sum of the amounts
received from the Depositor pursuant to Section 205(b) and from one of the
Administrative Trustees pursuant to the last sentence of Section 204.
Section 206. Declaration of Trust.
The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and sell
Trust Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures;
and (b) to engage in those activities necessary, advisable or incidental
thereto. The Depositor hereby appoints the Trustees as trustees of the Trust, to
have all the rights, powers and duties to the extent set forth herein, and the
Trustees hereby accept such appointment. The Property Trustee hereby declares
that it shall hold the Trust Property in trust upon and subject to the
conditions set forth herein for the benefit of the Securityholders. The
Administrative Trustees shall have all rights, powers and duties set forth
herein and in accordance with applicable law with respect to accomplishing the
purposes of the Trust. The Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise
any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and
responsibilities, of the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees set
forth herein. The Delaware Trustee shall be one of the Trustees of the Trust for
the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of
the Delaware Business Trust Act.
Section 207. Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions.
(a) The Trustees shall conduct the affairs of the Trust in accordance with
the terms of this Trust Agreement. Subject to the limitations set forth in
paragraph (b) of this Section 207 and Article VIII, and in accordance with the
following provisions (i) and (ii), the Administrative Trustees shall have the
authority to enter into all transactions and agreements determined by the
Administrative Trustees to be appropriate in exercising the authority, express
or implied, otherwise granted to the Administrative Trustees under this Trust
Agreement, and to perform all acts in furtherance thereof, including without
limitation, the following:
(i) As among the Trustees, each Administrative Trustee, acting singly
or jointly, shall have the power and authority to act on behalf
of the Trust with respect to the following matters:
(A) the issuance and sale of the Trust Securities and the
compliance with the Underwriting Agreement in connection
therewith;
(B) to cause the Trust to enter into, and to execute, deliver
and perform on behalf of the Trust, the Expense Agreement
and such other agreements or documents as may be necessary
or desirable in connection with the purposes and function of
the Trust;
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(C) assisting in the registration of the Preferred Securities
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under
state securities or blue sky laws, and the qualification of
this Trust Agreement as a trust indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act;
(D) assisting in the listing of the Preferred Securities upon
The Nasdaq National Market/sm/ or such securities exchange
or exchanges as shall be determined by the Depositor, the
registration of the Preferred Securities under the Exchange
Act, the compliance with the listing requirements of The
Nasdaq National Market/sm/ or the applicable securities
exchanges and the preparation and filing of all periodic and
other reports and other documents pursuant to the foregoing;
(E) the sending of notices (other than notices of default) and
other information regarding the Trust Securities and the
Debentures to the Securityholders in accordance with this
Trust Agreement;
(F) the appointment of a Paying Agent, Authenticating Agent and
Securities Registrar in accordance with this Trust
Agreement;
(G) to the extent provided in this Trust Agreement, the winding
up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust and the
preparation, execution and filing of the certificate of
cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware;
(H) to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for
the preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid
existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory
business trust under the laws of the State of Delaware and
of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is
necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of
the Preferred Securities or to enable the Trust to effect
the purposes for which the Trust was created; and
(I) the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the
Administrative Trustees may from time to time determine is
necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this
Trust Agreement for the benefit of the Securityholders
(without consideration of the effect of any such action on
any particular Securityholder).
(ii) As among the Trustees, the Property Trustee shall have the power,
duty and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to
the following matters:
(A) the establishment of the Payment Account;
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(B) the receipt of the Debentures;
(C) the collection of interest, principal and any other payments
made in respect of the Debentures in the Payment Account;
(D) the distribution of amounts owed to the Securityholders in
respect of the Trust Securities in accordance with the terms
of this Trust Agreement;
(E) the exercise of all of the rights, powers and privileges of
a holder of the Debentures;
(F) the sending of notices of default and other information
regarding the Trust Securities and the Debentures to the
Securityholders in accordance with this Trust Agreement;
(G) the distribution of the Trust Property in accordance with
the terms of this Trust Agreement;
(H) to the extent provided in this Trust Agreement, the winding
up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust;
(I) after an Event of Default, the taking of any action
incidental to the foregoing as the Property Trustee may from
time to time determine is necessary or advisable to give
effect to the terms of this Trust Agreement and protect and
conserve the Trust Property for the benefit of the
Securityholders (without consideration of the effect of any
such action on any particular Securityholder);
(J) registering transfers of the Trust Securities in accordance
with this Trust Agreement; and
(K) except as otherwise provided in this Section 207(a)(ii), the
Property Trustee shall have none of the duties, liabilities,
powers or the authority of the Administrative Trustees set
forth in Section 207(a)(i).
(b) So long as this Trust Agreement remains in effect, the Trust (or the
Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust) shall not undertake any business,
activities or transaction except as expressly provided herein or contemplated
hereby. In particular, the Trustees shall not (i) acquire any investments or
engage in any activities not authorized by this Trust Agreement; (ii) sell,
assign, transfer, exchange, mortgage, pledge, set-off or otherwise dispose of
any of the Trust Property or interests therein, including to Securityholders,
except as expressly provided herein; (iii) take any action that would cause the
Trust to fail or cease to qualify as a "grantor trust" for United States federal
income tax purposes; (iv) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any
other
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debt; or (v) take or consent to any action that would result in the placement of
a Lien on any of the Trust Property. The Administrative Trustees shall defend
all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming any Lien on any of
the Trust Property adverse to the interest of the Trust or the Securityholders
in their capacity as Securityholders.
(c) In connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred Securities, the
Depositor shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Trust with
respect to, or effect on behalf of the Trust, the following (and any actions
taken by the Depositor in furtherance of the following prior to the date of this
Trust Agreement are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects):
(i) the preparation and filing by the Trust with the Commission and
the execution on behalf of the Trust of a registration statement
on the appropriate form in relation to the Preferred Securities,
the Debentures, and the Guarantee, including any amendments
thereto;
(ii) the determination of the states in which to take appropriate
action to qualify or, register for sale all or part of the
Preferred Securities and to do any and all such acts, other than
actions which must be taken by or on behalf of the Trust, and
advise the Trustees of actions they must take on behalf of the
Trust, and prepare for execution and filing any documents to be
executed and filed by the Trust or on behalf of the Trust, as the
Depositor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with
the applicable laws of any such States;
(iii) the preparation for filing by the Trust and execution on behalf
of the Trust of an application to The Nasdaq National Market/sm/
or a national stock exchange or other organizations for listing
upon notice of issuance of any Preferred Securities and to file
or cause an Administrative Trustee to file thereafter with such
exchange or organization such notifications and documents as may
be necessary from time to time;
(iv) the preparation for filing by the Trust with the Commission and
the execution on behalf of the Trust of a registration statement
on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Preferred
Securities under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act,
including any amendments thereto;
(v) the negotiation of the terms of, and the execution and delivery
of, the Underwriting Agreement providing for the sale of the
Preferred Securities; and
(vi) the taking of any other actions necessary or desirable to carry
out any of the foregoing activities.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustees are
authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of the Trust and to operate the
Trust so that the Trust shall not be deemed to be an "investment company"
required to be registered under the Investment Company
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Act, shall be classified as a "grantor trust" and not as an association taxable
as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and so that the
Debentures shall be treated as indebtedness of the Depositor for United States
federal income tax purposes. In this connection, subject to Section 1002, the
Depositor and the Administrative Trustees are authorized to take any action, not
inconsistent with applicable law or this Trust Agreement, that each of the
Depositor and the Trustees determines in their discretion to be necessary or
desirable for such purposes.
Section 208. Assets of Trust.
The assets of the Trust shall consist of the Trust Property.
Section 209. Title to Trust Property.
Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the
Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and administered by
the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Securityholders in accordance with
this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE III
PAYMENT ACCOUNT
Section 301. Payment Account.
(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Property Trustee shall establish
the Payment Account. The Property Trustee and any agent of the Property Trustee
shall have exclusive control and sole right of withdrawal with respect to the
Payment Account for the purpose of making deposits and withdrawals from the
Payment Account in accordance with this Trust Agreement. All monies and other
property deposited or held from time to time in the Payment Account shall be
held by the Property Trustee in the Payment Account for the exclusive benefit of
the Securityholders and for distribution as herein provided, including (and
subject to) any priority of payments provided for herein.
(b) The Property Trustee shall deposit in the Payment Account, promptly
upon receipt, all payments of principal of or interest on, and any other
payments or proceeds with respect to, the Debentures. Amounts held in the
Payment Account shall not be invested by the Property Trustee pending
distribution thereof.
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ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTION
Section 401. Distributions.
(a) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be cumulative, and shall
accumulate whether or not there are funds of the Trust available for the payment
of Distributions. Distributions shall accumulate from June __, 2000, and, except
during any Extended Interest Payment Period with respect to the Debentures,
shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last calendar day of March, June,
September and December of each year, commencing on September 30, 2000. If any
date on which a Distribution is otherwise payable on the Trust Securities is not
a Business Day, then the payment of such Distribution shall be made on the next
succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment
in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day (and without any reduction of interest or any other
payment in respect of any such acceleration), in each case with the same force
and effect as if made on such date (each date on which distributions are payable
in accordance with this Section 401(a), a "Distribution Date").
(b) The Trust Securities represent undivided beneficial interests in the
Trust Property. Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be payable at a rate
of _____% per annum of the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities. The
amount of Distributions payable for any full period shall be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of Distributions for
any partial period shall be computed on the basis of the number of days elapsed
in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. During any Extended Interest Payment
Period with respect to the Debentures, Distributions on the Preferred Securities
shall be deferred for a period equal to the Extended Interest Payment Period.
(c) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be made by the Property
Trustee solely from the Payment Account and shall be payable on each
Distribution Date only to the extent that the Trust has funds on hand and
immediately available by 12:30 p.m. on each Distribution Date in the Payment
Account for the payment of such Distributions.
(d) Distributions on the Trust Securities with respect to a Distribution
Date shall be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the Securities
Register for the Trust Securities on the relevant record date, which shall be
the 15th day of March, June, September or December for Distributions payable on
the last calendar day of the respective month; provided, however, that for any
Trust Securities held in global form, Distributions shall be payable to the
Holder thereof as of one Business Day immediately preceding the Distribution
Date.
Section 402. Redemption.
(a) On each Debenture Redemption Date and on the maturity of the
Debentures, the Trust shall be required to redeem a Like Amount of Trust
Securities at the Redemption Price.
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(b) Notice of redemption shall be given by the Property Trustee by first-
class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior
to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Trust Securities to be redeemed, at
such Holder's address appearing in the Securities Register. The Property Trustee
shall have no responsibility for the accuracy of any CUSIP number contained in
such notice. All notices of redemption shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price;
(iii) the CUSIP number;
(iv) if less than all the Outstanding Trust Securities are to be
redeemed, the identification and the aggregate Liquidation
Amount of the particular Trust Securities to be redeemed;
(v) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become
due and payable upon each such Trust Security to be redeemed and
that Distributions thereon shall cease to accumulate on and
after said date, except as provided in Section 4.2(d); and
(vi) the place or places at which Trust Securities are to be
surrendered for the payment of the Redemption Price; and
(c) The Trust Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date shall be redeemed
at the Redemption Price with the proceeds from the contemporaneous redemption of
Debentures. Redemptions of the Trust Securities shall be made and the Redemption
Price shall be payable on each Redemption Date only to the extent that the Trust
has immediately available funds then on hand and available in the Payment
Account for the payment of such Redemption Price.
(d) If the Property Trustee gives a notice of redemption in respect of any
Preferred Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption
Date, subject to Section 402(c), the Property Trustee, subject to Section
402(c), shall, with respect to Preferred Securities held in global form, deposit
with the Clearing Agency for such Preferred Securities, to the extent available
therefor, funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and will give
such Clearing Agency irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
Redemption Price to the Holders of the Preferred Securities. With respect to
Trust Securities that are not held in global form, the Property Trustee, subject
to Section 402(c), shall deposit with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay
the applicable Redemption Price and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the record holders
thereof upon surrender of their Preferred Securities Certificates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions payable on or prior to the
Redemption Date for any Trust Securities called for redemption shall be payable
to the Holders of such Trust Securities as they appear on the Securities
Register for the Trust Securities on the relevant record dates for the related
Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have been given and funds
deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit, (i) all rights of
Securityholders
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holding Trust Securities so called for redemption shall cease, except the right
of such Securityholders to receive the Redemption Price, but without interest,
(ii) such Trust Securities shall cease to be Outstanding, (iii) the Clearing
Agency for the Preferred Securities or its nominee, as the registered Holder of
the Global Preferred Securities Certificate, shall receive a registered global
certificate or certificates representing the Debentures to be delivered upon
such distribution with respect to Preferred Securities held by the Clearing
Agency or its nominee, and (iv) any Trust Securities Certificates not held by
the Clearing Agency for the Preferred Securities or its nominee as specified in
clause (iii) above will be deemed to represent Debentures having a principal
amount equal to the stated Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities
represented thereby and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal
to the accumulated and unpaid Distributions on such Trust Securities until such
certificates are presented to the Securities Registrar for transfer or
reissuance. In the event that any date on which any Redemption Price is payable
is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date
shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such
Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made
on the immediately preceding Business Day (and without any reduction of interest
or any other payment in respect of any such acceleration), in each case with the
same force and effect as if made on such date. In the event that payment of the
Redemption Price in respect of any Trust Securities called for redemption is
improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Trust or by the
Depositor pursuant to the Guarantee, Distributions on such Trust Securities
shall continue to accumulate, at the then applicable rate, from the Redemption
Date originally established by the Trust for such Trust Securities to the date
such Redemption Price is actually paid, in which case the actual payment date
shall be the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the
Redemption Price.
(e) Payment of the Redemption Price on the Trust Securities shall be made
to the record holders thereof as they appear on the Securities Register for the
Trust Securities on the relevant record date, which shall be the date 15 days
prior to the relevant Redemption Date.
(f) Subject to Section 403(a), if less than all the Outstanding Trust
Securities are to be redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities to be redeemed shall be allocated on a
pro rata basis (based on Liquidation Amounts) among the Common Securities and
the Preferred Securities. The particular Preferred Securities to be redeemed
shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the
Property Trustee from the Outstanding Preferred Securities not previously called
for redemption, by such method (including, without limitation, by lot) as the
Property Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the
selection for redemption of portions (equal to such Liquidation Amount or an
integral multiple of such Liquidation Amount in excess thereof) of the
Liquidation Amount of Preferred Securities of a denomination larger than such
Liquidation Amount; provided, however, in the event the redemption relates only
to Preferred Securities purchased and held by the Depositor being redeemed prior
to June 30, 2005, in exchange for a Like Amount of Debentures, the Property
Trustee shall select those particular Preferred Securities for redemption. The
Property Trustee shall promptly notify the Securities Registrar in writing of
the Preferred Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any
Preferred Securities selected for partial redemption, the Liquidation Amount
thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Trust Agreement, unless the
context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of
Preferred Securities shall relate, in the case of any Preferred Securities
redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the Liquidation
Amount of Preferred Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
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Section 403. Subordination of Common Securities.
(a) Payment of Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable)
on, and the Redemption Price of, the Trust Securities, as applicable, shall be
made, subject to Section 402(f), pro rata among the Common Securities and the
Preferred Securities based on the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities;
provided, however, that if on any Distribution Date or Redemption Date any Event
of Default resulting from a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, no payment of any Distribution (including Additional Amounts, if
applicable) on, or Redemption Price of, any Common Security, and no other
payment on account of the redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of Common
Securities, shall be made unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and
unpaid Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable) on all
Outstanding Preferred Securities for all Distribution periods terminating on or
prior thereto, or in the case of payment of the Redemption Price the full amount
of such Redemption Price on all Outstanding Preferred Securities then called for
redemption, shall have been made or provided for, and all funds immediately
available to the Property Trustee shall first be applied to the payment in full
in cash of all Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable) on,
or the Redemption Price of, Preferred Securities then due and payable.
(b) In the case of the occurrence of any Event of Default resulting from a
Debenture Event of Default, the Holder of Common Securities shall be deemed to
have waived any right to act with respect to any such Event of Default under
this Trust Agreement until the effect of all such Events of Default with respect
to the Preferred Securities shall have been cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated. Until any such Event of Default under this Trust Agreement with
respect to the Preferred Securities shall have been so cured, waived or
otherwise eliminated, the Property Trustee shall act solely on behalf of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities and not the Holder of the Common Securities,
and only the Holders of the Preferred Securities shall have the right to direct
the Property Trustee to act on their behalf.
Section 404. Payment Procedures.
Payments of Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable) in
respect of the Preferred Securities shall be made by check mailed to the address
of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the Securities
Register or, if the Preferred Securities are held by a Clearing Agency, such
Distributions shall be made to the Clearing Agency in immediately available
funds, which will credit the relevant accounts on the applicable Distribution
Dates. Payments in respect of the Common Securities shall be made in such manner
as shall be mutually agreed between the Property Trustee and the Common
Securityholder.
Section 405. Tax Returns and Reports.
The Administrative Trustees shall prepare (or cause to be prepared), at the
Depositor's expense, and file all United States federal, state and local tax and
information returns and reports required to be filed by or in respect of the
Trust. In this regard, the Administrative Trustees shall (a) prepare and file
(or cause to be prepared and filed) the appropriate Internal Revenue Service
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forms required to be filed in respect of the Trust in each taxable year of the
Trust; and (b) prepare and furnish (or cause to be prepared and furnished) to
each Securityholder the appropriate Internal Revenue Service forms required to
be furnished to such Securityholder or the information required to be provided
on such form. The Administrative Trustees shall provide the Depositor with a
copy of all such returns and reports promptly after such filing or furnishing.
The Property Trustee shall comply with United States federal withholding and
backup withholding tax laws and information reporting requirements with respect
to any payments to Securityholders under the Trust Securities.
Section 406. Payment of Taxes, Duties, etc. of the Trust.
Upon receipt under the Debentures of Additional Interest, the Property
Trustee, at the direction of an Administrative Trustee or the Depositor, shall
promptly pay any taxes, duties or governmental charges of whatsoever nature
(other than withholding taxes) imposed on the Trust by the United States or any
other taxing authority.
Section 407. Payments Under Indenture.
Any amount payable hereunder to any Holder of Preferred Securities shall be
reduced by the amount of any corresponding payment such Holder has directly
received under the Indenture pursuant to Section 513(b) or (c) hereof.
ARTICLE V
TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES
Section 501. Initial Ownership.
Upon the creation of the Trust and the contribution by the Depositor
pursuant to Section 203 and until the issuance of the Trust Securities, and at
any time during which no Trust Securities are outstanding, the Depositor shall
be the sole beneficial owner of the Trust.
Section 502. The Trust Securities Certificates.
The Preferred Securities Certificates shall be issued in minimum
denominations of the Liquidation Amount and integral multiples of the
Liquidation Amount in excess thereof, and the Common Securities Certificates
shall be issued in denominations of the Liquidation Amount and multiples thereof
(which may, in the case of the Common Securities, include fractional amounts).
The Trust Securities Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Trust by
manual or facsimile signature of at least one Administrative Trustee. Trust
Securities Certificates bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of
individuals who were, at the time when such signatures shall have been affixed,
authorized to sign on behalf of the Trust, shall be validly issued and entitled
to the benefits of this Trust Agreement, notwithstanding that such individuals
or any of them shall have ceased to be so authorized prior to the delivery of
such Trust Securities Certificates or did not hold such offices at the date of
delivery of such Trust Securities Certificates. A transferee of a Trust
Securities Certificate shall become a Securityholder, and shall be entitled to
the rights and subject to the
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obligations of a Securityholder hereunder, upon due registration of such Trust
Securities Certificate in such transferee's name pursuant to Sections 504, 511
and 513.
Section 503. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Trust Securities
Certificates.
(a) On the Closing Date and on any date on which the underwriters exercise
their over-allotment option, as applicable (an "Option Closing Date"), the
Administrative Trustees shall cause Trust Securities Certificates, in an
aggregate Liquidation Amount as provided in Sections 204 and 205, to be executed
on behalf of the Trust by at least one of the Administrative Trustees and
delivered to or upon the written order of the Depositor, signed by its Chief
Executive Officer, President, any Vice President or its Treasurer without
further corporate action by the Depositor, in authorized denominations.
(b) A Preferred Securities Certificate shall not be valid until
authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Property
Trustee in substantially the form of Exhibit E attached hereto. The signature
shall be conclusive evidence that the Preferred Securities Certificate has been
authenticated under this Trust Agreement. Each Preferred Security Certificate
shall be dated the date of its authentication.
Upon the written order of the Trust signed by one of the Administrative
Trustees, the Property Trustee shall authenticate and make available for
delivery the Preferred Securities Certificates.
The Property Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent acceptable to the
Trust to authenticate the Preferred Securities. An Authenticating Agent may
authenticate the Preferred Securities whenever the Property Trustee may do so.
Each reference in this Trust Agreement to authentication by the Property Trustee
includes authentication by such agent. An Authenticating Agent has the same
rights as the Property Trustee to deal with the Company or the Trust.
Section 503A. Global Preferred Security.
(a) Any Global Preferred Security issued under this Trust Agreement shall
be registered in the name of the nominee of the Clearing Agency and delivered to
such custodian therefor, and such Global Preferred Security shall constitute a
single Preferred Security for all purposes of this Trust Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Trust Agreement, no Global
Preferred Security may be exchanged for Preferred Securities registered in the
names of persons other than the Depositary or its nominee unless (i) the
Depositary notifies the Debenture Trustee that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as a depositary for such Global Preferred Securities and the Depositor
is unable to locate a qualified successor depositary, (ii) the Depositor
executes and delivers to the Debenture Trustee a written order stating that it
elects to terminate the book-entry system through the Depositary or (iii) there
shall have occurred and be continuing a Debenture Event of Default.
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(c) If a Preferred Security is to be exchanged in whole or in part for a
beneficial interest in a Global Preferred Security, then either (i) such Global
Preferred Security shall be so surrendered for exchange or cancellation as
provided in this Article V or (ii) the Liquidation Amount thereof shall be
reduced or increased by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so
exchanged or cancelled, or equal to the Liquidation Amount of such other
Preferred Securities to be so exchanged for a beneficial interest therein, as
the case may be, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of
the Securities Registrar, whereupon the Property Trustee, in accordance with the
rules and procedures of the Depositary for such Global Preferred Security (the
"Applicable Procedures"), shall instruct the Clearing Agency or its authorized
representative to make a corresponding adjustment to its records. Upon any such
surrender or adjustment of a Global Preferred Security by the Clearing Agency,
accompanied by registration instructions, the Administrative Trustees shall
execute and the Property Trustee shall, subject to Section 504(b) and as
otherwise provided in this Article V, authenticate and deliver any Preferred
Securities issuable in exchange for such Global Preferred Security (or any
portion thereof) in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency.
The Property Trustee shall not be liable for any delay in delivery of such
instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be fully protected in
relying on, such instructions.
(d) Every Preferred Security executed, authenticated and delivered upon
registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global
Preferred Security or any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Article V or
otherwise, shall be executed, authenticated and delivered in the form of, and
shall be, a Global Preferred Security, unless such Global Preferred Security is
registered in the name of a Person other than the Clearing Agency for such
Global Preferred Security or a nominee thereof.
(e) The Clearing Agency or its nominee, as the registered owner of a Global
Preferred Security, shall be considered the Holder of the Preferred Securities
represented by such Global Preferred Security for all purposes under this Trust
Agreement and the Preferred Securities, and owners of beneficial interests in
such Global Preferred Security shall hold such interests pursuant to the
Applicable Procedures and, except as otherwise provided herein, shall not be
entitled to receive physical delivery of any such Preferred Securities in
definitive form and shall not be considered the Holders thereof under this Trust
Agreement. Accordingly, any such owner's beneficial interest in the Global
Preferred Securities shall be shown only on, and the transfer of such interest
shall be effected only through, records maintained by the Clearing Agency or its
nominee. Neither the Property Trustee, the Securities Registrar nor the
Depositor shall have any liability in respect of any transfers effected by the
Clearing Agency.
(f) The rights of owners of beneficial interests in a Global Preferred
Security shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be
limited to those established by law and agreements between such owners and the
Clearing Agency.
Section 504. Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Preferred
Securities Certificates.
(a) The Depositor shall keep or cause to be kept, at the office or agency
maintained pursuant to Section 508, a register or registers for the purpose of
registering Trust Securities
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Certificates and, subject to the provisions of Section 503A, transfers and
exchanges of Preferred Securities Certificates (herein referred to as the
"Securities Register") in which the registrar designated by the Depositor (the
"Securities Registrar"), subject to such reasonable regulations as it may
prescribe, shall provide for the registration of Preferred Securities
Certificates and Common Securities Certificates (subject to Section 510 in the
case of the Common Securities Certificates) and registration of transfers and
exchanges of Preferred Securities Certificates as herein provided. The Property
Trustee shall be the initial Securities Registrar.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 503A, upon surrender for
registration of transfer of any Preferred Securities Certificate at the office
or agency maintained pursuant to Section 508, the Administrative Trustees or any
one of them shall execute and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee
or transferees, one or more new Preferred Securities Certificates in authorized
denominations of a like aggregate Liquidation Amount dated the date of execution
by such Administrative Trustee or Trustees. The Securities Registrar shall not
be required to register the transfer of any Preferred Securities that have been
called for redemption. At the option of a Holder, Preferred Securities
Certificates may be exchanged for other Preferred Securities Certificates in
authorized denominations of the same class and of a like aggregate Liquidation
Amount upon surrender of the Preferred Securities Certificates to be exchanged
at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 508.
(c) Every Preferred Securities Certificate presented or surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange, subject to the provisions of Section 503A,
shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to
the Property Trustee and the Securities Registrar duly executed by the Holder or
his attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Preferred Securities Certificate
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be canceled and
subsequently disposed of by the Property Trustee in accordance with its
customary practice. The Trust shall not be required to (i) issue, register the
transfer of, or exchange any Preferred Securities during a period beginning at
the opening of business 15 calendar days before the date of mailing of a notice
of redemption of any Preferred Securities called for redemption and ending at
the close of business on the day of such mailing; or (ii) register the transfer
of or exchange any Preferred Securities so selected for redemption, in whole or
in part, except the unredeemed portion of any such Preferred Securities being
redeemed in part.
(d) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Preferred Securities Certificates, subject to the provisions of
Section 503A, but the Securities Registrar may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection with any transfer or exchange of Preferred Securities Certificates.
(e) Preferred Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Trust Agreement. Any
transfer or purported transfer of any Preferred Security not made in accordance
with this Trust Agreement shall be null and void. A Preferred Security that is
not a Global Preferred Security may be transferred, in whole or in part, to a
Person who takes delivery in the form of another Preferred Security that is not
a Global Preferred Security as provided in Section 504(a). A beneficial
interest in a Global Preferred Security may be
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exchanged for a Preferred Security that is not a Global Preferred Security only
as provided in Section 503A.
Section 505. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Trust Securities
Certificates.
If (a) any mutilated Trust Securities Certificate shall be surrendered to
the Securities Registrar, or if the Securities Registrar shall receive evidence
to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Trust Securities
Certificate; and (b) there shall be delivered to the Securities Registrar and
the Administrative Trustees such security or indemnity as may be required by
them to save each of them harmless, then in the absence of notice that such
Trust Securities Certificate shall have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser,
the Administrative Trustees, or any one of them, on behalf of the Trust shall
execute and make available for delivery, in exchange for or in lieu of any such
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Trust Securities Certificate, a new Trust
Securities Certificate of like class, tenor and denomination. In connection
with the issuance of any new Trust Securities Certificate under this Section
505, the Administrative Trustees or the Securities Registrar may require the
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that
may be imposed in connection therewith. Any duplicate Trust Securities
Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 505 shall constitute conclusive
evidence of an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust, as if
originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Trust Securities
Certificate shall be found at any time.
Section 506. Persons Deemed Securityholders.
The Trustees, the Paying Agent and the Securities Registrar shall treat the
Person in whose name any Trust Securities Certificate shall be registered in the
Securities Register as the owner of such Trust Securities Certificate for the
purpose of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever, and
neither the Trustees nor the Securities Registrar shall be bound by any notice
to the contrary.
Section 507. Access to List of Securityholders' Names and Addresses.
At any time when the Property Trustee is not also acting as the Securities
Registrar, the Administrative Trustees or the Depositor shall furnish or cause
to be furnished to the Property Trustee (a) within five Business Days of March
15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, a list, in such form as
the Property Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the
Securityholders as of the most recent record date; and (b) promptly after
receipt by any Administrative Trustee or the Depositor of a request therefor
from the Property Trustee in order to enable the Property Trustee to discharge
its obligations under this Trust Agreement, in each case to the extent such
information is in the possession or control of the Administrative Trustees or
the Depositor and is not identical to a previously supplied list or has not
otherwise been received by the Property Trustee in its capacity as Securities
Registrar. The rights of Securityholders to communicate with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Trust Agreement or under
the Trust Securities, and the corresponding rights of the Trustee shall be as
provided in the Trust Indenture Act. Each Holder, by receiving and holding a
Trust Securities Certificate, and each owner shall be deemed to have agreed not
to hold the Depositor, the Property Trustee or the
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Administrative Trustees accountable by reason of the disclosure of its name and
address, regardless of the source from which such information was derived.
Section 508. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Administrative Trustees shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, in
The City of New York, or other location designated by the Administrative
Trustees, an office or offices or agency or agencies where Preferred Securities
Certificates may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and
where notices and demands to or upon the Trustees in respect of the Trust
Securities Certificates may be served. The Administrative Trustees initially
designate the Corporate Trust Office of the Property Trustee, Wilmington Trust
Company, as the principal corporate trust office for such purposes. The
Administrative Trustees shall give prompt written notice to the Depositor and to
the Securityholders of any change in the location of the Securities Register or
any such office or agency.
Section 509. Appointment of Paying Agent.
The Paying Agent shall make Distributions to Securityholders from the
Payment Account and shall report the amounts of such Distributions to the
Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees. Any Paying Agent shall have
the revocable power to withdraw funds from the Payment Account for the purpose
of making the Distributions referred to above. The Administrative Trustees may
revoke such power and remove the Paying Agent if such Trustees determine in
their sole discretion that the Paying Agent shall have failed to perform its
obligations under this Trust Agreement in any material respect. The Paying
Agent shall initially be the Property Trustee, and any co-paying agent chosen by
the Property Trustee must be acceptable to the Administrative Trustees and the
Depositor. Any Person acting as Paying Agent shall be permitted to resign as
Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Administrative Trustees, the
Property Trustee and the Depositor. In the event that the Property Trustee
shall no longer be the Paying Agent or a successor Paying Agent shall resign or
its authority to act be revoked, the Administrative Trustees shall appoint a
successor that is acceptable to the Property Trustee and the Depositor to act as
Paying Agent (which shall be a bank or trust company). The Administrative
Trustees shall cause such successor Paying Agent or any additional Paying Agent
appointed by the Administrative Trustees to execute and deliver to the Trustees
an instrument in which such successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agent
shall agree with the Trustees that as Paying Agent, such successor Paying Agent
or additional Paying Agent shall hold all sums, if any, held by it for payment
to the Securityholders in trust for the benefit of the Securityholders entitled
thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Securityholders. The Paying Agent
shall return all unclaimed funds to the Property Trustee and, upon removal of a
Paying Agent, such Paying Agent shall also return all funds in its possession to
the Property Trustee. The provisions of Sections 801, 803 and 806 shall apply
to the Property Trustee also in its role as Paying Agent, for so long as the
Property Trustee shall act as Paying Agent and, to the extent applicable, to any
other Paying Agent appointed hereunder. Any reference in this Agreement to the
Paying Agent shall include any co-paying agent unless the context requires
otherwise.
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Section 510. Ownership of Common Securities by Depositor.
On the Closing Date, the Depositor shall acquire and retain beneficial and
record ownership of the Common Securities. To the fullest extent permitted by
law, any attempted transfer of the Common Securities (other than a transfer in
connection with a merger or consolidation of the Depositor into another
corporation pursuant to Section 12.1 of the Indenture) shall be void. The
Administrative Trustees shall cause each Common Securities Certificate issued to
the Depositor to contain a legend stating "THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT
TRANSFERABLE."
Section 511. Trust Securities Certificates.
(a) Upon their original issuance, Preferred Securities Certificates shall
be issued in the form of one or more fully registered Global Preferred
Securities Certificates which will be deposited with or on behalf of the
Clearing Agency and registered in the name of the Clearing Agency's nominee.
Unless and until it is exchangeable in whole or in part for the Preferred
Securities in definitive form, a global security may not be transferred except
as a whole by the Clearing Agency to a nominee of the Clearing Agency or by a
nominee of the Clearing Agency to the Clearing Agency or another nominee of the
Clearing Agency or by the Clearing Agency or any such nominee to a successor of
such Clearing Agency or a nominee of such successor.
(b) A single Common Securities Certificate representing the Common
Securities shall be issued to the Depositor in the form of a definitive Common
Securities Certificate.
Section 512. Notices to Clearing Agency.
To the extent that a notice or other communication to the Holders is
required under this Trust Agreement, for so long as Preferred Securities are
represented by a Global Preferred Securities Certificate, the Trustees shall
give all such notices and communications specified herein to be given to the
Clearing Agency, and shall have no obligation to provide notice to the owners of
the beneficial interest in the Global Preferred Securities.
Section 513. Rights of Securityholders.
(a) The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the
Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) in accordance with Section 209, and
the Securityholders shall not have any right or title therein other than the
undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust conferred by their
Trust Securities and they shall have no right to call for any partition or
division of property, profits or rights of the Trust except as described below.
The Trust Securities shall be personal property giving only the rights
specifically set forth therein and in this Trust Agreement. The Trust
Securities shall have no preemptive or similar rights. When issued and
delivered to Holders of the Preferred Securities against payment of the purchase
price therefor, the Preferred Securities shall be fully paid and nonassessable
interests in the Trust. The Holders of the Preferred Securities, in their
capacities as such, shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal
liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
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(b) For so long as any Preferred Securities remain Outstanding, if, upon a
Debenture Event of Default, the Debenture Trustee fails or the holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debentures fail to declare
the principal of all of the Debentures to be immediately due and payable, the
Holders of at least 25% in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities then
Outstanding shall have such right by a notice in writing to the Depositor and
the Debenture Trustee; and upon any such declaration such principal amount of
and the accrued interest on all of the Debentures shall become immediately due
and payable, provided that the payment of principal and interest on such
Debentures shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in the Indenture.
(c) For so long as any Preferred Securities remain Outstanding, upon a
Debenture Event of Default arising from the failure to pay interest or principal
on the Debentures, the Holders of any Preferred Securities then Outstanding
shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have the right to directly
institute proceedings for enforcement of payment to such Holders of principal of
or interest on the Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation
Amount of the Preferred Securities of such Holders.
ARTICLE VI
ACTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS; MEETINGS; VOTING
Section 601. Limitations on Voting Rights.
(a) Except as provided in this Section 601, in Sections 512, 810 and 1002
and in the Indenture and as otherwise required by law, no record Holder of
Preferred Securities shall have any right to vote or in any manner otherwise
control the administration, operation and management of the Trust or the
obligations of the parties hereto, nor shall anything herein set forth, or
contained in the terms of the Trust Securities Certificates, be construed so as
to constitute the Securityholders from time to time as partners or members of an
association.
(b) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee on behalf of
the Trust, the Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or
executing any trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with respect to
such Debentures; (ii) waive any past default which is waivable under Article VII
of the Indenture; (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration
that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable; or (iv)
consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the
Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without, in each case,
obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of at least a majority in
Liquidation Amount of all Outstanding Preferred Securities; provided, however,
that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of each
holder of outstanding Debentures affected thereby, no such consent shall be
given by the Property Trustee without the prior written consent of each Holder
of Preferred Securities. The Trustees shall not revoke any action previously
authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Outstanding Preferred
Securities, except by a subsequent vote of the Holders of the Outstanding
Preferred Securities. The Property Trustee shall notify each Holder of the
Outstanding Preferred Securities of any notice of default received from the
Debenture Trustee
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with respect to the Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals
of the Holders of the Preferred Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing
actions, the Trustees shall, at the expense of the Depositor, obtain an Opinion
of Counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that the Trust shall
continue to be classified as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable
as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes on account of
such action.
(c) If any proposed amendment to the Trust Agreement provides for, or the
Trustees otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would adversely affect
in any material respect the powers, preferences or special rights of the
Preferred Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Trust Agreement or
otherwise; or (ii) the dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust,
other than pursuant to the terms of this Trust Agreement, then the Holders of
Outstanding Preferred Securities as a class shall be entitled to vote on such
amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective
except with the approval of the Holders of at least a majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Outstanding Preferred Securities. No amendment to this Trust
Agreement may be made if, as a result of such amendment, the Trust would cease
to be classified as a grantor trust or would be classified as an association
taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
Section 602. Notice of Meetings.
Notice of all meetings of the Preferred Securityholders, stating the time,
place and purpose of the meeting, shall be given by the Property Trustee
pursuant to Section 1008 to each Preferred Securityholder of record, at his
registered address, at least 15 days and not more than 90 days before the
meeting. At any such meeting, any business properly before the meeting may be so
considered whether or not stated in the notice of the meeting. Any adjourned
meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.
Section 603. Meetings of Preferred Securityholders.
(a) No annual meeting of Securityholders is required to be held. The
Administrative Trustees, however, shall call a meeting of Securityholders to
vote on any matter in respect of which Preferred Securityholders are entitled to
vote upon the written request of the Preferred Securityholders of 25% of the
Outstanding Preferred Securities (based upon their aggregate Liquidation Amount)
and the Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee may, at any time in
their discretion, call a meeting of Preferred Securityholders to vote on any
matters as to which the Preferred Securityholders are entitled to vote.
(b) Preferred Securityholders of record of 50% of the Outstanding
Preferred Securities (based upon their aggregate Liquidation Amount), present in
person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of Securityholders.
(c) If a quorum is present at a meeting, an affirmative vote by the
Preferred Securityholders of record present, in person or by proxy, holding more
than a majority of the Preferred Securities (based upon their aggregate
Liquidation Amount) held by the Preferred Securityholders of record present,
either in person or by proxy, at such meeting shall constitute the
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action of the Securityholders, unless this Trust Agreement requires a greater
number of affirmative votes.
Section 604. Voting Rights.
Securityholders shall be entitled to one vote for each $10 of Liquidation
Amount represented by their Trust Securities (with any fractional multiple
thereof rounded up or down as the case may be to the closest integral multiple)
in respect of any matter as to which such Securityholders are entitled to vote.
Section 605. Proxies, etc.
At any meeting of Securityholders, any Securityholder entitled to vote
thereat may vote by proxy, provided that no proxy, shall be voted at any meeting
unless it shall have been placed on file with the Administrative Trustees, or
with such other officer or agent of the Trust as the Administrative Trustees may
direct, for verification prior to the time at which such vote shall be taken.
Only Holders shall be entitled to vote. When Trust Securities are held jointly
by several persons, any one of them may vote at any meeting in person or by
proxy in respect of such Trust Securities, but if more than one of them shall be
present at such meeting in person or by proxy, and such joint owners or their
proxies so present disagree as to any vote to be cast, such vote shall not be
received in respect of such Trust Securities. A proxy purporting to be executed
by or on behalf of a Securityholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at
or prior to its exercise, and, the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on
the challenger. No proxy shall be valid more than three years after its date of
execution.
Section 606. Securityholder Action by Written Consent.
Any action which may be taken by Securityholders at a meeting may be taken
without a meeting if Securityholders holding more than a majority of all
Outstanding Trust Securities (based upon their aggregate Liquidation Amount)
entitled to vote in respect of such action (or such larger proportion thereof as
shall be required by any express provision of this Trust Agreement) shall
consent to the action in writing (based upon their aggregate Liquidation
Amount).
Section 607. Record Date for Voting and Other Purposes.
For the purposes of determining the Securityholders who are entitled to
notice of and to vote at any meeting or by written consent, or to participate in
any Distribution on the Trust Securities in respect of which a record date is
not otherwise provided for in this Trust Agreement, or for the purpose of any
other action, the Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee may from time
to time fix a date, not more than 90 days prior to the date of any meeting of
Securityholders or the payment of Distribution or other action, as the case may
be, as a record date for the determination of the identity of the
Securityholders of record for such purposes.
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Section 608. Acts of Securityholders.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided or permitted by this Trust Agreement to be given, made
or taken by Securityholders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more
instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Securityholders in
person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, such action shall become effective when such
instrument or instruments are delivered to an Administrative Trustee. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Securityholders
signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such
instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any
purpose of this Trust Agreement and (subject to Section 801) conclusive in favor
of the Trustees, if made in the manner provided in this Section 608.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such
execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by
law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing
such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such
execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual
capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof
of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other manner which any Trustee receiving the same deems sufficient.
(c) The ownership of Preferred Securities shall be proved by the
Securities Register.
(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other Act of the Securityholder of any Trust Security shall bind every future
Securityholder of the same Trust Security and the Securityholder of every Trust
Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange
therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to
be done by the Trustees or the Trust in reliance thereon, whether or not
notation of such action is made upon such Trust Security.
(e) Without limiting the foregoing, a Securityholder entitled hereunder to
take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Trust Security may do so
with regard to all or any part of the Liquidation Amount of such Trust Security
or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such
appointment with regard to all or any part of such liquidation amount.
(f) A Securityholder may institute a legal proceeding directly against the
Depositor under the Guarantee to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without
first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee (as defined
in the Guarantee), the Trust or any Person.
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Section 609. Inspection of Records.
Upon reasonable notice to the Administrative Trustees and the Property
Trustee, the records of the Trust shall be open to inspection at the principal
executive office of the Trust (as indicated in Section 202) by Holders of the
Trust Securities during normal business hours for any purpose reasonably related
to such Holder's interest as a Holder.
ARTICLE VII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 701. Representations and Warranties of the Bank and the Property
Trustee.
The Bank and the Property Trustee, each severally on behalf of and as to
itself, as of the date hereof, and each successor Property Trustee at the time
of the successor Property Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as Property
Trustee hereunder (in the case of a successor Property Trustee, the term "Bank"
as used herein shall be deemed to refer to such successor Property Trustee in
its separate corporate capacity), hereby represents and warrants (as applicable)
for the benefit of the Depositor and the Securityholders that:
(a) the Bank is a state chartered trust company duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;
(b) the Bank has full corporate power, authority and legal right to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Trust Agreement and has
taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
by it of this Trust Agreement;
(c) this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Property Trustee and constitutes the valid and legally binding agreement
of the Property Trustee enforceable against it in accordance with its terms,
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors, rights and to general equity principles;
(d) the execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee of
this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or
other action on the part of the Property Trustee and does not require any
approval of stockholders of the Bank and such execution, delivery and
performance shall not (i) violate the Bank's charter or by-laws; (ii) violate
any provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of time, a
default under, or result in the creation or imposition of, any Lien on any
properties included in the Trust Property pursuant to the provisions of, any
indenture, mortgage, credit agreement, license or other agreement or instrument
to which the Property Trustee or the Bank is a party or by which it is bound; or
(iii) violate any law, governmental rule or regulation of the United States or
the State of Delaware, as the case may be, governing the banking or trust powers
of the Bank or the Property Trustee (as appropriate in context) or any order,
judgment or decree applicable to the Property Trustee or the Bank;
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(e) neither the authorization, execution or delivery by the Property
Trustee of this Trust Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions
by the Property Trustee contemplated herein or therein requires the consent or
approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration with or the taking of any
other action with respect to any governmental authority or agency under any
existing federal law governing the banking or trust powers of the Bank or the
Property Trustee, as the case may be, under the laws of the United States or the
State of Delaware;
(f) there are no proceedings pending or, to the best of the Property
Trustee's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Bank or the Property
Trustee in any court or before any governmental authority, agency or arbitration
board or tribunal which, individually or in the aggregate, would materially and
adversely affect the Trust or would question the right, power and authority of
the Property Trustee to enter into or perform its obligations as one of the
Trustees under this Trust Agreement; and
(g) the Property Trustee is a Person eligible pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000.
Section 702. Representations and Warranties of the Delaware Bank and the
Delaware Trustee.
The Delaware Bank and the Delaware Trustee, each severally on behalf of and
as to itself, as of the date hereof, and each successor Delaware Trustee at the
time of the successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of appointment as Delaware
Trustee hereunder (the term "Delaware Bank" being used to refer to such
successor Delaware Trustee in its separate corporate capacity), hereby
represents and warrants (as applicable) for the benefit of the Depositor and the
Securityholders that:
(a) the Delaware Bank is a Delaware banking corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;
(b) the Delaware Bank has full corporate power, authority and legal right
to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Trust Agreement and
has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance by it of this Trust Agreement;
(c) this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Delaware Trustee and constitutes the valid and legally binding agreement
of the Delaware Trustee enforceable against it in accordance with its terms,
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors, rights and to general equity principles;
(d) the execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware Trustee of
this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or
other action on the part of the Delaware Trustee and does not require any
approval of stockholders of the Delaware Bank and such execution, delivery and
performance shall not (i) violate the Delaware Bank's charter or by-laws; (ii)
violate any provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of
time, a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of, any Lien on
any properties included in the Trust Property
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pursuant to the provisions of, any indenture, mortgage, credit agreement,
license or other agreement or instrument to which the Delaware Bank or the
Delaware Trustee is a party or by which it is bound; or (iii) violate any law,
governmental rule or regulation of the United States or the State of Delaware,
as the case may be, governing the banking or trust powers of the Delaware Bank
or the Delaware Trustee (as appropriate in context) or any order, judgment or
decree applicable to the Delaware Bank or the Delaware Trustee;
(e) neither the authorization, execution or delivery by the Delaware
Trustee of this Trust Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions
by the Delaware Trustee contemplated herein or therein requires the consent or
approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration with or the taking of any
other action with respect to any governmental authority or agency under any
existing federal law governing the banking or trust powers of the Delaware Bank
or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, under the laws of the United States
or the State of Delaware; and
(f) there are no proceedings pending or, to the best of the Delaware
Trustee's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Delaware Bank or the
Delaware Trustee in any court or before any governmental authority, agency or
arbitration board or tribunal which, individually or in the aggregate, would
materially and adversely affect the Trust or would question the right, power and
authority of the Delaware Trustee to enter into or perform its obligations as
one of the Trustees under this Trust Agreement.
Section 703. Representations and Warranties of Depositor.
The Depositor hereby represents and warrants for the benefit of the
Securityholders that:
(a) the Trust Securities Certificates issued on the Closing Date or the
Option Closing Date, if applicable, on behalf of the Trust have been duly
authorized and, shall have been, duly and validly executed, issued and delivered
by the Administrative Trustees pursuant to the terms and provisions of, and in
accordance with the requirements of, this Trust Agreement and the
Securityholders shall be, as of such date, entitled to the benefits of this
Trust Agreement; and
(b) there are no taxes, fees or other governmental charges payable by the
Trust (or the Trustees on behalf of the Trust) under the laws of the State of
Delaware or any political subdivision thereof in connection with the execution,
delivery and performance by the Bank, the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, of this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEES
Section 801. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The duties and responsibilities of the Trustees shall be as provided
by this Trust Agreement and, in the case of the Property Trustee, by the Trust
Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Trust
Agreement shall require the Trustees to expend or risk their
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own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any
of their duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of their rights or powers,
if they shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds
or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured
to it. No Administrative Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee shall be liable for
its act or omissions hereunder except as a result of its own gross negligence or
willful misconduct. The Property Trustee's liability shall be determined under
the Trust Indenture Act. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every
provision of this Trust Agreement relating to the conduct or affecting the
liability of or affording protection to the Trustees shall be subject to the
provisions of this Section 801. To the extent that, at law or in equity, the
Delaware Trustee or an Administrative Trustee has duties (including fiduciary
duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to the Securityholders,
the Delaware Trustee or such Administrative Trustee shall not be liable to the
Trust or to any Securityholder for such Trustee's good faith reliance on the
provisions of this Trust Agreement. The provisions of this Trust Agreement, to
the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of the Delaware Trustee
or the Administrative Trustees otherwise existing at law or in equity, are
agreed by the Depositor and the Securityholders to replace such other duties and
liabilities of the Delaware Trustee or the Administrative Trustees, as the case
may be.
(b) All payments made by the Property Trustee or a Paying Agent in respect
of the Trust Securities shall be made only from the revenue and proceeds from
the Trust Property and only to the extent that there shall be sufficient revenue
or proceeds from the Trust Property to enable the Property Trustee or a Paying
Agent to make payments in accordance with the terms hereof. Each Securityholder,
by its acceptance of a Trust Security, agrees that it shall look solely to the
revenue and proceeds from the Trust Property to the extent legally available for
distribution to it as herein provided and that the Trustees are not personally
liable to it for any amount distributable in respect of any Trust Security or
for any other liability in respect of any Trust Security. This Section 801(b)
does not limit the liability of the Trustees expressly set forth elsewhere in
this Trust Agreement or, in the case of the Property Trustee, in the Trust
Indenture Act.
(c) No provision of this Trust Agreement shall be construed to relieve the
Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent
failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by an authorized officer of the
Property Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Property
Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(ii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a
majority in Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities relating
to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or exercising any
trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under this
Trust Agreement;
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(iii) the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody,
safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and
the Payment Account shall be to deal with such property in a
similar manner as the Property Trustee deals with similar
property for its own account, subject to the protections and
limitations on liability afforded to the Property Trustee under
this Trust Agreement and the Trust Indenture Act;
(iv) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on
any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree with
the Depositor and money held by the Property Trustee need not
be segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to
the Payment Account maintained by the Property Trustee pursuant
to Section 301 and except to the extent otherwise required by
law; and
(d) the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the
compliance by the Administrative Trustees or the Depositor with their respective
duties under this Trust Agreement, nor shall the Property Trustee be liable for
the negligence, default or misconduct of the Administrative Trustees or the
Depositor.
Section 802. Certain Notices.
(a) Within five Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default
actually known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall transmit, in
the manner and to the extent provided in Section 1008, notice of such Event of
Default to the Securityholders, the Administrative Trustees and the Depositor,
unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived. For purposes of
this Section 802 the term "Event of Default" means any event that is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default.
(b) The Administrative Trustees shall transmit, to the Securityholders in
the manner and to the extent provided in Section 1008, notice of the Depositor's
election to begin or further extend an Extended Interest Payment Period on the
Debentures (unless such election shall have been revoked) and of any election by
the Depositor to accelerate the Maturity Date of the Debentures within the time
specified for transmitting such notice to the holders of the Debentures pursuant
to the Indenture as originally executed.
Section 803. Certain Rights of Property Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 801:
(a) the Property Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution, Opinion of Counsel,
certificate, written representation of a Holder or transferee, certificate of
auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, other
evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
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(b) if (i) in performing its duties under this Trust Agreement the
Property Trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action; or
(ii) in construing any of the provisions of this Trust Agreement the Property
Trustee finds the same ambiguous or inconsistent with other provisions contained
herein; or (iii) the Property Trustee is unsure of the application of any
provision of this Trust Agreement, then, except as to any matter as to which the
Preferred Securityholders are entitled to vote under the terms of this Trust
Agreement, the Property Trustee shall deliver a notice to the Depositor
requesting written instructions of the Depositor as to the course of action to
be taken and the Property Trustee shall take such action, or refrain from taking
such action, as the Property Trustee shall be instructed in writing to take, or
to refrain from taking, by the Depositor; provided, however, that if the
Property Trustee does not receive such instructions of the Depositor within 10
Business Days after it has delivered such notice, or such reasonably shorter
period of time set forth in such notice (which to the extent practicable shall
not be less than 2 Business Days), it may, but shall be under no duty to, take
or refrain from taking such action not inconsistent with this Trust Agreement as
it shall deem advisable and in the best interests of the Securityholders, in
which event the Property Trustee shall have no liability except for its own bad
faith, negligence or willful misconduct;
(c) any direction or act of the Depositor or the Administrative Trustees
contemplated by this Trust Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an
Officers' Certificate;
(d) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement, the Property
Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be established before undertaking,
suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Property Trustee (unless other
evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on
its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which,
upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Depositor or
the Administrative Trustees;
(e) the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording,
filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or
continuation statement, any filing under tax or securities laws or any filing
under tax or securities laws) or any rerecording, refiling or reregistration
thereof;
(f) the Property Trustee may consult with counsel of its choice (which
counsel may be counsel to the Depositor or any of its Affiliates) and the advice
of such 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 and, in accordance with such advice, such counsel may be
counsel to the Depositor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of its
employees; the Property Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek
instructions concerning the administration of this Trust Agreement from any
court of competent jurisdiction;
(g) the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
the rights or powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement at the request or
direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to this Trust Agreement, unless
such Securityholders shall have offered to the Property Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be
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incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction; nothing contained
herein shall, however, relieve the Property Trustee of the obligation, upon the
occurrence of any Event of Default (that has not been cured or waived) to
exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement, and
to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man
would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;
(h) the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into
the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond,
debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document,
unless requested in writing to do so by one or more Securityholders, but the
Property Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts
or matters as it may see fit;
(i) the Property Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder
or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through its agents or
attorneys, and the Property Trustee shall not be liable for the default or
misconduct of such other agents or attorneys; provided that the Property Trustee
shall be responsible for its own negligence or recklessness with respect to
selection of any agent or attorney appointed by it hereunder;
(j) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement the Property
Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to
enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder the Property
Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the Trust Securities
which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in
Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities as would be entitled to direct the
Property Trustee under the terms of the Trust Securities in respect of such
remedy, right or action; (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or
taking such other action until such instructions are received; and (iii) shall
be protected in acting in accordance with such instructions; and
(k) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Trust Agreement, the
Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is
discretionary under the provisions of this Trust Agreement. No provision of this
Trust Agreement shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Property
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 Property 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 Property Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.
Section 804. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The Recitals contained herein and in the Trust Securities Certificates
shall be taken as the statements of the Trust, and the Trustees do not assume
any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees shall not be accountable
for the use or application by the Depositor of the proceeds of the Debentures.
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Section 805. May Hold Securities.
Any Trustee or any other agent of any Trustee or the Trust, in its
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Trust
Securities and, subject to Sections 808 and 813 and except as provided in the
definition of the term "Outstanding" in Article I, may otherwise deal with the
Trust with the same rights it would have if it were not a Trustee or such other
agent.
Section 806. Compensation; Indemnity; Fees.
The Depositor agrees:
(a) to pay to the Trustees from time to time compensation for all services
rendered by them hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any
provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express
trust), in the case of the Property Trustee, as set forth in a written agreement
between the Depositor and the Property Trustee;
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
Trustees upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances
incurred or made by the Trustees in accordance with any provision of this Trust
Agreement (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement
or advance as may be attributable to such Trustee's negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct (or, in the case of the Administrative Trustees or the
Delaware Trustee, any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
attributable to its, his or her gross negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct); and
(c) to indemnify each of the Trustees or any predecessor Trustee for, and
to hold the Trustees harmless against, any loss, damage, claims, liability,
penalty or expense of any kind or nature whatsoever, arising out of or in
connection with the acceptance or administration of this Trust 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, except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
attributable to such Trustee's negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct for
(or, in the case of the Administrative Trustees or the Delaware Trustee, any
such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its, his or her
gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct).
No Trustee may claim any Lien or charge on Trust Property as a result of
any amount due and unpaid pursuant to this Section 806.
Section 807. Corporate Property Trustee Required; Eligibility of
Trustees.
(a) There shall at all times be a Property Trustee hereunder with respect
to the Trust Securities. The Property Trustee shall be a Person that is
eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of its
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supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 807,
the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its
combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition
so published. If at any time the Property Trustee with respect to the Trust
Securities shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 807, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect
hereinafter specified in this Article VIII. The Property Trustee and the
Delaware Trustee may be the same Person.
(b) There shall at all times be one or more Administrative Trustees
hereunder with respect to the Trust Securities. Each Administrative Trustee
shall be either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal
entity that shall act through one or more persons authorized to bind that
entity.
(c) There shall at all times be a Delaware Trustee with respect to the
Trust Securities. The Delaware Trustee shall either be (i) a natural person who
is at least 21 years of age and a resident of the State of Delaware; or (ii) a
legal entity with its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and
that otherwise meets the requirements of applicable Delaware law that shall act
through one or more persons authorized to bind such entity.
Section 808. Conflicting Interests.
If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within
the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Property Trustee shall either
eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by,
and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Trust
Agreement.
Section 809. Co-Trustees and Separate Trustee.
(a) Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, at any time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal
requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part
of the Trust Property may at the time be located, the Depositor shall have power
to appoint, and upon the written request of the Property Trustee, the Depositor
shall for such purpose join with the Property Trustee in the execution, delivery
and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to
appoint, one or more Persons approved by the Property Trustee either to act as
co-trustee, jointly with the Property Trustee, of all or any part of such Trust
Property, or to the extent required by law to act as separate trustee of any
such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the
instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons in the capacity
aforesaid, any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable,
subject to the other provisions of this Section 809. If the Depositor does not
join in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by it of a request so
to do, or in case a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
the Property Trustee alone shall have power to make such appointment. Any co-
trustee or separate trustee appointed pursuant to this Section 809 shall either
be (i) a natural person who is at least 21 years of age and a resident of the
United States; or (ii) a legal entity with its principal place of business in
the United States that shall act through one or more persons authorized to bind
such entity.
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(b) Should any written instrument from the Depositor be required by any
co-trustee or separate trustee so appointed for more fully confirming to such
co-trustee or separate trustee such property, title, right, or power, any and
all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged, and delivered
by the Depositor.
(c) Every co-trustee or separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted by
law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following terms,
namely:
(i) The Trust Securities shall be executed and delivered and all
rights, powers, duties and obligations hereunder in respect of
the custody of securities, cash and other personal property held
by, or required to be deposited or pledged with, the Trustees
specified hereunder, shall be exercised, solely by such Trustees
and not by such co-trustee or separate trustee.
(ii) The rights, powers, duties and obligations hereby conferred or
imposed upon the Property Trustee in respect of any property
covered by such appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon
and exercised or performed by the Property Trustee or by the
Property Trustee and such co-trustee or separate trustee jointly,
as shall be provided in the instrument appointing such co-trustee
or separate trustee, except to the extent that under any law of
any jurisdiction in which any particular act is to be performed,
the Property Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to
perform such act, in which event such rights, powers, duties and
obligations shall be exercised and performed by such co-trustee
or separate trustee.
(iii) The Property Trustee at any time, by an instrument in writing
executed by it, with the written concurrence of the Depositor,
may accept the resignation of or remove any co-trustee or
separate trustee appointed under this Section 809, and, in case a
Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Property Trustee shall have the power to accept the resignation
of, or remove, any such co-trustee or separate trustee without
the concurrence of the Depositor. Upon the written request of
the Property Trustee, the Depositor shall join with the Property
Trustee in the execution, delivery and performance of all
instruments and agreements necessary or proper to effectuate such
resignation or removal. A successor to any co-trustee or
separate trustee so resigned or removed may be appointed in the
manner provided in this Section 809.
(iv) No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be personally
liable by reason of any act or omission of the Property Trustee
or any other trustee hereunder.
(v) The Property Trustee shall not be liable by reason of any act of
a co-trustee or separate trustee.
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(vi) Any Act of Holders delivered to the Property Trustee shall be
deemed to have been delivered to each such co-trustee and
separate trustee.
Section 810. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of any Trustee (the "Relevant Trustee") and
no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article VIII shall become
effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in
accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 811.
(b) Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, the Relevant Trustee
may resign at any time with respect to the Trust Securities by giving written
notice thereof to the Securityholders. If the instrument of acceptance by the
successor Trustee required by Section 811 shall not have been delivered to the
Relevant Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation,
the Relevant Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Depositor, any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee with
respect to the Trust Securities.
(c) Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, any Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Common
Securityholder. If a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, or both of them, may
be removed at such time by Act of the Holders of a majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Preferred Securities, delivered to the Relevant Trustee (in its
individual capacity and on behalf of the Trust). An Administrative Trustee may
be removed by the Common Securityholder at any time.
(d) If any Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting
as Trustee, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of any Trustee for any
cause, at a time when no Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Common Securityholder, by Act of the Common Securityholder
delivered to the retiring Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or
Trustees with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust, and the successor
Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 811. If the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall resign, be removed or become
incapable of continuing to act as the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be, at a time when a Debenture Event of Default shall have
occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Securityholders, by Act of the
Securityholders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities
then Outstanding delivered to the retiring Relevant Trustee, shall promptly
appoint a successor Relevant Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Trust
Securities and the Trust, and such successor Trustee shall comply with the
applicable requirements of Section 811. If an Administrative Trustee shall
resign, be removed or become incapable of acting as Administrative Trustee, at a
time when a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
the Common Securityholder, by Act of the Common Securityholder delivered to an
Administrative Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Administrative
Trustee or Administrative Trustees with respect to the Trust Securities and the
Trust, and such successor Administrative Trustee or Administrative Trustees
shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 811. If no successor
Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities shall have been so
appointed by the Common Securityholder or the Preferred Securityholders and
accepted appointment in the
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manner required by Section 811, any Securityholder who has been a Securityholder
of Trust Securities on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated may
petition a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment Trustee with
respect to the Trust Securities.
(e) The Property Trustee shall give notice of each resignation and each
removal of a Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all
Securityholders in the manner provided in Section 1008 and shall give notice to
the Depositor. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Relevant
Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust office if it is the Property
Trustee.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Trust
Agreement, in the event any Administrative Trustee or a Delaware Trustee who is
a natural person dies or becomes, in the opinion of the Depositor, incompetent
or incapacitated, the vacancy created by such death, incompetence or incapacity
may be filled by (a) the unanimous act of remaining Administrative Trustees if
there are at least two of them; or (b) otherwise by the Depositor (with the
successor in each case being a Person who satisfies the eligibility requirement
for Administrative Trustees set forth in Section 807).
Section 811. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Relevant Trustee
with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust, the retiring Relevant
Trustee and each successor Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities
shall execute and deliver an instrument hereto wherein each successor Relevant
Trustee shall accept such appointment and which shall contain such provisions as
shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each
successor Relevant Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the
retiring Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust and
upon the execution and delivery of such instrument the resignation or removal of
the retiring Relevant Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided
therein and each such successor Relevant Trustee, without any further act, deed
or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and
duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities and
the Trust; but, on request of the Trust or any successor Relevant Trustee such
retiring Relevant Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such
successor Relevant Trustee all Trust Property, all proceeds thereof and money
held by such retiring Relevant Trustee hereunder with respect to the Trust
Securities and the Trust.
(b) Upon request of any such successor Relevant Trustee, the Trust shall
execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and
confirming to such successor Relevant Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts
referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
(c) No successor Relevant Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at
the time of such acceptance such successor Relevant Trustee shall be qualified
and eligible under this Article VIII.
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Section 812. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any Person into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any
Administrative Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be
consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which such Relevant Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of such Relevant Trustee, shall be the successor of such Relevant Trustee
hereunder, provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under
this Article VIII, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
Section 813. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Depositor or
Trust.
If and when the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall be or become
a creditor of the Depositor or the Trust (or any other obligor upon the
Debentures or the Trust Securities), the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, shall be subject to and shall take all actions
necessary in order to comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act
regarding the collection of claims against the Depositor or Trust (or any such
other obligor).
Section 814. Reports by Property Trustee.
(a) The Property Trustee shall transmit to the Securityholders such
reports concerning the Property Trustee, its actions under this Trust Agreement
and the property and funds in its possession in its capacity as the Property
Trustee as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and
in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
(b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
Holders, be filed by the Property Trustee with The Nasdaq National Market/SM/ ,
and each national securities exchange or other organization upon which the Trust
Securities are listed, and also with the Commission and the Depositor.
Section 815. Reports to the Property Trustee.
The Depositor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall
provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and information as
required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act (if any) and the compliance
certificate required by Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act in the form,
in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture
Act.
Section 816. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
Each of the Depositor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the
Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Trust 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) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate.
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Section 817. Number of Trustees.
(a) The number of Trustees shall be five, provided that the Holder of all
of the Common Securities by written instrument may increase or decrease the
number of Administrative Trustees. The Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee
may be the same Person.
(b) If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of
Administrative Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 817(a), or if the
number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 817(a), a vacancy shall
occur. The vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with
Section 810.
(c) The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, incompetence
or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall not operate to annul the
Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Administrative Trustees shall occur,
until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of an Administrative Trustee in
accordance with Section 810, the Administrative Trustees in office, regardless
of their number (and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement),
shall have all the powers granted to the Administrative Trustees and shall
discharge all the duties imposed upon the Administrative Trustees by this Trust
Agreement.
Section 818. Delegation of Power.
(a) Any Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or
her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section
207(a); and
(b) The Administrative Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to
time to such of their number or to the Depositor the doing of such things and
the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names
of the Administrative Trustees or otherwise as the Administrative Trustees may
deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable
law or contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.
Section 819. Voting.
Except as otherwise provided in this Trust Agreement, the consent or
approval of the Administrative Trustees shall require consent or approval by not
less than a majority of the Administrative Trustees, unless there are only two,
in which case both must consent.
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ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION, LIQUIDATION AND MERGER
Section 901. Termination Upon Expiration Date.
Unless earlier dissolved, the Trust shall automatically dissolve on, June
30, 2031 (the "Expiration Date") subject to distribution of the Trust Property
in accordance with Section 904.
Section 902. Early Termination.
The first to occur of any of the following events is an "Early Termination
Event:"
(a) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event in respect of, or the dissolution
or liquidation of, the Depositor;
(b) delivery of written direction to the Property Trustee by the Depositor
at any time (which direction is wholly optional and within the discretion of the
Depositor, subject to Depositor having received prior approval of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System if so required under applicable
guidelines, policies or regulations thereof) to dissolve the Trust and
distribute the Debentures to Securityholders in exchange for the Preferred
Securities in accordance with Section 904;
(c) the redemption of all of the Preferred Securities in connection with
the redemption of all of the Debentures (whether upon a Debenture Redemption
Date or the maturity of the Debenture); or
(d) an order for dissolution of the Trust shall have been entered by a
court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 903. Termination.
The respective obligations and responsibilities of the Trustees and the
Trust created and continued hereby shall terminate upon the latest to occur of
the following: (a) the distribution by the Property Trustee to Securityholders
upon the liquidation of the Trust pursuant to Section 904, or upon the
redemption of all of the Trust Securities pursuant to Section 402, of all
amounts required to be distributed hereunder upon the final payment of the Trust
Securities; (b) the payment of any expenses owed by the Trust; (c) the discharge
of all administrative duties of the Administrative Trustees, including the
performance of any tax reporting obligations with respect to the Trust or the
Securityholders; and (d) the filing of a Certificate of Cancellation by an
Administrative Trustee under the Delaware Business Trust Act.
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Section 904. Liquidation.
(a) If an Early Termination Event specified in clause (a), (b), or (d) of
Section 902 occurs or upon the Expiration Date, the Trust shall be liquidated by
the Trustees as expeditiously as the Trustees determine to be possible by
distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as
provided by applicable law, to each Securityholder a Like Amount of Debentures,
subject to Section 904(d). Notice of liquidation shall be given by the Property
Trustee by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not later than 30 nor more
than 60 days prior to the Liquidation Date to each Holder of Trust Securities at
such Holder's address appearing in the Securities Register. All notices of
liquidation shall:
(i) state the Liquidation Date;
(ii) state that from and after the Liquidation Date, the Trust
Securities shall no longer be deemed to be Outstanding and any
Trust Securities Certificates not surrendered for exchange shall
be deemed to represent a Like Amount of Debentures; and
(iii) provide such information with respect to the mechanics by which
Holders may exchange Trust Securities Certificates for
Debentures, or, if Section 904(d) applies, receive a Liquidation
Distribution, as the Administrative Trustees or the Property
Trustee shall deem appropriate.
(b) Except where Section 902(c) or 904(d) applies, in order to effect the
liquidation of the Trust and distribution of the Debentures to Securityholders,
the Property Trustee shall establish a record date for such distribution (which
shall be not more than 45 days prior to the Liquidation Date) and, either itself
acting as exchange agent or through the appointment of a separate exchange
agent, shall establish such procedures as it shall deem appropriate to effect
the distribution of Debentures in exchange for the Outstanding Trust Securities
Certificates.
(c) Except where Section 902(c) or 904(d) applies, after the Liquidation
Date, (i) the Trust Securities shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding; (ii)
certificates representing a Like Amount of Debentures shall be issued to Holders
of Trust Securities Certificates upon surrender of such certificates to the
Administrative Trustees or their agent for exchange; (iii) the Depositor shall
use its reasonable efforts to have the Debentures listed on the Nasdaq National
Market/SM/ or on such other securities exchange or other organization as the
Preferred Securities are then listed or traded; (iv) any Trust Securities
Certificates not so surrendered for exchange shall be deemed to represent a Like
Amount of Debentures, accruing interest at the rate provided for in the
Debentures from the last Distribution Date on which a Distribution was made on
such Trust Securities Certificates until such certificates are so surrendered
(and until such certificates are so surrendered, no payments of interest or
principal shall be made to Holders of Trust Securities Certificates with respect
to such Debentures); and (v) all rights of Securityholders holding Trust
Securities shall cease, except the right of such Securityholders to receive
Debentures upon surrender of Trust Securities Certificates.
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<PAGE>
(d) In the event that, notwithstanding the other provisions of this
Section 904, whether because of an order for dissolution entered by a court of
competent jurisdiction or otherwise, distribution of the Debentures in the
manner provided herein is determined by the Property Trustee not to be
practical, the Trust Property shall be liquidated, and the Trust shall be
dissolved, wound-up or terminated, by the Property Trustee in such manner as the
Property Trustee determines. In such event, on the date of the dissolution,
winding-up or other termination of the Trust, Securityholders shall be entitled
to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to
Securityholders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as
provided by applicable law, an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount per Trust
Security plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of
payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). If, upon any such
dissolution, winding-up or termination, the Liquidation Distribution can be paid
only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full
the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then, subject to the next succeeding
sentence, the amounts payable by the Trust on the Trust Securities shall be paid
on a pro rata basis (based upon Liquidation Amounts). The Holder of the Common
Securities shall be entitled to receive Liquidation Distributions upon any such
dissolution, winding-up or termination pro rata (determined as aforesaid) with
Holders of Preferred Securities, except that, if a Debenture Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Securities shall have a priority
over the Common Securities.
Section 905. Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of
the Trust.
The Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other Person, except pursuant
to this Section 905. At the request of the Depositor, with the consent of the
Administrative Trustees and without the consent of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities, the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, the Trust may merge
with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, be replaced by or convey, transfer or
lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to a trust
organized as such under the laws of any state; provided, that (i) such successor
entity either (a) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust with
respect to the Preferred Securities; or (b) substitutes for the Preferred
Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Preferred
Securities (the "Successor Securities) so long as the Successor Securities rank
the same as the Preferred Securities rank in priority with respect to
distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise; (ii) the
Depositor expressly appoints a trustee of such successor entity possessing
substantially the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee as the holder
of the Debentures; (iii) the Successor Securities are listed or traded, or any
Successor Securities shall be listed or traded upon notification of issuance, on
any national securities exchange or other organization on which the Preferred
Securities are then listed, if any; (iv) such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely
affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Preferred
Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect; (v)
such successor entity has a purpose substantially identical to that of the
Trust; (vi) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease, the Depositor has received an Opinion of Counsel
to the effect that (a) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences
and privileges of the Holders of the Preferred Securities (including any
Successor Securities) in any material respect; and (b) following such merger,
48
<PAGE>
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither
the Trust nor such successor entity shall be required to register as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act; and (vii) the Depositor
owns all of the Common Securities of such successor entity and guarantees the
obligations of such successor entity under the Successor Securities at least to
the extent provided by the Guarantee, the Debentures, this Trust Agreement and
the Expense Agreement. For purposes of this Section 905, any such consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition as a result of which (a)
the Company is not the surviving Person, and (b) the same Person is not both (i)
the primary obligor in respect of the Debentures and (ii) the Guarantor under
that certain Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement of even date herewith (the
"Guarantee") between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, shall be deemed
to constitute a replacement of the Trust by a successor entity; provided further
that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that upon the consummation of
such a consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition,
the parent company (if any) of the Company, or its successor, is a bank holding
company or financial holding company or comparably regulated financial
institution, such parent company shall guarantee the obligations of the Trust
(and any successor thereto) under the Preferred Securities (including any
Successor Securities) at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee, the
Debentures, the Trust Agreement and the Expense Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Trust shall not, except with the consent of holders of 100% in
Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge
with or into, or be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to any other Person or permit any other
Person to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such
consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would cause the Trust or the
successor entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United
States federal income tax purposes.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1001. Limitation of Rights of Securityholders.
The death or incapacity of any Person having an interest, beneficial or
otherwise, in Trust Securities shall not operate to terminate this Trust
Agreement, nor entitle the legal representatives or heirs of such Person or any
Securityholder for such Person, to claim an accounting, take any action or bring
any proceeding in any court for a partition or winding-up of the arrangements
contemplated hereby, nor otherwise affect the rights, obligations and
liabilities of the parties hereto or any of them.
Section 1002. Amendment.
(a) This Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Trustees
and the Depositor, without the consent of any Securityholders, (i) as provided
in Section 811 with respect to acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee;
(ii) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision herein or
therein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein or therein, or
to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under
this Trust Agreement, that shall not be inconsistent with the other provisions
of this Trust Agreement; or (iii) to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions
of this Trust Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that the
Trust shall be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a
grantor trust at all times that any Trust Securities are outstanding or to
ensure that the Trust shall not be required to register as an "investment
company" under the Investment Company Act; or (iv) to reduce or increase the
Liquidation Amount per Trust Security and simultaneously to correspondingly
increase or decrease the number of Trust Securities issued and Outstanding
solely for the purpose of maintaining the eligibility of the Preferred
Securities for quotation or listing on any national securities exchange or other
organization on which the Preferred Securities are then quoted or listed
(including, if applicable, the Nasdaq National Market/SM/); provided, however,
that in the case of clause (ii), such action shall not adversely affect in any
material respect the interests of any Securityholder, and provided further, that
in the case of clause (iv) the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Trust
Securities Outstanding upon completion
49
<PAGE>
of any such reduction must be the same as the aggregate Liquidation Amount of
the Trust Securities Outstanding immediately prior to such reduction or
increase; and any amendments of this Trust Agreement shall become effective when
notice thereof is given to the Securityholders (or in the case of an amendment
pursuant to clause (iv), as of the date specified in the notice).
(b) Except as provided in Section 601(c) or Section 1002(c) hereof, any
provision of this Trust Agreement may be amended by the Trustees and the
Depositor (i) with the consent of Trust Securityholders representing not less
than a majority (based upon Liquidation Amounts) of the Trust Securities then
Outstanding; and (ii) upon receipt by the Trustees of an Opinion of Counsel to
the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the
Trustees in accordance with such amendment shall not affect the Trust's status
as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes or the Trust's
exemption from status of an "investment company" under the Investment Company
Act.
(c) In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this Trust
Agreement, without the consent of each affected Securityholder (such consent
being obtained in accordance with Section 603 or 606 hereof), this Trust
Agreement may not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any
Distribution on the Trust Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of
any Distribution required to be made in respect of the Trust Securities as of a
specified date; or (ii) restrict the right of a Securityholder to institute suit
for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date; notwithstanding
any other provision herein, without the unanimous consent of the Securityholders
(such consent being obtained in accordance with Section 603 or 606 hereof), this
paragraph (c) of this Section 1002 may not be amended.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Trust Agreement, no
Trustee shall enter into or consent to any amendment to this Trust Agreement
which would cause the Trust to fail or cease to qualify for the exemption from
status of an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act or to fail or
cease to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Trust Agreement to the contrary,
without the consent of the Depositor, this Trust Agreement may not be amended in
a manner which imposes any additional obligation on the Depositor.
(f) In the event that any amendment to this Trust Agreement is made, the
Administrative Trustees shall promptly provide to the Depositor a copy of such
amendment.
(g) Neither the Property Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee shall be required
to enter into any amendment to this Trust Agreement which affects its own
rights, duties or immunities under this Trust Agreement. The Property Trustee
shall be entitled to receive an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers' Certificate
stating that any amendment to this Trust Agreement has been effected in
compliance with this Trust Agreement.
50
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Section 1003. Separability.
In case any provision in this Trust Agreement or in the Trust Securities
Certificates 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 1004. Governing Law.
THIS TRUST AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF EACH OF THE
SECURITYHOLDERS, THE TRUST AND THE TRUSTEES WITH RESPECT TO THIS TRUST AGREEMENT
AND THE TRUST SECURITIES SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES
THEREOF).
Section 1005. Payments Due on Non-Business Day.
If the date fixed for any payment on any Trust Security shall be a day that
is not a Business Day, then such payment need not be made on such date but may
be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day, except that, if such
Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made
on the immediately preceding Business Day (and without any reduction of interest
or any other payment in respect of any such acceleration), in each case with the
same force and effect as though made on the date fixed for such payment, and no
distribution shall accumulate thereon for the period after such date.
Section 1006. Successors.
This Trust Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of any successor to the Depositor, the Trust or the Relevant Trustee(s),
including any successor by operation of law. Except in connection with a
consolidation, merger or sale involving the Depositor that is permitted under
Article XII of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee agrees in
writing to perform the Depositor's obligations hereunder, the Depositor shall
not assign its obligations hereunder.
Section 1007. Headings.
The Article and Section headings are for convenience only and shall not
affect the construction of this Trust Agreement.
Section 1008. Reports, Notices and Demands.
Any report, notice, demand or other communication which by any provision of
this Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served to or upon
any Securityholder or the Depositor may be given or served in writing by deposit
thereof, first-class postage prepaid, in the United States mail, hand delivery
or facsimile transmission, in each case, addressed, (a) in the case of a
Preferred Securityholder, to such Preferred Securityholder as such
Securityholder's name and address may appear on the Securities Register; and (b)
in the case of the Common Securityholder
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<PAGE>
or the Depositor, to Wintrust Financial Corporation, 727 North Bank Lane, Lake
Forest, Illinois 60045, Attention: David A. Dykstra, Chief Financial Officer,
facsimile no.: (847) 615-4091. Any notice to Preferred Securityholders shall
also be given to such owners as have, within two years preceding the giving of
such notice, filed their names and addresses with the Property Trustee for that
purpose. Such notice, demand or other communication to or upon a Securityholder
shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, upon
hand delivery, mailing or transmission.
Any notice, demand or other communication which by any provision of this
Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served to or upon the
Trust, the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees shall be given in
writing addressed (until another address is published by the Trust) as follows:
(a) with respect to the Property Trustee to Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney
Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001,
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration; (b) with respect to the Delaware
Trustee, to Wilmington Trust Company at the above address; and (c) with respect
to the Administrative Trustees, to them at the address above for notices to the
Depositor, marked "Attention: Administrative Trustees of Capital Trust." Such
notice, demand or other communication to or upon the Trust or the Property
Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made only upon actual
receipt of the writing by the Trust or the Property Trustee.
Section 1009. Agreement Not to Petition.
Each of the Trustees and the Depositor agree for the benefit of the
Securityholders that, until at least one year and one day after the Trust has
been terminated in accordance with Article IX, they shall not file, or join in
the filing of, a petition against the Trust under any bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law (including, without limitation, the United
States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended) (collectively, "Bankruptcy Laws") or
otherwise join in the commencement of any proceeding against the Trust under any
Bankruptcy Law. In the event the Depositor or any of the Trustees takes action
in violation of this Section 1009, the Property Trustee agrees, for the benefit
of Securityholders, that at the expense of the Depositor (which expense shall be
paid prior to the filing), it shall file an answer with the bankruptcy court or
otherwise properly contest the filing of such petition by the Depositor or such
Trustee against the Trust or the commencement of such action and raise the
defense that the Depositor or such Trustee has agreed in writing not to take
such action and should be stopped and precluded therefrom. The provisions of
this Section 1009 shall survive the termination of this Trust Agreement.
Section 1010. Trust Indenture Act; Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
(a) This Trust Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Trust Agreement and shall, to
the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a trustee for
the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.
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(c) If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another
provision hereof which is required to be included in this Trust Agreement by any
of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall
control. If any provision of this Trust Agreement modifies or excludes any
provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the
latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Trust Agreement as so modified
or to be excluded, as the case may be.
(d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Trust Agreement
shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
Section 1011. Acceptance of Terms of Trust Agreement, Guarantee and
Indenture.
THE RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE OF A TRUST SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN BY
OR ON BEHALF OF A SECURITYHOLDER OR ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, WITHOUT ANY SIGNATURE
OR FURTHER MANIFESTATION OF ASSENT, SHALL CONSTITUTE THE UNCONDITIONAL
ACCEPTANCE BY THE SECURITYHOLDER AND ALL OTHERS HAVING A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN
SUCH TRUST SECURITY OF ALL THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS TRUST AGREEMENT AND
AGREEMENT TO THE SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS AND OTHER TERMS OF THE GUARANTEE AND
THE INDENTURE, AND SHALL CONSTITUTE THE AGREEMENT OF THE TRUST, SUCH
SECURITYHOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS THAT THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS TRUST
AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING, OPERATIVE AND EFFECTIVE AS BETWEEN THE TRUST AND
SUCH SECURITYHOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as
Property Trustee
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as
Delaware Trustee
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
-------------------------------------------
Edward J. Wehmer, As Administrative Trustee
-------------------------------------------
David A. Dykstra, As Administrative Trustee
-------------------------------------------
David J. Galvan, As Administrative Trustee
54
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
OF
WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II
THIS CERTIFICATE OF TRUST OF Wintrust Capital Trust II (the "Trust") is
being duly executed and filed by Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking
corporation, Edward J. Wehmer, David A. Dykstra and David J. Galvan, each an
individual, as trustees, to form a business trust under the Delaware Business
Trust Act (12 Del. C. Section 3801 et seq.) (the "Act").
1. NAME. The name of the business trust formed hereby is Wintrust Capital
Trust II.
2. DELAWARE TRUSTEE. The name and business address of the trustee of the
Trust in the State of Delaware is Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney
Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001,
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.
3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Certificate of Trust shall be effective on May 17,
2000.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate of Trust
in accordance with Section 3811(a)(1) of the Act.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as
trustee
By: /s/ Chris Sponenberg
------------------------------
Name: Chris Sponenberg
------------------------
Title: Vice President
------------------------
/s/ Edward J. Wehmer, as Trustee
----------------------------------
Name: Edward J. Wehmer
/s/ David A. Dykstra, as Trustee
----------------------------------
Name: David A. Dykstra
/s/ David J. Galvan, as Trustee
----------------------------------
Name: David J. Galvan
A-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE
Certificate Number _____ Number of Common Securities _____
Certificate Evidencing Common Securities
of
Wintrust Capital Trust II
Common Securities
(liquidation amount $10 per Common Security)
WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II, a statutory business trust created under the
laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that WINTRUST
FINANCIAL CORPORATION (the "Holder") is the registered owner of _______________
(__________) common securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust and designated the Common Securities
(liquidation amount $10 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). In
accordance with Section 510 of the Trust Agreement (as defined below), the
Common Securities are not transferable and any attempted transfer hereof shall
be void. The designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences, and
other terms and provisions of the Common Securities are set forth in, and this
certificate and the Common Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in
all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Amended and Restated
Trust Agreement of the Trust dated as of June __, 2000, as the same may be
amended from time to time (the "Trust Agreement"), including the designation of
the terms of the Common Securities as set forth therein. The Trust shall furnish
a copy of the Trust Agreement to the Holder without charge upon written request
to the Trust at its principal place of business or registered office.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, one of the Administrative Trustees of the Trust has
executed this certificate this ___ day of day of June, 2000.
Wintrust Capital Trust II
By: -----------------------------
Name: -----------------------
Title: ----------------------
B-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES
AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES (this "Agreement") dated as of
June __, 2000, between WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION, an Illinois corporation
(the "Company"), and WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II, a Delaware business trust (the
"Trust").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Trust intends to issue its common securities (the "Common
Securities") to, and receive ___% Junior Subordinated Debentures (the
"Debentures") from, the Company and to issue and sell Wintrust Capital Trust II
____% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities") with
such powers, preferences and special rights and restrictions as are set forth in
the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust dated as of June __, 2000,
as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Company shall directly or indirectly own all of the Common
Securities of the Trust and shall issue the Debentures;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each holder of the
Preferred Securities, which purchase the Company hereby agrees shall benefit the
Company and which purchase the Company acknowledges shall be made in reliance
upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company, including in its
capacity as holder of the Common Securities, and the Trust hereby agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
Section 1.1 Guarantee by the Company.
Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Company, including in its
capacity as holder of the Common Securities, hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally guarantees to each person or entity to whom the Trust is now or
hereafter becomes indebted or liable (the "Beneficiaries") the full payment when
and as due, of any and all Obligations (as hereinafter defined) to such
Beneficiaries. As used herein, "Obligations" means any costs, expenses or
liabilities of the Trust other than obligations of the Trust to pay to holders
of any Preferred Securities or other similar interests in the Trust the amounts
due such holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Securities or such other
similar interests, as the case may be. This Agreement is intended to be for the
benefit of, and to be enforceable by, all such Beneficiaries, whether or not
such Beneficiaries have received notice hereof.
C-1
<PAGE>
Section 1.2 Term of Agreement.
This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon
the later of (a) the date on which full payment has been made of all amounts
payable to all holders of all the Preferred Securities (whether upon redemption,
liquidation, exchange or otherwise); and (b) the date on which there are no
Beneficiaries remaining; provided, however, that this Agreement shall continue
to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any
holder of Preferred Securities or any Beneficiary must restore payment of any
sums paid under the Preferred Securities, under any obligation, under the
Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement dated the date hereof by the Company
and Wilmington Trust Company as guarantee trustee or under this Agreement for
any reason whatsoever. This Agreement is continuing, irrevocable, unconditional
and absolute.
Section 1.3 Waiver of Notice.
The Company hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Agreement and of any
obligation to which it applies or may apply, and the Company hereby waives
presentment, demand for payment, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of
dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.
Section 1.4 No Impairment.
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Company under this
Agreement shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening
from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the extension of time for the payment by the Trust of all or any
portion of the Obligations or for the performance of any other obligation under,
arising out of, or in connection with, the Obligations;
(b) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the
Beneficiaries to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or
remedy conferred on the Beneficiaries with respect to the Obligations or any
action on the part of the Trust granting indulgence or extension of any kind; or
(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 Trust or any of the assets of the
Trust.
There shall be no obligation of the Beneficiaries to give notice to, or obtain
the consent of, the Company with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.
C-2
<PAGE>
Section 1.5 Enforcement.
A Beneficiary may enforce this Agreement directly against the Company, and
the Company waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought
against the Trust or any other person or entity before proceeding against the
Company.
ARTICLE II
Section 2.1 Binding Effect.
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Agreement shall bind the
successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Company and
shall inure to the benefit of the Beneficiaries.
Section 2.2 Amendment.
So long as there remains any Beneficiary or any Preferred Securities of any
series are outstanding, this Agreement shall not be modified or amended in any
manner adverse to such Beneficiary or to any of the holders of the Preferred
Securities.
Section 2.3 Notices.
Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be given in writing by delivering the same by facsimile
transmission (confirmed by mail), telex, or by registered or certified mail,
addressed as follows (and if so given, shall be deemed given when mailed or upon
receipt of an answer back, if sent by facsimile):
Wintrust Capital Trust II
c/o Wintrust Financial Corporation
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
Facsimile No.: (847) 615-4091
Attention: David A. Dykstra, Administrative Trustee
Wintrust Financial Corporation
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
Facsimile No.: (847) 615-4091
Attention: David A. Dykstra, Chief Financial Officer
Section 2.4 This agreement shall be governed by and construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois (without regard
to conflict of laws principles).
C-3
<PAGE>
THIS AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above written.
WINTRUST FINANCIAL
CORPORATION
By: ------------------------------
Name: --------------------------
Title: -------------------------
WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II
By: ------------------------------
Name: --------------------------
Title: Administrative Trustee
C-4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
Certificate Number _____ Number of Preferred Securities_____
Certificate Evidencing Preferred Securities
of
Wintrust Capital Trust II
____% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities
(Liquidation Amount $10 per Preferred Security)
CUSIP ______________
Wintrust Capital Trust II, a statutory business trust created under the
laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that
________________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of _____ preferred
securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust and designated the ____% Cumulative Trust Preferred
Securities (liquidation amount $10 per Preferred Security) (the "Preferred
Securities"). The Preferred Securities are transferable on the books and records
of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this
Certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer as provided in Section
504 of the Trust Agreement (as defined herein). The designations, rights,
privileges, restrictions, preferences, and other terms and provisions of the
Preferred Securities are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Preferred
Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to
the terms and provisions of, the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the
Trust dated as of June __, 2000, as the same may be amended from time to time
(the "Trust Agreement"), including the designation of the terms of Preferred
Securities as set forth therein. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the
Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement entered into by Wintrust Financial
Corporation, an Illinois corporation, and Wilmington Trust Company as guarantee
trustee, dated as of June __, 2000, as the same may be amended from time to time
(the "Guarantee"), to the extent provided therein. The Trust shall furnish a
copy of the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee to the Holder without charge upon
written request to the Trust at its principal place of business or registered
office.
Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
Unless the Certificate of Authentication has been manually executed by the
Authentication Agent, this Certificate is not valid or effective.
D-1
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Administrative Trustees of the Trust have executed
this Certificate this ___ day of June 2000.
WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II
By:
-------------------------------
Edward J. Wehmer, as Trustee
By:
-------------------------------
David A. Dykstra, as Trustee
By:
-------------------------------
David J. Galvan, as Trustee
D-2
<PAGE>
LEGEND
FOR CERTIFICATES EVIDENCING
GLOBAL PREFERRED SECURITIES ONLY:
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative
of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to
Issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or
payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede
& Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to
such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of
DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE
BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
D-3
<PAGE>
[FORM OF REVERSE OF CERTIFICATE]
The Trust will furnish without charge to any registered owner of Preferred
Securities who so requests, a copy of the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee. Any
such request should be in writing and addressed to Wintrust Capital Trust II,
c/o Secretary, Wintrust Financial Corporation, 727 North Bank Lane, Lake Forest,
Illinois 60045 or to the Registrar named on the face of this Certificate.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this Certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM -- as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -- under Uniform
TEN ENT -- as tenants by the entireties Gift to Minors
JT TEN -- as joint tenants with right of Act and not
survival as tenants
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers
unto:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please insert social security or other identifying number of assignee)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(insert address and zip code of assignee)
the within Certificate and all rights and interests represented by the Preferred
Securities evidenced thereby, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints
_______________________________________________________________________ attorney
to transfer the said Preferred Securities on the books of the within-named Trust
with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated: ___________________________ Signature:_______________________________
Note: The signature(s) to this
assignment must correspond with
the name(s) as written upon the
face of this Certificate in
every particular, without
alteration or enlargement, or
any change whatever.
Signature(s) Guaranteed:
_________________________________
NOTICE: Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
that is a member or participant in a "signature guarantee program" (i.e., the
Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the Stock Exchange Medallion
Program or the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program).
D-4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT E
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the ____% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities referred to
in the within-mentioned Amended and Restated Trust Agreement.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Authentication Agent and Registrar
By:
-------------------------------
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
E-1
<PAGE>
Exhibit 4.7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
by and between
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
and
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated as of June __, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page No.
<S> <C>
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION.................................................. 1
Section 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation................................... 1
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT............................................................. 5
Section 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application................................. 5
Section 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities................................... 5
Section 2.3 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee................................. 5
Section 2.4 Periodic Reports to Guarantee Trustee............................ 5
Section 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent................. 6
Section 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver........................................ 6
Section 2.7 Event of Default; Notice......................................... 6
Section 2.8 Conflicting Interests............................................ 6
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.................................. 7
Section 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee....................... 7
Section 3.2 Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.............................. 8
Section 3.3 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee............10
ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE...............................................................10
Section 4.1 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility...................................10
Section 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustee........11
ARTICLE V
GUARANTEE.......................................................................11
Section 5.1 Guarantee........................................................11
Section 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand......................................12
Section 5.3 Obligations not Affected.........................................12
Section 5.4 Rights of Holders................................................13
Section 5.5 Guarantee of Payment.............................................13
Section 5.6 Subrogation......................................................13
Section 5.7 Independent Obligations..........................................13
ARTICLE VI
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION.......................................14
Section 6.1 Limitation of Transactions.......................................14
Section 6.2 Ranking..........................................................14
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION ....................................................................14
Section 7.1 Termination......................................................14
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION ................................................................15
Section 8.1 Exculpation......................................................15
Section 8.2 Indemnification..................................................15
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS ..................................................................15
Section 9.1 Successors and Assigns...........................................15
Section 9.2 Amendments.......................................................16
Section 9.3 Notices..........................................................16
Section 9.4 Benefit..........................................................17
Section 9.5 Governing Law....................................................17
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
CROSS REFERENCE TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section of Trust Section of
Indenture Act of Guarantee
1939, as amended Agreement
- ---------------- ---------
<S> <C>
310(a) 4.1(a)
310(b) 4.1(c), 2.8
310(c) Not Applicable
311(a) 2.2(b)
311(b) 2.2(b)
311(c) Not Applicable
312(a) 2.2(a)
312(b) 2.2(b)
313 2.3
314(a) 2.4
314(b) Not Applicable
314(c) 2.5
314(d) Not Applicable
314(e) 1.1, 2.5, 3.2
314(f) 2.1, 3.2
315(a) 3.1(d)
315(b) 2.7
315(c) 3.1
315(d) 3.1(d)
316(a) 1.1, 2.6, 5.4
316(b) 5.3
317(a) 3.1
317(b) Not Applicable
318(a) 2.1(a)
318(b) 2.1
318(c) 2.1(b)
</TABLE>
Note: This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of this Agreement and
shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.
iii
<PAGE>
PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this "Preferred Securities
Guarantee"), dated as of June __, 2000, is executed and delivered by WINTRUST
FINANCIAL CORPORATION, an Illinois corporation (the "Guarantor"), and WILMINGTON
TRUST COMPANY, a Delaware banking corporation organized under the laws of the
State of Delaware, as trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the
Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Preferred Securities (as
defined herein) of Wintrust Capital Trust II, a Delaware statutory business
trust (the "Trust").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (the "Trust
Agreement"), dated as of June __, 2000, among the trustees of the Trust named
therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, the Trust is issuing
on the date hereof up to 2,000,000 preferred securities, having an aggregate
Liquidation Amount of $20,000,000 designated the ____% Cumulative Trust
Preferred Securities;
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Preferred Securities,
the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent
set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of the
Preferred Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make
certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit
the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Preferred Securities
Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
Section 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation.
In this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee but not
defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in
this Section 1.1;
(b) terms defined in the Trust Agreement as at the date of execution of
this Preferred Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used in this
Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this Preferred
Securities Guarantee;
(c) a term defined anywhere in this Preferred Securities Guarantee has the
same meaning throughout;
<PAGE>
(d) all references to "the Preferred Securities Guarantee" or "this
Preferred Securities Guarantee" are to this Preferred Securities Guarantee as
modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;
(e) all references in this Preferred Securities Guarantee to Articles and
Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Preferred Securities Guarantee,
unless otherwise specified;
(f) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when
used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this
Preferred Securities Guarantee or unless the context otherwise requires; and
(g) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
"Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, a day on which
federal or state banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or
required by law, executive order or regulation to close or a day on which the
Corporate Trust Office of the Guarantee Trustee is closed for business.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Guarantee Trustee at which
the corporate trust business of the Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular
time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this
Agreement is located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.
"Covered Person" means any Holder or beneficial owner of Preferred
Securities.
"Debentures" means the ____% Junior Subordinated Debentures due June 30,
2030, of the Debenture Issuer held by the Property Trustee of the Trust.
"Debenture Issuer" means Wintrust Financial Corporation, issuer of the
Debentures under the Indenture.
"Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment
or other obligations under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.
"Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without
duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not paid or
made by the Trust: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions that are required
to be paid on such Preferred Securities, to the extent the Trust shall have
funds available therefor, (ii) the redemption price, including all accrued and
unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price"), to the
extent the Trust has funds available therefor, with respect to any Preferred
Securities called for redemption by the Trust, and (iii) upon a voluntary or
involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust (other than
2
<PAGE>
in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for
Preferred Securities as provided in the Trust Agreement), the lesser of (a) the
aggregate of the Liquidation Amount and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on
the Preferred Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Trust shall
have funds available therefor (the "Liquidation Distribution"), and (b) the
amount of assets of the Trust remaining available for distribution to Holders in
liquidation of the Trust.
"Guarantee Trustee" means Wilmington Trust Company, until a Successor
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant
to the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and thereafter means each
such Successor Guarantee Trustee.
"Guarantor" means Wintrust Financial Corporation, an Illinois corporation.
"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, "Holder" shall not
include the Guarantor, the Guarantee Trustee or any of their respective
Affiliates.
"Indemnified Person" means the Guarantee Trustee, any Affiliate of the
Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners,
employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Guarantee
Trustee.
"Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of June __, 2000, among the
Debenture Issuer and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, and any indenture
supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued to the
Property Trustee of the Trust.
"Liquidation Amount" means the stated value of $10 per Preferred Security.
"Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning provided therefor in the
definition of Guarantee Payments.
"Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities" means the
holders of more than 50% of the Liquidation Amount of all of the Preferred
Securities.
"Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate
signed by two authorized officers of such Person, at least one of whom shall be
the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal
accounting officer, treasurer or any vice president of such Person. Any
Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has
read the covenant or condition and the definition relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;
3
<PAGE>
(c) a statement that each 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 each 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" means the ____% Cumulative Trust Preferred
Securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trust which rank pari passu with Common Securities issued by the Trust;
provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rights
of holders of Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and
payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the
rights of holders of Preferred Securities.
"Redemption Price" has the meaning provided therefor in the definition of
Guarantee Payments.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee, any
officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Guarantee Trustee with direct
responsibility for the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee,
including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant
secretary or other officer or assistant officer of the Guarantee Trustee
customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above
designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust
matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that
officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
"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.
4
<PAGE>
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
Section 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application.
(a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee is subject to the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 310
to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall
control.
Section 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities.
(a) In the event the Guarantee Trustee is not also acting in the capacity
of the Property Trustee under the Trust Agreement, the Guarantor shall cause to
be provided to the Guarantee Trustee with a list, in such form as the Guarantee
Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the
Preferred Securities ("List of Holders") as of the date (i) within one Business
Day after March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, and (ii) at any other
time within 30 days of receipt by the Guarantor of a written request for a List
of Holders as of a date no more than 15 days before such List of Holders is
given to the Guarantee Trustee; provided, that the Guarantor shall not be
obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does
not differ from the most recent List of Holders caused to have been given to the
Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. 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 Sections
311(a), 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 2.3 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee.
On or before July 31 of each year, commencing July 31, 2001, the Guarantee
Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as
are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and
in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee
Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust
Indenture Act.
Section 2.4 Periodic Reports to Guarantee Trustee.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such documents,
reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance
certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in
the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.
5
<PAGE>
Section 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of
compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Preferred
Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section
314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be
given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate.
Section 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver.
The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred Securities
may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities, 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 Preferred
Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 2.7 Event of Default; Notice.
(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an
Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders
of the Preferred Securities, notices of all Events of Default actually known to
a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been
cured before the giving of such notice; provided, that, except in the case of a
default by Guarantor on any of its payment obligations, the Guarantee Trustee
shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible
Officer of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding
of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Preferred Securities.
(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 of which a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee charged with
the administration of the Trust Agreement shall have obtained actual knowledge.
Section 2.8 Conflicting Interests.
The Trust Agreement shall be deemed to be specifically described in this
Preferred Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first
proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
6
<PAGE>
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Section 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.
(a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Guarantee
Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and the
Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Preferred Securities Guarantee to any
Person except a Holder of Preferred Securities exercising his or her rights
pursuant to Section 5.4(b) 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, 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 actually known to a Responsible Officer of the
Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee Trustee shall
enforce this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders of
the Preferred Securities.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default
and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall
undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this
Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this
Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event
of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section
2.6) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee,
the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it
by this Preferred Securities Guarantee, 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be construed
to relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action,
its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the
curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall be
determined solely by the express provisions of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the
performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in
this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or
obligations shall be read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against
the Guarantee Trustee; 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
7
<PAGE>
of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions
furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of
this Preferred Securities Guarantee; 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee;
(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee,
unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee was negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;
(iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the
direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in Liquidation Amount 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 Preferred
Securities Guarantee; and
(iv) no provision of this Preferred Securities 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 Preferred Securities
Guarantee or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee,
against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
Section 3.2 Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:
(i) the Guarantee Trustee may 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, 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
Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers'
Certificate;
(iii) whenever, in the administration of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee, 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 conclusively rely upon an
Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly
delivered by the Guarantor;
8
<PAGE>
(iv) the Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording,
filing or registration of any instrument (or any rerecording, refiling or
registration thereof);
(v) the Guarantee Trustee may consult with 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 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction;
(vi) the Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise
any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee
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
attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Guarantee Trustee's agents,
nominees or custodians) 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)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon
the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights
and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee;
(vii) 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;
(viii) the Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not
be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or
attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(ix) 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be
conclusively evidenced by the Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such
action;
(x) whenever in the administration of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee 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 (i) may request instructions from the Holders
of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities, (ii) may
refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until
such
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<PAGE>
instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying
on or acting in accordance with such instructions.
(b) No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee 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.
Section 3.3 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee.
The Recitals contained in this Guarantee shall be taken as the statements
of the Guarantor, and the Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility
for their correctness. The Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the
validity or sufficiency of this Preferred Securities Guarantee.
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; and
(ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of
the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the
District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the Securities and
Exchange Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture
Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, and subject to supervision
or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia authority.
If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred
to above, 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.
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Section 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustee.
(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or
removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed 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.
(e) No Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act
of any Successor Guarantee Trustee.
(f) Upon termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or removal or
resignation of the Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.2, the Guarantor
shall pay to the Guarantee Trustee all fees and expenses accrued to the date of
such termination, removal or resignation.
ARTICLE V
GUARANTEE
Section 5.1 Guarantee.
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the
Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid
by the Trust), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or
counterclaim that the Trust may have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to
make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required
amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Trust to pay such
amounts to the Holders.
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Section 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand.
The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,
presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against
the Trust 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee 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 Trust of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities to be performed
or observed by the Trust;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Trust of all or any
portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any
other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred Securities or the extension
of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in
connection with, the Preferred Securities (other than an extension of time for
payment of Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or other
sum payable that results from the extension of any interest payment period on
the Debentures or any extension of the maturity date of the Debentures permitted
by the Indenture);
(c) 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 Preferred Securities, or
any action on the part of the Trust granting indulgence or extension of any
kind;
(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Trust or any of the assets of the
Trust;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Preferred
Securities;
(f) any failure or omission to receive any regulatory approval or consent
required in connection with the Preferred Securities (or the common equity
securities issued by the Trust), including the failure to receive any approval
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System required for the
redemption of the Preferred Securities;
(g) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or
hereby incurred; or
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(h) 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
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.
Section 5.4 Rights of Holders.
(a) Subject to Section 5.4(b), the Holders of a Majority in liquidation
amount of the Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting of any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee
Trustee in respect of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or exercising any
trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred
Securities Guarantee.
(b) Any Holder of Preferred Securities may institute and prosecute a legal
proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this
Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding
against the Trust, the Guarantee Trustee or any other Person.
Section 5.5 Guarantee of Payment.
This Preferred Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not
of collection.
Section 5.6 Subrogation.
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of
Preferred Securities against the Trust in respect of any amounts paid to such
Holders by the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; provided,
however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by
mandatory provisions of 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 Preferred Securities
Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid
under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. 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 Trust with respect to the Preferred Securities, and
that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make
Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee
notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a)
through (h), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.
13
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VI
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION
Section 6.1 Limitation of Transactions.
So long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if there shall have
occurred an Event of Default under this Preferred Securities Guarantee, an event
of default under the Trust Agreement or during an Extended Interest Payment
Period (as defined in the Indenture), then (a) the Guarantor shall not declare
or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its
capital stock (other than as a result of a reclassification of its capital stock
for another class of its capital stock) and (b) the Guarantor shall not make any
payment of interest or principal on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt
securities issued by the Guarantor which rank pari passu with or junior to the
Debentures, including the Company's 9.00% Subordinated Debentures due 2028,
issued to Wintrust Capital Trust I, other than payments under this Preferred
Securities Guarantee.
Section 6.2 Ranking.
This Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation
of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior Obligations, as defined in
the Indenture, of the Guarantor, to the extent and in the manner set forth in
the Indenture, and the applicable provisions of the Indenture will apply, in all
relevant respects, to the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
Section 7.1 Termination.
This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall terminate upon (i) full payment
of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities, (ii) upon full payment of
the amounts payable in accordance with the Trust Agreement upon liquidation of
the Trust, or (iii) upon distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of the
Preferred Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Preferred Securities
Guarantee shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may
be, if at any time any Holder of Preferred Securities must restore payment of
any sums paid under the Preferred Securities or under this Preferred Securities
Guarantee.
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ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 Exculpation.
(a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in
damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage
or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such
Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Preferred Securities
Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be
within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this
Preferred Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person
shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such
Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts
or omissions.
(b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith
upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions, reports
or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the
Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from
which Distributions to Holders of Preferred Securities might properly be paid.
Section 8.2 Indemnification.
The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold
each Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or expense
incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in
connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts
hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and
expenses) of defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability
in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 8.2 shall
survive the termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Successors and Assigns.
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Preferred Securities
Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
of the Preferred Securities then outstanding.
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<PAGE>
Section 9.2 Amendments.
Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely affect
the rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be required),
this Preferred Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval
of the Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred
Securities. The provisions of Article VI of the Trust Agreement with respect to
meetings of Holders of the Preferred Securities apply to the giving of such
approval.
Section 9.3 Notices.
All notices provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be in
writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered,
telecopied or mailed by registered or certified 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 Holders of the Preferred Securities):
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
Attention: Corporate Trust Administrator
(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
of the Preferred Securities):
Wintrust Financial Corporation
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
Attention: David A. Dykstra, Chief Financial Officer
(c) If given to any Holder of Preferred Securities, at the address set
forth on the books and records of the Trust.
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.
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<PAGE>
Section 9.4 Benefit.
This Preferred Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not
separately transferable from the Preferred Securities.
Section 9.5 Governing Law.
THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
This Preferred Securities Guarantee is executed as of the day and year
first above written.
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION,
as Guarantor
By:
------------------------------------
Its:
------------------------------------
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Guarantee Trustee
By:
------------------------------------
Its:
------------------------------------
17
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EXHIBIT 5.1
Vedder Price VEDDER, PRICE, KAUFMAN & KAMMHOLZ
222 NORTH LASALLE STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601-1003
312-609-7500
FACSIMILE: 312-609-5005
A PARTNERSHIP INCLUDING VEDDER, PRICE, KAUFMAN
& KAMMHOLZ, P.C. WITH OFFICES IN CHICAGO AND
NEW YORK CITY
May 19, 2000
Wintrust Financial Corporation Wintrust Capital Trust II
727 North Bank Lane 727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045 Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
----------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Wintrust Financial Corporation, an Illinois
corporation (the "Company"), and Wintrust Capital Trust II, a statutory business
trust created under the laws of Delaware (the "Capital Trust"), in connection
with the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act") (the "Registration Statement"), for the purpose of
registering the Trust Preferred Securities to be issued by Capital Trust, the
Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be issued by the Company to
Capital Trust in connection with the issuance of the Trust Preferred Securities.
All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth
in the Registration Statement.
In rendering this opinion, we have reviewed: (i) the form of Amended and
Restated Trust Agreement to be entered into by and among the Company, the
Delaware Trustee, the Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees (the
"Trust Agreement"), pursuant to which the Preferred Securities are to be issued;
(ii) the form of Indenture to be entered into by and between the Company and the
Trustee (the "Indenture") which will govern the Junior Subordinated Debentures
to be issued by the Company; and (iii) the form of Preferred Securities
Guarantee Agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and the
Guarantee Trustee (the "Guarantee Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company
will guarantee certain obligations of the Trust with respect to the Preferred
Securities.
<PAGE>
Wintrust Financial Corporation
Wintrust Capital Trust II
May 19, 2000
Page 2
In so acting, we have also examined and relied upon the originals, or
copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records,
documents, certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary
or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed as follows:
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the following opinions:
1. The execution and delivery by the Company of each of the Trust
Agreement, the Indenture and the Guarantee Agreement has been duly and validly
authorized.
2. The Junior Subordinated Debentures to be issued by the Company to
Capital Trust will, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Indenture as
described in the Registration Statement at the time it becomes effective,
constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
3. The Guarantee Agreement when provided by the Company in accordance
with the terms stated in the Registration Statement at the time it becomes
effective and upon issuance of the Preferred Securities in accordance with the
terms described in the Registration Statement, will constitute a valid and
binding obligation of the Company.
In rendering the foregoing opinion, we have relied to the extent we deem
appropriate on the opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, special counsel to
Capital Trust and the Company.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and the use of our name under the caption "Legal Matters"
in the Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not hereby concede that we are
within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ VEDDER, PRICE, KAUFMAN & KAMMHOLZ
<PAGE>
Exhibit 5.2
[LETTERHEAD OF RICHARDS, LAYTON & FINGER]
May 18, 2000
Wintrust Financial Corporation
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, IL 60045-1951
Re: Wintrust Capital Trust II
-------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
- ---------------------
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for Wintrust Financial
Corporation, an Illinois corporation (the "Company") and Wintrust Capital Trust
II, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust") in connection with the matters set
forth herein. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you.
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our examination
of documents has been limited to the examination of originals or copies of the
following:
(a) The Certificate of Trust, as filed with the office of the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary of State") on May
17, 2000;
(b) The Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated as of May 17, 2000, among
the Company and the trustees named therein;
(c) The Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") on Form
S-3, including a preliminary prospectus with respect to the Trust (the
"Prospectus"), relating to the Cumulative Preferred Securities of the Trust
representing preferred beneficial interests in the Trust (each, a "Preferred
Security" and collectively, the "Preferred Securities"), as filed by the Company
and the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about May 19,
2000.
<PAGE>
Wintrust Financial Corporation
May 18, 2000
Page 2
(d) A form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement for the Trust, to
be entered into between the Company, the trustees of the Trust named therein,
and the holders, from time to time, of the undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of such Trust (including Exhibits B, D and E thereto) (the "Trust
Agreement"), attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and
(e) A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated May 18, 2000,
obtained from the Secretary of State.
Initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined are used
as defined in the Trust Agreement.
For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents other than
the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (e) above. In particular, we have
not reviewed any document (other than the documents listed in paragraphs (a)
through (e) above) that is referred to in or incorporated by reference into the
documents reviewed by us. We have assumed that there exists no provision in any
document that we have not reviewed that is inconsistent with the opinions stated
herein. We have conducted no independent factual investigation of our own but
rather have relied solely upon the foregoing documents, the statements and
information set forth therein and the additional matters recited or assumed
herein, all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all
material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed (i) the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals, (ii) the
conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or
forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the Trust Agreement
will constitute the entire agreement among the parties thereto with respect to
the subject matter thereof, including with respect to the creation, operation
and termination of the applicable Trust, and that the Trust Agreement and the
Certificate of Trust will be in full force and effect and will not be amended,
(ii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, the due organization or
due formation, as the case may be, and valid existence in good standing of each
party to the documents examined by us under the laws of the jurisdiction
governing its organization or formation, (iii) the legal capacity of natural
persons who are parties to the documents examined by us, (iv) that each of the
parties to the documents examined by us has the power and authority to execute
and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, such documents, (v) the due
authorization, execution and delivery by all parties thereto of all documents
examined by us, (vi) the receipt by each Person to whom a Preferred Security is
to be issued by the Trust (collectively, the "Preferred Security Holders") of a
Preferred Security Certificate for such Preferred Security and the payment for
such Preferred Security, in accordance with the Trust Agreement and the
<PAGE>
Wintrust Financial Corporation
May 18, 2000
Page 2
Registration Statement, and (vii) that the Preferred Securities are
authenticated, issued and sold to the Preferred Security Holders in accordance
with the Trust Agreement and the Registration Statement. We have not
participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
and assume no responsibility for their contents.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding the
securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not considered and
express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including federal laws
and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions are rendered only with
respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and orders thereunder which are
currently in effect.
Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such questions of law
and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or
appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and
exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good
standing as a business trust under the Business Trust Act.
2. The Preferred Securities of the Trust will represent valid and,
subject to the qualifications set forth in paragraph 3 below, fully paid and
nonassessable beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
3. The Preferred Security Holders, as beneficial owners of the Trust,
will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to
stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We note that the Preferred Security
Holders may be obligated to make payments as set forth in the Trust Agreement.
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 Matters" 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 Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 8.1
Vedder Price VEDDER, PRICE, KAUFMAN & KAMMHOLZ
222 NORTH LASALLE STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601-1003
312-609-7500
FACSIMILE: 312-609-5005
A PARTNERSHIP INCLUDING VEDDER, PRICE,
KAUFMAN & KAMMHOLZ, P.C. WITH OFFICES
IN CHICAGO AND NEW YORK CITY
May 19, 2000
Wintrust Financial Corporation Wintrust Capital Trust II
727 North Bank Lane 727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045 Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
----------------------------------
Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Wintrust Financial Corporation, an Illinois
corporation (the "Company"), and Wintrust Capital Trust II ("Capital Trust"), a
statutory business trust created under the laws of Delaware, in connection with
the above-captioned Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on May 19, 2000, under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") (the "Registration Statement"),
for the purpose of registering the Trust Preferred Securities to be issued by
Capital Trust and with respect to the Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be issued by the Company to Capital Trust in connection with such
issuance of the Trust Preferred Securities. All capitalized terms not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meaning as described in the Registration
Statement.
In rendering this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified
or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Certificate of Trust of
Capital Trust dated as of May 17, 2000; (ii) the form of Amended and Restated
Trust Agreement of Capital Trust; (iii) the form of
<PAGE>
Preferred Securities Certificate of Capital Trust; (iv) the form of Preferred
Securities Guarantee Agreement for Capital Trust; (v) the form of Junior
Subordinated Debenture; and (vi) the form of Indenture, in each case in the form
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We have also examined
originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of
such other documents, certificates, and records as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate for purposes of rendering the opinions set forth herein.
In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural
persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all
documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the
authenticity of the originals of such copies. In making our examination of
documents executed by parties other than the Company or Capital Trust, we have
assumed that such parties had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and
perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization
by all requisite action, corporate or other, and execution and delivery by such
parties of such documents and that such documents constitute valid and binding
obligations of such parties. In addition, we have assumed that the Amended and
Restated Trust Agreement of Capital Trust, the Preferred Securities of Capital
Trust, the Guarantee, the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture when
executed, will be executed in substantially the form reviewed by us and that the
terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures when established in conformity with
the Indenture will not violate any applicable law. As to any facts material to
the opinions expressed herein which were not independently established or
verified, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of
officers, trustees, and other representatives of the Company, Capital Trust and
others.
We hereby confirm that, the statements contained under the heading "FEDERAL
INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES" in the form of Prospectus for the offering of the
Preferred Securities filed as part of the Registration Statement ("Prospectus")
insofar as such statements constitute matters of law or legal conclusions, as
qualified therein, are our opinion and such statements are true, correct and
complete in all material respects. Although such statements do not purport to
discuss all possible United States federal income tax consequences of the
purchase, ownership and disposition of Preferred Securities, it is our opinion
that such statements are, in all material respects, a fair and accurate summary
of the United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership
and disposition of Preferred Securities, based upon current law as they relate
to holders described therein. It is possible that contrary positions with regard
to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Preferred Securities may be
taken by the Internal Revenue Service and that a court may agree with such
contrary positions.
Additionally, based upon the facts, assumptions and representations set
forth or referred to herein, and the accuracy of such facts, assumptions and
representations as of the date hereof, and assuming full compliance with the
terms of the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of
<PAGE>
Capital Trust and the Indenture, it is our opinion that Capital Trust will be
classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and
not as an association taxable as a corporation. Accordingly, each beneficial
owner of Preferred Securities will be treated as owning an undivided beneficial
interest in the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
The opinions expressed in this letter are based on the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, the Income Tax Regulations promulgated by the Treasury
Department thereunder and judicial authority reported as of the date hereof. We
have also considered the position of the Internal Revenue Service (the
"Service") reflected in published and private rulings. Although we are not
aware of any pending changes to these authorities that would alter our opinions,
there can be no assurances that future legislation or administrative changes,
court decisions or Service interpretations will not significantly modify the
statements or opinions expressed herein.
Our opinion is limited to those federal income tax issues specifically
considered herein and are addressed to and are only for the benefit of the
Company and Capital Trust in connection with the filing of the Registration
Statement and, except as set forth below, is not to be used, circulated, quoted
or otherwise referred to for any other purpose or relied upon by any other
person for any purpose without our written consent. We do not express any
opinion as to any other United States federal income tax issues or any state or
local tax issues. Although the opinions herein are based upon our best
interpretation of existing sources of law and expresses what we believe a court
would properly conclude if presented with these issues, no assurance can be
given that such interpretations would be followed if they were to become the
subject of judicial or administrative proceedings.
We hereby consent to the use of our name under the captions "FEDERAL INCOME
TAX CONSEQUENCES" in the Prospectus and the filing of this opinion with the
Commission as Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving this
consent, we do not hereby concede that we are within the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and
regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. This opinion is expressed
as of the date hereof and applies only to the disclosures set forth in the
Prospectus and Registration Statement. We disclaim any undertaking to advise
you of any subsequent changes of the facts stated or assumed herein or any
subsequent changes in applicable law.
Very truly yours,
/s/ VEDDER, PRICE, KAUFMAN & KAMMHOLZ
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 12.1
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
-------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
March 31, Years Ended December 31,
------------------ -------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
-------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Inclusive of interest on deposits:
- -------------------------------------
Pre-tax income (loss) from
operations.......................... $ 4,896 $ 2,804 $14,151 $ 4,709 $ 1,058 $(2,283) $ 1,002
Add: Interest on deposits............ 16,599 12,550 56,026 49,069 37,375 22,760 14,090
Interest on short-term
borrowings and notes
payable and long-term
debt................................ 1,842 912 5,571 2,146 964 1,395 1,682
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total fixed charges............. 18,441 13,462 61,597 51,215 38,339 24,155 15,772
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Pre-tax earnings (loss) before
fixed charges....................... $23,337 $16,266 $75,748 $55,924 $39,397 $21,872 $16,774
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
inclusive of interest on
deposits............................ 1.27x 1.21x 1.23x 1.09x 1.03x (a) 1.06x
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Exclusive of interest on deposits:
- -------------------------------------
Pre-tax income (loss) from
operations.......................... $ 4,896 $ 2,804 $14,151 $ 4,709 $ 1,058 $(2,283) $ 1,002
Add: Total fixed charges -
interest on short-term
borrowings, notes payable
and long-term debt.................. 1,842 912 5,571 2,146 964 1,395 1,682
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Pre-tax earnings (loss) before
fixed charges....................... $ 6,738 $ 3,716 $19,722 $ 6,855 $ 2,022 $ (888) $ 2,684
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
exclusive of interest on
deposits............................ 3.66x 4.07x 3.54x 3.19x 2.10x (a) 1.60x
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
____________________
(a) Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges in the year ended December
31, 1996 by $2.3 million.
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Wintrust Financial
Corporation and Wintrust Capital Trust II for the registration of 2,000,000
shares of Trust Preferred Securities, Junior Subordinated Debentures and
Guarantee of Preferred Securities and to the incorporation by reference therein
of our report dated February 16, 2000, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Wintrust Financial Corporation incorporated by reference
in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
May 19, 2000
Chicago, Illinois
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF KPMG LLP
The Board of Directors
Wintrust Financial Corporation:
We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 of Wintrust Financial Corporation and Wintrust Capital Trust II.
/s/ KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
May 18, 2000
<PAGE>
Exhibit 25.1
Registration No.:
________________________________________________________________________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(b)(2)______
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cynthia L. Corliss
Vice President and Trust Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Illinois 36-3873352
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1951
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Junior Subordinated Debentures of Wintrust Financial Corporation
(Title of the indenture securities)
-1-
<PAGE>
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner
Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware
Suite #2901
Philadelphia, PA
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each
affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee
and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an
affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of
Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes
the certificate of authority of Wilmington Trust Company to
commence business and the authorization of Wilmington Trust
Company to exercise corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of
Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust
Company.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of
Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 10th day
of January, 2000.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: /s/Patricia A. Evans By: /s/ Donald G. MacKelcan
--------------------- -----------------------
Assistant Secretary Name: Donald G. MacKelcan
Title: Vice President
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
AMENDED CHARTER
Wilmington Trust Company
Wilmington, Delaware
As existing on May 9, 1987
Amended Charter
or
Act of Incorporation
of
Wilmington Trust Company
Wilmington Trust Company, originally incorporated by an Act of the General
Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Delaware
Guarantee and Trust Company", approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which
company was changed to "Wilmington Trust Company" by an amendment filed in the
Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act
of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed
by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust
companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or
Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its
entirety read as follows:
First: - The name of this corporation is Wilmington Trust Company.
Second: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is
at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle;
the name of its resident agent is Wilmington Trust Company whose address is
Rodney Square North, in said City. In addition to such principal office,
the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the City of
Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle
County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville,
New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County,
Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch
offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market
Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New Castle
County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of business as
may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies of the
government of the State of Delaware empowered
<PAGE>
to confer such authority.
Third: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes
proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are
to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same
extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world,
viz.:
(1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or
equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at
pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in
real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers
and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make
by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United
States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences
of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to buy
gold and silver bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell bills of
exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers,
rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are
proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the
Corporation hereby created.
(2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or
interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real
or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest
therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands
or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.
(3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt,
collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the
purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all
descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be
necessary or proper in such business.
(4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases,
conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description,
and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all its branches.
(5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate,
deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort and
kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers,
courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and
from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations
whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes,
safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.
(6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering,
issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting
the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation, association,
state or municipality, and may
-4-
<PAGE>
receive and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be agreed
upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as Treasurer of
any corporation or municipality.
(7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or other
instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic, corporation,
association or person, either alone or in conjunction with any other person
or persons, corporation or corporations.
(8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract or
agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of responsibility or
trust; to become surety for any person, or persons, for the faithful
performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or agreement, either by
itself or in conjunction with any other person, or persons, corporation, or
corporations, or in like manner become surety upon any bond, recognizance,
obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any court of
record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or
hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of
Delaware or elsewhere.
(9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee in
bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor,
administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in the
receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all estates and
property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee,
trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy,
executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations,
court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and
whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any person, corporation,
court, officer or authority such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver,
assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian,
bailee, or in any other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give
bond with surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security
for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.
(10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of any of
its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the duties which
it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for the assumption of any
responsibility the said Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper
compensation.
(11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures,
shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts and
evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal corporation
within and without the State of Delaware, or of the Government of the
United States, or of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof,
or of any foreign government or country;
-5-
<PAGE>
to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends and
income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares
of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of
indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to exercise in
respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital
stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and
other property, any and all the rights, powers and privileges of individual
owners thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in
and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in
such manner as it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary
or realize such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges
or deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the
property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such
bonds, as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and in the
promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to the extent
authorized by law, to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer,
pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of any name and
nature and any estate or interest therein.
(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by
the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that the
said Corporation shall also have the following powers:
(1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same
extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the
world.
(2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to
undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any
person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in
cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in any
manner to dispose of the whole or any part of the property so
purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of
any business so acquired, and to exercise all the powers necessary or
convenient in and about the conduct and management of such business.
(3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to
lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of
property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.
(4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every
kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without
limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute
and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants,
bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.
(5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its
operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as
natural persons might or
-6-
<PAGE>
could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage,
sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property, of every
class and description, in any State, District, Territory or Colony of the
United States, and in any foreign country or place.
(6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers specified
and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where otherwise
expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or restricted by reference
to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other
paragraph in this charter, but that the objects, purposes and powers
specified in each of the clauses of this paragraph shall be regarded as
independent objects, purposes and powers.
Fourth: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million (41,000,000)
shares, consisting of:
(1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value
$10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Preferred Stock"); and
(2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value
$1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock").
(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more
series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors each of
said series to be distinctly designated. All shares of any one series of
Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be
different dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if
made cumulative. The voting powers and the preferences and relative,
participating, optional and other special rights of each such series, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from
those of any and all other series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the
provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article Fourth, the Board
of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by
resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a
particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations,
preferences and relative, optional and other special rights, and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, including, but
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:
(1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of Preferred
Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased
(except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors) or decreased
(but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to
time by like action of the Board of Directors;
(2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on which,
dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be paid, the
extent of
-7-
<PAGE>
the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the dividends
payable on any other class or classes, or series of the same or other class
of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series to
convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of any other class
or classes or of any series of the same or any other class or classes of
stock of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of such conversion or
exchange;
(4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to
redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at
which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such
series may be redeemed.
(5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series
upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation,
distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the
Corporation.
(6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if
any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and
(7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of Preferred
Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include
the right, voting as a series or by itself or together with other series of
Preferred Stock or all series of Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one
or more directors of the Corporation if there shall have been a default in
the payment of dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or
under such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors
may determine.
(c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on
the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b)
of this Article Fourth), if any, shall have been met and after the
Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements, if any, with
respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or
purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b)
of this Article Fourth), and subject further to any conditions which may be
fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article
Fourth, then and not otherwise the holders of Common Stock shall be
entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by
the Board of Directors.
(2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, (fixed
in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth),
to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or sale of assets,
dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common
Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the
Corporation, tangible and intangible, of
-8-
<PAGE>
whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in
proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them
respectively.
(3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions of
such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of Directors
pursuant to section (b) of this Article Fourth, each holder of Common Stock
shall have one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held on all
matters voted upon by the stockholders.
(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of
options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of
stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right
to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any
additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any increase
of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or
bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible
into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or
carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such
unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or series of
stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any
right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to resolution of
the Board of Directors to such persons, firms, corporations or associations,
whether such holders or others, and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable
by the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion.
(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of Preferred
Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights of each other
series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed from time to time by
the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions adopted pursuant to
authority granted in section (b) of this Article Fourth and the consent, by
class or series vote or otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of
Preferred Stock as are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for
the issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock
whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be
fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers,
preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them; provided,
however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the resolution or
resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b)
of this Article Fourth that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such
greater proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of such
series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any or all other
series of Preferred Stock.
(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of Preferred
Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the
Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as
shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
-9-
<PAGE>
(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board
of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for
such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred
Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from
time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
Fifth: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be
conducted and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors
constituting the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than
twenty-five as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole
Board, provided, however, that the number of directors shall not be reduced
so as to shorten the term of any director at the time in office, and
provided further, that the number of directors constituting the whole Board
shall be twenty-four until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole
Board.
(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly
equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the
whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each
year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the first
class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next
succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected
to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting
and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term
expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies in the Board
of Directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting
from any increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of
Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although
less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the
next annual election of directors. At such election, the stockholders shall
elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next election
of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his
successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of
directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of
Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the
fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or
Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or
the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any time
without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-
thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the
stockholders called for that purpose.
(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of
Directors or
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by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such
nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by
first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the
Corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any
meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided,
however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to
stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as
prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of
the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed
to stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of
Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.
(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age,
business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed
in such notice, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee
and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are
beneficially owned by each such nominee.
(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and
declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with
the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare
to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or
special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a
meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a
meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.
Sixth: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as
may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find necessary
or proper.
Seventh: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers,
rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized under
the Act entitled "An Act Providing a General Corporation Law", approved
March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.
Eighth: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.
Ninth: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
Tenth: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the
whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive
Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or
in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the
powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and
affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of
the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.
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Eleventh: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable
for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.
Twelfth: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.
Thirteenth: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly
authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a
vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make,
alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided
however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be
adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more
of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose
as one class).
Fourteenth: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside
of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time
designated by the Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the
Company outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from
time to time designated by them.
Fifteenth: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by law,
and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and (c) of this
Article Fifteenth:
(A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary
(as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder
(as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or not
itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or
consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an
Interested Stockholder, or
(B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other
disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions)
to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any
Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any
Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or
more, or
(C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in
one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any securities
of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or
any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash,
securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an
aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation, or
(E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock
split), or
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recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the
Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar transaction
(whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested
Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing
the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or
convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is
directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder, or any
Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder,
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this
Article Fifteenth as one class ("Voting Shares"). Such affirmative vote shall
be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some
lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national
securities exchange or otherwise.
(2) The term "business combination" as used in this Article
Fifteenth shall mean any transaction which is referred to in
any one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of
the section (a).
(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article Fifteenth shall
not be applicable to any particular business combination and such
business combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is
required by law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of
Incorporation or By-Laws if such business combination has been
approved by a majority of the whole Board.
(c) For the purposes of this Article Fifteenth:
(1) A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other
entity.
(2) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean, in respect of any business
combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who
or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or
immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:
(A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than
10% of the Voting Shares, or
(B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two
years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or
indirectly, of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting
Shares, or
(C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of
capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two
years prior thereto
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beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment
or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or
series of transactions not involving a public offering within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) A person shall be the "beneficial owner" of any Voting Shares:
(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as
hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or
(B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i)
the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or
only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion
rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii)
the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding, or
(C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other
person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates
or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of
capital stock of the Corporation.
(4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through
application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting
Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of
conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.
(5) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings given
those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.
(6) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any
class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on
December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation;
provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment
Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term
"Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each
class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation.
(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to
determine for the purposes of this Article Fifteenth on the basis
of information known to them, (1) the number of Voting Shares
beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person is an
Affiliate or Associate of another, (3) whether a person has an
agreement, arrangement or understanding with another as to the
matters referred
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to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or (4) whether the assets subject to
any business combination or the consideration received for the issuance or
transfer of securities by the Corporation, or any Subsidiary has an
aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.
(e) Nothing contained in this Article Fifteenth shall be construed to
relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by
law.
Sixteenth: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of
Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other
vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation by the
By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one
class) shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of Articles
Fifth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth or Sixteenth of this Charter or Act of
Incorporation.
Seventeenth: (a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or
limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Laws
as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not
adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation
existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to
the time of such repeal or modification."
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EXHIBIT B
BY-LAWS
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
As existing on January 20, 2000
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BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
ARTICLE I
Stockholders' Meetings
Section 1. The Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall be held on the third
Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such
other date, time, or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of
Directors.
Section 2. Special meetings of all stockholders may be called at any time
by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.
Section 3. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by
mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his
last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of
such meeting.
Section 4. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company
issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any
business, but the holders of a small number of shares may adjourn, from time to
time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or
special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote,
either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the
stockholder's name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such
meeting as determined herein.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. The number and classification of the Board of Directors shall
be as set forth in the Charter of the Bank. No more than two Directors may also
be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.
Section 2. No person who has attained the age of seventy-two (72) years
shall be nominated for election to the Board of Directors of the Company,
provided, however, that this limitation shall not apply to any person who was
serving as director of the Company on September 16, 1971. The Chairman of the
Board of Directors shall not be qualified to continue to serve as a Director
upon the termination for any reason of his or her services in that office.
Section 3. The class of Directors so elected shall hold office for three
years or until their successors are elected and qualified.
Section 4. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed and
conducted by the Board of Directors.
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Section 5. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of
the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a
majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of
Directors or the President.
Section 6. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at
any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by the President, and
shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.
Section 7. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be
necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting
of the Board of Directors.
Section 8. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any
special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or
place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which
shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.
Section 9. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to
act, or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less
than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office
for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the
vacancy occurred, and until such director's successor shall have been duly
elected and qualified.
Section 10. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its
election by the stockholders shall appoint an Executive Committee, a Trust
Committee, an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee, and shall elect from
its own members a Chairman of the Board of Directors and a President who may be
the same person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a
Secretary and a Treasurer, who may be the same person, may appoint at any time
such other committees and elect or appoint such other officers as it may deem
advisable. The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more
Associate Directors.
Section 11. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or
without cause, any member of any Committee appointed by it or any associate
director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.
Section 12. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in
charge of such of the departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem
advisable.
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ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee
(A) The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than nine
members who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members and
who shall hold office during the pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Executive Committee shall have all the powers of the Board of
Directors when it is not in session to transact all business for and in behalf
of the Company that may be brought before it.
(C) The Executive Committee shall meet at the principal office of the
Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a
majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Executive
Committee or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The
majority of its members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be
held at any time when a quorum is present.
(D) Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be kept
and submitted to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
(E) The Executive Committee shall advise and superintend all
investments that may be made of the funds of the Company, and shall direct the
disposal of the same, in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Board
of Directors from time to time make.
(F) In the event of a state of disaster of sufficient severity to
prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company by
its directors and officers as contemplated by these By-Laws any two available
members of the Executive Committee as constituted immediately prior to such
disaster shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and
management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the
provisions of Article III of these By-Laws; and if less than three members of
the Trust Committee is constituted immediately prior to such disaster shall be
available for the transaction of its business, such Executive Committee shall
also be empowered to exercise all of the powers reserved to the Trust Committee
under Article III Section 2 hereof. In the event of the unavailability, at such
time, of a minimum of two members of such Executive Committee, any three
available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full
conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance
with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This By-Law shall be subject to
implementation by Resolutions of the Board of Directors presently existing or
hereafter passed from time to time for that purpose, and
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any provisions of these By-Laws (other than this Section) and any resolutions
which are contrary to the provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any
such implementary Resolutions shall be suspended during such a disaster period
until it shall be determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under
this section that it shall be to the advantage of the Company to resume the
conduct and management of its affairs and business under all of the other
provisions of these By-Laws.
Section 2. Audit Committee
(A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of five members who shall
be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall
be an officer of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the
Board.
(B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit
Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer
in charge of the Audit Division, review all reports of examination of the
Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for
that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with
respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the
Company as it shall deem desirable.
(C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever the majority
of its members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business,
and a majority of its Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3. Compensation Committee
(A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more than
five (5) members who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own
members who are not officers of the Company and who shall hold office during the
pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all
matters of policy concerning the Company brought to its attention by the
management and from time to time review the management of the Company, major
organizational matters, including salaries and employee benefits and
specifically shall administer the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.
(C) Meetings of the Compensation Committee may be called at any time
by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, or the President of the Company.
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Section 4. Associate Directors
(A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the
Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve during the pleasure of the
Board.
(B) An associate director shall be entitled to attend all directors
meetings and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board,
with the exception that he would have no right to vote. An associate director
will be eligible for appointment to Committees of the Company, with the
exception of the Executive Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation
Committee, which must be comprised solely of active directors.
Section 5. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee
(A) In the absence or disqualification of any member of any Committee
created under Article III of the By-Laws of this Company, the member or members
thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not
he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the
Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or
disqualified member.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 1. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all
meetings of the Board and shall have such further authority and powers and shall
perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time confer and
direct. He shall also exercise such powers and perform such duties as may from
time to time be agreed upon between himself and the President of the Company.
Section 2. The Vice Chairman of the Board. The Vice Chairman of the
Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at
which the Chairman of the Board shall not be present and shall have such further
authority and powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors or
the Chairman of the Board may from time to time confer and direct.
Section 3. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to
the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute or assigned
to him by the Board of Directors. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board
the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 4. The Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President as
designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal
directions of the Executive Committee and
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of the Board of Directors, and shall at all times exercise general supervision
over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties
incident to his office.
Section 5. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated
by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all the duties of the
Chairman of the Board of Directors and/or the President and such other powers
and duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of
Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board or the President
and by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are
assigned.
Section 6. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings
of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the Committees
thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings and to
recording the same in the minute books of the Company. In addition to the other
notice requirements of these By-Laws and as may be practicable under the
circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance
of the scheduled date of any other meeting. He shall have custody of the
corporate seal and shall affix the same to any documents requiring such
corporate seal and to attest the same.
Section 7. The Treasurer shall have general supervision over all assets
and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for
all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper
records of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all the transactions
of the Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the
Company and shall report to the Board of Directors at each regular meeting of
the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties as may be assigned
to him from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Executive Committee.
Section 8. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general
supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting,
and shall render to the Board of Directors at appropriate times a report
relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company.
There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers
however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such
duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.
Section 9. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in
charge of the Audit Division of the Company with such title as the Board of
Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible only to
the Board of Directors.
There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers,
however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such
duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Division.
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Section 10. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all
Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to
time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office Assistant
Secretary of this Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed
by the officer in charge of the department or division to whom they are
assigned.
Section 11. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company
shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the
direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, Chairman of the
Board of Directors or the President and the officer in charge of the department
or division to which they are assigned.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Shares of stock shall be transferrable on the books of the
Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall
be recorded.
Section 2. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the
President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors
and countersigned by the Secretary or Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary, and
the seal of the corporation shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall
recite that the stock represented thereby is transferrable only upon the books
of the Company by the holder thereof or his attorney, upon surrender of the
certificate properly endorsed. Any certificate of stock surrendered to the
Company shall be cancelled at the time of transfer, and before a new certificate
or certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof. Duplicate certificates of
stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to
the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
Section 3. The Board of Directors of the Company is authorized to fix in
advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment
thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment or
rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or
exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of
stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor
less than 10 days proceeding 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 such consent.
ARTICLE VI
Seal
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Section 1. The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following
form:
Between two concentric circles the words
"Wilmington Trust Company" within the inner
circle the words "Wilmington, Delaware."
ARTICLE VII
Fiscal Year
Section 1. The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE VIII
Execution of Instruments of the Company
Section 1. The Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice
President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power
and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and
the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to
attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds,
conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes,
mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or
in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other
fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or
by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of
Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval
or confirmation by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and any
and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though
expressly authorized by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IX
Compensation of Directors and Members of Committees
Section 1. Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than
salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or
fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors
may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as
members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be
paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as
the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and
associate directors may be employed by the Company for such special services as
the Board of Directors may from time to time determine and shall be paid for
such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined
by the Board of Directors.
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ARTICLE X
Indemnification
Section 1. (A) The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may
hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made
a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of
the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, 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, fiduciary or
agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust,
enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee
benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably
incurred by such person. The Corporation shall indemnify a person in connection
with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized
by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(B) The Corporation shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the
payment of expenses incurred by a Director or officer in his capacity as a
Director or officer in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall
be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Director or officer to repay
all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Director or
officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article or otherwise.
(C) If a claim for indemnification or payment of expenses, under this
Article X is not paid in full within ninety days after a written claim therefor
has been received by the Corporation the claimant may file suit to recover the
unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be
entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action
the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not
entitled to the requested indemnification of payment of expenses under
applicable law.
(D) The rights conferred on any person by this Article X shall not be
exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire
under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these By-
Laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise.
(E) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this
Article X shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any
person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such
repeal or modification.
ARTICLE XI
-25-
<PAGE>
Amendments to the By-Laws
Section 1. These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or
in part, and any new By-Law or By-Laws adopted at any regular or special meeting
of the Board of Directors by a vote of the majority of all the members of the
Board of Directors then in office.
-26-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by
Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such
authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: By: /s/ Donald G. MacKelcan
----------------------- --------------------------
Name: Donald G. MacKelcan
Title: Vice President
-27-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
NOTICE
This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings
banks with state publication requirements. It has not been approved by
any state banking authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking
authorities for your state publication requirements.
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY of WILMINGTON
- -------------------------------------------- -----------------
Name of Bank City
in the State of DELAWARE , at the close of business on March 31, 2000.
-----------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSETS
Thousands of dollars
<S> <C>
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins.................201,493
Interest-bearing balances..................................0
Held-to-maturity securities.............................................................27,489
Available-for-sale securities........................................................1,537,081
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell.................337,813
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases, net of unearned income............4,531,569
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses.......... 68,310
LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve............ 0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve.......4,463,259
Assets held in trading accounts..............................................................0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)...............................120,726
Other real estate owned....................................................................537
</TABLE>
-28-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies...........1,582
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding......................0
Intangible assets.............................................................5,006
Other assets................................................................114,099
Total assets..............................................................6,809,085
</TABLE>
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES
<S> <C>
Deposits:
In domestic offices...........................................................5,385,466
Noninterest-bearing...........................................................934,606
Interest-bearing............................................................4,450,860
Federal funds purchased and Securities sold under agreements to repurchase......202,083
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.........................................52,267
Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D)..............................................0
Other borrowed money:
With original maturity of one year or less....................................607,000
With original maturity of more than one year...................................43,000
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding..............................0
Subordinated notes and debentures.....................................................0
Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)...........................................92,580
Total liabilities.............................................................6,382,396
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus.........................................0
Common Stock........................................................................500
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock).........................62,118
Undivided profits and capital reserves..........................................400,571
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities..........(36,500)
Total equity capital............................................................426,689
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital...........6,809,085
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Exhibit 25.2
Registration No.:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(b)(2)___
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cynthia L. Corliss
Vice President and Trust Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
WINTRUST CAPITAL TRUST II
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Delaware [Applied For]
Illinois 36-3873352
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1951
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Cumulative Preferred Securities of Wintrust Capital Trust II
(Title of the indenture securities)
-1-
<PAGE>
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner
Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware
Suite #2901
Philadelphia, PA
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each
affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the
trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is
not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of
Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes
the certificate of authority of Wilmington Trust Company to
commence business and the authorization of Wilmington Trust
Company to exercise corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b)
of Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust
Company.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of
Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 10th day
of January, 2000.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: /s/Patricia A. Evans By: /s/Donald G. MacKelcan
----------------------------- --------------------------------
Assistant Secretary Name: Donald G. MacKelcan
Title: Vice President
-2-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
AMENDED CHARTER
Wilmington Trust Company
Wilmington, Delaware
As existing on May 9, 1987
Amended Charter
or
Act of Incorporation
of
Wilmington Trust Company
Wilmington Trust Company, originally incorporated by an Act of the General
Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Delaware
Guarantee and Trust Company", approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which
company was changed to "Wilmington Trust Company" by an amendment filed in the
Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act
of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed
by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust
companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or
Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its
entirety read as follows:
First: - The name of this corporation is Wilmington Trust Company.
Second: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is
at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle;
the name of its resident agent is Wilmington Trust Company whose address
is Rodney Square North, in said City. In addition to such principal
office, the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the
City of Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New
Castle County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at
Greenville, New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New
Castle County, Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and
operate branch offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue,
2120 Market Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington,
New Castle County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of
business as may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies
of the government of the State of Delaware empowered
<PAGE>
to confer such authority.
Third: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes
proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are
to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same
extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world,
viz.:
(1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or
equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at
pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in
real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers
and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make
by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United
States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences
of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to
buy gold and silver bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell bills
of exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers,
rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are
proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the
Corporation hereby created.
(2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or
interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real
or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest
therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands
or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.
(3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt,
collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the
purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all
descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be
necessary or proper in such business.
(4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases,
conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description,
and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all its branches.
(5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate,
deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort
and kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers,
courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and
from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations
whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes,
safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.
(6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering,
issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting
the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation,
association, state or municipality, and may
<PAGE>
receive and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be
agreed upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as
Treasurer of any corporation or municipality.
(7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or
other instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic,
corporation, association or person, either alone or in conjunction
with any other person or persons, corporation or corporations.
(8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract
or agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of
responsibility or trust; to become surety for any person, or persons,
for the faithful performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or
agreement, either by itself or in conjunction with any other person,
or persons, corporation, or corporations, or in like manner become
surety upon any bond, recognizance, obligation, judgment, suit,
order, or decree to be entered in any court of record within the
State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or hereafter be
required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of Delaware
or elsewhere.
(9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee
in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor,
administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in
the receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all
estates and property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as
such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in
bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any
persons, corporations, court, officer, or authority, in the State of
Delaware or elsewhere; and whenever this Corporation is so appointed
by any person, corporation, court, officer or authority such trustee,
trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy,
executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust
capacity, it shall not be required to give bond with surety, but its
capital stock shall be taken and held as security for the performance
of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.
(10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of
any of its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the
duties which it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for
the assumption of any responsibility the said Corporation may be
entitled to receive a proper compensation.
(11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures,
shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts
and evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal
corporation within and without the State of Delaware, or of the
Government of the United States, or of any state, territory, colony,
or possession thereof, or of any foreign government or country;
<PAGE>
to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends
and income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures,
notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts,
evidences of indebtedness and other property held and owned by it,
and to exercise in respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures,
notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts,
evidences of indebtedness and other property, any and all the rights,
powers and privileges of individual owners thereof, including the
right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in and with any of the
moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in such manner as
it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary or realize
such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges or
deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the
property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge
such bonds, as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and
in the promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to
the extent authorized by law, to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign,
transfer, pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of
any name and nature and any estate or interest therein.
(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by
the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that
the said Corporation shall also have the following powers:
(1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same
extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the
world.
(2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to
undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any
person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in
cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in
any manner to dispose of the whole or any part of the property so
purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of
any business so acquired, and to exercise all the powers necessary or
convenient in and about the conduct and management of such business.
(3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to
lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of
property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.
(4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every
kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without
limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute
and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants,
bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.
(5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its
operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as
natural persons might or
<PAGE>
could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to
mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal
property, of every class and description, in any State, District,
Territory or Colony of the United States, and in any foreign country
or place.
(6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers
specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where
otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or
restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other
clause of this or any other paragraph in this charter, but that the
objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this
paragraph shall be regarded as independent objects, purposes and
powers.
Fourth: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which
the Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million
(41,000,000) shares, consisting of:
(1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value
$10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Preferred Stock"); and
(2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value
$1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock").
(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or
more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of
Directors each of said series to be distinctly designated. All shares of
any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular,
except that there may be different dates from which dividends, if any,
thereon shall be cumulative, if made cumulative. The voting powers and
the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special
rights of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other
series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the provisions of
subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article Fourth, the Board of
Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix
by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares
of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the
designations, preferences and relative, optional and other special rights,
and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series,
including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
following:
(1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of
Preferred Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may
be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of
Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof
then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the Board of
Directors;
(2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on
which, dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be
paid, the extent of
<PAGE>
the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the
dividends payable on any other class or classes, or series of the
same or other class of stock and whether such dividends shall be
cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such
series to convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of
any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any other
class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the terms and
conditions of such conversion or exchange;
(4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to
redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times
at which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of
such series may be redeemed.
(5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such
series upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger,
consolidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or
winding-up, of the Corporation.
(6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account,
if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and
(7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of
Preferred Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing include the right, voting as a series or by itself or
together with other series of Preferred Stock or all series of
Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one or more directors of the
Corporation if there shall have been a default in the payment of
dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or under such
circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors may
determine.
(c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on
the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section
(b) of this Article Fourth), if any, shall have been met and after the
Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements, if any, with
respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or
purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b)
of this Article Fourth), and subject further to any conditions which may
be fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article
Fourth, then and not otherwise the holders of Common Stock shall be
entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by
the Board of Directors.
(2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any,
(fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this
Article Fourth), to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock
in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or
sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the
holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the
remaining assets of the Corporation, tangible and intangible, of
<PAGE>
whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in
proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them
respectively.
(3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions
of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of
Directors pursuant to section (b) of this Article Fourth, each holder
of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of
Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.
(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of
options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or
series of stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any
preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any
class or series or any additional shares of any class or series to be
issued by reason of any increase of the authorized capital stock of the
Corporation of any class or series, or bonds, certificates of
indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into or
exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or
carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such
unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or
series of stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock,
or carrying any right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of
pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors to such persons, firms,
corporations or associations, whether such holders or others, and upon
such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors in the
exercise of its sole discretion.
(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of
Preferred Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights
of each other series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed
from time to time by the Board of Directors in the resolution or
resolutions adopted pursuant to authority granted in section (b) of this
Article Fourth and the consent, by class or series vote or otherwise, of
the holders of such of the series of Preferred Stock as are from time to
time outstanding shall not be required for the issuance by the Board of
Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock whether or not the
powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be fixed by the
Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers,
preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them;
provided, however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the
resolution or resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted
pursuant to section (b) of this Article Fourth that the consent of the
holders of a majority (or such greater proportion as shall be therein
fixed) of the outstanding shares of such series voting thereon shall be
required for the issuance of any or all other series of Preferred Stock.
(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of
Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors
of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such
consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
<PAGE>
(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board
of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for
such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred
Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from
time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
Fifth: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be
conducted and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors
constituting the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than
twenty-five as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole
Board, provided, however, that the number of directors shall not be
reduced so as to shorten the term of any director at the time in office,
and provided further, that the number of directors constituting the whole
Board shall be twenty-four until otherwise fixed by a majority of the
whole Board.
(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly
equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the
whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each
year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the
first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the
next succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be
elected to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual
meeting and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office
for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies
in the Board of Directors for any reason, and any newly created
directorships resulting from any increase in the directors, may be filled
by the Board of Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in
office, although less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall
hold office until the next annual election of directors. At such
election, the stockholders shall elect a successor to such director to
hold office until the next election of the class for which such director
shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and
qualified. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term
of any incumbent director.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of
Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the
fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or
Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or
the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any
time without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of
two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the
stockholders called for that purpose.
(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of
Directors or
<PAGE>
by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such
nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by
first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the
Corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any
meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors;
provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is
given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed,
as prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the
close of the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting
was mailed to stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by
the Board of Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the
Board.
(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age,
business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed
in such notice, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such
nominee and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which
are beneficially owned by each such nominee.
(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and
declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with
the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so
declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or
special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a
meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a
meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.
Sixth: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as
may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find
necessary or proper.
Seventh: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers,
rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized
under the Act entitled "An Act Providing a General Corporation Law",
approved March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.
Eighth: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.
Ninth: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
Tenth: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the
whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive
Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or
in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the
powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and
affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of
the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.
<PAGE>
Eleventh: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable
for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.
Twelfth: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.
Thirteenth: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly
authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a
vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make,
alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided
however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be
adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more
of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose
as one class).
Fourteenth: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the State
of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the
Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the Company outside of the
State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by
them.
Fifteenth: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by law,
and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and (c) of this
Article Fifteenth:
(A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary
(as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder
(as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or
not itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or
consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an
Interested Stockholder, or
(B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other
disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions)
to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any
Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any
Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or
more, or
(C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in
one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any
securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested
Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in
exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination
thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more,
or
(D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation, or
(E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock
split), or
<PAGE>
recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation
of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar
transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an
Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly,
of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of
any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or
any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any
Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested
Stockholder,
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this
Article Fifteenth as one class ("Voting Shares"). Such affirmative vote shall
be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some
lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national
securities exchange or otherwise.
(2) The term "business combination" as used in this Article
Fifteenth shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any
one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the
section (a).
(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article Fifteenth shall not
be applicable to any particular business combination and such business
combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by
law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or
By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority
of the whole Board.
(c) For the purposes of this Article Fifteenth:
(1) A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other
entity.
(2) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean, in respect of any business
combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who
or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or
immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:
(A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10%
of the Voting Shares, or
(B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two
years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly,
of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or
(C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of
capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two
years prior thereto
<PAGE>
beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment
or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or
series of transactions not involving a public offering within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) A person shall be the "beneficial owner" of any Voting Shares:
(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as
hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or
(B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i)
the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or
only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion
rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii)
the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding, or
(C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other
person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates
or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of
capital stock of the Corporation.
(4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through
application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting
Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of
conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.
(5) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings given
those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.
(6) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any
class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on
December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation;
provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment
Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term
"Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each
class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation.
(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to
determine for the purposes of this Article Fifteenth on the basis of
information known to them, (1) the number of Voting Shares
beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person is an Affiliate
or Associate of another, (3) whether a person has an agreement,
arrangement or understanding with another as to the matters referred
<PAGE>
to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or (4) whether the assets subject
to any business combination or the consideration received for the
issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation, or any
Subsidiary has an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.
(e) Nothing contained in this Article Fifteenth shall be construed to
relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation
imposed by law.
Sixteenth: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of
Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any
other vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of
Incorporation by the By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend,
alter or repeal any provision of Articles Fifth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth or
Sixteenth of this Charter or Act of Incorporation.
Seventeenth: (a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from
liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General
Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not
adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the
Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission
occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification."
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
BY-LAWS
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
As existing on January 20, 2000
<PAGE>
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
ARTICLE I
Stockholders' Meetings
Section 1. The Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall be held on the third
Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such
other date, time, or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of
Directors.
Section 2. Special meetings of all stockholders may be called at any time
by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.
Section 3. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by
mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his
last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of
such meeting.
Section 4. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company
issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any
business, but the holders of a small number of shares may adjourn, from time to
time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or
special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote,
either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the
stockholder's name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such
meeting as determined herein.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. The number and classification of the Board of Directors shall
be as set forth in the Charter of the Bank. No more than two Directors may also
be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.
Section 2. No person who has attained the age of seventy-two (72) years
shall be nominated for election to the Board of Directors of the Company,
provided, however, that this limitation shall not apply to any person who was
serving as director of the Company on September 16, 1971. The Chairman of the
Board of Directors shall not be qualified to continue to serve as a Director
upon the termination for any reason of his or her services in that office.
Section 3. The class of Directors so elected shall hold office for three
years or until their successors are elected and qualified.
Section 4. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed and
conducted by the Board of Directors.
<PAGE>
Section 5. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of
the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a
majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of
Directors or the President.
Section 6. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at
any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by the President, and
shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.
Section 7. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be
necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting
of the Board of Directors.
Section 8. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any
special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or
place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which
shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.
Section 9. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to
act, or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less
than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office
for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the
vacancy occurred, and until such director's successor shall have been duly
elected and qualified.
Section 10. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its
election by the stockholders shall appoint an Executive Committee, a Trust
Committee, an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee, and shall elect from
its own members a Chairman of the Board of Directors and a President who may be
the same person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a
Secretary and a Treasurer, who may be the same person, may appoint at any time
such other committees and elect or appoint such other officers as it may deem
advisable. The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more
Associate Directors.
Section 11. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or
without cause, any member of any Committee appointed by it or any associate
director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.
Section 12. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in
charge of such of the departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem
advisable.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee
(A) The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than nine
members who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members and
who shall hold office during the pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Executive Committee shall have all the powers of the Board of
Directors when it is not in session to transact all business for and in behalf
of the Company that may be brought before it.
(C) The Executive Committee shall meet at the principal office of the
Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a
majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Executive
Committee or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The
majority of its members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be
held at any time when a quorum is present.
(D) Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be kept
and submitted to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
(E) The Executive Committee shall advise and superintend all
investments that may be made of the funds of the Company, and shall direct the
disposal of the same, in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Board
of Directors from time to time make.
(F) In the event of a state of disaster of sufficient severity to
prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company by
its directors and officers as contemplated by these By-Laws any two available
members of the Executive Committee as constituted immediately prior to such
disaster shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and
management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the
provisions of Article III of these By-Laws; and if less than three members of
the Trust Committee is constituted immediately prior to such disaster shall be
available for the transaction of its business, such Executive Committee shall
also be empowered to exercise all of the powers reserved to the Trust Committee
under Article III Section 2 hereof. In the event of the unavailability, at such
time, of a minimum of two members of such Executive Committee, any three
available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full
conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance
with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This By-Law shall be subject to
implementation by Resolutions of the Board of Directors presently existing or
hereafter passed from time to time for that purpose, and
<PAGE>
any provisions of these By-Laws (other than this Section) and any resolutions
which are contrary to the provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any
such implementary Resolutions shall be suspended during such a disaster period
until it shall be determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under
this section that it shall be to the advantage of the Company to resume the
conduct and management of its affairs and business under all of the other
provisions of these By-Laws.
Section 2. Audit Committee
(A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of five members who shall
be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall
be an officer of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the
Board.
(B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit
Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer
in charge of the Audit Division, review all reports of examination of the
Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for
that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with
respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the
Company as it shall deem desirable.
(C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever the majority
of its members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business,
and a majority of its Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3. Compensation Committee
(A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more than
five (5) members who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own
members who are not officers of the Company and who shall hold office during the
pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all
matters of policy concerning the Company brought to its attention by the
management and from time to time review the management of the Company, major
organizational matters, including salaries and employee benefits and
specifically shall administer the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.
(C) Meetings of the Compensation Committee may be called at any time
by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, or the President of the Company.
<PAGE>
Section 4. Associate Directors
(A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the
Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve during the pleasure of the
Board.
(B) An associate director shall be entitled to attend all directors
meetings and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board,
with the exception that he would have no right to vote. An associate director
will be eligible for appointment to Committees of the Company, with the
exception of the Executive Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation
Committee, which must be comprised solely of active directors.
Section 5. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee
(A) In the absence or disqualification of any member of any Committee
created under Article III of the By-Laws of this Company, the member or members
thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not
he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the
Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or
disqualified member.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 1. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all
meetings of the Board and shall have such further authority and powers and shall
perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time confer and
direct. He shall also exercise such powers and perform such duties as may from
time to time be agreed upon between himself and the President of the Company.
Section 2. The Vice Chairman of the Board. The Vice Chairman of the
Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at
which the Chairman of the Board shall not be present and shall have such further
authority and powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors or
the Chairman of the Board may from time to time confer and direct.
Section 3. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to
the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute or assigned
to him by the Board of Directors. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board
the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 4. The Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President as
designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal
directions of the Executive Committee and
<PAGE>
of the Board of Directors, and shall at all times exercise general supervision
over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties
incident to his office.
Section 5. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated
by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all the duties of the
Chairman of the Board of Directors and/or the President and such other powers
and duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of
Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board or the President
and by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are
assigned.
Section 6. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings
of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the Committees
thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings and to
recording the same in the minute books of the Company. In addition to the other
notice requirements of these By-Laws and as may be practicable under the
circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance
of the scheduled date of any other meeting. He shall have custody of the
corporate seal and shall affix the same to any documents requiring such
corporate seal and to attest the same.
Section 7. The Treasurer shall have general supervision over all assets
and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for
all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper
records of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all the transactions
of the Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the
Company and shall report to the Board of Directors at each regular meeting of
the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties as may be assigned
to him from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Executive Committee.
Section 8. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general
supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting,
and shall render to the Board of Directors at appropriate times a report
relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company.
There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers
however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such
duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.
Section 9. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in
charge of the Audit Division of the Company with such title as the Board of
Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible only to
the Board of Directors.
There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers,
however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such
duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Division.
<PAGE>
Section 10. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all
Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to
time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office Assistant
Secretary of this Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed
by the officer in charge of the department or division to whom they are
assigned.
Section 11. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company
shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the
direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, Chairman of the
Board of Directors or the President and the officer in charge of the department
or division to which they are assigned.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Shares of stock shall be transferrable on the books of the
Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall
be recorded.
Section 2. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the
President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors
and countersigned by the Secretary or Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary, and
the seal of the corporation shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall
recite that the stock represented thereby is transferrable only upon the books
of the Company by the holder thereof or his attorney, upon surrender of the
certificate properly endorsed. Any certificate of stock surrendered to the
Company shall be cancelled at the time of transfer, and before a new certificate
or certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof. Duplicate certificates of
stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to
the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
Section 3. The Board of Directors of the Company is authorized to fix in
advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment
thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment or
rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or
exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of
stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor
less than 10 days proceeding 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 such consent.
ARTICLE VI
Seal
<PAGE>
Section 1. The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following
form:
Between two concentric circles the words
"Wilmington Trust Company" within the inner
circle the words "Wilmington, Delaware."
ARTICLE VII
Fiscal Year
Section 1. The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE VIII
Execution of Instruments of the Company
Section 1. The Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice
President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power
and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and
the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to
attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds,
conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes,
mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or
in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other
fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or
by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of
Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval
or confirmation by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and any
and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though
expressly authorized by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IX
Compensation of Directors and Members of Committees
Section 1. Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than
salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or
fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors
may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as
members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be
paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as
the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and
associate directors may be employed by the Company for such special services as
the Board of Directors may from time to time determine and shall be paid for
such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined
by the Board of Directors.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE X
Indemnification
Section 1. (A) The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may
hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made
a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of
the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, 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, fiduciary or
agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust,
enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee
benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably
incurred by such person. The Corporation shall indemnify a person in connection
with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized
by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(B) The Corporation shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the
payment of expenses incurred by a Director or officer in his capacity as a
Director or officer in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall
be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Director or officer to repay
all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Director or
officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article or otherwise.
(C) If a claim for indemnification or payment of expenses, under this
Article X is not paid in full within ninety days after a written claim therefor
has been received by the Corporation the claimant may file suit to recover the
unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be
entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action
the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not
entitled to the requested indemnification of payment of expenses under
applicable law.
(D) The rights conferred on any person by this Article X shall not be
exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire
under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these By-
Laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise.
(E) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this
Article X shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any
person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such
repeal or modification.
ARTICLE XI
<PAGE>
Amendments to the By-Laws
Section 1. These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or
in part, and any new By-Law or By-Laws adopted at any regular or special meeting
of the Board of Directors by a vote of the majority of all the members of the
Board of Directors then in office.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by
Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such
authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
/s/ Donald G. MacKelcan
Dated: _______________________ By:____________________________
Name: Donald G. MacKelcan
Title: Vice President
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
NOTICE
This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with
state publication requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking
authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state
publication requirements.
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY of WILMINGTON
- -------------------------------------------- -----------------
Name of Bank City
in the State of DELAWARE, at the close of business on March 31, 2000.
---------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSETS
Thousands of dollars
<S> <C>
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins...................... 201,493
Interest-bearing balances................................................ 0
Held-to-maturity securities............................................... 27,489
Available-for-sale securities............................................. 1,537,081
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell.... 337,813
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases, net of unearned income........................4,531,569
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses...................... 68,310
LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve.......................... 0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve......... 4,463,259
Assets held in trading accounts........................................... 0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases).................. 120,726
Other real estate owned................................................... 537
</TABLE>
-28-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies....... 1,582
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding.............. 0
Intangible assets......................................................... 5,006
Other assets.............................................................. 114,099
Total assets.............................................................. 6,809,085
</TABLE>
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES
<S> <C>
Deposits:
In domestic offices....................................................... 5,385,466
Noninterest-bearing............................................ 934,606
Interest-bearing............................................... 4,450,860
Federal funds purchased and Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 202,083
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.................................. 52,267
Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D).................................. 0
Other borrowed money:..................................................... ///////
With original maturity of one year or less............................... 607,000
With original maturity of more than one year............................. 43,000
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding.................. 0
Subordinated notes and debentures......................................... 0
Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G).................................... 92,580
Total liabilities......................................................... 6,382,396
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus............................. 0
Common Stock.............................................................. 500
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock).................. 62,118
Undivided profits and capital reserves.................................... 400,571
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities.... (36,500)
Total equity capital...................................................... 426,689
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital....... 6,809,085
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
Exhibit 25.3
Registration No.:
===============================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(b)(2)______
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cynthia L. Corliss
Vice President and Trust Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Illinois 36-3873352
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1951
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Guarantee of Preferred Securities of Wintrust Financial Corporation
(Title of the indenture securities)
-1-
<PAGE>
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner
Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware
Suite #2901
Philadelphia, PA
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each
affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee
and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an
affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of
Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes
the certificate of authority of Wilmington Trust Company to
commence business and the authorization of Wilmington Trust
Company to exercise corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of
Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust
Company.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of
Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 10th day
of January, 2000.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: /s/ Patricia Evans By: /s/ Donald G. MacKelcan
------------------------- ---------------------------------
Assistant Secretary Name: Donald G. MacKelcan
Title: Vice President
-2-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
AMENDED CHARTER
Wilmington Trust Company
Wilmington, Delaware
As existing on May 9, 1987
Amended Charter
or
Act of Incorporation
of
Wilmington Trust Company
Wilmington Trust Company, originally incorporated by an Act of the General
Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Delaware
Guarantee and Trust Company", approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which
company was changed to "Wilmington Trust Company" by an amendment filed in the
Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act
of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed
by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust
companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or
Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its
entirety read as follows:
First: - The name of this corporation is Wilmington Trust Company.
Second: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is
at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle;
the name of its resident agent is Wilmington Trust Company whose address is
Rodney Square North, in said City. In addition to such principal office,
the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the City of
Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle
County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville,
New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County,
Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch
offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market
Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New Castle
County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of business as
may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies of the
government of the State of Delaware empowered
-3-
<PAGE>
to confer such authority.
Third: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes
proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are
to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same
extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world,
viz.:
(1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or
equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at
pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in
real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers
and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make
by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United
States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences
of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to buy
gold and silver bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell bills of
exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers,
rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are
proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the
Corporation hereby created.
(2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or
interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real
or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest
therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands
or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.
(3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt,
collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the
purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all
descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be
necessary or proper in such business.
(4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases,
conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description,
and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all its branches.
(5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate,
deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort and
kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers,
courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and
from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations
whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes,
safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.
(6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering,
issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting
the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation, association,
state or municipality, and may
-4-
<PAGE>
receive and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be agreed
upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as Treasurer of
any corporation or municipality.
(7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or other
instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic, corporation,
association or person, either alone or in conjunction with any other person
or persons, corporation or corporations.
(8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract or
agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of responsibility or
trust; to become surety for any person, or persons, for the faithful
performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or agreement, either by
itself or in conjunction with any other person, or persons, corporation, or
corporations, or in like manner become surety upon any bond, recognizance,
obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any court of
record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or
hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of
Delaware or elsewhere.
(9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee in
bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor,
administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in the
receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all estates and
property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee,
trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy,
executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations,
court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and
whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any person, corporation,
court, officer or authority such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver,
assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian,
bailee, or in any other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give
bond with surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security
for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.
(10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of any of
its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the duties which
it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for the assumption of any
responsibility the said Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper
compensation.
(11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures,
shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts and
evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal corporation
within and without the State of Delaware, or of the Government of the
United States, or of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof,
or of any foreign government or country;
-5-
<PAGE>
to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends and
income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares
of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of
indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to exercise in
respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital
stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and
other property, any and all the rights, powers and privileges of individual
owners thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in
and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in
such manner as it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary
or realize such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges
or deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the
property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such
bonds, as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and in the
promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to the extent
authorized by law, to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer,
pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of any name and
nature and any estate or interest therein.
(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by the
laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that the said
Corporation shall also have the following powers:
(1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same extent as
natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the world.
(2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to
undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any
person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in cash,
stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in any manner to
dispose of the whole or any part of the property so purchased; to conduct
in any lawful manner the whole or any part of any business so acquired,
and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the
conduct and management of such business.
(3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to lease,
sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of property,
real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.
(4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind
with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without limit as
to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue
promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures,
and other negotiable or transferable instruments.
(5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations
and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as natural persons
might or
-6-
<PAGE>
could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage,
sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property, of
every class and description, in any State, District, Territory or
Colony of the United States, and in any foreign country or place.
(6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers
specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where
otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or restricted
by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of
this or any other paragraph in this charter, but that the objects,
purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this paragraph
shall be regarded as independent objects, purposes and powers.
Fourth: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million (41,000,000)
shares, consisting of:
(1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value
$10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Preferred Stock"); and
(2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00
per share (hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock").
(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more
series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors each of
said series to be distinctly designated. All shares of any one series of
Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be
different dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if
made cumulative. The voting powers and the preferences and relative,
participating, optional and other special rights of each such series, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from
those of any and all other series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the
provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article Fourth, the Board
of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by
resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a
particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations,
preferences and relative, optional and other special rights, and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, including, but
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:
(1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of Preferred
Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased
(except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors) or decreased
(but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to
time by like action of the Board of Directors;
(2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on which,
dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be paid, the
extent of
-7-
<PAGE>
the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the dividends
payable on any other class or classes, or series of the same or other class
of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series to
convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of any other class
or classes or of any series of the same or any other class or classes of
stock of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of such conversion or
exchange;
(4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to
redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at
which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such
series may be redeemed.
(5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series
upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation,
distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the
Corporation.
(6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if
any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and
(7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of Preferred
Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include
the right, voting as a series or by itself or together with other series of
Preferred Stock or all series of Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one
or more directors of the Corporation if there shall have been a default in
the payment of dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or
under such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors
may determine.
(c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on the
Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this
Article Fourth), if any, shall have been met and after the Corporation shall
have complied with all the requirements, if any, with respect to the setting
aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or purchase accounts (fixed in
accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth), and
subject further to any conditions which may be fixed in accordance with the
provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth, then and not otherwise the
holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends as may be
declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.
(2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, (fixed
in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth),
to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or sale of assets,
dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common
Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the
Corporation, tangible and intangible, of
-8-
<PAGE>
whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in
proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them
respectively.
(3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions of such
resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of Directors
pursuant to section (b) of this Article Fourth, each holder of Common Stock
shall have one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held on all
matters voted upon by the stockholders.
(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of
options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of
stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right
to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any
additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any increase
of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or
bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible
into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or
carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such
unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or series of
stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any
right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to resolution of
the Board of Directors to such persons, firms, corporations or associations,
whether such holders or others, and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable
by the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion.
(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of Preferred
Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights of each other
series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed from time to time by
the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions adopted pursuant to
authority granted in section (b) of this Article Fourth and the consent, by
class or series vote or otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of
Preferred Stock as are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for
the issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock
whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be
fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers,
preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them; provided,
however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the resolution or
resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b)
of this Article Fourth that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such
greater proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of such
series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any or all other
series of Preferred Stock.
(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of Preferred
Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the
Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as
shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
-9-
<PAGE>
(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of
Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such
consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred Stock
may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from time to
time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of
the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
Fifth: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be conducted
and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors constituting
the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than twenty-five as
fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole Board, provided,
however, that the number of directors shall not be reduced so as to shorten
the term of any director at the time in office, and provided further, that
the number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be twenty-four
until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole Board.
(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly
equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the
whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each
year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the first
class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next
succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected
to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting
and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term
expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies in the Board
of Directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting
from any increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of
Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although
less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the
next annual election of directors. At such election, the stockholders shall
elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next election
of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his
successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of
directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of
Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the
fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or
Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or
the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any time
without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-
thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the
stockholders called for that purpose.
(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of
Directors or
-10-
<PAGE>
by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such
nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by
first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the
Corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any
meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided,
however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to
stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as
prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of
the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed
to stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of
Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.
(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age,
business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed
in such notice, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee
and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are
beneficially owned by each such nominee.
(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and
declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with
the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare
to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or
special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a
meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a
meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.
Sixth: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as
may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find necessary
or proper.
Seventh: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers,
rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized under
the Act entitled "An Act Providing a General Corporation Law", approved
March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.
Eighth: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.
Ninth: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
Tenth: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the
whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive
Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or
in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the
powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and
affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of
the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.
-11-
<PAGE>
Eleventh: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable
for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.
Twelfth: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.
Thirteenth: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly
authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a
vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make,
alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided
however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be
adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more
of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose
as one class).
Fourteenth: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the State
of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the
Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the Company outside of the
State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by
them.
Fifteenth: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by law,
and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and (c) of this
Article Fifteenth:
(A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary
(as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder
(as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or
not itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or
consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an
Interested Stockholder, or
(B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other
disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions)
to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any
Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any
Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or
more, or
(C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in
one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any
securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested
Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in
exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination
thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more,
or
(D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation, or
(E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock
split), or
-12-
<PAGE>
recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of
the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar
transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an
Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly,
of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any
class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any
Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested
Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder,
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this
Article Fifteenth as one class ("Voting Shares"). Such affirmative vote shall
be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some
lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national
securities exchange or otherwise.
(2) The term "business combination" as used in this Article
Fifteenth shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any
one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the
section (a).
(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article Fifteenth shall not
be applicable to any particular business combination and such business
combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by
law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or
By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority
of the whole Board.
(c) For the purposes of this Article Fifteenth:
(1) A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other
entity.
(2) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean, in respect of any business
combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who
or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or
immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:
(A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10%
of the Voting Shares, or
(B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two
years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly,
of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or
(C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of
capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two
years prior thereto
-13-
<PAGE>
beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment
or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or
series of transactions not involving a public offering within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) A person shall be the "beneficial owner" of any Voting Shares:
(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as
hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or
(B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i)
the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or
only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion
rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii)
the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding, or
(C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any
other person with which such first mentioned person or any of its
Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or
understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or
disposing of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation.
(4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned
through application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other
Voting Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon
exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.
(5) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings given
those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.
(6) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any
class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on
December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation;
provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment
Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term
"Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each
class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation.
(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to
determine for the purposes of this Article Fifteenth on the basis of
information known to them, (1) the number of Voting Shares
beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person is an Affiliate
or Associate of another, (3) whether a person has an agreement,
arrangement or understanding with another as to the matters referred
-14-
<PAGE>
to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or (4) whether the assets subject
to any business combination or the consideration received for the
issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation, or any
Subsidiary has an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.
(e) Nothing contained in this Article Fifteenth shall be construed to
relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation
imposed by law.
Sixteenth: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of
Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any
other vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of
Incorporation by the By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend,
alter or repeal any provision of Articles Fifth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth or
Sixteenth of this Charter or Act of Incorporation.
Seventeenth: (a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from
liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General
Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not
adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the
Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission
occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification."
-15-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
BY-LAWS
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
As existing on January 20, 2000
-16-
<PAGE>
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
ARTICLE I
Stockholders' Meetings
Section 1. The Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall be held on the third
Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such
other date, time, or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of
Directors.
Section 2. Special meetings of all stockholders may be called at any time
by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.
Section 3. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by
mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his
last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of
such meeting.
Section 4. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company
issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any
business, but the holders of a small number of shares may adjourn, from time to
time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or
special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote,
either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the
stockholder's name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such
meeting as determined herein.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. The number and classification of the Board of Directors shall
be as set forth in the Charter of the Bank. No more than two Directors may also
be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.
Section 2. No person who has attained the age of seventy-two (72) years
shall be nominated for election to the Board of Directors of the Company,
provided, however, that this limitation shall not apply to any person who was
serving as director of the Company on September 16, 1971. The Chairman of the
Board of Directors shall not be qualified to continue to serve as a Director
upon the termination for any reason of his or her services in that office.
Section 3. The class of Directors so elected shall hold office for three
years or until their successors are elected and qualified.
Section 4. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed and
conducted by the Board of Directors.
-17-
<PAGE>
Section 5. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of
the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a
majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of
Directors or the President.
Section 6. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at
any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by the President, and
shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.
Section 7. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be
necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting
of the Board of Directors.
Section 8. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any
special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or
place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which
shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.
Section 9. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to
act, or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less
than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office
for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the
vacancy occurred, and until such director's successor shall have been duly
elected and qualified.
Section 10. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its election
by the stockholders shall appoint an Executive Committee, a Trust Committee, an
Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee, and shall elect from its own
members a Chairman of the Board of Directors and a President who may be the same
person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a Secretary and
a Treasurer, who may be the same person, may appoint at any time such other
committees and elect or appoint such other officers as it may deem advisable.
The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more Associate
Directors.
Section 11. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or without
cause, any member of any Committee appointed by it or any associate director or
officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.
Section 12. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in
charge of such of the departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem
advisable.
-18-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee
(A) The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than nine
members who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members and
who shall hold office during the pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Executive Committee shall have all the powers of the Board of
Directors when it is not in session to transact all business for and in behalf
of the Company that may be brought before it.
(C) The Executive Committee shall meet at the principal office of the
Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a
majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Executive
Committee or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The
majority of its members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be
held at any time when a quorum is present.
(D) Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be kept
and submitted to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
(E) The Executive Committee shall advise and superintend all
investments that may be made of the funds of the Company, and shall direct the
disposal of the same, in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Board
of Directors from time to time make.
(F) In the event of a state of disaster of sufficient severity to
prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company by
its directors and officers as contemplated by these By-Laws any two available
members of the Executive Committee as constituted immediately prior to such
disaster shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and
management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the
provisions of Article III of these By-Laws; and if less than three members of
the Trust Committee is constituted immediately prior to such disaster shall be
available for the transaction of its business, such Executive Committee shall
also be empowered to exercise all of the powers reserved to the Trust Committee
under Article III Section 2 hereof. In the event of the unavailability, at such
time, of a minimum of two members of such Executive Committee, any three
available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full
conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance
with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This By-Law shall be subject to
implementation by Resolutions of the Board of Directors presently existing or
hereafter passed from time to time for that purpose, and
-19-
<PAGE>
any provisions of these By-Laws (other than this Section) and any resolutions
which are contrary to the provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any
such implementary Resolutions shall be suspended during such a disaster period
until it shall be determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under
this section that it shall be to the advantage of the Company to resume the
conduct and management of its affairs and business under all of the other
provisions of these By-Laws.
Section 2. Audit Committee
(A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of five members who shall
be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall
be an officer of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the
Board.
(B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit
Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer
in charge of the Audit Division, review all reports of examination of the
Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for
that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with
respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the
Company as it shall deem desirable.
(C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever the majority
of its members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business,
and a majority of its Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3. Compensation Committee
(A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more than
five (5) members who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own
members who are not officers of the Company and who shall hold office during the
pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all
matters of policy concerning the Company brought to its attention by the
management and from time to time review the management of the Company, major
organizational matters, including salaries and employee benefits and
specifically shall administer the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.
(C) Meetings of the Compensation Committee may be called at any time
by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, or the President of the Company.
-20-
<PAGE>
Section 4. Associate Directors
(A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the
Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve during the pleasure of the
Board.
(B) An associate director shall be entitled to attend all directors
meetings and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board,
with the exception that he would have no right to vote. An associate director
will be eligible for appointment to Committees of the Company, with the
exception of the Executive Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation
Committee, which must be comprised solely of active directors.
Section 5. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee
(A) In the absence or disqualification of any member of any Committee
created under Article III of the By-Laws of this Company, the member or members
thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not
he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the
Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or
disqualified member.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 1. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all
meetings of the Board and shall have such further authority and powers and shall
perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time confer and
direct. He shall also exercise such powers and perform such duties as may from
time to time be agreed upon between himself and the President of the Company.
Section 2. The Vice Chairman of the Board. The Vice Chairman of the
Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at
which the Chairman of the Board shall not be present and shall have such further
authority and powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors or
the Chairman of the Board may from time to time confer and direct.
Section 3. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to
the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute or assigned
to him by the Board of Directors. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board
the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 4. The Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President as
designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal
directions of the Executive Committee and
-21-
<PAGE>
of the Board of Directors, and shall at all times exercise general supervision
over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties
incident to his office.
Section 5. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated
by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all the duties of the
Chairman of the Board of Directors and/or the President and such other powers
and duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of
Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board or the President
and by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are
assigned.
Section 6. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings
of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the Committees
thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings and to
recording the same in the minute books of the Company. In addition to the other
notice requirements of these By-Laws and as may be practicable under the
circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance
of the scheduled date of any other meeting. He shall have custody of the
corporate seal and shall affix the same to any documents requiring such
corporate seal and to attest the same.
Section 7. The Treasurer shall have general supervision over all assets
and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for
all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper
records of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all the transactions
of the Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the
Company and shall report to the Board of Directors at each regular meeting of
the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties as may be assigned
to him from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Executive Committee.
Section 8. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general
supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting,
and shall render to the Board of Directors at appropriate times a report
relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company.
There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers
however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such
duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.
Section 9. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in
charge of the Audit Division of the Company with such title as the Board of
Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible only to
the Board of Directors.
There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers,
however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such
duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Division.
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<PAGE>
Section 10. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all
Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to
time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office Assistant
Secretary of this Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed
by the officer in charge of the department or division to whom they are
assigned.
Section 11. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company
shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the
direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, Chairman of the
Board of Directors or the President and the officer in charge of the department
or division to which they are assigned.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Shares of stock shall be transferrable on the books of the
Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall
be recorded.
Section 2. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the
President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors
and countersigned by the Secretary or Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary, and
the seal of the corporation shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall
recite that the stock represented thereby is transferrable only upon the books
of the Company by the holder thereof or his attorney, upon surrender of the
certificate properly endorsed. Any certificate of stock surrendered to the
Company shall be cancelled at the time of transfer, and before a new certificate
or certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof. Duplicate certificates of
stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to
the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
Section 3. The Board of Directors of the Company is authorized to fix in
advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment
thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment or
rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or
exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of
stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor
less than 10 days proceeding 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 such consent.
ARTICLE VI
Seal
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<PAGE>
Section 1. The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following
form:
Between two concentric circles the words
"Wilmington Trust Company" within the inner
circle the words "Wilmington, Delaware."
ARTICLE VII
Fiscal Year
Section 1. The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE VIII
Execution of Instruments of the Company
Section 1. The Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice
President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power
and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and
the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to
attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds,
conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes,
mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or
in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other
fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or
by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of
Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval
or confirmation by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and any
and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though
expressly authorized by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IX
Compensation of Directors and Members of Committees
Section 1. Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than
salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or
fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors
may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as
members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be
paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as
the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and
associate directors may be employed by the Company for such special services as
the Board of Directors may from time to time determine and shall be paid for
such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined
by the Board of Directors.
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<PAGE>
ARTICLE X
Indemnification
Section 1. (A) The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may
hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made
a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of
the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, 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, fiduciary or
agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust,
enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee
benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably
incurred by such person. The Corporation shall indemnify a person in connection
with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized
by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(B) The Corporation shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the
payment of expenses incurred by a Director or officer in his capacity as a
Director or officer in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall
be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Director or officer to repay
all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Director or
officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article or otherwise.
(C) If a claim for indemnification or payment of expenses, under this
Article X is not paid in full within ninety days after a written claim therefor
has been received by the Corporation the claimant may file suit to recover the
unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be
entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action
the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not
entitled to the requested indemnification of payment of expenses under
applicable law.
(D) The rights conferred on any person by this Article X shall not be
exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire
under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these
By-Laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors or
otherwise.
(E) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this
Article X shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any
person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such
repeal or modification.
ARTICLE XI
<PAGE>
Amendments to the By-Laws
Section 1. These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or
in part, and any new By-Law or By-Laws adopted at any regular or special meeting
of the Board of Directors by a vote of the majority of all the members of the
Board of Directors then in office.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by
Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such
authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: By: /s/Donald G. MacKelcan
-------------------------- ----------------------------
Name: Donald G. MacKelcan
Title: Vice President
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
NOTICE
This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with
state publication requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking
authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state
publication requirements.
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY of WILMINGTON
- -------------------------------------------- -----------------
Name of Bank City
in the State of DELAWARE, at the close of business on March 31, 2000.
---------
ASSETS
Thousands of dollars
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins 201,493
Interest-bearing balances 0
Held-to-maturity securities 27,489
Available-for-sale securities 1,537,081
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell 337,813
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases, net of unearned income 4,531,569
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses............................. 68,310
LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve................................. 0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and
reserve 4,463,259
Assets held in trading accounts 0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) 120,726
Other real estate owned 537
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies... 1,582
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding.......... 0
Intangible assets..................................................... 5,006
Other assets.......................................................... 114,099
Total assets..........................................................6,809,085
</TABLE>
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES
<S> <C>
Deposits:
In domestic offices......................................................... 5,385,466
Noninterest-bearing........................................................ 934,606
Interest-bearing........................................................... 4,450,860
Federal funds purchased and Securities sold under agreements to repurchase.. 202,083
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.................................... 52,267
Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D).................................... 0
Other borrowed money:....................................................... ///////
With original maturity of one year or less607,000
With original maturity of more than one year43,000
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding.................... 0
Subordinated notes and debentures........................................... 0
Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)...................................... 92,580
Total liabilities........................................................... 6,382,396
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus............................... 0
Common Stock................................................................ 500
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock).................... 62,118
Undivided profits and capital reserves...................................... 400,571
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities...... (36,500)
Total equity capital........................................................ 426,689
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital......... 6,809,085
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